The Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre held its 34th annual general assembly on May 27 at St. Lawrence Hall in Thompson.
The organization's balance sheet for the year ended March 31, 2010, sees total liabilities at $209,590 this year as opposed to last year's $223,977; and total net assets at $1.707 million compared to last year's $1.82 million.
During Greg Fidler's president's report, he stated his belief that the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre is the best friendship centre in all of Canada, and definitely one of the largest, with over 60 staff members offering over 18 different programs and services. He says the centre's long term goals continue to be focused on the needs of children, youth, adults, elders, families and communities. Fidler also discussed how the friendship centre's new facility is set to be complete next year, allowing the organization to be in a position to house many other programs on top of what they already offer.
Anita Campbell, executive director at the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre, said in her report that there has continued to be full occupancy at the Fox Bay Dens housing unites. The Northern Circle of Youth program, funded by the federal government under the Department of Canadian Heritage, has been renewed for another six years, and the New Beginnings program has a brand new bus. Also, an anti-gang awareness initiative called Safeguarding Aboriginal Youth Spirits has been set up in partnership with the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres.
Thompson NDP MLA Steve Ashton was at the annual general assembly and he brought greetings forward to the board of directors of the friendship centre, expressing his appreciation in watching the centre grow and change. He stressed the fact that all levels of government are interested in working with the friendship centre because of its unique model that brings people together and provides opportunities for all people, from children to elders and everyone in between.
The grand opening of the new friendship centre facility is slated for next June.
