Central Alberta
Child Advocacy Centre looking for $3.9 million to complete Centre of Excellence building project
Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre: Public Campaign for CACAC Building Project – Centre of Excellence
The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) has officially launched into a public campaign for their building project – the Centre of Excellence. The 66,566 sq. ft. structure will be the new home of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, and Alberta Health Services: Red Deer Child and Youth Addiction and Mental Health Outpatient Clinic; Move your Mood Studio; and the Step Up Step Down youth live-in addiction and mental health program.
Mark Jones, CEO of the CACAC, says they need to raise $12M in order to cover the costs of the building. Of that $12M, they have already privately raised $8.1M. They’re appealing to the public to help them raise the remaining $3.9M.
“The business plan for this Centre makes a lot of sense for the community. Through 1st-tier tenancy agreements, and full integration with our partners, this project will be very sustainable. But more than anything else, this building project represents hope for these children. This one-of-a-kind centre is going to change the way society responds to child abuse, mental health, and addiction. These children and youths are at the core of everything we do. This public campaign is your way to
take an even bigger stand against child abuse.”
– Mark Jones, CEO CACAC
The building, constructed by Eagle Builders and located on the Red Deer Polytechnic main campus, aims to be open by the end of August 2023. The 3-story structure is being built with intentional common and shared spaces to better integrate crucial partnerships, and create an environment in which children, youths, and families feel comfortable and safe. The contemporary design of the exterior is meant to be inviting for the children and youths who will use the space, while also symbolising the integrated partnerships at work within the building and on campus.
“Eagle Builders cares about the protection and care of children and families in Central Alberta, which is why we were so pleased to be part of the construction of the Centre of Excellence and Child Advocacy Centre, “ said Dennis Haan, Director and President at Eagle Builders LP. “Once complete, this building will provide the very best in care for those that need it most – when they need it most. For us, this project is more than just putting up walls, it is an investment into the future of this province and a commitment to improving the lives of all Albertans.”
Terry Loewen, Chairman of the Board of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, notes that the CACAC addresses many of the mental health concerns faced by youth and families in Central Alberta.
”The CACAC is a transformational community project that rallies people to a common cause; that being mental health! Mental health has been something that never used to be talked about, and now it’s at the forefront of many discussions everyday. The CACAC has all the elements, and then some, in the area of mental health and is a game changer, not only for Central Alberta, but far beyond!”
– Terry Loewen, Board Chair, CACAC
Originally the vision of Sheldon Kennedy, the Centre of Excellence brings partners together for a fully integrated approach to addressing abuse. Additional research and programming will be introduced through Red Deer Polytechnic. The land was gifted to the CACAC by Red Deer Polytechnic as part of a strategic partnership that allows RDP to integrate the CACAC’s practices into its own research.
“Red Deer Polytechnic is excited to be partnering with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre. Housing this newly constructed Centre of Excellence on our main campus will ensure that Red Deer Polytechnic is actively collaborating with the CACAC and helping to advance best practices related to childhood trauma and maltreatment. The Centre will have a profound impact on youth and families in our community and across North America will also provide critical applied research and learning opportunities for Red Deer Polytechnic’s faculty, staff and students.”
– Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic
“So now we’re asking for your help. We’ve been meeting with donors and supporters, and we’ve been doing the work behind the scenes to bring this much-needed Centre to Central Alberta. We know the need is there, and that the need is growing. We’re building a path forward for these children and their families. We’ve brought together key partners, and we’re poised to meet the challenges head on. Now we’re asking your financial support, not just for us, but for a brighter
future for these children. We’re ready to build the future… are you in?”
– Mark Jones, CEO CACAC
To learn more about the project, or to donate, please visit: www.centralalbertacac.ca/centre-of-excellence/
You’re Our Biggest Advocate – And We Need Your Help
For six years, the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) has been advocating for children and youth who have had opportunities taken from them by abusers. The families we work with need support and guidance at a time that is often highly traumatic. In times of trauma, it’s hard – if not impossible – to navigate the system alone. That’s where the CACAC comes in.
When a child discloses their abuse to someone, it’s a moment of sheer bravery. That’s not to say that those who don’t come forward aren’t brave – in fact, simply getting dressed and trying to have a normal day at school is an act of bravery for a child who lives in an abusive situation. They deserve to have the best support imaginable, and when they tell their stories they should only have to do that once. After all, retelling one’s story of trauma can, in itself, be a form of re-traumatization. Before the CACAC, victims would have to tell their stories three, four, five or more times to different agencies and professionals. Thanks to changes in legislation, we have a multidisciplinary team comprised of many agencies and organizations that meets around the table to discuss these cases together.
These children, youths, and families have suffered from abuse, neglect, and/or sexual exploitation, and it is our job to advocate for them. You might be surprised to learn that one of their biggest advocates is you. The CACAC doesn’t charge these families a single cent to receive our services, and that’s largely thanks to you. Your support over the years has meant that we can continually offer the programs and services that these children need. The need is growing, and we’re poised to meet it head on, but we need your help.
The Centre of Excellence will be the new home of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, as well as the new home for the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) and select Alberta Health Services programs such as the Step Up Step Down youth live-in addiction and mental health program, Red Deer Child and Youth Addiction and Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, and Move Your Mood Studio. One and a half floors of our three-floor building will be leased to AHS, another half-floor to CASASC, and the CACAC will work from the third floor. The Centre of Excellence exists on the Red Deer Polytechnic main campus, and we’ve already begun integrating what we do into many of their curricula. Additionally, RDP will be creating a research hub dedicated to our field.
We need 12 million dollars for this building campaign, and we’ve already privately raised 8.1 million. We’re looking for your help to raise the remaining 3.9 million needed to get this life-saving system running. What we can do at the Centre of Excellence will change the ways in which society responds to child abuse. This project is the first of its kind in North America, and it will be built right here in Central Alberta. The children who need us deserve to have everyone standing up for them. With this campaign, and your financial support, we can make a greater stand. Let’s do this together for them. We’re ready – are you in?
Mark Jones, CEO Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre
A new team of Alberta Sheriffs will work alongside police to keep crime out of central Alberta communities by targeting problem properties.
Since 2023, Alberta’s government has invested more than $27 million to help fight crime throughout the province. Building on these efforts, the government is now expanding the Alberta Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit with the creation of a new team of investigators in Red Deer. The creation of the Red Deer SCAN team is the latest in a series of measures aimed at enhancing public safety and increasing the Alberta Sheriffs’ ability to support police throughout the province.
The move puts more resources on the ground with a team of qualified experts who will investigate properties where illegal activity has been reported and shut them down through court orders when needed. The Red Deer SCAN team – made up of four Alberta Sheriffs – joins existing SCAN teams in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge, which have proven immensely effective in working alongside local police to shutter problem properties throughout the province.
“Alberta’s government will always maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward crime of any kind, and the expansion of the Alberta Sheriffs’ SCAN unit reflects that. With the creation of a new SCAN team in Red Deer, we’re expanding the unit’s coverage even further and putting more boots on the ground where they’re needed. Let this be a message to all criminals: you are not welcome here. Communities in the Red Deer area have a right not to be plagued by drug and other criminal activity that create dangerous environments, and Alberta’s government will do whatever it takes to keep people safe.”
The Sheriffs’ SCAN unit operates under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which uses legal sanctions and court orders to hold owners accountable for illegal activity happening on their property, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and child exploitation. SCAN augments and supports local police to both investigate and close properties where evidence of criminal activity has been confirmed.
“Ensuring safety for law-abiding Albertans is of utmost importance for Alberta’s government and requires a comprehensive approach to effectively combat and prevent criminal activity. This involves enhancing law-enforcement resources, fostering community engagement, implementing crime prevention programs, and promoting collaboration between Alberta Sheriffs and local police. This SCAN team is a game-changer in central Alberta and puts criminals on notice that they are not welcome here.”
“The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act holds property owners accountable for activities on their property that threaten public safety. Alberta’s SCAN teams support policing efforts by addressing illegal activities on these properties. This additional team will enhance RCMP community safety programs.”
When a community member reports a problem property to SCAN, the unit begins an investigation. Once the investigation confirms the activity, investigators contact the property owner to try and resolve the issue informally. If informal efforts are unsuccessful, SCAN can apply to the courts for a community safety order to impose restrictions and conditions on the property and its owner, which could include closing the property for up to 90 days. Any criminal activity uncovered when dealing with these properties is turned over to the police to investigate.
“Over the years, SCAN’s impact on community safety has been profound. More often than not, we see individuals in these problem properties carrying out drug operations and other criminal activities beside homes, schools, playgrounds and other places where Albertans’ safety should never be in question. Crime has no place in any Alberta neighbourhood, and we look forward to working with our policing partners in the Red Deer area to help keep central Alberta communities safe.”
SCAN continues to see tremendous success, having closed problem properties in Lethbridge, Calgary, Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat in the last six months alone. Since May 2024, Alberta’s government has publicly announced the closure of seven problem properties by SCAN, including three in Calgary, two in Lethbridge, and one each in Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat.
“Creating a safer environment for our citizens improves the overall quality of our community in Red Deer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alberta’s government, SCAN and all our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe. This is great news for the City of Red Deer, and together, we can make our community safer. I encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to the SCAN unit.”
The Red Deer SCAN team’s operational boundaries encompass the city of Red Deer and its surrounding communities and rural areas, providing coverage to the central area spanning Ponoka to the north and Olds to the south.
From Blackfalds RCMP
Blackfalds RCMP execute search warrant seizing drugs and guns
Blackfalds, Alta. – In September of 2024 the Blackfalds RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) with assistance from Sylvan Lake GIS entered into an investigation involving an individual believed to be trafficking drugs in the community. As a result of the investigation, on Oct. 2, 2024, Blackfalds RCMP with assistance from Innisfail RCMP GIS and Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Service executed a search warrant at a home in Blackfalds.
As a result of the search RCMP seized:
- 253 grams of Cocaine
- $3343 in Currency
- 6 firearms
RCMP have arrested and charged Blackfalds resident, Lotus Joan Silver Stalteri-Roberts (25), with:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking;
- Possession of stolen property under $5000;
- Weapons offences (x8).
Stalteri-Roberts was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Oct. 3, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.
“This investigation saw the effective coordination of different RCMP Detachments and Sections to quickly and safely remove these drugs and guns from our community,” says Staff Sergeant Andrew Allan.
If you have any information about this investigation or about drug trafficking in the Blackfalds area please contact Blackfalds RCMP at 403-885-3333 or submit an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
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