This could be the last month the Burnaby Mental Wealth Society calls 6112 Sussex Ave. home.
The society has enough funding for the month, according to spokesperson Carmina Tinaburri, but has not yet secured core funding to keep the centre running.
The heritage building that has been the society's clubhouse for more than 13 years is up for lease.
The society is holding a fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 28 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the West Burnaby United Church, at 6050 Sussex Ave., across from the centre.
Burnaby band Rainshadow will be playing at the event, and snacks and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. The cost is $6 per person, with proceeds going towards securing space for the society.
Representatives from the Burnaby Mental Wealth Society appealed to Burnaby council to help keep the centre afloat at a council meeting on Oct. 3.
The society only has $6,000 for the month, to cover the $5,000 needed for October's rent, plus odds and ends, said the delegation.
The society's centre is at risk of shutting down after losing its funding from Fraser Health as of Aug. 31.
Tinaburri, former president of the society's board, spoke to council along with society coordinator Anne Wiebe and volunteer Kevin Oxley, asking the mayor to write to Fraser Health on behalf of the society, and keep it in mind for any city community space that might become available.
"It is one of the most amazing things I've ever been through," Wiebe said of her time at the centre and the effect it has had on her life. Wiebe teared up while asking council to help the society.
Tinaburri told council about the background of the organization, which was started by two people with mental illness and now has about 300 members, referred from all over the Lower Mainland.
The society has operated in Burnaby for about 18 years. It has provided 4,800 meals for members during 2011, according to the delegation.
"Many people are distraught, as I am myself," Tinaburri told council, regarding the centre's possible closure.
The centre has helped her with her own mental illness, she added, keeping her out of the hospital.
Oxley, who received a local hero award from the city in 2004 for his volunteer efforts with the society, said the centre has been an important part of his life since he came down with a physical and mental illness.
Mayor Derek Corrigan acknowledged the delegation but said the city was limited in the help it could provide.
However, council agreed to send a letter to Fraser Health on the society's behalf, and to help the society apply for community space, if it becomes available.
Places like the Burnaby Mental Wealth Society's centre are important to the community, Corrigan said, adding that the mentally ill end up in the criminal justice system when they don't have enough support.
"We know what you're doing is a positive addition to the community," he said. "We certainly do support you."
Coun. Nick Volkow added that investing funding in the society was a better option than having to cover costs from an overloaded criminal justice system when mentally ill people don't get the help they need.
Councillors asked for specific information about the society's needs, such as how much space and what kind of facility was necessary to house the centre.
Corrigan also asked that concerned citizens write letters of support for the society, and that businesses do what they can to help.
Anyone who wishes to donate to the centre can do so through PayPal on the society's website at www. bmws.bc.ca or by mailing a cheque to the society at 6112 Sussex Ave.
It is a registered charitable organization, and tax receipts are available.
For those interested in helping the society in other ways, particularly with food donations, the society can be reached at info@ bmws.ca.
