INUVIK
The Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre had a banner year in 2015 dozens of people in attendance at the organization's annual general meeting were told Oct. 23.

Sandra Ipana, left, Debbie Gordon-Ruben, Bernice Furlong and Shawna Kaglik sit at the board's table at the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre AGM Oct. 23. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

"We've had a very good year this year, I think," said executive director Brenda Jerome, although she said there have also been some challenges. "Donations last year were really tough. We didn't get anything given to us."

In fact, according to financial statements, donations totalled $500 in 2015, down from $12,800 in 2014. However, the centre more than made up for that shortfall with an increase in government funding of almost $250,000. In 2014, the centre received barely $15,000 from the GNWT and nothing from the federal government but in 2015, the territorial government contributed $235,000 and the federal government gave $28,000 in support. These increases were matched with a bump to $343,000 from the National Association of Friendship Centres in 2015 from $170,000 in 2014. Jerome said this last increase was the result of implementing more youth programming and accessing core funding related to it.

The staggering increases from the GNWT, she said, was the result of applying for program dollars from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, as well as the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, including a wage-subsidy program. In the end, the centre went to a surplus of nearly $43,000 this year from being just above $33,000 in deficit in 2014.

"We knew we wouldn't be getting a lot of money," said centre president Bernice Furlong. "So Brenda applied for all the other pots she could."

While both Jerome and Furlong lamented the drop in donations coming from the community, they said there has been a lot of in-kind support that is difficult to quantify.

"We know there are struggling families," said Furlong. "Companies are leaving town, work has been slow, we understand."

But that makes it even more important for Ingamo to keep going. In the last year, the organization expanded programming for elders, infants and young people, as well as spent tens of thousands of dollars on a complete kitchen renovation. Jerome said the new kitchen will serve not just the centre but the people and groups who rent it out for events.

Jerome's official report states 493 people attended various programs over the course of the year and approximately 450 people passed through the doors for events and various hall rentals.

"We're just happy with our executive director, she does so much good work and it's really a team effort," Furlong said and repeated throughout the evening.

"She has always wanted this to be a place where people can feel comfortable, where they can come and participate, and from her report you can see this was accomplished."

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