Avis’s Place beset by $65K funding gap

A $65,000 funding gap is threatening the quality of service at Avis’s Place, a daytime drop-in centre for adults with intellectual disabilities, a Career Connections Inc. official said.

CCI executive director Rushana Davy said the current provincial funding falls short of what’s needed to maintain and grow the program, impacting some of Manitoba’s most vulnerable residents.

“We are sincerely grateful to the Department of Families for providing funding to support the operating costs of Avis’s Place,” Davy told the Sun. “However, this amount is insufficient to fully cover the program’s operational needs.”

Operated by CCI, Avis’s Place has served the Brandon community since 2009, offering a safe and inclusive environment where participants can build social connections, develop life skills and engage in meaningful daily activities.

The centre currently operates out of a rented facility on First Street and serves about 25 participants daily, recording 4,669 visits in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Davy said more than half of the program’s budget goes toward staffing, covering just one full-time worker and a portion of a co-ordinator’s role.

“The rest is consumed by expenses such as rent, which totals over $28,000 annually,” she said. “Despite additional fundraising and grants bringing total funding to about $136,000 this past year, those sources are unpredictable and unsustainable.”

CCI has launched a fundraiser to raise $15,000 to support Avis’s Place programming.

“Funds raised will focus on three key priorities: staffing, program supplies and community engagement opportunities,” Davy said. “The goal is to ensure all participants can fully access programming without financial barriers, while also improving service consistency and quality.”

The fundraiser will also support outings and partnerships that connect participants with the wider community, a key part of reducing isolation and building confidence, Davy said.

Beyond the immediate campaign, she said, CCI is planning additional initiatives throughout the year, including a “CAS Calendar” fundraiser slated for the fall.

The impact of the funding gap is already being felt.

Staff turnover remains high due to non-competitive wages, programming can be inconsistent when staff are unavailable and some participants are asked to pay out-of-pocket for supplies, a barrier that excludes those who cannot afford it, she said.

“If we don’t secure additional support, we risk service disruptions and reduced programming,” Davy said. “For many of our participants, this is their primary source of connection and structure.”

Davy said local businesses and sponsors could play an essential role in sustaining the programs, particularly as costs continue to rise.

“Their involvement goes beyond funding,” she said. “It creates opportunities for collaboration, skill-building and real community inclusion.”

CCI will measure the success of its fundraising efforts not only by dollars raised, but also by the number of partnerships formed, a reflection of broader community engagement, Davy said.

Without increased support, she said, the future of Avis’s Place could be at risk.

“This program is more than a drop-in centre,” she said. “It’s a place where people find belonging, purpose and the support they need to grow.”

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