For four decades, the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre has remained an integral part of the community.
“The Friendship Centre is a gem in our community,” said Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski. “They've got a lot of youth programming and different programs that essentially assist and benefit all of us in the community.”
On Saturday, the Friendship Centre celebrated their milestone anniversary in style with a gala to commemorate their changes and growth over 40 years. Originally built to bridge the gap between non-aboriginal and aboriginal peoples, when it was first opened the centre's goal was to help aboriginals coming off the reserve to make themselves at home within the community.
Now, 40 years later, the Friendship Centre has expanded to offer a variety of programs for everyone in the community including children and youth programming, an elders program, community assistance, healthy families, justice initiatives and employment strategies. The centre also strives to be a place for fellowship, inviting people to stop in whenever they want for free coffee in the winter or water in the summer.
“I think the Friendship Centre is a wonderful thing in the community and more people need to recognize what we do as a centre. Forty years is a long time and it's had its days that the centre's struggled, right now we're slowly climbing back up there and making more and more partnerships in the community,” said Lauri Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Bonnyville Friendship Centre.
A large part of the work the centre does, particularly this year, is with the community kitchen and food bank. The downturn in the economy has hit many people and Fitzpatrick said the use of those programs has doubled this year. The food bank is serving around 130 per month, but that number is continually rising.
“We're constantly signing up new people, we do the food bank Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Just on Friday, she signed up two new clients – people are struggling right now,” said Fitzpatrick, adding that the donations just aren't keeping up with the demand.
“This past summer was the first time I've had to buy food for the food bank since I've been there for almost five years. We bought almost $10,000 in groceries this past summer, I couldn't seem to stock the shelves.”
Thankfully, the community of Bonnyville came together in a big way when the call for help was made. A number of local food drives lately have helped keep up the supply at the food bank for the time being, but coming into the Christmas season Fitzpatrick noted they're still going to need all the donations they can get.
A portion of the funds from the Friendship Centre's 40th anniversary gala will go towards the food bank. The gala was also used as a fundraiser for the centre's latest project: a building expansion.
The expansion would be located on the lot next to the current building, which is already owned by the Friendship Centre. It would allow the community kitchen to be brought upstairs and be more accessible to everyone.
“Our community kitchen is in the basement and the basement's very steep, some people can't access it. We have one gentleman who comes almost daily for the community kitchen but he has to eat upstairs by himself because he can't access it, he's in a wheelchair. We also have a lot of seniors who don't utilize it because of those stairs,” explained Fitzpatrick.
Use of the community kitchen has also increased this year, feeding about 350 people per month. The expansion is estimated to cost the centre $1.2 million, of that they have already raised around $400,000. Ideally, the Friendship Centre would like to have the permits and funding secured to break ground next summer.
The support of a group has given the community kitchen a major boost. While it hasn't been officially announced yet so they name of the group or company won't be released, Fitzpatrick was notified last week that the Friendship Centre will be receiving funding to run the community kitchen until 2017.
While 40 years is an accomplishment, the Bonnyville Friendship Centre is only planning on digging their roots deeper in the community. In addition to expanding the building, Fitzpatrick noted that they would also like to bring in more services, such a family counselor with a focus on mental health. There's no doubt that with the local residents behind them, the Friendship Centre will remain in Bonnyville for years to come.
“The town, as far as I can remember, has always been supportive of the Friendship Centre and the work that they do. We support them and congratulate them in their 40 years and wish them another 140,” said Sobolewski, who added he's not surprised the centre has stayed strong.
“This is the community and the region of Bonnyville. We're very special in how we encourage and embrace these types of programs, and (the Friendship Centre) is a real gem and jewel in the community.”
