West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre celebrates grand opening and 40th anniversary

By Joan Janzen

September 25th was a big day for the West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre. That afternoon, staff and board members celebrated their 40th anniversary and the grand opening of their new facility.

The afternoon started with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, after which guests were invited to sit on the deck, where Mayor Rod Perkins, Reeve Lionel Story, and Board Chairperson Lori McManus offered greetings.

“Forty years is a big deal!” Lori said. Because they faced many challenges along the way, Thursday’s windy weather seemed symbolic of the adversity that had been overcome.

The West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre celebrated their 40th anniversary and the grand opening of their new facility in Kindersley. Lori McManus and Michelle Weber, along with board members and staff are pictured at the ribbon cutting ceremony. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

Board member Pat Perkins and staff member Asha Patel help cut and serve anniversary cake to their guests. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

Lori thanked both past and present board members and staff, who go where the need is. She also thanked the Town of Kindersley, the Chamber, for helping to get the roof shingled, and the RM for helping to finish the basement. Also on the list were contract workers, most of whom donated their time, as well as the project manager and local businesses.

Executive Director Michelle Weber said they cover a huge area on a regular basis. They have received many donations throughout the years, some property-based, some financial, and some program-based.

“The vision is this is the first of five buildings to go on the property,” she explained. She described the facility as a multi-complex building housing visitation and interview rooms.

“We don’t ever thank big enough to everyone, but we can open our doors and show you the facility,” she said.

Guests were ushered into the building to enjoy cake and refreshments and tour the building.

The east side of the upper level is the clinic side, which includes offices, a board room, rooms for counselling, waiting rooms, visiting rooms, and interview rooms. The west side of the upper level is residential and includes bathrooms, a living room, a staff support room, an intake room and a kitchen.

The downstairs includes offices, four bathrooms, a family resource room, a board room, storage, a janitor’s room, a maintenance room, a therapeutic room and a laundry area.

“We focus on how to create growth in programs,” Michelle said. Those programs help people face their own challenges: job losses, increasing cost of essentials such as food, gas and utilities, family dysfunction and substance abuse.

While the staff and board extended thank yous, it was obvious that the “biggest thank you” goes out to each and every staff member who serves such a wide area.