Media Release
Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Receives Reaching Home Funding to Address Indigenous Homelessness
​
[Grande Prairie, Alberta, June 17, 2024]-The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre is pleased to announce that it has been allocated more than $1.8 million between 2024-25 and 2027-28 in funding through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, to support efforts to address Indigenous homelessness in the Grande Prairie community.
​
The Reaching Home program is a community-based initiative aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. By partnering with the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, Reaching Home will support Indigenous-led services and build relationships with the community specifically designed to meet the unique needs of Indigenous individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
​
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. And organizations like Grande Prairie Friendship Centre are invaluable in helping us make this a reality for all Canadians. I am proud that of our partnership here that will make a real difference for Indigenous Peoples in Grande Prairie.,” says the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
​
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness to receive the Reaching Home funding to support our efforts in addressing homelessness in the city of Grande Prairie. We are also grateful to the Government of Canada for its commitment to provide the funding to an Indigenous organization such as ours to work at preventing or reducing homelessness for our Indigenous people here in the city. We are honored to have our efforts recognized in this manner and will work diligently to provide the best services while working for our Indigenous people!” says Len Auger, President of the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
​
The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre has been serving the Grande Prairie community for 59 years, offering a wide range of programs and services to Indigenous people living in the area. With this new funding, the Centre will be able to further its mission of providing safe, supportive, and culturally sensitive assistance to those experiencing homelessness.
​
The Reaching Home program is a key component of the Government of Canada’s National Housing Strategy. By providing funding to organizations like the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, the program aims to ensure that Indigenous individuals and families continue to have access to safe and affordable housing.
For more information about the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre and its programs and services please visit www.gpfriendshipcentre.org
For more information about Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, please visit https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/homelessness-sans-abri/index-eng.html.
In Friendship;
Leonard Auger
GPFC President
​
Media Contact:
Miranda Laroche
Executive Director