Brandon Friendship Centre Circa 2010
For a number of years this was the website for the Brandon Friendship Centre, an urban Aboriginal service delivery agency developing programs and support services to meet the needs of Aboriginal people in the community as a whole. If you have inadvertently found this site looking for the Brandon Friendship Centre, please go to their current site.
The current website for the Brandon Friendship Centre is found at: https://www.brandonfriendshipcentreinc.ca/
Content is from the site's 2010 archived pages providing a brief glimpse of what this site offered its community.
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An update: 2020 Update with respect to Covid-19. Brandon Friendship Centre, just like everywhere in the world, has taken steps to ensure their community and those who access their facility and services are kept safe. Some services have closed and others are modified.
After retiring from the Assiniboine Community College, I moved to a Baltimore. It was a bit of a shocker, but not in a bad way- just different. I have really enjoyed the past five year in Maryland, but finally recognized with the onset of Parkinson's disease I should probably move into an assisted living facility. My daughter who lives just north of Baltimore in Bel Air suggested, a senior care / assisted living facility, Hart Heritage Estates in Forest Hill Maryland which would be close to her. I moved in in January of 2020. The past twelve months has been surreal to say the least when the Covid 19 pandemic hit. Lots of fear when assisted living facilities and nursing homes were overwhelmed with so many deaths due to Covid 19. Hart Heritage Estates did not escape unscathed, some residents did die of Covid 19. But the facility responded quickly with masks, masks, masks, social distancing, and now visitors. It was difficult to be so isolated, but I did spend a great deal of time face timing with my adult children. We have now all been vaccinated along with all the staff at Hart Heritage Estate With Spring approaching I am looking forward to being able to go outside and sit watching the arrival of birds. Nestled on 6.5 acres of park-like grounds, all us residents have a front row view of nature at its finest. I must say I don't miss the winters in Brandon, but that area of Manitoba is lovely and I do miss hiking and fishing in the various Provincial Parks. Hopefully by the summer travel between Canada and the US will get back to normal. My daughter said she would go with me to Brandon for a visit. I would like to do as soon as it is possible, before my Parkinson's disease makes traveling really difficult. Summer is really lovely in Manitoba.
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CIRCA 2010
The Brandon Friendship Centre is pleased that you have visited our site. There are plenty of programs and services being offered by our Friendship Centre. Please explore our programs and if you require more information please call or send us an email.
Our main office is located at 836 Lorne Avenue Brandon, MB. R7A 0T8.
We also have buildings at 303 9th Street, 205 College Avenue, 321 9th Street, and 602 Rosser Avenue.
The Brandon Friendship Centre has an open policy whereby membership is open to all Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people.
We have a front Drop-In area that serves as a meeting place for anyone wanting a place to relax and have coffee during the day.
The Brandon Friendship Centre is 1 of 120 Friendship Centre’s across Canada and 1 of 11 in Manitoba.
Brandon Friendship Centre
A Bridge Between Two Cultures
A Friendship centre is an urban Aboriginal service delivery agency. It exists to meet the needs of people, either migrating to cities or living in them. It attempts to bridge a gap between two cultures, the non-urban and urban culture.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to provide programs & services to all people with an initial emphasis on Aboriginal people
Objectives Of Our Centre
To carry on without pecuniary gain, objects of a national, charitable, scientific, social or professional character and the like.
To partner with service agencies, volunteer organization, private industry and all levels of government in advancing and maintaining the well being of Aboriginal people.
To provide medium for the development of Aboriginal leadership in the community.
To assist the community in promoting a deeper awareness of the culture and heritage of our Aboriginal population.
To develop programs and support services to meet the needs of Aboriginal people in the community as a whole.
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 4:30pm
By appointment only
Contact
The Brandon Access Exchange Service
836 Lorne Ave. Brandon, MB. R7A 0T8
Canada
Phone: (204) 729-8115
Fax: (204) 726-0902
Email: [email protected]
Brandon Access Exchange Service
BAES provides supervised access services to families where there has been a history of domestic violence and/or where there exists a high level of conflict.
The primary goal of BAES is to ensure the safety and well being of children by providing a secure and comfortable environment in which visits and exchanges can occur. BAES does not provide service to families where children are in the care of Chidl and Family Servies.
BAES does not make assessments or judgements with respect to whether a parent should or should not be supervised. Observation notes completed by facilitators following each visit/exchange provide a factual accounmt of what occurred during contact.
BAES does not negotiate access conditions nor will we advocate on behalf of parental parties.
Visitation:
Wednesday 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Friday 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Saturday 12:00 - 4:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Exchanges:
A Supervised exchange is the transfer of children between two parental parties involving a third party who facilitates and supervises the actual exchange. The purpose is to avoid contact and potential conflict between parties throughout the course of the transfer.
How Do I Apply?
- Participation in BAES is voluntary.
- Both parents must initiate contact with BAES before we will proceed with the application process.
- Once we have been contacted by both parties, intake appointments are scheduled inpidually with each parent.
A supervised visit is contact between a parent and one or more children in the presence of a facilitator. The facilitator observes, listens and intervenes when necessary by limiting or modifying a parent's behavior and protects the child from potential harm during a visit.
Fees:
Supervised Visit
$10.00 (maximum 2 hours)
Supervised Exchange
$5.00 (per exchange)
BAES works with families where:
- There has been a history of domestic violence and/or continued conflict
A parent identifies concern for their personal safety
There exists a court order pertaining to access or where there is an agreement between parties
We are a non-profit organization and donations are welcome
Contact Information
Main Office 727-1407
BAYAC Youth Drop-In 729-8112
B.A.E.S. 729-8115
Kokum's Daycare 728-9041
Headstart 729-0788
In A Good Way 571-0670
Aboriginal Healing and Wellness (Nellie) 726-1112
Aboriginal Healing and Wellness (Lorrie) 726-8791
Portage Aboriginal Head Start (204) 239-5853
Adult Upgrading 726-1830
Stepping Out 727-1407
Hours of Operation
Main Office
Monday 8:30-4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30-4:40pm
Wednesday 8:30-4:30pm
Thursday 8:30-4:30pm
Friday 8:30-4:30pm
Aboriginal Healing and Wellness
Monday 8:30-4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30-4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30-4:30pm
Thursday 8:30-4:30pm
Friday 8:30-4:30pm
Little Teaching Lodge/Portage Aboriginal Head Start
Monday 8:00-5:00pm
Tuesday 8:00-5:00pm
Wednesday 8:00-5:00pm
Thursday 8:00-5:00pm
Friday 8:00-2:00pm
BAYAC and PCC Programs
Sunday 1:00-8:00pm
Monday 3:00-9:00pm
Tuesday 3:00-9:00pm
Wednesday 3:00-9:00pm
Thursday 3:00-9:00pm
Friday 3:00-10:00pm
Saturday 3:00-10:00pm
Stepping Out
Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
Brandon Friendship Centre Staff
GAIL - Executive Director
ANITA – Financial Administrator
CARLA – Receptionist
STEPHEN - Janitor
JAMIE – Housing Maintenance
MAVIS – In a Good Way Coordinator
BARB – CPNP Coordinator
ERIKA– Family Support Worker
LAURENE– CPNP Assistant
CHARLENE– Family Support Worker
TAMMY – Head Start Coordinator
LARA – Head Start ECE
AMANDA – Inclusion Facilitator
KATHY – ECEII
ELILAH– IF WORKER
DENISE – Driver/Cook
SHARI – Head Start Receptionist/PIC
LYNDON – Adult Upgrading Instructor
BRENDA – Literacy Tutor
MELISSA – Partners for Careers Counselor
CARRIE – Partners for Careers Assistant
RANDA– UMAYC Program Coordinator
JEANINE – BAES Coordinator
BRITTANY – BAES Facilitator
SHIRLEY – BAES Facilitator
SERINA – BAES Facilitator
GINA - BAES Facilitator
HANNAH - BAES Facilitator
NELLIE - Community Wellness Worker
LORRIE – Community Wellness Assistant
SAMANTHA – Community Liaison Assistant
MARIE– Referral Worker
FRANK – Cultural Worker
VERNON – Project HOPE Caretaker
ANNA KAY – Day Care Coordinator
REBECCA – Day Care ECEII
DONNA - Day Care ECEII
YAN – Daycare ECEII
NICOLE - Daycare ECEII
CHANTELLE - Day Care ECE
AMANDA - Daycare ECE
DIANE– Daycare Cook
STEPHANIE - PLP Daycare Supervisor
RACHELLE - PLP Parent Involvement Coordinator/Admin
HEATHER - PLP ECE
CRISTA - Cook/Driver
JAKI - PLP Daycare ECE
TANYA - PLP Daycare ECE
LAURA - PLP Daycare ECEII
LAURA – FASD Coordinator
LEANNE– FASD Support Worker
PAUL– FASD Support Worker
LAURENE – FASD Support Worker
KATHY – FASD Support Worker
PAUL - Financial Admin Assistant
More Background on BrandonFriendshipCentre.net
The Brandon Friendship Centre: A Pillar of Indigenous Support in Manitoba The Brandon Friendship Centre has been a cornerstone of Indigenous support and community building in Brandon, Manitoba for over half a century. As one of 11 Friendship Centres in Manitoba and part of a network of over 100 such centers across Canada, it plays a vital role in bridging cultures and providing essential services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike.
History and Founding
The Brandon Friendship Centre's roots trace back to the late 1950s, during a time of increasing urbanization of Indigenous populations in Canada. The center was officially incorporated in 1964, making it one of the earlier Friendship Centres established in the country. The impetus for its creation came from a group of dedicated community members, led by Audrey Silvius, a public health nurse who recognized the challenges faced by Indigenous people moving to urban areas. Silvius, along with other concerned citizens, formed the Brandon Friendship Council, which laid the groundwork for what would become the Brandon Friendship Centre. In its early days, the centre operated out of various locations, including a house donated by the Salvation Army on 13th Street. As its services expanded and demand grew, the centre moved to larger premises, eventually settling into its current main location on Princess Avenue.
Services and Programs
Over the years, the Brandon Friendship Centre has developed a comprehensive array of programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of the community. These include:
- Early Childhood Education: The centre operates daycares and Head Start programs, providing culturally appropriate care and education for Indigenous children.
- Youth Services: Programs like the Brandon Aboriginal Youth Activity Centre (BAYAC) offer safe spaces and activities for Indigenous youth.
- Adult Education: Adult upgrading courses help community members improve their literacy and job skills.
- Employment Services: The centre assists with job searches, resume writing, and career counseling.
- Housing Support: Through its housing authority, the centre provides affordable housing options and transitional housing for those in need.
- Cultural Programs: Various initiatives aim to preserve and promote Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions.
- Health and Wellness: Services include prenatal nutrition programs, mental health support, and addiction counseling.
- Senior Services: The centre offers programs specifically tailored to the needs of Indigenous elders.
Cultural and Social Significance
The Brandon Friendship Centre plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting Indigenous cultures in an urban setting. It serves as a cultural hub where traditional practices, languages, and knowledge can be shared and celebrated. The centre's cultural programs, such as language classes, traditional crafts workshops, and ceremonial events, help to maintain a strong connection to Indigenous heritage for urban residents. Moreover, the centre acts as a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, fostering understanding and reconciliation. It provides opportunities for cultural exchange and education, helping to break down barriers and stereotypes.
Community Impact
The impact of the Brandon Friendship Centre on the local community has been profound. In the fiscal year 2015-2016, the centre reported serving over 13,000 unique individuals, with these people accessing various programs and services more than 267,000 times. This high level of engagement underscores the centre's importance to the community. The centre's housing initiatives have been particularly impactful. By providing affordable and transitional housing options, it has helped many Indigenous individuals and families establish stable living situations, which is crucial for overall well-being and success.
Challenges and Adaptations
Like many community organizations, the Brandon Friendship Centre has faced its share of challenges over the years. Funding constraints, changing demographics, and evolving community needs have required the centre to be adaptable and innovative in its approach. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a significant challenge, forcing the centre to modify its services and find new ways to support the community while adhering to public health guidelines. This included shifting some programs online and implementing strict safety protocols for in-person services.
Partnerships and Collaborations
The Brandon Friendship Centre's success is due in part to its strong partnerships with other organizations. It works closely with local government agencies, educational institutions, health services, and other community groups to provide comprehensive support to its clients. One notable collaboration is with Brandon University. The centre has partnered with the university on various research projects and initiatives aimed at improving services for Indigenous communities.
Recognition and Awards
Over the years, the Brandon Friendship Centre and its staff have received recognition for their contributions to the community. While specific awards are not widely publicized, the centre's longevity and continued growth speak to its effectiveness and the high regard in which it is held by the community it serves.
Future Directions
As the Brandon Friendship Centre looks to the future, it continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the community. Recent initiatives have focused on addressing issues such as youth homelessness, mental health support, and cultural revitalization. The centre has also been actively involved in reconciliation efforts, working to educate the broader community about Indigenous history and culture, and advocating for Indigenous rights and interests.
The Brandon Friendship Centre stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives to effect positive change. From its humble beginnings in the 1960s to its current status as a multi-service organization, the centre has consistently worked to improve the lives of Indigenous people in Brandon and the surrounding area. As it continues to adapt and grow, the Brandon Friendship Centre remains true to its core mission of bridging cultures and providing support to all who need it. Its enduring presence and impact make it an integral part of Brandon's social fabric and a model for Indigenous support services across Canada.