Prince George Native Friendship Centre
Membership Applications Can be picked up at:
1600 - 3rd Avenue front reception desk.
The Prince George Native Friendship Centre was established in 1969, by a group of young Aboriginal people interested in promoting cultural, recreational, and social programs in the community. In 1971, the organization was formally established as a Society and duly registered under the Provincial Societies Act and as a Registered Charitable organization with the Department of National Revenue and Taxation.
Over the past thirty-eight years the Friendship Centre has grown steadily, the organization currently employs 150 full time staff with numerous part time positions, and is the largest Friendship Centre in Canada!
In fulfilling this mission, we have developed a wide variety of programs and services specifically designed and delivered to meet the needs of urban Aboriginal people. In keeping with our mission statement, non-Aboriginal people are also welcome to access programs and services at the PGNFC as well. These services include social and health programs, education and employment programs, and economic development.
Our Mission Statement
“We are a dynamic team facilitating individual, family and community growth through the power of friendship”.
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A partnership between:
The Prince George Native Friendship Centre, Northern Health & BC Housing
Friendship Lodge Vision: The Prince George Native Friendship Centre will join with BC Housing and Northern Health to operate 30 units of supported housing, which will address the needs of adults who are homeless or at-risk of being homeless. Core to the development of Friendship Lodge is addressing the needs of the most vulnerable people in our community though the provision of an affordable, safe “home” supportive atmosphere thereby facilitating their transition to greater stability.
Friendship Lodge will assist individuals with mental illnesses and/or physical disabilities and those with drug and alcohol addictions with the help they require to transition to self-reliance and independence.
All services will be holistically designed and focus on minimizing these barriers by addressing the emotional, mental and physical needs of the residents thereby enabling them to have a greater quality of life and become positive, contributing members of the community. The professional mental health services required by the residents on site will be provided in collaboration with Northern Health.
Friendship Lodge services will include:
Lifeskill development;
Employment readiness development services;
Case management and therapeutic group work;
Linkages to the continuum of health, mental health, and addiction services;
Group activities;
Referrals to other community services when required;
Ongoing property risk management;
On-site 24 hour caretaker; and
Residential support workers.
Why do we believe in Friendship Lodge? The Prince George Native Friendship Centre believes in:
Safer neighbourhoods;
Affordable, supportive housing;
Increasing housing opportunities in Prince George;
A continuum of services to our most vulnerable citizens;
A holistic vision of health;
Community partnerships;
For information contact:
Barbara Ward-Burkitt, M.Ed. – Executive Director
1600 Third Avenue
Prince George, BC V2L 3G6
Ph. 250.564.3568
Fx. 250-563-0924
bwardburkitt@pgnfc.com
www.pgnfc.com
Friendship Lodge Update – March 2008
April 2007
- PGNFC responded to second EOI from BC Housing & Northern Health;
- Proponents had one option only, as the Service Provider at the previous Backpacker Motel site on Queensway;
- PGNFC proposed an annual operating budget of $277,000.00;
- Approval of EOI submission and selected as Primary Operator of Friendship Lodge May 15 2007; and
- First Media Announcement May 23, 2007.
Hosted Community Sharing Circles
- Sharing PGNFC’s vision for FRIENDSHIP LODGE with community members;
- Wednesday, June 13th, 2007:
Session 1 - 3 pm to 5 pm,
Session 2 - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Minutes from meeting and results of survey were made available to community members in hard copy and on the PGNFC website.
Tasks To Date
- Proposed Friendship Lodge Site Zoning
- 1st & 2nd Reading by City Council
August 27, 2007- Approved
- City Council Public Hearing
October 2, 2007
- Final Hearing by City Council
November 21, 2007 - Decision tabled to the Next City Council Meeting; and
- December 3, 2007 - Approved
- LEED** Meeting - Vancouver
January 23, 2008
- Initial Meeting with Northern Health
January 30, 2008
- Development of DRAFT Service Delivery Model
- **Note: The new Friendship Lodge building will be built via a LEED construction design (Leadership in Energy in Efficient Design).
Next Steps
- Approval of Borrowing Resolution from Society membership;
- Confirm Lease and Mortgages with BC Housing;
- Finalize Operating Agreement and Operating Budget with BC Housing;
- Finalize development of Service Delivery Model;
- Finalize financial negotiations with Northern Health;
- Host Community Consultation Meeting;
- Work with community service providers to seek potential tenants;
- Submit proposal to VanMar Contractors re: skilled/unskilled labourers available through Native Employment Unit; and
- Start geothermal on site the first week of April 2008, with construction start to follow;
- Proposed opening of Friendship Lodge - March 2009
Minutes/ Summary from June 13th 2007
Summary of the main objections and concerns:
- No research done on the location in terms of what is the best possible location for the residents, and in terms of the impacts on the local neighbourhood.
- Concerns expressed that this property has been picked purely for economic and availability reasons
- There are a lot of children in the area, as well as a park, and concerns were raised about the safety of the children with people living nearby who have addiction problems, mental health issues, and potentially criminal issues (e.g. pedophiles)
- Residents are also concerned about used needles, used condoms, etc.
- Neighbourhood residents said they are highly suspicious that this is already a “done deal”, and that consultations are artificial and will not change anything. There was some resentment that they had not been informed or communicated with much earlier in the process
Summary of the main questions:
- What is the wisdom of combining people with mental health problems with drug addicts? Wouldn’t this cause more problems with vulnerable people?
- Why is this housing located so close to the “problem” area of town, where drug addicts and criminals are within easy access?
- What other areas would be more suitable for this project?
- What other meetings/communications will occur in the future so that residents can continue to voice their objections/concerns/support?
Summary of the main support:
- The Native Friendship Center has a good reputation with it’s other properties, and confidence was expressed in their ability to maintain a clean and safe building
- A few people expressed support for the location, saying that it was close to social services, shopping, public transportation, etc.
- Several people expressed their thanks and understanding of the need and value of this project
Summary of the responses from the resource people present:
- The location was picked partially because it was available, and primarily because a need was expressed for this type of housing in Prince George, and the location seemed to be a good fit in terms of the future needs of the new residents.
- In terms of safety concerns, their will be a building care taker on site 24 hours a day, as well as other support staff available during the day. The NFC has also committed to provide a 24-hour phone number that people can call if they have concerns or complaints.
- The NFC has committed to continue to communicate with the existing neighbourhood residents to keep them informed and to invite more feedback if the project goes ahead. . The meetings today were a part of the process, but are not a “done deal” as the zoning still has to occur at the municipal level and there will be further opportunities for residents to voice their opinions.
- In terms of “who will live there”, as this is permanent housing, the “regular” rules of any housing complex will apply, including evicting problem tenants if necessary; dealing with complaints promptly, and involving social service providers, police, or other health & safety staff as necessary. Residents will pay rent, be expected to be good neighbours and keep their apartments in good order, just like any other residential housing.
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to
servicing the needs of Aboriginal people residing in the urban area and improving
the quality of life in the community as a whole. Fundamental to this is the
recognizing the inherent worth of all peoples regardless of race, creed, sexual
orientation, or culture and to promote this view in the community at large.
