Central Alberta
The CACAC Breaks Ground on the Centre of Excellence
Tuesday, June 21 marked a significant milestone for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre in the construction of the innovative Centre of Excellence.
With the building officially underway, CACAC and its dedicated partners can continue their efforts in creating a safer, healthier future for the children of Central Alberta. The new build is underway as of today, with construction beginning immediately. The projected 66,566 sq. ft. structure will be the new home of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, Alberta Health Services: Red Deer Child and Youth Addiction and Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, and the Step Up Step Down youth live-in addiction and mental health program.
“Alberta Health Services is grateful for the CACAC project. This collaboration will offer many services under one roof for youth experiencing trauma, substance use disorder and mental health concerns. Front line teams can consult seamlessly and develop relationships that simply would not exist outside the shared space of the CACAC. The ability to offer multidisciplinary care will support positive outcomes for youth and families and a shared vision for the community,” says Amy Klimosko, Director, AHS Red Deer Child, Youth, & Family Addiction & Mental Health.
The Centre of Excellence, a one-of-a-kind building in Canada, is an industry leading, evidence-based model strategically located on the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Campus – built to strengthen integration for all partners involved. This is a proven model to reduce long-term impacts of abuse on children, youth and families, cut back on systemic costs of child abuse and, ultimately, save more lives. Thanks to the partnership with RDP, the location creates not only a safe place for children and families in Central Alberta to seek and receive support, but a place of innovation and research – to not only aid in the intervention of child abuse and mental health, but for prevention of these societal issues. Education is a key factor in the role of child abuse prevention, and the RDP partnership is a main component to building this foundation.
“On behalf of everyone at Red Deer Polytechnic, I am pleased to welcome the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre to our beautiful campus overlooking the forest reserve and next to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre,” says Jim Brinkhurst, Interim President. “We look forward to this collaboration that will serve Central Albertans and present tremendous learning and applied research opportunities for students and staff for years to come.”
The building, constructed by Eagle Builders, is projected to be completed by Summer 2023. The 3-story, contemporary design, will be built with intentional common and shared spaces to cultivate collaboration between allied partners, and create an environment that children, youths and families feel comfortable and safe in.
“Today has been a shared vision since day one by our coalition, and I am beyond grateful that, because of our community, we are able to stand here and break-ground on this critical building. We look forward to sharing space with our integrated partners who share the same purpose: helping our children and our families. Thank you to all who have helped us pave our path towards our new home.” – Mark Jones, CACAC CEO
The CACAC looks forward to updating the community on the progress of the build and sharing more details on the Partners involvement and impact their commitment and programs will have on our community.
Central Alberta
United Way Central Alberta Kicks Off 2024 Campaign, Focused on Thriving Communities and Local Impact
United Way Central Alberta (UWCA) officially launched its 2024 fundraising campaign at their Campaign Kickoff Luncheon, presented by Johnston Ming Manning LLP, and held at the Red Deer Resort & Casino on September 12th. The event gathered campaign leaders, partner agencies, and community supporters to celebrate the beginning of the campaign season, with a shared goal of building thriving communities across Central Alberta.
“We believe in the power of united action to solve complex social challenges and create lasting change,” said Chelsea O’Donoghue, CEO of United Way Central Alberta. “Together, we can help people thrive by ensuring access to Basic Needs, increasing access to Mental Health services, and creating Brighter Futures for Central Albertans.”
O’Donoghue highlighted that over 38,860 Central Albertans are currently facing barriers to accessing essential Basic Needs. With 1 in 5 individuals facing mental health challenges this year, the need for suitable mental health services is also critical. Additionally, 12.7% of children and youth in the region live in low-income households, while 40% of seniors live with disabilities, further emphasizing the importance of targeted community support.
“Your support is changing local lives,” O’Donoghue emphasized, and attendees heard from Client Ambassadors Dani and Des, whose stories demonstrated the powerful impact that community support can have. “They represent two of the more than 12,171 individuals and families who benefited from the 23 programs and projects funded by local dollars last year. And that doesn’t include the 22 additional charities we invested in through federal funding to build resilience in our communities.”
O’Donoghue thanked Leadership Matching Challenge Sponsors, Warren Sinclair LLP, and Canadian Tire North & South Red Deer for their ongoing support, noting that new leadership donations of $1,200 or more would be matched this year, doubling their impact.
The 2024 campaign features several community events, including the inaugural Kick Off 5K Run on September 22, the ever-popular UW Whisky Classic Tasting event on November 7, and multiple Days of Caring volunteer initiatives, Basic Needs drives, and workplace fundraising events throughout the fall.
United Way Central Alberta’s 2024 campaign has already received a significant boost, with over $100,000 raised. “This is a community effort,” said United Way Central Alberta Board Vice Chair, Doug Doran. “We’re already off to a great start, and I encourage everyone to get involved, share what they’ve learned, and support our mission to make Central Alberta a place where everyone can reach their potential.”
For more information please contact:
Chelsea O’Donoghue, CEO, United Way Central Alberta 403.347.0513
[email protected]
News release from Alberta RCMP
Sylvan Lake RCMP respond to a report of an armed robbery at Sylvan Lake CIBC
On Sept. 4, 2024, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Sylvan Lake RCMP received a report of an armed robbery attempt at the Sylvan Lake CIBC situated at 5007 50 Street in Sylvan Lake Alta. Witnesses reported seeing a lone male dressed in reflective safety clothing enter the bank armed with a crow bar. The male is described as:
- Standing approximately 6 feet tall;
- Ridding a BMX style bike;
- Wearing a mask, dark sunglasses, high visibility construction type clothing.
Once in the bank, the suspect demanded the clerks to surrender over any available monies. The male fled the bank on foot, last seen riding away on a mountain bike. Fortunately no one was physically injured during this incident.
Members of the Sylvan Lake RCMP Detachment quickly responded to the area and conducted extensive patrols. The investigation is ongoing at this time. If you have any information about this crime or those responsible, please call the Sylvan Lake RCMP at 403-887-3333. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact 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 a crime online, or for the access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
‘They’re Gonna Pay For It’: A Texas Billionaire May Be About To Force Greenpeace USA Into Bankruptcy
Why You Shouldn’t Fret Much Over Russian Election Interference
Canadian pandemic bill wants to regulate meat production, develop contract tracing
There are no licensed COVID shots for kids under 12 – but CDC wants babies to get 3 Pfizer shots by 9 months
-
COVID-192 days agoBombshell long-term study of Pfizer, Moderna COVID shots shows ‘self-assembling nanostructures’
-
Brownstone Institute1 day agoiPhone Now Collects Your Mental Health Data
-
Censorship Industrial Complex2 days agoJordan Peterson agrees to social media ‘training’ mandate to defend free speech for all Canadians
-
David Clinton2 days agoWhat Drives Canada’s Immigration Policies?
-
COVID-192 days agoFreedom activist Monica Smit wins case against Australian gov’t but still must pay $240k
-
COVID-192 days agoDoctors don’t know how many COVID shots to order for children due to plummeting interest
-
Daily Caller1 day agoShoplifting And Vehicle Thefts Soared As Haitian Migrants Poured Into Ohio Town, Police Data Shows
-
Daily Caller24 hours agoBiden Admin Touts Reduction In Border Crossings While Flying In Hundreds Of Thousands Of Migrants