It was a challenging year for the Envision Counselling and Support Centre as it handled an increase in demand for services while operating with less funding.
The organization had a budgetary deficit this year due to the low energy economy and decreased money from government, but through grants and donations from surrounding communities and other organizations, Envision managed to weather the storm without having to cut any programs.
鈥淯nited Way Estevan and Weyburn have also acknowledged the need for ongoing commitment to the communities and increased our funding to support an intake counselling position as we continue to seek core funding,鈥� said Christa Daku, executive director at Envision.
鈥淭his position was necessary with all programs at capacity and the referrals for service continuing to climb.鈥�
She added the organization has had a record number of referrals for service again over the past year, making the intake counselling position an appreciated addition to the team.
Envision had to make waiting lists for certain programming, which is a first for the organization.
Lynda Rideout, assistant executive director, agreed the organization鈥檚 programming continues to be in demand in all areas, keeping the group busy.
鈥淥ur outreach team continues to educate and spread awareness about issues that are near and dear to us,鈥� she said.
鈥淲ith the expansion of our IVA (inter-personal violence and abuse) program through the Into the Sunshine grant, we have been able to offer some important education and awareness to our volunteers and the community around the prostitution activity in our region and how we can support those trying to exit the trade.
鈥淭his has been interesting work so far, and we are excited at what the future will bring in this area.鈥�
Envision鈥檚 family support program has also been heavily utilized and the organization has had ongoing hiring for new workers in all its locations.
The administration of the program went through an overhaul during the past year to grow support in each office, Rideout mentioned, as before it was Estevan-based and things weren鈥檛 running as smoothly.
鈥淭he preparations were done very well, and (it) was great planning for the succession of the program,鈥� she said.
鈥淎s always, we truly appreciate the strong working relationship we have with the local Ministry of Social Services teams.鈥�
Tough times were echoed by treasurer and finance committee chair Brian Pilloud, who noted the southeast part of Saskatchewan was hit particularly hard by the ongoing dip in oil prices.
Funding becomes strained regardless of the source, he said, whether it be through provincial partners or regular donors.
鈥淐oupled with this issue is the ever increasing demand for services that Envision provides to southeastern Saskatchewan,鈥� Pilloud said.
鈥淎 deficit budget was approved for the 2016-2017 year. The solution to this deficit budget was the drawdown on a portion of our reserves from previous years.鈥�
The organization was able to take advantage of that luxury because of the good financial year it had the year previous, and even though it ended with a deficit this year, Pilloud was happy to report financial results were close to what was anticipated.
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