Alberta Child Advocacy Centres get funding boost as Edmonton sees high demand
Posted August 20, 2025 6:25 pm.
Last Updated August 20, 2025 6:43 pm.
The Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre moved into its new building late last year, and already the bigger space is making its worth.
“We are very, very busy with no signs of a decline in the numbers,” said Emmy Stuebing, the CEO of the Zebra Centre.
Over 4,300 kids got help from the Zebra Centre last year, triple the amount 10 years ago. It’s expected that 2025 will be on par with or exceed last year.
The majority of cases involved sexual abuse, and 40 per cent reported serious bodily harm.
This space and seven other child advocacy centres in Alberta are getting a 10 per cent total boost in funding.
It includes the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre in Red Deer, and the Luna Centre in Calgary.
“There’s a lot more we can do. But as a government, we remain committed to making sure that some of these most vulnerable and complex situations and family dynamics are looked after,” said Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services.
The Zebra Centre is the busiest in Alberta, with rooms for families, police interviews, and preparing a child for court and remote testifying.
“We use operating dollars to support everything from funding our toy closet, food and snacks, toiletries, clothing, as well for our staff,” said Stuebing. “We stretch as far as we can with what we have. No child is ever turned away.”
