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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

dire straits

Sendero Centre at ‘make-or-break’ moment, must raise $300,000 in next 60 days

May 28, 2025 | 11:34 AM

Red Deer’s Sendero Centre — formerly the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre — is in dire straits.

In fact, officials are pleading for the community’s support to help raise $300,000 over the next 60 days.

If that can’t be accomplished, the Sendero Centre will have to cut services, they say.

“This is a very concerning moment for us as an agency and for our clients and the families and individuals we support in central Alberta. Due to funding challenges and rising costs, we are facing a situation where, with great regret, I must tell you that we must reduce programs if we don’t receive the support we need,” said Patricia Arango, executive director.

“Just like we encourage our clients to ask for help and support when they are going through traumatic and tough times, we have realized as an agency that we need to ask for help from central Alberta. It is a hard thing to do, but we have to remember who we are doing this for. It’s for the children and adults in our counselling program, the people navigating the justice system through our Police and Court Support Program, and those in crisis calling or texting our Support Line or SART Team.”

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This is all despite the fact the Sendero Centre receives approximately $1.08 million annually from the Ministry of Children and Family Services — representing close to 70 per cent of its annual budget. It also received one-time funding of about $96,000 in 2023 to help with its long waitlist.

But the centre’s impact is far-reaching and critical, to say the least.

Last year, the Sendero Centre had 3,400 counselling appointments, an average of about 13 per business day.

Of all their clients, 273 were under the age of 18. It currently has 158 clients in its resources specialist program, with 97 at the intake and waitlist stage, and about 15 to 20 new clients daily.

Arango also wasn’t afraid to use the word closure as a possibility if things aren’t rectified.

Part of the puzzle is also now paying rent; though they get a good deal, rent is not something they ever had to budget for before moving into their new home at the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence.

“We are at a make-or-break-moment, and this is a ‘save the Sendero’ attempt. Whether it is a toonie, $200 dollars raised at a birthday or bake sale, or $20,000 from a program sponsorship, every little bit helps our clients,” said Christi Albers-Manicke, communications specialist.

“Right now, we are doing everything we can as a team to raise money for our centre. Our staff are now having to add fundraising on top of supporting clients while continuing to provide support services.”

In an attempt to raise funds, the centre is holding multiple events in the near future.

This Friday, a ticketed karaoke event is going down at Danielle’s Restaurant.

Then, through all of June, they are putting on ‘Toonies for Tomorrow’ — donation portals will be set up at locations around Red Deer and central Alberta, to collect cash and online donations. They will be around from June 1-20, and donations after that (or before) can be made online at senderocentre.ca/donate

While individuals can absolutely make a difference through that endeavour, they are also seeking collaboration from businesses to sponsor various programs, such as child counselling, police and court services, education, and the 24-hour support line.

Any businesses interested in hosting a donation portal or wanting to discuss sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to email calbers-manicke@senderocentre.ca.