Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

KAMLOOPS FAMILY RESOURCES SOCIETY

The Tree looking for solutions as funding expiry approaches for women-focused counselling service

Mar 11, 2025 | 4:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Family Resources Society is voicing concern about an end to funding for its current counsellor. The service is offered through The Tree, which is a drop-in support centre for local women and families.

The Tree’s executive director, Susan Wright, says the program has been funded for the past five years through the Community Action Initiative (CAI) as a Community Counselling Grant. It made counselling available at The Tree to women facing substance use, poverty, trauma and/or mental health challenges.

“That funding was only supposed to last for three years, so we can’t really complain that we haven’t got additional funding because it did stretch out for five years,” explains Wright. “CAI receives the funding from the Ministry of Mental Health and Substance Use and they haven’t heard one way or another about the funding. Certainly, we’re in some challenging times right now so it makes sense in that regard.”

Losing the counselling service entirely would impact dozens of people, as Wright says the organization’s counsellor currently has 25 people on their caseload, with a wait list of around 40 people.

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“It’s a very well used program and it’s kind of unique here to have a counselling program in that regard because with our drop-in program we have women that are here all day long and things can happen in the moment, and we have a counsellor on site,” notes Wright.

The current grant money will run out as of March 31 and The Tree says the CAI hasn’t had any confirmation from the province on whether that funding will continue. To avoid a complete loss of service, Wright says she has been applying for other grant opportunities and the organization has been collecting donations to continue coverage in some capacity.

“I think in the last week, we’ve secured about $2,500. Our goal is $10,000 by the end of the month, which is a pretty tall order. But we can always hope,” adds Wright.

More information on The Tree’s programs and a link to donate can be found on their website at www.kfrs.ca.