By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

founded in 1998

Agency helping Albertans through separation and divorce could close doors

May 8, 2024 | 3:59 PM

An Alberta organization which provides support for families navigating divorce and separation is in jeopardy due to a lack of funding.

Next Chapter Alberta is now relying on philanthropists and Albertans province-wide, as well as the government, to help it ensure it can continue to offer its services — otherwise, “the risk of closing is very real,” they say.

Since 1998, the non-profit organization has helped over 5,000 individuals and families, including through its program which is aptly called The Next Chapter, and is available online. Its Rainbows program for children is available at 130 sites and organizations in 65 communities.

“We are at a pivotal moment,” says Wil Kunyk, executive director. “Our mission has never been more critical, yet without the immediate financial support of $250,000, our ability to provide these essential services is at significant risk of ending.”

The $250,000 would given them enough to operate for two years, and would be substantially more than what they’ve been able to access through the AGLC.

mall went on lockdown

Two youths arrested at Bower Place after firearms complaints

7h ago

future use uncertain

Downtown building removed, but fire-ravaged property next door remains

May 18, 2024

2024 Red Deer grad ceremonies coming up soon

May 18, 2024

Next Chapter currently offers its seasonal eight-week, peer-led and trauma-informed course for just $99, though the cost to run it is much higher.

Wil Kunyk, executive director, Next Chapter Alberta. (SupplieD)

Kunyk says an organization that deals with divorce and separation is a tricky one to get support for because so many still see the subject as taboo.

“People think talking about it is going to put it in people’s’ minds and they fear for the loss of a relationship,” they say. “Talking about it is still seen as a negative thing even though the numbers show a huge percentage of our population is faced with the subject on a regular basis.”

The Rainbows program operates in central Alberta through Red Deer Public and Red Deer Catholic school divisions, as well as through the Sylvan Lake Community Partners Association, Blackfalds FCSS, Rimbey FCSS, Lacombe & District FCSS, Alix FCSS/MAC School, Erskine School, and the Heartland Youth Centre in Stettler.

Kunyk says the children’s program is essential in helping kids understand that they are not to blame for parental situations.

“We’ve recognized in our 25 years that divorce is more impactful to children than death because it’s an ambiguous loss. It’s not clear-cut, and there’s [usually] not someone going away,” says Kunyk.

“This can cause more stress when it comes to grief and loss for children, so we want to work with parents to help them understand the grief and loss too, and how it can impact their children. This way, families can transition in a healthy way.”

The Rainbows program is also available to children who are dealing with death, as opposed to divorce or separation.

About 10 per cent of people who access the adult Next Chapters program are in the Red Deer area, with 80 per cent coming from the Edmonton region.

“Best case scenario, our fundraising goals are met and we’re able to not only fund our programs, but even expand them to reach more people,” Kunyk concludes. “Reduced programming is an option if we meet part of our fundraising goal, but we definitely have an operational baseline that we need to meet in order to stay afloat.”

Next Chapter Alberta was originally known as Foundation for Families in Transformation, then became Starfish Family Resources, before transitioning to its current name.

.–

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the rdnewsNOW newsletter by visiting rdnewsNOW.com. You can also download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.