Turning Point Society

08/31/2025

We are closed tomorrow, September 1st for Labour Day! We'll be open again on Tuesday, September 2nd at 9:15AM. We are sorry, and please stay safe.

08/29/2025

Today is our annual International Overdose Awareness Day event. From 12PM - 3PM we, along with so many others, will be gathered at Rotary Picnic Park. At 3PM, there will be Mom's Stop the Harm's 'Walk to Remember' from the park to the City Hall Park.

This morning, we want to say thank you to everyone that has made this event possible. From our staff, our board members, our family, our friends, the vendors, those coming out to support us, those who support our clients, those speaking, and everyone in between. While this is a day of grief and tragedy, it's also a reminder that we are not alone.

But, at the heart of this all, is our clients. Thank you for your continued resilience in the face of such tragedy, for the support you give us, and the support you give to each other.

08/26/2025

This month we received notice that the Government of Alberta was no longer going to provide funding for our non-profit agency, and we were instructed to wind down affected services by November 1, 2025. This funding not only allowed us to operate many of our programs, but it covered a large portion of our operational costs. Without it, we are at risk of closing at one of the worst times of the year – just as winter is setting in.

We understand that we may never be the same as we were and offer as robust of programming as we once were able to, but our goal now is to remain open over the winter. This would allow us to remain a place of respite from the harsh Alberta winters for those who are unhoused and unsheltered in our community. We want to continue to be open during daytime hours and provide basic needs support, such as snacks, hygiene supplies, and warmth. It would also give us more time to seek alternative funding to build a more sustainable future for our agency.

We often call on our community to help us support our clients, but now we need help more than ever. We have a few avenues that you can contribute to help keep our doors open: GoFundMe, Zeffy, our website, and via cheque.

We are open to collaborative efforts to reach our goal. If you are interested in fundraising on our behalf, we would be incredibly grateful. At this point in time, being able to remain open even one more day could be the difference between life or death for someone in our community.

www.gofundme.com/f/help-turning-point-keep-its-doors-open
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/every-gift-keeps-our-doors-open
www.turningpoint-ca.org

4611 50th Ave, Red Deer, AB | 9:15AM – 12PM; 1PM – 4:30PM, Monday – Friday
403-346-8858
administration@turningpoint-ca.org

Thank you,
The Turning Point team

08/22/2025

08/20/2025

Our Women’s Program has been around for a decade. That’s 10 years of supportive care for many of the most vulnerable women in our community. In 2015, the first year of our Women’s Program, the program supported pregnant and parenting women with complex needs. The focus quickly expanded because of an apparent need in the community, and at the start of 2016 the program began supporting all women who were of childbearing age and experiencing vulnerabilities.

Our Women’s Program has always focused on connecting women with complex health needs to our healthcare system – and keeping them connected. This is why a nurse has always been a part of the Women’s Program team. While our Women’s Program does not replace healthcare services, employing a nurse helps clients better navigate the healthcare system and better understand their health information, which all facilitates each individual’s path to wellness.

Over the years, our Women’s Program team has proven their capabilities to collaborate with clients in such a way that this connection to care is successful. Many new mothers are referred to us by hospital staff post-delivery because our agency plays a key role in keeping vulnerable women connected to care.

08/13/2025

UPDATE- there is now a go fund me. Help us help our clients and community as long as we can 🫶🏼

Hello community. We have some significant, unfortunate and important news to share with you, along with a request for community support and collaborative solutions.

There have been some big changes to our funding that we were recently notified of which directs the wind down of all of our provincially funded progamming as of November 1, 2025.
These funding cuts account for the majority of our yearly budget and programs and puts our agency at serious risk. More importantly this puts our clients and community at risk, particularly with this transition occurring right before winter hits our city.

The following programs are to be closed as of November 1, 2025 as a result (please note these are very brief descriptions and not all encompassing of the work which occurs in those programs):

* Women's Program : Pregnancy, parenting, case management supports and more to women at risk, in poverty and on the streets

* Health Promotion : STBBI wrap around supports & education, harm reduction supply access, referrals, IDs and more for marginalized & vulnerable persons locally and rurally

* Test & Treat: STBBI testing and treatments in office and at rural and local agencies & events including but not limited to Syphilis with a focus on vulnerable populations

* Downtown Drop in : Access to basic needs, wound care, warm weather space, phone, bathroom and wrap around supports. This space is open to everyone but frequented by 80-120 people daily namely those experiencing homelessness and complex health needs

These cuts are significant, and we are currently strategizing transition and sustainability planning with hopes that in recognition of the vital and essential services we provide that there can be a more supportive solution than a full closure of these programs so quickly.

A common question we have received so far is - How can I help?
- You can address your concerns with our local MLA's
- You can help share your experiences and support to Turning Point
- You can donate through our website or in person at 4611 50th avenue, Red Deer or initiate fundraising campaigns
- You can attend our upcoming International Overdose Awareness Day event on August 29th in solidarity (check events tab for more details)
- You can stay tuned for more information on suggested actions and resources

We will be releasing more information on our socials and to the community very soon. We love our clients and this work, and we know the services we provide are unique and irreplaceable. This agency, the clients and the community at large are affected and its time to come together to find solutions.

Thank you to all who are expressing their support.

Turning Point Society is a non-profit organization in Red Deer, Alberta that was establis… Turning Point needs your support for Support Turning Point's Future

08/06/2025

Congenital syphilis happens when syphilis is passed from a pregnant person to their baby during pregnancy or birth. It can lead to serious health problems, but it’s completely preventable with testing and treatment.

Right now, congenital syphilis is rising in Alberta, especially in communities that face barriers to care — like folks who use drugs, do s*x work, or are unhoused.

Testing saves lives. Syphilis is easy to treat with antibiotics, and treatment during pregnancy can completely prevent it from passing to a baby.

There’s no shame in testing. Anyone can get syphilis. It’s a bacterial infection, not a moral failure. Judgement doesn’t help. Access to care does.

We believe everyone deserves healthcare without stigma. If you’re pregnant or could become pregnant, regular STI testing is one way to protect your health and your baby’s — and we’re here to help you get it with as little barriers as possible.

Drop by or reach out – 4611 50th Ave, Red Deer. 9:15AM – 12PM; 1PM – 4:30PM. 403-346-8858.

07/25/2025

This is your sign to start carrying naloxone! Here are 4 reasons why EVERYONE should have naloxone.

A. It is a free, life-saving medication. There is no prescription necessary for it, and you can get it from us, many pharmacies in town, and many Recovery Alberta sites. When you get a kit, you’ll also be trained on how to use it. We offer free naloxone training, which can be 1-on-1 or in group settings. If you are interested in getting opioid poisoning response and naloxone training, please reach out to our education team at education@turningpoint-ca.org or call our office at 403-346-8858.

B. Whether it’s a loved one who takes prescription opioids, or someone in the community who uses unregulated drugs, naloxone saves lives. Opioids can be found in many households, and accidental overdoses can happen in a variety of situations. Having naloxone on hand is a simple way to be prepared and protect the people around you.

C. Opioids are everywhere, and being prepared with a life-saving medication while you are out of your house shows compassion and care for the lives of our community members. Opioids can be found on the street, in campgrounds, at parties, in parks, and beyond. Even if you are not comfortable responding to an opioid poisoning emergency at the community level, someone else on the scene might- your kit could be the difference between life and death.

D. Carrying naloxone reduces stigma. It shows compassion and care for our community, and makes a loud statement that every life matters.

07/21/2025

Next Monday on July 28th we're raising awareness of hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day. Come down to our office at 4611 50th Ave, Red Deer, for a free BBQ at 1:30PM, chat with us about hepatitis, and get tested! We'll have a table set up with information about hepatitis and you can try your luck at hepatitis themed trivia.

07/18/2025

Last weekend was a busy one with pride events! We went to the QNSRD Pride in the Park Market, HOME's Two Spirit Powwow, and the Capstone Pride Block Party. We are so appreciative of all the event staff and coordinators that held these great events this weekend, and of course of our own staff who seamlessly managed navigating these back-to-back events and the chaos that goes into event prep, setup, and take down. Lastly, a huge thank you to the community at large. Thank you for coming out, standing in solidarity with our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and celebrating their love, resiliency, and vibrancy.