The Burnaby Mental Wealth Society hasn't yet secured permanent funding, but it will be operating out of its current location for the month of September, at least.
"We are open for September," said the society board's president, Carmina Tinaburri, but added the future is uncertain.
"It's stressful," she said. "Members are trying to stay positive, but they aren't really sure what's going to happen."
The society's centre is at risk of shutting down after losing its funding from Fraser Health. The funding ended as of Aug. 31.
The society has operated in Burnaby for about 18 years, and its clubhouse has been at 6112 Sussex Ave. for more than 13 years.
The society's centre is focused on maintaining its current setup, particularly its meal program for people with mental health challenges, according to Tinaburri.
To maintain its programs, the staff at the centre is now volunteering their services, she said.
"That's just wonderful of them," Tinaburri added. "We're hanging in there, but it's not easy."
The society is looking for donations - monetary donations primarily, but also food for the program - to keep the centre running, she said
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 food donations, the society can be reached at [email protected].
The society lost its funding after it was told by Fraser Health to prepare a detailed application form with 17 working days' notice in April, according to Jim Tessley, past-president of the society and an active member.
Tessley spoke to the NOW about the issue in June, along with Tinaburri.
It was the first time since the society was established and initially approved for funding that it had to submit a proposal, Tessley said. The society was late turning it in by a matter of 15 minutes, he said, adding it was because of the complexity of the paperwork.
The society was told the application was rejected because it was late. Funding was awarded to the Canadian Mental Health Association instead.
Roy Thorpe, spokesperson for Fraser Health, said that while the application was only late by a brief period of time, the request for proposals required a specific deadline.
The health authority put out the request for proposals in April after reviewing mental health services in Burnaby and assessing where there were duplicate services, or areas where services were missing, as in North Burnaby, he said.
The entire amount of funding, plus other program funding, is going to a new Canadian Mental Health Association clubhouse that opened in September, he said.
The $400,000 annual contract will fund a full-time rehabilitation and recoveryfocused clubhouse program, according to a press release from Fraser Health.
The association's clubhouse is at a temporary location at Lougheed Highway and Gilmore Avenue, and began running its drop-in and meal services this month.
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