An Indigenous-led family reunification home in Winnipeg, known as Geoffrey's Garden, faces the potential closure due to dwindling federal funding and a lack of support from the provincial government. The facility has played a critical role in helping numerous parents recovering from addiction to heal, reconnect with their children, and rebuild their lives through ceremony, counselling, and parenting support.
Geoffrey's Garden, located on Maryland Street, has become a sanctuary for parents as they undergo transformative healing. Strong Bear, a knowledge keeper at the facility, expressed the profound impact of witnessing parents transition from a state of brokenness to one of strength and balance. This process not only benefits the parents but ultimately fosters a sense of identity and belonging for the families involved, which staff believe is essential for long-term recovery.
Over the past five years, staff at Geoffrey's Garden reported that more than three-quarters of families who complete the program maintain their sobriety and retain custody of their children, resulting in substantial cost savings in foster care and court expenses. Cindy Huckerby, the executive director of Geoffrey's Garden, emphasized the need for a shift in funding priorities, stating, "We don’t need to be spending more money on foster care and training; the money should be put into healing these families." She highlighted the argument that a healed parent is more capable of nurturing and healing their children.
The urgency for funding arose after federal support for Jordan's Principle concluded last year, compelling Geoffrey's Garden to seek emergency financial assistance from the province. However, their requests were reportedly rejected. Huckerby revealed that the organization has had to remortgage properties and utilize personal lines of credit to keep operations afloat, indicating the dire financial situation they are in.
Recently, however, a small victory was achieved when Jordan's Principle offered three months of temporary funding to enable the program to continue its operations. Despite this reprieve, the home's long-term sustainability remains precarious, stirring significant concerns among the staff. Strong Bear articulated the emotional weight of the situation, expressing that having to close the doors and disband the program would be one of the most heart-wrenching decisions of his life.
In response to the situation, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine stated that her department had shared available provincial funding opportunities with Geoffrey's Garden earlier this year and had met with their representatives to provide further details. Fontaine also mentioned that she has reached out to the federal government multiple times, advocating for the continuation of Jordan's Principle funding and seeking clarity on how Ottawa plans to support organizations like Geoffrey's Garden.
While the provincial government does not directly fund Geoffrey's Garden, they claim to invest in broader reunification support initiatives within the community. The future of Geoffrey's Garden, however, hinges on the resolutions of funding uncertainties, placing added pressure on both the organization and the families that rely on its services.
