The Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre had its grand opening in downtown Lethbridge on Friday, November 17, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre opens in Lethbridge

Nov 17, 2023 | 2:27 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre had its grand opening in downtown Lethbridge on Friday, November 17, 2023.

The centre covers the entire southwestern Alberta region, while a facility based in Medicine Hat covers the southeastern portion of the province.

READ MORE: Advocacy centre in Lethbridge offering hope to young victims of abuse

The Child and Youth Advocacy Centre had been operating in a temporary space in the Lethbridge Professional Building at 740 4 Avenue South until Friday.

Kristine Cassie, CEO of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre said, “This day is a phenomenal day for the whole region. Just to have the capacity to have a centre to do child forensic interviews, that can actually work with kids from the time of disclosure on really reduces the trauma they can experience, and really builds a better society at the end of the day.”

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The new facility includes multiple rooms to conduct forensic interviews in a more comfortable setting for youth, as well as a family space and a front reception area.

Cassie said they wanted to reflect the region when they were designing the interior, so there are pictures of mountains and coulees, but they wanted to keep it relatively simple to make it less overwhelming.

Cassie explained, “We kept it rather understated to keep it calm. What we don’t want is kids to be worked up when they’re coming in, they have enough that they’re dealing with.”

Cassie said that the idea and initial drive to create the space was brought up five years ago. The total cost of completing the centre totaled out to over $630,000, with the funds coming from multiple sources including government grants, and donations from local businesses, groups and individuals.

She added that they made sure they had plenty of room for furniture and other items so they could evolve with the needs of the children.

The centre is expected to see 150 to 200 kids per year, and saw 169 in 2022 before the site was completed.

Details about the operations and services provided by the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre can be found at the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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