The impact of the possible closure of the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse (PRSC) if funding isn't reinstated is already being felt in the community.
The PRSC board of directors was notified on Feb. 14, that their contract with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction will be terminated as of April 30, 2025.
The board has said in a letter posted on social media that without a funding source, closure of the club is 'imminent.'
Ponoka resident Gwen Norman said the closure of PRSC would be "completely devastating" to her 37-year-old son Garret Norman, who is on the autism spectrum.
Garret, who gave permission for his name to be used, has been a member of PRCS for about 14 years and employed with them for around 10.
Although Garett has been diagnosed as high functioning and can be on his own while she's at work, Gwen is concerned how the closure will impact him, as the clubhouse is currently his only access to socialization and employment.
"He's very anxious right now," said Gwen.
Garrett didn't have good experiences applying for jobs on his own before joining the clubhouse.
One business even told him he wasn't worth the trouble, said Gwen.
"How demeaning is that?"
She said Garret was deeply affected after being fired from a fast food job, said Gwen.
"It took him two years to get over ... he was suicidal."
Gwen said joining the clubhouse "slowly brought him out of his shell," as he started socializing at the club and attending their meals and activities.
Because of his employment with PRSC in their recycling program, helping to sort cardboard and bottles, he's able to pay the lot rent for the mobile home he and his mom live in.
Being able to work and have a place to socialize has done wonders for his mental health, she said.
"If it wasn't for them, it would've been a totally different story."
Because of the clubhouse, their members, some of which have autism or Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or live with brain injuries, are able to part of the workforce, "live with themselves, by themselves and contribute back to the community."
Gwen said the club members who rely on PRSC are scared right now, because without it, there's "absolutely nothing" local for them.
Gwen, who's lived in Ponoka now for over 20 years, says raising Garret as a single mom was a "tough road."
Despite being assessed many times, there was no diagnosis for Garret for years, and "the government requires a label to get anywhere," she said.
Gwen said Garret was kicked out of school by Grade 5 and kind of "fell through the cracks." A junior high school outreach program was started up in Ponoka "to fit him in," she said.
Garret was really involved in the Boys and Girls Club until he was aged out of the program, but after that, there aren't local supports or social clubs for adults who need support, she said, although she said she'll be looking at the legion as a possibility.
"Once you turn 18, that's it. There's nothing."
Moving to a larger centre where more resources may be available isn't an option she "won't be around forever," and without her, Garret wouldn't be able to afford rent on his own in a city, said Gwen.
Garett also doesn't drive. The clubhouse has been his main way to socialize and go shopping, as the staff take the members on outings.
While they have some support from extended family, they live some distance away and aren't part of Garret's day-to-day support system or routine.
The impacts of the club's closure would be "far reaching," said Gwen. "It's going to leave a huge whole in that community ... for both the members and staff."
"The clubhouse provides a safe and supportive environment for persons who are past and present patients of mental health services in an accepting atmosphere though various programs including social, recreational, educational, nutritional, and emotional support," stated the PRSC board's letter.
PRSC is also the caretaker for housing units for recently discharged patients.
"While these patients are transitioning to the community, the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse also seeks out and provides meaningful employment for their members," the letter reads.
"As the board of directors, we are very concerned for the wellbeing of this vulnerable population should the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse be forced to close its doors and the impact it will have on our community."
The clubhouse currently provides support and assistance to over 150 members.
The Ministry of Health and Addiction declined to comment as Recovery Alberta administers the grant for PRSC.
"Recovery Alberta was established as a health care agency to focus on frontline services for mental health and addiction care. Unfortunately, this places the contract agreement with Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse outside of Recovery Alberta’s scope," said Jessica Conlin, communications lead for Recovery Alberta.
"Recovery Alberta reviews programs, services, and contracts to ensure they are being delivered efficiently and effectively. Ongoing reviews ensure public funding focuses on core services such as psychiatric care, addiction treatment, medical detox, crisis support, and correctional health services," said Conlin.
"Various community social programs and services continue to be available in Ponoka and area. Anyone needing support navigating mental health supports can contact 211 or the mental health line at 1-877-303-2642."
The Ministry of of Seniors, Community and Social Services did not respond by press time.
