Community
“Proper Execution” of an Integrated Shelter for Red Deer – MLA Jason Stephan
Submitted by Red Deer South MLA Jason Stephan
With Proper Execution an Integrated Shelter is a Great Opportunity for Red Deer
Alberta’s Provincial Government has committed $7 million in taxpayer dollars for an integrated shelter service.
This is important. Many families and businesses in our community are very concerned with growing property and persons crimes, needle debris, and shelter camps and garbage in public spaces caused, in many cases, by adult users of shelter services.
Properly implemented, an integrated shelter service is a great opportunity, to make an imperative course correction, better serving our homeless adult population, while repairing a torn social fabric and distrust in our community; improperly implemented, this shelter will entrench an unacceptable status quo and exacerbate growing frustration in our community.
In consultation with Minister LaGrange and I, our elected City Council has been requested to provide specific recommendations on the potential location(s) and service provider(s) for an integrated shelter service.
It is much better for elected leaders in our community to have input in decisions with significant impacts to our community then unelected bureaucrats outside of our community. Minister LaGrange and I are excited to work with our elected municipal leaders and friends!
Listening to the insights and perspectives from businesses and families in our community, the following necessary outcomes were shared with City Council:
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Provide shelter services in a positive, efficient, and effective manner
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Focus is positive, integrated support for adults desiring to become more self-reliant, and as applicable, free of addictions.
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Hard earned taxpayer dollars are respected for modest and practical structures, with a focus on services to homeless adults over edifices or organizations
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Leverage off respective competencies and strengths of different community organizations …
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Consolidate overlapping services to stretch scarce taxpayer dollars.
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Required Tangible Outcomes for Families and Businesses in our Community
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Relocate … shelter out of a residential neighborhood
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Locate dry shelter and wet shelter proximate to each other to reduce issues for wider City families and businesses.
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Relocate … meal services out of a residential neighborhood.
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Consolidate meal services for our homeless in one location, close to shelters serving all adult shelter users, engaging civil society to save taxpayer dollars, and reduce issues for wider City families and businesses.
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Provide effective day-time programming options and integrated supports towards self-reliance for adult shelter users choosing to participate, engaging civil society volunteers and service organizations, and local businesses.
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Provide daytime sheltering, especially for incapacitated adults, including lockers and bathrooms, reducing issues for wider City families and businesses.
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Provide accountable protections to our community from the risk of shelter service providers acting without regard to the collateral consequences of their actions to businesses and families in the community.
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Community
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer celebrates 10th season in 2025 with new leadership
L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
Community
Festival of Trees tickets on sale! Update from the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
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