BARRHEAD - The Ripple Connection Support Centre (RCSC) has had a rough go of it over the last few months.
The RCSC is a not-for-profit organization which opened in 2010; it provides services for people who directly have mental illness and brain injuries, as well as their families and caregivers.
In October, two RCSC board members, Deb Breitkreitz and Steve Bizuns, approached Town of Barrhead council, saying the organization was struggling to stay afloat and asking the municipality to consider waiving its municipal utility fees and paying half its rent.
Councillors noted they would consider the request in their upcoming budget deliberations. But it should be noted there was no mention that councillors opted to grant the request when it approved the 2025 final budget earlier this month.
However, regardless, new executive director Vernice Aitken said the organization had turned the corner and continues to serve clients and the community.
Aitken was previously with the Barrhead and District Family Support Services (FCSS), where she was the community support coordinator. She started her new position on Jan. 2.
"We are going through a bit of a reboot, and there will be some changes," Aitken told the Barrhead Leader on Jan. 21, adding what they will be has yet to be determined. "We are going through everything: our vision and core value statements. Our programming and examining what has been working and what hasn't. I want staff to feel like they can be creative and change things."
Although changes will inevitably come at the Ripple Connection in the coming weeks and months, Aitken said one thing not on the chopping block is the centre's "Warm Your Heart" lunch.
The lunch program, which has been an RCSC staple, provides a noon-time meal (from noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) for a modest fee of $30 for a punch card for 10 meals or $4 a meal for RCSC members and $5 for non-members.
For those who cannot afford the punch card, the RCSC offers "Angel cards," which the organization sponsors through its fundraising efforts.
In addition to the lunch program, Ripple is still hosting its popular Wednesday afternoon Laps on the Track program at the Agrena walking track.
"The time is a bit up in the air. It largely depends on how many people come for lunch," Aitken said, noting the program is organized by program and kitchen manager Natalie Halwas.
Funding for the organization comes from a multi-year services grant from Alberta Health Services.
"But that is not enough. It does not cover the wages for our staff, let alone all the other incidentals," she said, such as rent and utilities. "So we apply for many other grants and do what we can regarding other fundraising efforts."
The most notable efforts are the Ripple Connection Thrift and the Blue Suede Elivis-Tribute Music Festival in Westlock in August, which helps augment the RCSC lunch program through food donations. The RCSC is also the beneficiary of provincial gaming funds, with its next casino in St. Albert coming next year.
In February, RCSC will also launch its annual heart campaign. People can purchase hearts from participating local businesses, with the proceeds going to the centre.
"Half of it will go to our mental health awareness programs, with the other to our 'Warm Your Heart' lunch program," Aitken said.
Mainly, she said, the Ripple Connection offers referral services similar to that of FCSS', helping clients connect with the services they need.
"Whether it be AHS and addiction services, [Blue Heron Support Services Association]," Aitken said.
She added that the centre has acted as a refuge for people with no other place to go for a few hours in recent years.
"The coffee is always on, and although it is not fancy, we have machines where people can do laundry if they need it and come take a shower, and we have a small reference library and computer and Internet access, " Aitken said, adding every Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. the centre hosts some social activity. "Last week, it was poker."
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
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