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$$PLAIN_TEXT_PREVIEW$$
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A Safe Place To Choose Your Direction
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Family Violence Crisis Line: +1 (780) 743-1190
Sexual Trauma Support Line: +1 (780) 791-6708
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Unity House Emergency Women’s Shelter
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From July to September 2025, Unity House Emergency Women’s Shelter supported 127 individuals, including 75 women and 52 children, and responded to 354 crisis line calls. These numbers reflect the ongoing need for safe spaces and compassionate support in our region.
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In September, Unity House partnered with the Local Public Health Department to host an on-site clinic. This monthly collaboration provides easier access to vaccines and health care for women and children staying in the shelter.
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Unity House is in urgent need of towels, coffee mugs, new underwear, bras, and mattress protectors. Donations can also be made directly via our Amazon Wish List. Individuals seeking urgent family and/or domestic violence support can contact our confidential 24/7 Family Violence Crisis Line at +1(780) 743-1190.
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Second Stage Women’s ShelterThe Second Stage garden flourished this summer, providing residents with fresh produce. Staff and clients will celebrate the final harvest with a Friendsgiving event in October. Residents also enjoyed an end-of-summer BBQ on September 18th, supported by a donation of burgers and buns.
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Michel, our Child Development Worker, delights Second Stage clients with vegetables freshly harvested from the garden.
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Syncrude Emergency Services generously donated $1,000 from their Canada Day parade winnings, which will provide grocery gift cards for families living in Second Stage Shelter.
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In July, staff participated in the Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Response Course provided by Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. The training strengthened our capacity to support individuals at the intersection of sexual assault and domestic violence, with a focus on rural communities. Staff continue to build skills with upcoming training on Taking Action Against Elder Abuse with St. Aidan’s Society and the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council on October 2nd.
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Outreach ServicesOur Outreach Services team has been actively engaging with communities across the region. Team members attended cultural training, participated in the Conklin Cultural Camp, and supported local events, sharing resources and strengthening connections. We thank Elder Bernadette and Elder David from Fort McMurray #468 First Nation for their warm hospitality and Indigenous knowledge that was shared with our team.
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Waypoints staff engage in a cultural teaching session with Elder Bernadette and Elder David, learning through guidance rooted in Indigenous knowledge and practices. Marsi Cho to the Elders for sharing their wisdom. |
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Regular Outreach presentations continue at the Mark Amy Treatment Centre, providing staff and participants with information about Waypoints’ programs. November’s Family Violence Prevention Month
Our annual FVPM Kick-Off Breakfast is on Monday, November 3rd, at the Best Western Plus Sawridge Suites. Guests are invited to RSVP by emailing outreach.manager@waypointswb.ca. Donation needs
In line with our FVPM theme, Freedom Starts Here: Healing, Hope, and Empowerment, our team is requesting practical items such as mattress protectors, towels, and other household essentials to help support our shelter. Donations can also be made via our Amazon wishlist.
Throughout the month, a variety of initiatives will provide opportunities for the community to engage, learn, and participate. For a full list of events, please visit www.waypointswb.ca/outreach
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Winter hours: Starting in October, the Outreach team will adjust hours for earlier community visits to keep staff safe.
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For more information about our Outreach Services or rural community visits, please contact our Outreach Services team at +1(780) 750-8618 or view our rural community visit calendar by clicking here. If you need immediate crisis support, please contact our 24/7 Family Violence Crisis Line at +1(780) 743-1190.
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Sexual Trauma
Support ServicesThe Sexual Trauma Support Services and the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre team have expanded with a new trauma counsellor and support worker. They provide specialized counselling and wrap-around services for individuals who have been impacted by sexual violence, including navigating court, law enforcement, and other systems. These additional positions also support the re-establishment of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in the region.
Waypoints is collaborating with community partners, including school counsellors, to streamline services and plan public awareness training for the 2025–2026 school year.
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Looking to book a presentation?
Our Sexual Trauma Support Services team offers tailored presentations and workshops through our Public Awareness and Training Facilitators. These sessions are available for schools, community groups, and agencies and address a range of topics related to sexual violence, trauma, and responding to disclosures. To request a presentation or discuss specific topic needs, contact a Public Awareness and Training Facilitator at +1(780) 743-4691 ext. 337 or 339, or email sap.educator2@waypointswb.ca. Individuals seeking urgent sexual trauma support can contact our 24/7 Sexual Trauma Support Line at +1(780) 791-6708. For counselling and support services, please contact intake@waypointswb.ca or call +1(780) 750-8650.
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October marks Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Stay tuned as we share educational resources, awareness videos, and the Mayor’s proclamation across our social media channels. |
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Child & Youth
Advocacy CentreIn recognition of October as Child Abuse Prevention Month, community initiatives include public information booths, the mayor’s proclamation, social media awareness campaigns, and the lighting of the Saline Creek Bridge. Alongside community awareness efforts, our Child and Youth Advocacy Centre continues to offer referrals to trauma counselling and information sessions, giving children, youth, and families access to valuable support and knowledge. The multidisciplinary team, which includes the RCMP, Wood Buffalo Victim Services, Athabasca Tribal Council, Fort McMurray Child and Family Services, and Waypoints, has also collaborated on an awareness video to be released this month. To view these as they’re released, please visit our Facebook page. Please note that our Child and Youth Advocacy Centre operates by appointment only and cannot accommodate drop-ins. All visits must be scheduled in advance through a referral from the multidisciplinary team.
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Opportunities For ChangeThe Provincial Family Violence Treatment Program, a program for individuals who have used violence in relationships, continues with consistent client engagement, offering 15 psycho-educational group sessions for both men and women. This program continues as a court-mandated initiative, serving as a valuable resource for individuals navigating family violence challenges. Our Opportunities For Change program is adjusting to a new operating environment due to a funder switch and budget changes taking effect on October 1st. While there are no major events planned at this time, staff are navigating these changes to maintain strong client support.
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Compass Affordable HousingThe Compass currently has rental openings for those seeking safe, affordable living in a supportive community setting. Available units: 2 two-bedrooms and 1 one-bedroom Rental rates effective April 2025:
Bachelor: $949.00
One-bedroom: $1,149.00
Two-bedroom: $1,419.00
Three-bedroom: $1,669.00 The Compass provides comfortable homes designed with both affordability and quality in mind. For inquiries about room rentals, please contact Compass Affordable Housing. To view or apply for available rental units in The Compass, please click here.
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July brought our Pub Crawl to life with exciting new dining spots and a crowd eager to experience Fort McMurray’s pub scene. Pictured: Our Kentucky Derby decorated bus on the July YMM Pub Crawl
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Food Festival in ReviewThe 2025 RE/MAX Connect Fort McMurray Food Festival, spanning throughout July and August, was a rousing success, generating over $100,000 in net profit to support Waypoints! The YMM Patio Party presented by 20|20 Management attracted nearly 1,200 attendees and raised over $80,000 of the $100,000 net profit, making it our most successful Patio Party to date. Food Festival Highlights: July Pub Crawl: great turnout with several new restaurants showcasing the best pub food and drinks in Fort McMurray Printing Unlimited presents the Taste of YMM Eats: 15 local restaurants featured special menus from July 18th –August 31st, with a portion of proceeds supporting Waypoints
Upcoming Events
The YMM Food Festival Pub Crawlloween & Graveyard Gala Two-in-One Party takes place Saturday, October 25th. Pub Crawl tickets include complimentary entry to The Graveyard Gala, so secure your tickets early on Eventbrite!
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Volunteering and DonationsDonate
We are in urgent need of towels, pillows, bedding, coffee mugs, new underwear, bras, and mattress protectors. Donations can also be made directly via our Amazon Wish List. These items support the comfort, independence, and stability of individuals and families accessing our shelters and related services. To donate, view our FAQs, or learn more about how your support makes an impact, please visit our website by clicking here.
Volunteer
As Halloween approaches, the RE/MAX Connect Fort McMurray Food Festival’s YMM Pub Crawlloween is set for October 25th, and we are looking for volunteers to help decorate the buses before the send-off. These opportunities are available through Fuse Social Wood Buffalo Volunteers, our main platform for coordinating event volunteers. For more information or to get involved directly, please email case@waypointswb.ca or visit our volunteer page. Share
You can help increase awareness by sharing information about Waypoints’ programs, services, and upcoming events within your networks.
Follow
Stay connected by following Waypoints on social media for updates, stories, and community initiatives. Find us on Facebook at Waypoints and on Instagram at @waypointswb.
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Recognizing Those
Who Make a DifferenceWe extend our sincere gratitude to all the individuals, businesses, and organizations whose generosity and support help Waypoints continue providing vital services to our community this quarter. RE/MAX Connect Fort McMurray Food Festival Sponsors and Partners Participating Restaurants – Taste of YMM Eats, presented by Printing Unlimited Beyond the names highlighted above, we appreciate the broad network of partners and community members who stood with us. Additional Donations to Waypoints Syncrude by Suncor for their generous donation Syncrude Emergency Services for their contributions and enhancing our Second Stage garden YMCA Wood Buffalo for welcoming us to a morning at their SWIS Summer Camp, where we were able to share our About Waypoints presentation RCMP Constable Liz McDonald, who generously donated a classic Centipede arcade game for our CYAC Frescho Fort McMurray for their large donation to Unity House Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta for welcoming us to present on consent and the importance of respecting boundaries Sunbelt Rentals and Ledcor for choosing Waypoints as their charity partner and generating $110,000 at their annual golf tournament FM Potters Guild for contributing the proceeds from their spring pottery sale to support our work Keyano College for allowing us to participate in their orientation day Wajax and Tundra Processing Solutions for their Women of Wajax initiative, donating hygiene products, diapers, shoes, and formula Supertest Speedway for being chosen as the beneficiary for their fourth annual Lap for Ladies event APTIM for selecting Waypoints as the recipient of their 2025 Golf Tournament proceeds The various volunteers who helped decorate our YMM Pub Crawl buses in July. ATCO for naming Waypoints as the feature charity for their 2025 Epic Campaign.
Your support strengthens our community and ensures Waypoints can continue providing safe spaces, programs, and resources to those who need them most. We are grateful for every contribution and partnership that makes this possible.
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Try out our Waypoints quarterly newsletter
activity featuring words from this edition.
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Thanks for staying connected.
We’ll be back with our next edition soon as we share more updates, impact stories, and opportunities to get involved.
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