“To lead in improving the safety, health and well-being of individuals, families and communities.”
Vision
A society free of domestic, family, and sexual violence.
Values
Our core values include Safety, Health, and Well-being, Progressive Leadership, Equity, Commitment, and Adaptability.
Mission Statement
To lead in improving the safety, health, and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Waypoints History
Formerly known as
The Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society
now known as
Waypoints Community Services Association
In the mid-1970s, a group of local families would take in women and children who were victims of domestic abuse and shelter them within their own homes. When the abusers of these women found out where they were staying, they would often show up at these homes and demand to see the women. Oftentimes, it would result in threats of physical harm and sometimes damage to the homes of these providers of goodwill.
As a result, the Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society was established in 1982 to provide services for individuals affected by family violence. Our staff assisted in rebuilding lives by implementing crisis intervention and a range of support services while acknowledging the multitude of issues facing survivors of abuse. In 1987, the Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society first opened its doors to Unity House, a complex with nine bedrooms.
After 36 years of addressing the needs of those fleeing family violence under the FMFCS banner, we underwent an extensive rebranding to better represent our values, vision, and purpose; thus, Waypoints was born. In the fall of 2018, we opened a brand-new Unity House with 45 individual bedrooms, in addition to the region’s first Sexual Assault Healing Centre, to address the increased needs of the community. By the summer of 2020, we opened the region’s first Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
Over the years, we’ve evolved and expanded our services, always striving to stay at the forefront of innovative practices. Our history is a testament to the enduring belief that, together, we can create brighter futures and safer spaces for those who need it most.
We Work with Individuals in Crisis to:
Create safety plans
Break or escape the cycle of violence
Establish healthy homes
Move through the process of healing
Develop healthy relationship skills
Providing emergency and transitional shelter for women and women with children
Assisting in accessing community supports
Advocating for our clients
Supplying direct support
Offering individual trauma counselling
Delivering group programming on various topics
Our Brand Colours
Purple
Domestic & family violence
Teal
Sexual violence & abuse
Royal Blue
Human trafficking, bullying,
stalking and harassment
Our brand colours signify the ribbon campaigns for Waypoints’ areas of service.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Join Our Board of Directors
Waypoints Community Services Association is seeking dedicated, community minded individuals to serve on our Board of Directors.
Board members provide governance, strategic direction, and oversight for an organization focused on intervention, prevention, and healing related to domestic, family, and sexual violence. This role offers an opportunity to contribute skills, experience, and perspective while strengthening services that support individuals, families, and communities across the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
We are looking for individuals who:
• Demonstrate a strong passion for ending domestic, family, and sexual violence
• Are committed to safer, healthier communities for all
• Bring professional expertise, leadership experience, or diverse perspectives that support effective governance
• Are committed to equity, inclusion, and trauma informed practices
• Are willing to actively participate in board meetings, committees, and organizational work
Previous experience in board governance and/or advocacy is considered an asset.
Board members act as ambassadors for the organization and contribute to informed decision making that supports accountability, sustainability, and long term community impact. Applicants who are interested in contributing to systems level change and supporting a future free from violence and abuse are encouraged to apply. Please note, as part of the screening process, applicants must be 18 years of age or older and will be required to complete a criminal record check along with a child intervention check.
To learn more about board opportunities and the application process, please contact our Executive Director:
Michele Taylor
Executive Director
michele.taylor@waypointswb.ca
+1 (780) 881-8099