Sneak Peek at Little Bear’s Den
After years of planning, fundraising, restoration, and community support, we are excited to invite you to a Sneak Peek Open House at Little Bear’s Den before we officially open our doors.
Located in the beautifully restored basement of our historic 1927 building, Little Bear’s Den has been thoughtfully designed as a warm, welcoming, and child-friendly space where children, youth, and families can access support while navigating the justice system. Every detail has been carefully considered, with comfort, hope, healing, and belonging at the heart of its design.
Join us on July 14, 2026, to tour the space, learn more about the services Little Bear’s Den will provide, and celebrate this exciting milestone with our community. Our official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will follow this fall.
Little Bear’s Den Grand Opening Art Contest
Be Part of Little Bear’s Den History
As part of our Sneak Peek celebration, we’re inviting children and youth to help create a lasting piece of Little Bear’s Den history.
Several years ago, our official Little Bear logo was created through a student design contest, with the winning design submitted by a student from E.S. Laird Middle School. That logo has become a meaningful symbol of our commitment to children, youth, and families.
Now, we’re inviting another generation of young artists to design the official commemorative Grand Opening logo for Little Bear’s Den.
Grades 5 and Under
Enter our Coloring Contest for a chance to win a bike or scooter through a random draw.
Grades 6–12
Create an original logo design inspired by hope, healing, strength, and belonging. The winning design will become the official commemorative Grand Opening logo, featured on limited-edition merchandise and promotional materials for our Ribbon Cutting Celebration. The winning artist will also receive an Apple iPad.
Submission Deadline: August 1, 2026
How to Enter
- Email: reception@lsas.ca
- Drop Off: Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services / Little Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre
Download the contest package below for contest rules, eligibility requirements, and submission guideline
Little Bear’s Den is a required community space that will support the expansion and demand for services within our Little Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre Program. The renovation to our 1927 community building will be repurposed by building additional space for Little Bear children and youth to journey through their investigation and feel safe. Little Bear’s Den will be complete with the following:
- State-of-the-art forensic interview room
- Accompanying observation rooms
- Nature-based themes throughout
- A meeting space
- A smudging room
The benefits are:
- A safe and comfortable environment for children and youth
- Wrap-around support for children, youth, and families impacted by abuse
- Soothing nature-based energy to support healing and wellness
- Cultural spaces and acknowledgements in line with Truth and Reconciliation efforts
- Maintenance of RCMP provincial standards for the digital and audio recording of evidence
Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services (LSAS) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of our fundraising efforts for the Little Bear Den! Thanks to the incredible generosity of local businesses, community members, and supporters, along with a remarkable grant from the Government of Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program, we have achieved our goal.
The funds raised, including those from our highly successful A Night Under The Stars Gala, have enabled us to begin repairs and renovations, bringing our vision to life. Over the last four decades of dedication, long hours, countless grants, and funding proposals, passionate staff, and unwavering community support, LSAS has grown into the impactful non-profit organization it is today.
LSAS continues to provide crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and support to children, youth, families, and individuals affected by sexual violence, family violence, exploitation, and other types of abuse. The new Little Bear Den will enhance our ability to serve rural and remote Albertans and Saskatchewan residents, offering a safe, accessible, and welcoming space.
girls will experience some form of sexual violence before the age of 18 years.
boys will experience some form of sexual violence before the age of 18 years.
Generally speaking, 45% of the population has disclosed sexual assault or abuse
Thank you to the Government of Alberta’s Community Facility Enhancement Program for generously matching our fundraising efforts!
Here’s how to give:
Make a one time donation
Make a monthly donation
Recognition of donors will be showcased at the entrance of the basement.
306-825-8255
306-825-9557
reception@lsas.ca
PO BOX 2033 Lloydminster, SK S9V1R5
THANK YOU
- Government Of Alberta
- Stingray Media
- Synergy Credit Union
- 106.1 The GOAT
- Abby Road Flowers & Gifts
- Gold Horse Casino
- Agland
- Northwind Radio
- Narra Studios
- Integra Engineering
- Servus Credit Union
- Bioclean Disaster Services
- First Truck Centre
- Bandit Energy Services
- BPC Directional
- The Scoop
- Cenovus
- Reid & Wright Signs
- Spiros Restaurant
- One The Line Creative Consulting
- Furniture Gallery
- Moonlight Photography
- Veikle Agro
- Foundation 500 Supporters
Initially, City Hall and Fire Department the building had cemented rooms with original wooden doors that led to city jail cells, a small wooden door that once connected buildings through an underground tunnel which is now filled in with soil, and two antique vaults that were utilized nearly 100 years ago. We truly value the opportunity to maintain and enhance the building we call home as the agency recognizes that this building is an integral part of Lloydminster’s heritage.
LSAS had humble beginnings and provided initial services in the basement of Dr. Stelmachuck’s building before moving to a small residential house located at 5311-50th Avenue. Fortunately, in 2003 the agency was in the position to financially invest in a home to call their own. Through the generosity and support of Mark Harty and family, the agency purchased the old City Hall building that was property of Harty Developments Ltd. For many years, LSAS only occupied the main floor of the community building and the top two floors were rented as apartments and/or commercial space. The Centre has also been known as a hub for businesses and organizations that included legal representatives, aesthetician services, as well as the Men at Risk Program offered through Alberta Health Services. With the community’s support and awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence in conjunction with services offered by LSAS; the agency began to experience overwhelming demands for programming and resources. With the expansion of services and increase of staff, the agency grew to occupy the entire building.
Services have grown immensely since the ’80s. LSAS has created a safe and comfortable environment for anyone to access healing and supportive services. Growing from a volunteer staff to a funded team of dedicated, motivated, and inspiring members has given LSAS the opportunity to embrace innovation and progressive movements to provide best practices and unique healing opportunities. In the mid-2000s, the team recognized the increase of children under the age of 12 who were exhibiting sexual behaviour concerns. Thus, a program was piloted; however, it was not until 2016 that a successful Sexual Behaviour Program was implemented. Educational presentations and group programs offer a span of topics such as consent, social media, compassion, bullying, harassment, and self-esteem. The program ensures statistics and engaging content are delivered to children, youth, adults, and professionals.
In 2011, LSAS facilitators became licensed to deliver the provincial First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse TrainingTM and continue this two-day workshop, among other training opportunities, today. In May 2019, the soft opening of Little Bear invited community partners, funders like the Fred North Charitable Foundation and Ryken Group LTD, staff, volunteers, and families to tour the renovated facility and understand more about each LSAS division. In October 2019, interviews began being conducted on site with collaboration from the Lloydminster RCMP Detachment leading the way. This multi- disciplinary team truly makes a positive change in the community. The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) was established in April 2016 as a part of an Alberta provincial movement to ensure effective support for those who have experienced recent sexual violence when accessing medical services in Emergency Rooms. Advancements in the Police and Court Support Program were a direct result of Alberta provincial advocacy for change in the justice system as it pertains to sexual violence in 2018. The Border City Rotary Club funded new court books for children, youth, adults, and caregivers. As a result of organizational growth, LSAS services expanded to include Anger Resolution, Non-Suicidal Self- Injury Support, Art and Play Integration, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). This shift in services resulted in a third division of LSAS – North Ryken Enhanced Services. The variety of modalities within LSAS creates space for clients to choose what might fit best for them as they navigate the healing process. In 2022, LSAS supported 800 individuals. True to LSAS’s nature, there are ongoing projects and plans. Unfortunately, the ravages of time are beginning to show, and the basement structure is no longer structurally sound. LSAS Building provides a safe space for individuals and families on their healing journey. As you can imagine, this need for the Foundation repair has left LSAS devastated at the prospect of losing our beloved building that we have loved for the past 20 years. Despite this challenge, LSAS is determined to transform the space into “Little Bear’s Den,” expanding the Little Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre to continue providing a safe haven for individuals and families on their healing journey.
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM/COURT SUPPORT
SART is available to clients by accessing emergency, medical services at the Lloydminster Hospital, seeking help at the Lloydminster RCMP Detachment, or through crisis call and/or walk- in crisis support at LSAS.
The Police and Court Support Program specializes in providing services to any client that is a victim of sexual violence going through the judicial system. Those referred to the program are connected with a Court Advocate. They advocate for the client with key partners in the justice field as they navigate court preparation and potential trial dates.
THE LITTLE BEAR CHILD & ADVOCACY CENTRE
The Little Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre is a division of Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services (LSAS). Little Bear is a warm and inviting place where RCMP and Children’s Services are welcome to conduct forensic interviews and Crown Prosecutors can meet with clients. Little Bear Child & Youth Advocates are a caring support throughout the entire process – from greeting the child/youth and their non-offending family members to providing emotional support, a visit to Lilly’s Toy Room and offering referrals onto healing supports afterwards.
CRISIS INTERVENTION
LSAS provides individual support to children, youth, adults, and families who have been, directly or indirectly, impacted by sexual violence. Services are offered to all genders, ethnicities, socio-economic status, and age. Clients are assigned to a Crisis Interventionist and will work together for healing and hope. Crisis Interventionists collaborate to support siblings, parents, friends, and other family members as they support their loved ones.
