Bissell Centre cut the ribbon on its new supportive recovery housing site, Den of Willows, which features 24/7 wraparound supports for individuals with FASD looking to continue their journeys out of addiction. The four individuals calling Den of Willows home officially moved in back in January 2026 and say they are already experiencing the positive benefits of having access to trauma-informed and specifically catered supports.
“Having a culturally safe space allows me to interact with my spiritual path and become a better version of myself,” says Chance Goddard, a Den of Willows resident. “I have found the thing that all us residents say more than anything else is how wonderful it is to have a home that is ours for as long as we want and a small community to belong to.”
How Den of Willows Supports Recovery
Den of Willows has four main goals in supporting its residents:
- Supporting them as they come out of recovery.
- Focusing on their unique needs based on their FASD.
- Supporting sobriety in a stable living environment.
- Helping people towards long-term housing retention.
People living at Den of Willows either have or may have FASD, are in recovery from addiction, and have histories of chronic homelessness. Staff at the supportive recovery housing site support the residents with life-skills development, employment readiness, cultural connection, and referrals to health and community services.
“Den of Willows fills an important gap for people coming out of treatment who may experience homelessness because they don’t have any options for housing that supports their sobriety,” says Candace Noble, Bissell Centre’s Executive Services Officer. “Den of Willows ensures people with FASD who were experiencing addiction are supported in their recovery and can integrate into community.”
Bissell Centre’s Housing Goals
Den of Willows is part of Bissell Centre’s larger housing strategy, a three-year plan to increase housing options through collaborative partnerships with government, funders and other services providers. Building on experience and expertise from operating Hope Terrace, Bissell Centre is focused on providing sustainable, human-centered housing options that nurture healthy communities by improving people’s overall wellbeing and creating additional independent housing opportunities.
“At Bissell Centre, we believe that access to safe and affordable housing is a vital aspect for ending poverty. Our Housing Development Strategy charts a course for Bissell’s contribution to expanding sustainable housing in Edmonton,” says Johanna Knettig, Co-CEO with Bissell Centre. “Tackling the housing crisis in a sustainable, human-centered way is our shared responsibility. Implementation will require collaboration with all orders of government, community partners, Indigenous Nations, and the private sector. We are grateful to work with partners who share the goal of ensuring healthy communities and are excited to continue this work together.”
Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, says, “Recovery housing is a key part of Alberta’s Recovery Model, helping people transition from treatment into long-term stability. Our government is proud to support initiatives like Den of Willows supportive recovery house, improving outcomes for individuals and strengthening communities across the province.”
One of Bissell Centre’s largest and most joyful celebrations of the year is coming back with even more performers, food, activities, and cheer for the whole community.
What: National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Where: Outside of Bissell Centre – 10527 96 Street
When: Friday, June 19, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Featuring art, performances, stew and bannock from Bissell Harvest Catering, and even an appearance from the children at Bissell Child Care.
“Holding this celebration is incredibly important for many of the people who come to us seeking support,” says Heather Slade, Bissell Centre’s Manager of Indigenous Engagement. “Acknowledging this important day helps so many as they heal from the trauma of colonialism.”
This Year’s Headliners at National Indigenous Peoples Day
The headline performers at this year’s NIPD celebration are Adrian LaChance and the Running Thunder Dancers, taking place from noon to 2:00 p.m. Their performances will include traditional drumming, singing, and dancing — including a round dance as a memorial for all the loved ones in the community we have lost over the years.
Adrian LaChance and the Running Thunder Dancers have been performing traditional Indigenous dancing and drumming since 2010, and facilitating workshops to better support individuals, families, and communities through cultural connection, healing, and personal growth. LaChance himself is renowned for his powwow dancing and drumming. He has been showcasing the culture he carries from the James Smith Cree Nation across the world, including through Europe, Asia and New Zealand.
A Celebration for the Entire Community
“Seeing the community come alive for this celebration is always so heartwarming,” says Slade. “NIPD reminds me about the hope I have for our vision to see an end to poverty in our community.”
Bissell Centre’s annual NIPD celebration is just one of the many ways its Indigenous Engagement team makes space for ceremony, culture, and healing — guiding both people in the community and Bissell Centre as an organization.
“With so many people we support coming from Indigenous Nations, ensuring Indigenous culture is integrated into what we do is crucial for their healing,” says Slade. “Bissell Centre is continuously seeking to be an ally with Indigenous communities. Our NIPD celebration is just one way we honour the resiliency of Indigenous communities.”
What if the compassion and care you’ve shown throughout your life could continue creating change for generations to come?
Even leaving 1% of your total estate in your will to Bissell Centre can have a huge ripple effect on those looking for support. It might not sound like much, and you’re still leaving 99% to your family — but even this seemingly small fraction of your total estate could help low-income families have access to necessities for raising healthy little ones, people looking for housing have support readily available, and those who are at risk of losing their homes have access to financial support and education.
Best of all, you don’t need great wealth to create lasting change. Your future gift is more than generosity. It’s hope in action that ensures long after you’re gone, your values live on in a stronger, more caring community.
How to leave a legacy with Bissell Centre
Did you know Willpower can help you calculate what impact a 1% planned gift in your will could have on an organization like Bissell Centre? Its suite of free tools and advice can help guide how best you can leave a legacy of giving and community care. But the best advice it offers starts with making sure you speak with your lawyer or financial planner about the kind of gift you want to leave.
After you talk about the financial realities of your estate with an expert, adding Bissell Centre to your will is remarkably easy. There are a few details you need to make sure you include:
- Bissell Centre’s Registered Charity Number — # 118810829RR0001
- Bissell Centre’s Address — 10527 96 Street, Edmonton, AB., T5H 2H6
Once you add these details to your will, along with what percentage of your estate or total gift you want to leave, then your legacy of care for your community is set and you’re continuing to help countless individuals and families find their paths out of poverty and homelessness.
The continued impact from your legacy
In 2025, Bissell Centre provided support to 8,709 unique individuals through our tax clinic, financial education program, housing services, family services, Indigenous cultural supports, and more. We housed 246 people, helped 581 people avoid eviction or utility disconnection, and supported 2,864 people with their tax returns.
This is only one year in Bissell Centre’s more than 150 years of supporting Edmontonians in the downtown community. Your planned gift can help us continue our mission to remove barriers and support people as they move out of poverty. With your support, we will see our vision of eliminating poverty in our community become a reality.
Leaving your legacy to Bissell Centre in your will makes a difference for someone trying to find secure and stable housing, a family struggling with daily essentials, or a whole community finding hope. With careful planning and preparation today, you can help create a better tomorrow for everyone in your community.
Reach out to your legal or financial advisor or contact Terry Tobin at ttobin@bissellcentre.org to learn more about how you can make a lasting impact on the community.
Diapers and formula are essential for raising a happy and healthy family. High costs are making it harder for families experiencing poverty to find stability — often struggling to afford these necessities and there are few programs than can help.
People in Alberta with infant children spend between $900 and $1,200 each year on diapers. On average, infants use eight to 10 diapers each day and without regular changes babies are at risk of diaper rash and other illnesses
For people with limited resources, providing necessities for an infant can seem insurmountable. That’s why on May 1, we launched Tushies and Tummies as a 10-day Mother’s Day Sprint to collect diapers and formula for families with young children. Our Family Services program provides diapers and formula to families in need and is one piece that can help a family break the generational cycles of poverty.
To continue this important program we need support from our community, including you!
Why Donate Diapers?
Donating disposable diapers can be crucial for families facing multiple barriers. Providing free diapers means families in need don’t worry about running out, and instead can focus on keeping their children clean, healthy, and happy.
Families without regular access to disposable diapers might try:
- Changing them less often.
- Leaving wet/soiled diapers on their children for full days.
- Using other materials like newspapers or tea towels as diapers.
To attend most child care centres, caregivers also need to provide their own disposable diapers, creating another barrier for people accessing programs like Bissell Child Care’s free respite care. The added stress can increase anxiety and be detrimental to mental health for both caregivers and children and even compromise the bond between child and caregiver.
Family at Bissell Child Care.
Reasons to Donate Formula
Ensuring children receive all the vitamins and nutrients they need is critical to their development. While mother’s milk is the ideal, it isn’t always an option.
Donating formula becomes a lifeline for hundreds of families across the city accessing our Family Supports program. In 2025, this program helped 291 families with essentials like diapers and formula. We also provided referrals and navigation to other supports that help keep families healthy and strong.
It takes a community to keep children healthy and strong. Your donation of diapers and formula today keeps tushies clean and tummies full, relieves stress on families as they navigate their pathway out of poverty, and helps strengthen the community for future generations.
For this Mother’s Day, help ensure families have what they need to raise healthy and happy little ones. We have drop-off locations for diapers and formula across Edmonton and in Sherwood Park — and they’re accepting donations right up until Mother’s Day on May 10, 2026!
Even after Mother’s Day, we’re always accepting diapers for all ages and sizes and formula donations. They can be dropped off at our Bissell Thrift Shop at 8818 118 Avenue every Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
After spending her career working at a bank on Jasper Avenue, Debbie was committed to continuing to make a positive impact in her community after she retired. Already knowing Edmonton’s many not-for-profits, she had a strong idea of where she wanted to volunteer her time.
“I’m familiar with the people, I’m familiar with the community. It’s something I I’ve always felt drawn to,” explains Debbie. “I was the go-to person to help community members while I was working, so it was kind of a good segway to volunteering here.”
Debbie is just one of the many volunteers we want to recognize and celebrate National Volunteer Week. With the help of volunteers we house people, return money to the community through filing taxes, and opening doors for those needing support.
Volunteer Debbie
Using career skills to help people in the community
With a background and career in finance, Samantha was ready to find opportunities to give back outside of her west-end community. She had previously volunteered for her local community league and schools in her neighbourhood, but was curious about a larger impact she could make for a community in need.
Samantha volunteers through the tax clinic — filing 15 to 20 different tax returns each week, up to 1,000 different tax filings each year. She explains that the work itself is relatively easy (and almost kind of fun for her),and seeing how much money people in the community receive exhilarates Samantha the most.
“There are so many people that don’t do their taxes, and they’re leaving all this money on the table,” explains Samantha. “Taxes for people can be intimidating, so [this is] a place to be able to overcome the barriers they have and navigate some of those challenges people might experience.”
Volunteer Samantha
Walking and connecting with the people who need support
Everyone who volunteers with Bissell Centre brings unique skills and motivation for giving back — for university student Jashan, he simply knows it’s the right thing to do. Inspired by his cousin’s volunteer work in Vancouver, he looked up similar organizations in Edmonton. Bissell Centre was exactly what he was looking for.
“It gives me more real satisfaction knowing I’m helping people,” says Jashan. “I get to talk to so many different people with so many different stories. And I get to look in the mirror at the end of the day and know that I did something real today.”
Jashan finds anywhere and everywhere to contribute that his busy post-secondary schedule allows. From making deliveries to working in the Thrift Shop and taking part in major fundraising events like Coldest Night of the Year, it’s all about getting his boots on the ground and connecting with the people.
Volunteer Jashan (far right) at Coldest Night of the Year
A community of support
Much like Jashan, Debbie’s volunteer focus is connecting with people needing support and making as much of a positive impact as she can. She’s helped with a few different programs at Bissell Centre and today helps at Service Hub reception. She explains she’s often the first person people see when they come through the doors — and hopes a friendly smile helps people feel more comfortable and confident as they uncover their unique pathways out of homelessness and poverty.
Many people who choose to volunteer their time with Bissell Centre are motivated by a deep-seated desire to help people in any way they can. At the end of the day, what many volunteers with Bissell Centre want most is knowing that they did something to help strengthen the community.
If you’re interested in volunteering your time with Bissell Centre, reach out and discover how you help ensure programs reach people as they uncover their unique paths out of poverty and homelessness.
People across the greater-Edmonton region are invited to Bissell Child Care (9331 105 Ave. Edmonton) on March 28, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for its spring open house. Bissell Centre’s child care program is catered to children newborn to six-years-old, with spaces reserved for families needing full time care or respite care.
“This is an excellent opportunity for parents to see first-hand what makes Bissell Child Care so unique,” says Jaye Brown, Manager of the Early Childhood Development Program with Bissell Centre. “This is a space where programming has benefited countless children and continues to give them an incredible start to life before they enter kindergarten.”
A History of Quality Child Care in Edmonton
Bissell Centre has been running a respite child care program since the 1970s, expanding to offering full-time child care services when its new child care space opened in 2020. Children attending Bissell Child Care receive one meal and two snacks every day (provided by Bissell Harvest Catering), can attend field trips all summer long, and have access to specialized supports — all at no additional cost to parents.
“Bissell Child Care is not only for families living in the downtown core and experiencing instability,” says Brown. “We are an inclusive environment that recognizes how everyone can be a part of this community and we welcome all children and their family.”
Crucial to Bissell Centre’s Mission in the Community
Guests can treat themselves to light snacks and refreshments as they explore the nature-inspired space where children play, learn, and thrive. Educators and leaders will be on-site during the event to answer questions and provide guided tours with more information on what parents can expect when sending their children to Bissell Child Care.
Bissell Child Care is just one of Bissell Centre’s social enterprises that seeks to help fund Bissell’s crucial programs: also including Bissell Thrift Shop and Bissell Harvest Catering. All funds raised are directly invested back into programs helping people uncover their unique paths out of poverty and homelessness — increasing Bissell Centre’s capacity to meet people where they are at and help strengthen the community.
Close to 400 walkers on more than 60 teams walked through downtown Edmonton on February 28, 2026, for Bissell Centre’s ninth annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser. More than $161,000 was raised to go towards Bissell Centre’s programs in housing, financial empowerment, eviction prevention, family supports, and Indigenous cultural supports.
Temperatures hit as low as –24 degrees that night with wind chill, but it didn’t deter any walkers from showing up and walking alongside people in need to help strengthen the community. The walk kicked off at YMCA Boyle Street Plaza at 4:00 p.m., starting with an opening reception where walkers picked up their matching colourful toques before taking to their routes.
Walkers could choose either a two-kilometre route that took them up to 100 Street, or a five-kilometre route which saw walkers traverse all the way to 109 Street. Once walkers completed their routes, they headed back to Boyle Street Plaza for a complementary pasta buffet from Bissell Harvest Catering.
Money raised at Coldest Night of the Year makes real impacts on people in the community. In 2024, Bissell Centre helped house more than 500 people, prevented more than 600 evictions, returned more than $7.6 million through more than 4,000 personal tax filings, and connected hundreds more people to resources to help them live with a better quality of life.
Next year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk will take place on February 27, 2027.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Capital Power
Boardwalk
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling
Home Depot Canada
BigSteelBox
Alberta Residential Landlord Association
Recruitment Partners Inc.
Associated Engineering
JACEK Chocolate Couture
BioWare
Fairmont Hotel McDonald
GSJJ
Tim Hortons
North Country Fair
And thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this incredible event a success!
Bissell Centre is expanding its crucial Financial Empowerment program to better serve diverse communities facing poverty and housing instability.
With funding from Prosper Canada’s Resilient Futures program, Bissell Centre is partnering with Métis Money Moves and the Canada FASD Research Network (CanFASD) to make its Financial Empowerment programming more accessible and relevant to people rooted in Indigenous Nations and people with FASD — two demographics disproportionately experiencing poverty and homelessness.
This collaboration begins in March with Bissell Centre team members presenting Métis Money Moves’ culturally informed financial education program at the Stanley Milner Edmonton Public Library.
Finance from an Indigenous Perspective
“Indigenous teachings about things that relate to money go deeper into why a person wants to be better with finances,” says Sophia Mejia, Manager of Specialized Services with Bissell Centre. “It helps provide more personal autonomy and asks reflective questions prompting people to provide personal motivations to help them gain a better understanding around finances.”
While the Bissell Centre team leads these sessions, Métis Money Moves and CanFASD are reviewing Bissell Centre’s existing Financial Empowerment program and to create workbooks tailored to the needs of Indigenous people and people with FASD. This is expected to continue until 2027, with the new Financial Empowerment program rolling out in 2028.
“Métis Money Moves is making change for the next seven generations, empowering individuals and families to gain a deeper understanding of their money and reducing recidivism back into houselessness,” says JoLynn Parenteau, Métis Money Moves’ Founder and Facilitator. “In 2026, Métis Money Moves will reach more households than ever before, made possible by the leadership and vision of Bissell Centre’s Financial Empowerment and Prosper Canada’s Resilient Futures programs.”
Funding from Prosper Canada’s Resilient Futures Program
Resilient Futures is a $60 million, multi-year initiative that will support community organizations across Canada to expand free financial empowerment services — such as tax filing help, assistance accessing government benefits, and financial coaching and counselling — for people with low and modest incomes. The initiative aims to reach one million people and connect them with an estimated $2 billion in income benefits and tax credits.
To register for Métis Money Moves’ program, or for more information about this partnership, visit the Edmonton Public Library website.
Bissell Centre is holding its annual Coldest Night of the Year walkathon on Saturday, February 28.
Beginning at YMCA Boyle Street Plaza (9538 103A Ave. Edmonton), the opening reception starts at 4:00 p.m. and walkers will set off at 5:00 p.m.
This event features hundreds of Edmontonians walking through the city’s downtown, in matching colourful toques, to help raise funds for Bissell Centre’s critical programs and services.
Last year’s walk
Last year’s walk saw close to 400 walkers on 79 teams helping to raise $150,000 for programs that help people find sustainable housing, increase their financial knowledge, connect to Indigenous culture, and provide essentials for families.
“There’s something powerful about seeing hundreds of people bundle up and walk together on a cold winter evening,” says Michelle Reid, Manager of Community Engagement. “It’s a visible reminder that our community cares deeply about making sure everyone has access to safe housing and supports.”
What to expect at the event
Teams of walkers have been raising funds since November and will continue until the day of the walk. Kicking off from Boyle Street Plaza, walkers can choose either the two kilometre route through City Centre or five kilometre route up to 109 Street before heading back to Boyle Street Plaza for a reception with warm food and soft drinks.
Reid says seeing people from the larger Edmonton community show up to walk alongside one another reminds her how events like these open doors for people and helps strengthen the community.
About Coldest Night of the Year
Coldest Night of the Year started back in 2011, with three Ontario ministries, to raise awareness around what their communities are experiencing. It wasn’t long before hundreds of organizations across Canada and the United States adopted the event, including Bissell Centre whose own Coldest Night of the Year walkathon remains an essential event to ensure it can continue offering its range of programs including in housing, financial empowerment, family supports, and Indigenous cultural supports.
Edmonton has a variety of free and low-cost services geared towards families. These include clothing, food, shelter, and respite child care. Check out the list below! Not sure where to start? Our Family Supports team can help.
Our Family Supports team works with families to understand their individual needs and helps them navigate services available — even acting as advocates for some families we walk alongside to help strengthen family units and the community.
If you want to meet with our Family Supports team, you can find them at the Bissell Centre Service Hub at 10527, 96 Street. You can contact our Family Supports team directly:
If you’re reaching out to any of the services on this list, please visit their websites for their criteria. For a full list of additional services, call 211.
Free or low-cost clothing
Mill Woods United Church
Saint Vincent de Paul
Building Hope
Amity House
Suit Yourself
Terra Centre
Care Closet
Free Food or Meals
Building Hope
C5 Hub Food Pantry
Candora Society
Hope Mission
Freedom Centre Church
Edmonton Food Bank
Food Not Bombs
Wecan Food Baskets
Native Healing Centre
Native Friendship Centre
Pantry N More’
Bethel Church
Shelters
Hope Mission
The Mustard Seed
Boyle Street Community Services
WIN House
Wings of Providence
Bear Lodge
E4C
Lurana Shelter
A Safe Place
Respite Child Care
Bissell Child Care
Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre
Kids Kottage
Kids Without Limits
A Safe Place
