Adult & Teen Challenge faces massive deficit

A plea for funds to Steinbach city council fell on deaf ears as Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada struggles to balance their books.

Daniel Emond, president and CEO said December is the month of giving, and the situation has improved since they made their plea to Steinbach in a Nov. 2 letter, in which they indicated they needed $750,000 before year-end.

With December nearly half over, the organization that works to offer a full range of addiction treatment and recovery services still needs to find about $400,000.

Emond said they received a letter from Steinbach council informing them there would be no grant, in line with city policy.

Adult & Teen Challenge is facing a number of challenges.

Emond said they’ve expanded their programs to deal with the over 1,000 requests for assistance from across the province including Indigenous communities.

“In 2024 we have seen these overall numbers increase by nearly 34 percent,” he wrote in the letter. “Our in-residence programs are operating near capacity, and we are receiving continual requests to add more community-based programs.”

The organization has also expanded their Steinbach presence with the community home to an in-residence men’s campus, a community office and a Super-Thrift store.

They are funded by a combination of micro-enterprise (vehicle donation program and Super Thrift stores), fundraising events and private donations.

However, this year donations are down, thanks to what Emond says is “erosion of donor’s disposable income and general donor fatigue”.

Steinbach’s Super Thrift has also seen a decline in sales due to construction in the area and a lack of available parking.

“We’ve increased services, and we haven’t been able to scale fast enough with new donations,” he said.

The organization will have to consider cutting back services it they can’t acquire stable funding and are considering moving the thrift store to a larger location in the next year.

Emond was disappointed by council’s decision to not offer any funding.

“It’s head-scratching to tell you the truth,” he said, adding he’s confident that with time people in the community and local government will understand the benefit of their presence.

Adult & Teen Challenge pays more than $30,000 to city coffers in municipal taxes annually. Emond said their Winnipeg space costs them a mere $100 in taxes in comparison.

He said communities such as Dryden and others in northwest Ontario have also been very supportive.

But he adds, he understands the city has policy to follow.

“I’m not upset, I’m disappointed,” he said.

The response from businesses and individuals in Steinbach has been a different story.

Emond said they’ve noticed a sharp increase as people and business owners dig deep to support their organization.

While one-time donations are always appreciated, what they need more than ever are monthly commitments. Emond said if 100 new residents pledged a monthly amount that could make a significant difference and allow them to maintain staffing levels.

“We have a facility here, but we don’t have enough staff because we can’t pay the staff,” he said.

Adult & Teen Challenge combines evidence-based rehab with a faith-based foundation. Programs focus on mental health counselling, spiritual guidance with pastoral counseling, outpatient care and inpatient long-term programs, group therapy, individual counseling, support groups and job skills training.

To donate go to teenchallenge.tc or call 204-949-9484.