The Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre (LNFC) has a few new staff on board including its executive director, Deborah Munroe who celebrates the non-profit’s new partnerships and expresses the desire going forward to connect with more people who are working on helping the unhoused.
Question 1: What is the major accomplishment for LNFC this year?
Munroe: Some of LNFC’s major accomplishments throughout this year include an increase in partnerships, our Outreach program, an active youth after-school program, expanded food security support through our partnership with Second Harvest, the continuation of the Jordan’s Principle program, and the completion of some building renovations.
Question 2: What was your biggest challenge?
Munroe: The biggest challenge we face as a not-for-profit organization is securing enough funding to meet the needs of the community.
Question 3: What are you looking forward to in the new year?
Munroe: Building new and maintaining existing partnerships in the community that will support the work we do for the community. It would be nice to have funding options available to meet all the needs of the community.
Question 4: What are you concerned about in 2025?
Munroe: Being able to support vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of. Seventy-eight per cent of the homeless population in Lloydminster is of Indigenous heritage and it would be nice for LNFC to build partnerships and programs that will assist in providing supports to our most vulnerable population. Some of our programs have a limited budget and this limits the type of supports that we are able to provide.
Question 5: What are your plans to overcome this hurdle in 2025?
Munroe: Sit at the tables that are discussing and working on the homelessness issue, be part of the solution, and find funding and partnerships that will support this initiative and programs that will meet the needs of our community.
