Vancouver family centre in financial crisis after federal funding cut

For nearly 50 years, the Mount Pleasant Family Centre in Vancouver has been a vital resource for local families, providing essential programs and services for parents, children, and refugees.

However, following significant federal funding cuts, the centre now faces the looming closure of several key programs.

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Historically, the centre has relied heavily on federal funding, particularly for its Early Years Refugee Program, which accounted for more than half of its annual budget.

But a federal decision to reduce the number of refugees coming to Canada has resulted in the termination of funding for these critical services.

In November of last year, the centre learned its request for funding renewal had been denied.

“Because of that, we’ve had to end the early years refugee program… The 31st of March will be the last day,” said Sanja Sladojevic, executive director at the Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society.

Sladojevic explains that the loss of the program, which helped refugee families adjust to life in Canada, creates a significant gap in funding, which will affect other services.

“We have decided that for now we’ll cut our programs on Mondays. At the moment, we have drop-in programs in the morning and afternoon, but after April 7, we will not,” Sladojevic explained.

“Unfortunately, the families will have to come on other days, and sometimes the drop-in can be extremely busy. So we will not be able to accept everyone who comes.”

With seven staff members already laid off, Saldojevic says the centre is facing the prospect of further cuts unless additional funding is secured.

“It’s been very stressful, and it’s really difficult. It’s difficult for the team and it’s difficult for the families. We have a big fundraiser on May 8, so after we finish with that, and when we see how much we managed to get, then we will hopefully we will have enough money to, at least for Monday mornings, be open again.”

To help keep services running until the fundraiser, a parent at the centre has also launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $100,000 by April 1st.

“It’s amazing, the support that we are getting from the community. There are so many parents now that want to join our board of directors and who are helping with the fundraising, and it’s very touching to have something like that.”