Centre of Hope, image via Facebook
Centre of Hope marks 20 years of service in Fort McMurray
FORT McMURRAY, Alta. — The Centre of Hope is celebrating 20 years of serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Fort McMurray.
Founded in 2005, the downtown daytime shelter has grown from a small drop-in space on McLeod Street into a hub of support on Marshall Street. Its programs now include daytime shelter, supportive housing, street outreach and women’s wellness services, as well as partnerships with Alberta Health Services and other agencies.
Executive director Rosie Keating said the anniversary is a chance to reflect on how far the organization has come and the lives changed through its work. “Our founding mission was to address homelessness with love, kindness and acceptance, and that still guides us every single day,” she said. “This milestone belongs not just to us, but to the entire community that has supported us for two decades.”
The organization credits its growth to the support of donors and partners, including the United Way, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and NEAFAN. Annual fundraisers such as the “Show & Shine” and the “KD Gala” have also sustained its programs. “The generosity of this community has been remarkable,” said Keating. “From volunteers to sponsors to local businesses, Fort McMurray has always stepped up when it matters most.”
Keating added that the centre’s work is more than providing shelter. “We hear from patrons that the Centre of Hope gives them a sense of safety and belonging. That is only possible because people here believe in standing together and lifting each other up.”
To mark the anniversary, the centre will host an open house Sept. 18 at its Marshall Street location. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature tours, program showcases, patron testimonials and light refreshments. Organizers say it will be both a celebration and an invitation to imagine a future where every person has a place to call home.
Comments