Parkinson Association closes its office in Medicine Hat

By Gillian Slade on November 21, 2017.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

For financial reasons Parkinson Association of Alberta has decided to close its storefront office in Medicine Hat but services are expected to continue from a home office.

The idea is to reduce overhead costs but still provide services with a member of staff working from home and meeting clients in coffee shops or perhaps sharing a boardroom/office with another organization when required, said John Petryshen, CEO of the provincial organization.

“The last two years have been very difficult financially for the organization,” said Petryshen.

This may be a temporary measure for the next two years or so until the economic climate in the province improves.

The cost of a storefront varies across the province accounting for about $500-$700 a month in rent plus other costs. Administration costs can be another $10,000 to $11,000 per annum, said Petryshen.

“For a region like Medicine Hat we’ll probably save close to $8,000 to $9,000 in the year,” said Petryshen.

Storefront offices will also close in Lethbridge and Red Deer, effective Dec.1.

Beth Metcalf, the local client services co-ordinator since January 2010, is on medical leave “under doctor’s recommendations until further notice,” she said.

“I believe … having the store front office closed will impact the quality of programs and services that are offered on the local level to people living with Parkinson’s and their spouses and family members as well as healthcare professionals,” said Metcalf.

Closing the storefront office is likely to impact local funding too, said Metcalf. Those recently diagnosed or people who finally feel they are ready to come out of the shadows and seek support will be less likely to do so when there is no visible office.

“Closing the storefront office is going to damage the relationships that have been built over the last seven-and-a-half years with corporations, donors, volunteers and individuals,” said Metcalf.

The money to operate services in one city does not have to be raised in that city. The head office collects more revenue/donations and subsidizes smaller areas, said Petryshen.

Funding for the organization comes from events such as Flexxaire Parkinson Step ‘n’ Strideª, general donations from the public, grants from foundations including United Way. Grants typically are for a specific project. There is no operational funding from the provincial government, said Petryshen.

“There is no support from the provincial government unless we get approved through a community enhancement program, which we don’t get all the time,” said Petryshen.

Parkinson Association of Alberta recently received a provincial grant of $10,000 specifically to update its technology equipment, which must be matched by the organization.

There are 22,000 non-profits in the province all seeking funding and some have a higher profile than others, said Petryshen.

“To address these challenges we have had to and will continue to undertake measures to ensure all clients continue to have access to the support and services that are vital to living well with Parkinson disease.”

There will be a meeting in Medicine Hat on Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the Cross Roads Church, 1340 22 Street SE. Petryshen will be present to talk about the decision and listen to concerns.

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