A Lethbridge-based organization that serves people with disabilities is closing at the end of the month after learning earlier this year it’s losing its provincial funding.
Leah Dormaar, executive director of the Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association (SAIPA), said staff found out in early January that the organization was losing its main funding source, a $160,000 contract with the Alberta government, in 90 days. The news came 15 months before the end of its contract.
“There was no warning given or anything like that, so it was quite a shock to everybody,” said Dormaar.
“Closing our doors was not on the bingo card for 2025.”
Dormaar said the organization is grateful for the funding the government has provided — which allowed it to develop its self-advocacy and education programs — over the past 20 years.
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