Shared Stories

Volunteers Give Spring Cleaning a Boost!

Tue, 28 May 2013 15:57:05 +0000

Spring has sprung and like homeowners throughout the City, CHF is digging into the earth, raking up debris and sprucing up its properties – all with the help of volunteers.

Volunteers dig in!

Throughout the month of June, annual clean-ups at a number of CHF properties will be led by volunteers committed to creating a sense of home sweet home for the residents and communities where we are located.“Volunteers are the hands and feet, not to mention the brawn, of our annual spring clean-up activities,” says Paul Stanton, Events Manager at CHF. “Over the years they have painted fences, built decks and playgrounds, raked leaves, planted flower beds and containers. They’ve helped raise funds for necessary equipment as well as bedding plants, paint and other necessary resources. They’ve done it all and it’s thanks to them that all our buildings continue to be beautiful additions to the communities where we are located.”

This year, Acadia Place, The Longbow, Thorncliffe, Claire and Bankview apartments will receive tender, loving care from groups of volunteers. Kairos, Westside King’s Church, Walsh LLP and Direct Energy are just some of the groups committed to lending a hand to make a difference. As in past years, green gate garden centre ltd. continues to support our initiatives with the provision of plants and planting equipment.

Spring clean-up happens every year, and as every Calgary gardener knows, there’s lots to do and many opportunities to help out. Volunteer groups are invited to adopt a building, create a fund-raiser for building beautification, or simply come out and lend a hand. And, for those looking to create the social part of the event, there’s always a barbeque to plan and a chance to get to know some of the residents of each building.

“Adopting a building is a great way to involve your team in an ongoing project that reaps benefits for our tenants as well as the communities with which we partner,” says Paul. “And it’s a great opportunity to meet residents and work alongside those who come out to be part of the event.”

If you’re interested in adopting a building, or creating a fund-raiser please contact Paul Stanton @ 403-718-8534 or paul@calgaryhomeless.com

W.O. Mitchell students make a difference

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:03:15 +0000

On April 3rd, Andrea Ransom, VP Communications and Fund Development visited Miss Tamblyn's Grade 4/5 class at W.O. Mitchell School and provided the students insight into Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. She was invited to come and talk to the class as part of their investigations into homelessness in our city.

In February, the class had visited the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre to get a first-hand view of homelessness and what one shelter is doing to alleviate its impact on the men and women experiencing it. That visit resulted in many conversations about what the city and individuals can do about ending homelessness.

Engaging youth in the conversation around ending homelessness is vital if we are to continue to fulfill on Calgary's 10 Year Plan's goals. These youth have a say in the future of our city, and want to share their voices to ensure everyone has access to resources that will plug them into Calgary's many opportunities.

When Bill C-400, which proposed a national housing strategy, was defeated on February 27th the class began a serious debate around the issues, including inviting Andrea to come and discuss the issue. Afterwards, the students undertook a letter writing campaign to MPs who voted Nay, asking for clarification of why they didn't support the Bill.

We could all take a lesson from these youthful Calgarians. In their investigations into homelessness they read widely on the issue, explored many positions and challenged each other to see the differing perspectives and viewpoints as well as the humanity of those with lived experiences. And then, they took action.

To read (and hear) these young citizens share their observations and what they learned and did, click on the three links below. Thank you MIss Tamblyn, the Grade 4/5 students of Room 5 and W.O. Mitchell School for teaching all of us the art of social engagement!

February 21: Miss Tamblyn's Class Visits the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre

March 13: The Student's Debate: How to help the homeless

April 12: International Day for Street Children -- The Students take action -- Letters to MPs

The Power of Collaboration

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:26:44 +0000

During 2012 the Calgary Police Service noticed a significant increase in calls for service to two buildings owned by CHF and operated by CUPS. Police members were being called to the apartment building several times in one day and even repeatedly to the same unit. Communications began between the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF), CUPS and the CPS.

In an effort to identify causes and to address CPS concerns, Cst MIGNEAULT of Calgary Police Service, (CPS) contact CHF and asked for a meeting with all stakeholders.

On January 3^rd of this year, representatives from CUPS and CHF met with Cst MIGNEAULT, the representative for the Calgary Police Service (CPS) to discuss the issues pertaining to the calls and what was happening at the two buildings. At that meeting Cst MIGNEAULT provided the participants with the numbers for calls for service and the group brainstormed ideas on how to improve safety and reduce CPS interaction appropriately.

Over the next month, CHF implemented improved security measures such as the installation of security cameras and worked with the higher acuity families to find more appropriate and supportive housing. CUPS continued to operate an onsite Resource Centre to better support the tenants of the building. Cst MIGNEAULT liaised with the agencies and informed her coworkers at the CPS 6 district office on the situation and efforts being done at the locations.

On February 7th Cst BLINDENBACH the Community Liaison Officer for CPS attended a Tenant Advisory meeting with CUPS and CHF representation held for the residents of the buildings. The meeting was very productive with the tenants being able to express concerns directly and CUPS, CHF and CPS being able to communicate directly with the tenants.

On March 28 all the stakeholders met again to follow up and debrief with Cst Migneault and Cst. Blindenbach representing CPS. The discussion focused around the success of this project and to continue the efforts. Below are the general CPS stats associated with calls for service to these two buildings.

CPS Calls for Service

Jan - Apr

2011

May - Aug

2011

Sep - Dec

2011

Jan - Apr

2012

May - Aug

2012

Sep - Dec

2012

Jan - Apr

2013

The stats show a dramatic increase in calls to CPS in 2012. Once the increased communication was put in place with all the agencies in January a dramatic reduction of calls was seen, however the calls are still not as low as in 2011 and continued steps are being taken to address the issues contributing to the increased calls. It must be noted however, that though the calls for the first third of 2013 are still significant many of the calls are proactive with tenants calling in suspicious people and other diligent enquiries as was recommended from the February 7^th meeting with the tenants.

The collaborative approach to this issue by CPS , CUPS and CHF has clearly produced a great outcome and one that will continue in a positive manner.

RESOLVE -- The Vision of 3,000

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:56:11 +0000

There is an ancient Japanese legend that promises a wish will be granted to anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes. And, while the over 3,000 Calgarians who are currently experiencing homelessness in our city may not have the paper to fold a thousand origami cranes, their wish of ending homelessness could come true if the RESOLVE: Make it Possible, fundraising campaign has its way.

RESOLVE: Make it Possible was unveiled on Tuesday, May 7 in front of over 250 people who gathered together to celebrate this first-of its-kind, community driven fundraising campaign aimed at creating a diverse mix of affordable, rent-based housing units in our city. RESOLVE aims to raise $120million that will translate into nearly 2,000 units for over 3,000 people.

As Kim O’Brien, Executive Director of Horizon Housing, one of the nine agency members participating in the collaborative campaign, passionately said in her remarks to the crowd, the “genesis of RESOLVE is rooted in our combined desire to create more affordable housing options in Calgary… But I challenge us all over the duration of this campaign to think about it as 3000 individual visions – visions of front doors and backyards, of kitchen tables and of bunk beds, and of meals to be prepared and yes, even chores to be done.”

Alan Norris, President and CEO of Brookfield Residential Properties and a member of the RESOLVE Cabinet, spoke of collaboration and the need to always ‘do the right thing.’ “It’s the right thing to do,” he told the crowd. Chair of the Board of Directors at CHF, Alan is tireless in his commitment to make a difference in the lives of homeless Calgarians and encouraged everyone present to commit their time, energy and financial resources to ensure RESOLVE reaches its $120 million target. “We knew there had to be a capital component to ending homelessness and this collaborative effort is the first in Canada,” he said.

To kick-start the campaign, Calgary home-builders, Shane, Cedarglen, Avi, Qaulico, Morrison, Jayman, Albi Homes and Norris’ own Brookfield Residential Properties, pledged $11.2 million worth of housing construction that will amount to over 200 units. Standing shoulder to shoulder with his cohorts on the stage at the front of the gathering, Norris smiled ear to ear and said of their joint contributions, “I think it’s a tremendous, tremendous lead gift.”

Congratulations Sheryl Barlage and her amazing team at RESOLVE. CHF is a member of the campaign along with Accessible Housing Society, Bishop O-Byrne Housing for Seniors Association, Calgary Alpha House Society, Calgary John Howard Society, Horizon Housing Society, Silvera for Seniors, The Mustard Seed Foundation and Trinity Place Foundation of Alberta.

It promises to be an exciting 3 years as the group collaborates on engaging community at all levels to play a role in ending homelessness in our city. With their vision clearly defined, a stellar cabinet of Calgarians Committed to Change comprised of leaders such as Stephanie Felesky, Jim Gray, Ann McCaig, Deputy Police Chief Trevor Daroux and others, along with the support of government and community leaders and every-day Calgarians stepping up to make a difference, RESOLVE doesn’t need to fold origami cranes to make its vision reality. It just needs to keep doing the right thing by staying committed to ending homelessness for the 3,000+ Calgarians who have a vision of front doors and backyards and yes, even chores to be done.

Project Homeless Connect -- 16 Amazing Events

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:56:33 +0000

When I was hired by the Calgary Homeless Foundation in 2009, I soon realized one of my major challenges was to take over managing a major event known as PHC (Project Homeless Connect). It meant coordinating over 40 homeless serving agencies, organizing a caterer to serve 1000 meals in two hours, finding professionals who would cut hair on a Saturday, locating and transporting several thousand pieces of donated clothing, purchasing several hundred toiletry items to give away, to recruit, assign job descriptions and orient approximately 100 volunteers and then to lay out a floor plan for an exhibition pipe and drape, table and chair company so all these elements would fit and flow smoothly together. And to be in and out of the event venue in a 24 hour period.

Daunting but doable because of the great people I had the honour to serve and work with. Putting over 1000 people under one roof to deliver services to those at risk or who are experiencing homelessness, has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences I’ve encountered in my life. Humbling because you soon realize how easy it can be to become homeless, and rewarding because ‘dignity to everyone involved’ was always the key element in running the event.

I managed eleven PHC events in two different venues, the Petro-Canada Centre which was re-named the Suncor Energy Centre, and City Hall Atrium. A huge thank you to the facility managers of these venues because they made their buildings available for our use, when it would have been easy to turn us away.

To all the agencies who participated in PHC events, you have my profound respect. All week long you work in a demanding field, and then on a Saturday we asked you to give more of your time . . . and you did.

A debt of gratitude goes to the various service companies, and catering organizations who tailored their work to suit PHC needs. You took the time to understand -Thank you.

Calgary is great because it can boast a wonderful volunteer spirit. PHC did not lack this spirit. Many hands make light work, and there were many volunteer hands at work during PHC. There are not sufficient words to describe my appreciation to the Team Leads and their volunteer teams who, through each and every PHC event: fed, clothed, gave comfort kits, cut hair, served-up hospitality, guided, provided security and helped set up and clean up. You made it all look easy.

And finally I want to send thanks to the participants who have been so gracious. The constant “thank-you” through the event made it all worthwhile.

Technology has caught up with the PHC event, as there are better, more effective and efficient ways to link clients with needed homeless services. But thank you to everyone involved in all the Project Homeless Connect events. There are vivid memories connected to these events that will last many of us a lifetime.

******************************************

We invited people to share their memories of PHC.

Here's a sampling of what they had to say.

- setting Up PHC and a huge box of clothes broke open in the elevator. It took 2 volunteers 10 minutes to toss all the clothes out the elevator

- losing my keys
- being thanked again and again and again for PHC. Such gracious people
- hearing that someone, who was newly housed, liked to cook and bringing spare pots and pans to him the next day
- working with some incredible volunteers through 12 PHCs
- memories that will last a lifetime. Paul Stanton

This is My City Art Society (TMC) has been pleased to be part of (almost) every PHC. Our art-making booth has become well-known to all the participants and we have a lot of repeat visitors. Our organization brings creative expression opportunities to those with the experience of homelessness. PHC has helped us build our capacity by giving us access directly to the people. Thanks! CS

Absolutely outstanding. Amazing potential in every person. CHF's PHC warms my heart every time, wish it was to continue. Thanks CHF, Thanks Paul, and thank you all you lovely volunteers!!! God Bless! MB

My fondest memories are when they served coffee during the day to guests and services were focused on clients as human begins and when it was safe to have an opinion. Author unknown

Thank you so much for the opportunity to connect with so many people and all walks of life. This experience has been invaluable! Author unknown

This is the last project homeless event and I am sad to see it go. How often I have looked forward to these events. Every time I come, I gain enthusiasm to create new trading cards. For some reason I am unable to tap into my artistic ability at home. But here, it ebbs and flows and I can allow my mind to relax. I feel safe and secure. I am able to allow the pen to flow on paper. Why is it that with each card produced, I feel a sense of accomplishment? Why is it that arts gives me a sense of completeness and so much satisfaction. I am a proud Native. Thank you for all your help and allowing me to tap into my inner spirit and to embrace my inner child. RS

My 6th homeless event. Met good people. Not bad event these homeless events. I'll miss them. DS

Collaborative Mural Project

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:27:03 +0000

Collaborative Mural Project
Sunalta Lodging
March 2013

Partners: This is My City, The Calgary Homeless Foundation, Alpha House Society and Prospect Human Services

Background:

The collaborative mural project is rooted in the idea of community building through participation in a collaborative art project. Clients from two different participating agencies work together over a three month period to discuss ideas on community, culture, acceptance, etc. that form themes for a mural that the group then paints together.

Purpose/Objective:

v To complete a mural with the Lodging House tenants and the Prospect Clients.

v To have the chance to meet a new population and learn about one another.

v To give participants who would otherwise not have an opportunity to do a collaborative art project the chance to.

v To beautify space.

Workshop structure:

Week 1: Meet and greet. Have the two participating groups get to know each other through ice breaker activities. Talk about significance and history of mural painting. Begin the brainstorm and discussion for mural themes

Week 2: Begin taking brainstormed ideas to the draw board through individual and collaborative drawings

Week 3: Visit to the library for inspiration and image gathering

Week 4: Buy material for mural, start mapping out drawing onto wall/boards

Week 5-end: Painting

Outcome:

We had a lot of visitors from the Lodging House tenants. Each Friday we would have an average of 3-5 people that would stop in to chat with us. There were a few times that clients stopped in to draw a few pictures and also ask for art supplies. The mural did get completed by the clients from Prospect Human Services and on March 15, 2013 we hosted a mural unveiling party at the Lodging House.

In the end we completed a mural, we helped two populations learn about one another and learned how to work together, we beautified the space and we brought the spirit of creativity and art to the Lodging House.

Creating Research Impact - How We Make Homelessness Research Matter

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:30:25 +0000

It wasn’t so long ago that I would lament the lack of impact of research on the homelessness crisis in Canada. You often used to hear people say, “We don’t need research – we know what the problem is and we know what the solution is.”

I used to think, well, wrong on all counts. I could understand people’s impatience with the lack of progress, but really, I couldn’t think of any other crisis – whether it be HIV/AIDS, cancer or global warming – where people would see no need for research. What made this crisis so special?

The good news is that things have begun to change in a big way in the last several years. Communities across Canada are starting to see the value of research, and many researchers finding better ways to engage with service providers, communities, government and with people who have experienced homelessness in order to conduct research that contributes to solutions.

There are in fact many clear ways in which research can make an important contribution. First, there is conceptual research. This is research that inspires shifts in how we think about, understand and talk about the problem of homelessness. Research that poses the question, ‘can we and should we do things differently?’ Here I’m thinking of Hal Pawson’s work on homelessness prevention that has been so influential around the world, or Culhane and Metraux’ work on chronic homelessness in the United States. The recent CHRN Canadan Definition of Homelessness, produced through a collaborative process involving researchers, service providers, people in government and those with lived experience, is conceptual work in that it gives us clear language about how to think about homelessness.

The second kind of research that matters is instrumental research. This is research that helps us understand the effectiveness of our responses to homelessness. In other words, we can no longer just assume we are doing the right thing; we need to better understand, what works, why it works, for whom it works and under what conditions. There is growing recognition in the homelessness sector that we need to do more work on evaluating programs, using data management systems to understand the work at the systems level, and develop robust case study analyses of policy, systems and program level responses that will allow communities to share and adapt promising practices. The At Home / Chez Soi project (funded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada) is the most extensive research project on Housing First ever conducted, and is already showing amazing results. This research will help us really understand how Housing First works for different sub-populations, and in different urban and rural community contexts.

Finally, there is the symbolic use of research. That is, we can use research as evidence to help make the case for retaining what works, or what to do differently. Research can inform policy makers, practitioners, politicians and the general public about homelessness, its causes, conditions and solutions. A good example of this is the recent report: The Real Cost of Homelessness – Can we save money by doing the right thing?, which has inspired conversations across the country about the fact that while we might think that addressing homelessness through emergency services allows us to deal with this issue ‘on the cheap,' it is in fact really quite expensive, and not particularly effective.

So research does seem to matter after all. The challenge in making an impact is taking the evidence and having the learnings applied in real world situations. Communities like Calgary have become leaders in taking an evidence-based approach to solving homelessness, as has the Province of Alberta. All of this makes me optimistic that we can solve homelessness, especially if we draw from research evidence, and involve people from different sectors and walks of life working together to create solutions that treat people with dignity and give them hope.

About Stephen Gaetz

Dr. Stephen Gaetz is the Director of the Canadian Homelessness Research Network and an Associate Professor, Faculty of Education at York University. Follow him on Twitter @SteveGaetz.

BD&P Research Symposium on Homelessness - November 29

Dr. Gaetz will be the Key Note Speaker at Calgary's BD&P Research Symposium on November 29, 2012. This free event is open to the public. Register for the symposium.

The Beginning of the End

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:33:09 +0000

An excerpt from Susan Scott's new book, "The Beginning of the End:"

It was a cold night, -30ºC to be precise, early in 1998. Art Smith was driving home. Inside the car it was warm and the freezing temperatures outside hardly affected him. He had just received an award from the Calgary Economic Development Authority (CEDA) and all was apparently very well with the world. To keep himself company, Smith turned on QR77. Then he felt a sudden chill invade his vehicle. Major Reg Newbury from the Salvation Army was speaking and it is what he had to say that cooled Smith’s mood.

“People are going to die on the streets tonight because it is so cold and the shelters are bursting at the seams,” said Newbury, explaining that Calgary couldn’t accommodate all those people who had poured into town because of the heated economy and the resulting availability of work. Their wages were not enough for a damage deposit.

“Impossible,” thought Smith as he turned into his driveway. “Not in my town.”

In the morning, Smith phoned Newbury to see if his ears had really heard what he thought they had heard.

“Tell me what you said on the radio is not true,” said Smith.

“No, I’m telling the truth,” replied Newbury.

It was at that point Smith, a war hero, politician, entrepreneur, mentor, husband and father, became a powerful advocate for the homeless. He phoned other agencies to check that they were also experiencing the avalanche and to get a better grasp of the situation.

“He was like a knight in shining armour on a dashing white charger,” says one commentator with scarcely a note of irony. What Smith set in motion was to lead to big changes, changes in the way we think about poverty and homelessness and changes in the way we deliver help to the city’s most marginalized people.

His wife, Betty Ann, says over the years she has heard many versions of this story and that undoubtedly there is a central truth to it. She knows for sure that he visited a shelter and was very touched by the despair he witnessed. “When he became aware of the homeless situation, he wanted to do something about it. That was his nature, the way he was,” she says. “He was so anxious for families to be housed, to keep families together so that they couldget ahead in life and get out of despair. . . . A lot of people want to work and have pride and when they can’t provide for their family they have no pride.”

Smith combined both compassion and drive. He left little time for the grass to grow under his feet; he knew everyone who was anyone. While some say he was full of bombast, there is no denying that when Smith took up a cause, things happened and they happened at break-neck speed.

Keep reading:

The Beginning of the End: The story of the Calgary Homeless Foundation and one community's drive to end homelessness (PDF) or get it on iTunes.

Please contact us if you would like a free hard copy version.

Our thanks to Susan Scott for helping us share the story so far.

Walking by the Countdown Clock Every Day

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:53:56 +0000

For the past three weeks as I go to my office I walk by the countdown clock in the CHF reception. If you don’t know about this clock, it is counting down to January 2018 when the goal of the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Calgary is to have no one staying in an emergency shelter or sleeping outside for more than one week before being housed with support.

Before I came to the CHF, I heard lots of rumblings about this clock: some people scoffed at it and others liked it. I like it because it creates a sense of urgency. While 2018 may seem like a long way away, it isn’t and there is a lot of work to be done.

I joined CHF because I am committed and confident we can reach the 10 Year Plan goal. And I’m both humbled and honoured to work with the community and be a part of this great effort. But enough writing and back to work…there are only 1972 days, 16 hours, 15 minutes and nine seconds to go!

Seeking Innovative, Long-term Funding Solutions

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:28:25 +0000

Days into the start of my role as Vice President of Social Enterprise, the CHF held its Project Homeless Connect event, where people struggling with homelessness can get a meal, haircut and a range of other services. It was a Saturday so I took my 12 year old daughter, Lauren, with me. We were cheerfully greeted at the entrance by a volunteer who gave us tickets for lunch and a map where we could find other services. Lauren whispered to me, "Dad, she thinks we are homeless." As we walked around chatting with people it was clear to both of us that you don’t always know who is struggling.

So what is social enterprise and how can it play a role in ending a homeless struggle that can be both visible and invisible?

Traditionally we see business as only existing to make money. We believe community good can only be funded by government and philanthropy. Social enterprise says we can achieve both – and at the same time.

Some organizations are beginning to create businesses that create jobs for the people they serve, or generate revenue to support their charitable work.

Others are finding ways to repurpose assets, like buildings, to generate different kinds of income.

There is also an emerging area called social finance that is creating new ways for people to invest in their communities. Instead of investing in a GIC with a major bank and generating a 5% return, what if you could invest in a community project and generate that same return? Or what about social impact bonds, where government provides financial incentive for groups that provide innovative programs that save the government money over time?

With the help of ATB Financial, we have created a Social Enterprise Incubator to help explore these ideas. If you have an idea that you think can play a role in helping to end homelessness I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at gerrad(at)calgaryhomeless.com.

Check out other innovative projects at:

Gerrad Oishi

Finding Calgary's Rough Sleepers

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:38:54 +0000

On January 18, 2012, I had the chance to be part of Calgary's first homeless count since 2008. Approximately 200 people volunteered, including: Calgary Police Service, City of Calgary Bylaw officers, non-profit agency outreach teams, parking authority staff, and Calgary Stampede and the University of Calgary employees.

It was well below -30 C this night. Temperatures so cold, spending even minutes outside without the right clothing tempted frostbite. Yet, some “rough sleepers” choose to sleep outside no matter what the conditions are, rather than take refuge in a shelter.

This night, 3,190 people were counted as homeless, most of whom were staying in shelters. This suggests an 11.4% decrease in the homeless population since the last count in 2008. You can read the full report here.

It was the job of volunteers like myself to scour Calgary's parks and downtown streets, searching every alley, parking lot, nook and cranny in our designated areas, to find the "hard core" individuals sleeping outside.

I was teamed up with a two bylaw officers and our assigned area was a community just outside downtown. Equipped with a backpack full of blankets, gloves and cigarettes, we head out on the search to hopefully find and offer assistance to rough sleepers.

My group found one individual who was homeless, though he chose not to talk with us about housing and support options. In total, 64 rough sleepers were found this night.

See more photos on facebook

One thing I learned from this experience was that homelessness doesn't always fit a particular mold. You can't always base a person's situation on their experience, and asking "are you homeless" to individuals who look "poor" or "needy" could be offensive.

Our team figured our best bet was to ask people if they had a place to stay tonight. Even when we worded the question this way, it ended in us receiving some offended looks.

The point-in- time count was an extremely rewarding experience that I will never forget. And it seems that other volunteers feel the same way. Here are a few quotes from other volunteers.

“I was amazed at how many volunteers were there and the variety of backgrounds represented. It touched my heart to know that many people care about the homeless!”

"My group found one individual who did have a tent outside, but was staying warm in a downtown Tim Horton's. Being clean shaven and well-spoken, with a warm jacket, he didn't fit the stereotype of 'homeless.' He was very interested in possible housing options in Calgary, and we were able to connect him with service providers. It was a great way to end our evening!"

"Seeing the number of Calgarians who were willing to do unpaid work to assist our fellow Calgarians who are less fortunate, it was very inspiring."

“Meeting others who were concerned about homelessness, realizing the number of associations, organizations and agencies involved in the effort. Great networking opportunity, while helping out for a good cause.”

If you would like to see how the President and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, Tim Richter’s night went, watch the video below.

</p>

Bishop Henry's Remarks During the All Faiths Breakfast

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:33:22 +0000

The CHF hosted an All Faiths Breakfast on Tuesday, October 11, as part of the 15th Annual Homeless Awareness Week, in order to raise awareness and garner support among different faith leaders for ending homelessness in Calgary. Key speakers such as Tom Jackson (homeless advocate and actor/singer), Bishop Fred Henry, Tim Hearn (immediate past chair of CHF), and Mayor Naheed Nenshi, encouraged guests to initiate ways their faith communities could help end homelessness in Calgary.

The following is Bishop Fred Henry's remarks during the breakfast:

"Once upon a time there was a town that was just beyond the bend of a large river. One day some of the children from the town were playing beside the river when they noticed three bodies floating in the water. They ran for help and the townsfolk quickly pulled the bodies out of the river.

One body was dead so they buried it. One was alive, but quite ill, so they put that person in the hospital. The third turned out to be a healthy child, who they then placed with a family who cared for it and who took it to school.

From that day on, every day a number of bodies came floating down the river, and every day, the good people of the town would pull them out and tend to them - taking the sick to the hospitals, placing the children with families, and burying those who were dead.

This went on for years; each day brought its own quota of bodies, and the townsfolk not only came to expect a number of bodies each day but also worked at developing more elaborate systems for picking them out of the river and tending to them. Some of the townsfolk became quite generous in tending to these bodies and a few extraordinary ones even gave up their jobs so that they could tend to this concern full-time. And the town itself felt a certain healthy pride in its generosity.

However, during all these years and despite all that generosity and effort, nobody thought to go up the river, beyond the bend that hid from their sight what was above them, and find out why, daily, those bodies came floating down the river.

In many ways this is our story. The Calgary Plan to End Homelessness is the result of going up the river to look at why so many are experiencing the phenomenon of homelessness and in need of an ever-expanding shelter-rescue. The emphasis is on housing first, providing a safe and secure environment, respecting fundamental human dignity and then working on the issues that put people on the street in the first place.

We are experiencing an unprecedented homelessness crisis in Calgary, and it is no longer an option to simply try to reduce it. We must end it. It was precisely that sales-pitch that encouraged me to get involved - to end homelessness, not merely reduce it.

By choosing to end homelessness, we are making an important philosophical and faith based statement. We are saying “We are not willing to accept the homelessness of any of our neighbours.”

Our religious traditions are so rich - Exodus and Exile, so many of the actions of Jesus are home-bringing events. He came especially to the outcasts, displaced, and rejected ones in society (the lepers, the demon possessed, the sick, the lame). And he acted toward them in ways so that they could be "at home" again (Lk.4:16-19). To bring people home is God's work. But it is work entrusted to us.

As religious leaders I would like to suggest that we adopt a Pastoral Methodology - Five Steps:

Being present with and listening to the experiences of the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed
Developing a critical analysis of the economic, political and social structures that cause human suffering
Making judgments in the light of Gospel principles and the social teaching of the church concerning social values and priorities
Stimulating creative thought and action regarding alternate visions and models for social and economic development
Acting in solidarity with popular groups in their struggles to transform economic, political and social structures that cause social and economic injustices.

Together we are strong and can end homelessness and make the kingdom of God more visible in our community."

Tom Jackson, Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Tim Hearn (CHF past chair), Bishop Henry and Tim Richter (CHF) at the All Faiths Breakfast on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. See more photos on our Facebook page.

Donations made during the breakfast were directed to Acadia Place, the CHF's affordable housing building for vulnerable families. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.acadiaplace.com.

Sharing in Mark Horvath's Cross-Canada Road Trip

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:34:16 +0000

Mark and Sean; photo by @KimberlyYNL

This summer The Community Action Committee (CAC) with the support of the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) sponsored a 24-city road trip to tell the story of Canadian Homelessness. We found out that it’s a story about homeless youth who don’t know how they will survive, families split apart because of homelessness and a story of proud Aboriginal People who have endured much and are far over-represented in the homeless population.

Few people are lucky enough to spend much face time with Mark Horvath @hardlynormal. That’s because with ten or twenty thousand friends on twitter and facebook there is little choice but to ration the time you can interact with individuals. The guy is a social media legend. So when the CAC Chair Barry Davidson @Bdavidson911 and CHF CEO @timrichter tasked me with helping Mark on a cross-Canada road trip to fight homelessness, I knew it was a tremendous opportunity. I also knew I had a lot to learn.

First off, communications niceties like “hello” or “thanks” had to go by the wayside. It was info only with this cat – and the less the better. Originally, I thought it was a Canadian/American difference, but I came to realize that the demands on Mark’s time are exceeded only by his intense desire to make real change for homeless individuals. Then I learned why. When you give your life over to telling the stories of homeless persons it takes an incredible toll – physically, mentally and most of all emotionally. There is never enough time to get the stories, and there is urgency in the telling.

Another lesson - the Canadian media and the Canadian people have a strong interest in what it is like to be homeless and especially in how we can end homelessness. That’s where the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness comes in and that’s where 10 Year Plans come in. Believe me, people sit up and take notice when you tell them Calgary has housed more than three thousand people since January 2008.

But that’s where another learning came in. Statistics mean a lot to Executive Directors and politicians but Mark tells us we have to listen to the senior citizen living on the street, to the girl sleeping on her umpteenth couch this year while going to school or to the man sleeping on a mat in a shelter while struggling to work every day. Yes 10 year plans can help thousands, but we must remember: it is that one individual who we need to help.

One last thing I learned is that inertia, cynicism, and even hatred are powerful enemies to the work that we do in homeless services. At times the work seems daunting and the tasks seem thankless. That’s why it is well to listen to Jason, a homeless youth from St. John’s when he says thank you to Mark Horvath. Thank you indeed.

Jason, Mark, St. John’s Mayor Dennis O’Keefe, Barry and Kimberly in Council Chambers

Find out more about the Canadian Road Trip to Fight Homelessness.

@SeanFrench1 is the Community Liaison for the Community Action Committee. Having sent 974 emails to Mark Horvath in 90 days; he is currently serving the second month of a nine month email ban imposed by @hardlynormal.

Fostering Community Spirit at Acadia Place

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:59:10 +0000

I’ve met families who’ve had to leave their country because of war, crime or corruption. Many of these families had to leave beloved homes, professions and friends behind and start over with very little.

I’ve also met families that have lost their jobs due to the recession. Some struggle with mental health and addictions, while others have limited education and can only access minimum wage jobs, often working more than one job at a time to make ends meet.

Natalie (L) and an Acadia Place tenant.

I work to provide one-on-one support to the tenants living in Acadia Place, the Calgary Homeless Foundation's affordable housing building for families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. My aim is to help build a sense of community among the 58 families living there.

In a way, my goal is to foster and nurture community spirit, much like what used to exist decades ago, when it was okay to go next door and borrow a cup of sugar, or ask your neighbours to help you out with something.

I was especially struck by our lack of community in Canada when I traveled through Kenya in 2006. Kenyans living in villages did not have much in terms of material things – but they had each other – and that has more value than anything you can buy.

On June 1, I opened Acadia Place’s very own resource centre. In the first six weeks, more than a dozen families and individuals contacted me requiring assistance with a variety of issues – such as obtaining financial support for rent, food or diapers, to helping build resumes and apply for jobs. The resource center also offers ESL conversation classes, kids’ games and craft activities, and a mini-library where youth can borrow books on a weekly basis.

We’ve had a few community events, such as the Spring Fling where we enhanced the look of the property and planted a community garden, which is doing really well. And more recently, the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour hosted a Canada Day BBQ in the yard.

I have also been networking with agencies in the larger community to help connect tenants to a variety of available resources. For instance, the center recently had a financial literacy agency, Momentum, present their programs on site. In a few weeks the coordinator of Mothers of Preschool Children (MOPS) will present her program to interested tenants.

In this very short time, I’ve become quite attached to the families living at Acadia Place. I feel honoured to be part of the diverse and vibrant families that live here, and to help facilitate the emergence of a thriving community.

The CHF and KAIROS Calgary are fundraising to pay down the mortgage at Acadia Place. If we reach our goal, Acadia Place residents would, on average, have their rents reduced by $200 a month, making their housing even more affordable. Learn more at www.acadiaplace.com.

Chance and Decision and Some Housing First Help

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:55:32 +0000

Project Homeless Connect 12 - May 28, 2011

I have come to Project Homeless Connect (PHC) today to listen to people. People who don’t have their own places to live in, or who feel they will soon lose what they do have.

I have come to PHC today to hear what ordinary Canadians will tell me about their quite unordinary, but still too-common, circumstances. I will learn about what it’s like to be out of a home or worried, with reason, you soon will be.

I want to listen to people. I want to hear what has led them to their unimagined and yet very real circumstances, what has gone on in their lives, and what choices they’ve made.

I want to listen to these people today partly because I’m interested in them, and partly because, as I learn more about homelessness, I wonder more often if someone I know might someday unexpectedly experience it. Maybe someone in my family, someone I love. Maybe me.

I will hear today from a few PHC guests about the subtle amalgam of luck and choice that first pulled them into homelessness. And, I will hear from some about new combinations of chance and decision that are pulling them out. Chance and decision and some housing-first help.

"Housing first" is part of the mindset of the Calgary Homeless Foundation; I know this from my wife and her friends who work there. It’s the idea that whatever else is going on for people experiencing homelessness, they’ll be a lot more likely to succeed (and a lot less expensive to help) if they can get into affordable and secure housing with appropriate support first.

Project Homeless Connect is part of the goal to provide better and easier access to support and opportunities. It's a Saturday-long affair mounted a few times a year by the Calgary Homeless Foundation and dozens of homeless-serving agencies, all graced by more than 100 volunteers. Depending on the season, between 600 and 1,000 people show up for support and supplies.

PHC events bring together, in one convenient location like a trade fair, most services helpful to homeless and near-homeless singles, couples and families. Things like identification documentation, medical treatment, mental health services, income support and legal advice, as well as haircuts and clothing. PHCs also are well-known places to gather and find company and meet friends. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a hot lunch too.

I head out into the crowd with Terri, a volunteer photographer. We both have children, hers approaching early teens, mine in their late teens and mid-20s. This guides us as we approach a young man and woman.

At 22, Colin has been using drugs since his mom introduced them to him at 11. He’s been a dealer and knows gang life from the inside. But, he’s putting that behind him now.

Some of his motivation is tough: “I’ve had a lot of friends die in recent years.” Some of his motivation comes from new knowledge. “Just this Thursday, I was diagnosed as a borderline schizophrenic,” he announces with relief. “That explains some of my behaviour.”

Colin has been homeless and wants to guard against it now that he is clean and looking for a different line of work. He is with his girlfriend, JoJo, who is 19 and who came to the same place a different way. She is a breakaway product of the foster care system.

“I was staying in a youth safe house,” she begins, “but I had problems with alcohol. I messed up with my foster house. I got kicked out. I went to shelters. In a shelter, it’s a rough life. They’re there to help you, but it’s still hard.”

“I wanted to change when I was turning 18. I want to pay for my own place and live independently. It will take time. Shelters are not who I am.”

Colin and JoJo are both examples of two categories the Calgary Homeless Foundation is focusing on – youth and episodically homeless (people struggling with mental illness and/or addictions who tend to move in and out of homelessness over the course of their lives). Episodically homeless represent about 10 percent of Calgary’s homeless population. Youth are extremely vulnerable because they are at an early stage in life.

Colin and JoJo seem humble and determined all in one and, like all of us, part way through understanding their challenges. As these two young people work through their challenges, they really will benefit from the founding principle of housing first.

Colin turns to JoJo. Turns out, she may be pregnant with their child. More motivation for change. “I don’t want to be like my Dad,” he says, “and disappear.”

JoJo nods. On her upper chest, in delicate script, she wears another founding principle -- a tattoo that helps lift her life.

“Let your joy scream across the pain.”

don't ignore me: Students Battle Homelessness Stereotypes

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

This last school semester, I had the privilege of working with a gung-ho group of third-year Public Relations students at Mount Royal University. As a graduate of the Public Relations degree myself, it was fun to be back on campus with my peers.

They organized an event called "don't ignore me," which they invited students to come for a free lunch and hear from agencies, Tim Richter (CHF) and Chaz Smith (a formerly homeless youth) about what it means to be homeless and how we call can contribute to ending homelessness.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi, a former MRU Professor, even contributed a video greeting for the day.

On a frigid night, we also took a street tour with John Bodman, who was homeless for 12 years, and he showed us some of the usual places a person sleeping rough would go to get warm.

Thanks to the team for all your hard work! The CHF liked their "don't ignore me" theme so much, we're using it as the theme for our 2011 Report to Community.

From L-R: Chaz Smith, Caitlan Schnitzler, Megan Elms, Karen Garth, Brittni Bowering, Joshua Smith, Erin Rees, Keri Lee, Kayleigh Galpin

More Student Projects We Like

Hope for Ropes - MRU Business Students on Stephen Avenue

(Statistics used in the video are from 2008.)

Ryan Dennis, Caleigh Kansas, Lana McCarroll and Rob Muszkie formed the winning team for Mount Royal University's Innovation Tournament held in November 2009. Their challenge was to create value out of a ball of twine. Their result was Hope for Ropes, a model house they made out of the string and displayed on Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary. By engaging passersby and selling lengths of the string, they raised $240. The first-place team won an additional $300 and donated all of their winnings and earnings directly to the Calgary Homeless Foundation.

More importantly, they stood as a reminder to Calgarians that we cannot neglect our homeless neighbours.

Our Lady Assumption Students Carry Olympic Torch for Raising Awareness about Homelessness

Nineteen students from Our Lady Assumption School in Calgary carried the Olympic Torch in Taber on January 17, 2010, on its way to the Vancouver Olympic Games.

The students were specially chosen by the Olympic Torch Committee for their commitment to creating awareness about homelessness. Last year they supported the efforts of the Homeless Foundation and Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness by donating to the Mustard Seed and NeighbourLink. They also had staff from the CHF and the Alex Community Health Centre out to teach them about homelessness.

"Homelessness is not what you think" is how their beautifully constructed video begins. As I can't embed the video, please visit http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=155528&title=Make_a_Difference.

(Stats in the video are from the 2008 City of Calgary Homeless Count).

PHC 11 Participant Stories

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In February 19, 2011, the CHF hosted Project Homeless Connect 11. Approximately 820 Calgarians experiencing or at risk of homelessness received services and supports from more than 40 agencies at the event, held at Suncor Energy Centre. Here are some of their stories, compiled by Scott Ranson, who volunteered to interview participants on the day.

Kat

Like most folks growing up in Canada, Kat did not expect that she would one day experience homelessness. Her path into homelessness began with an ordinary confrontation with her family when she was young.

As a result of the argument, she left. One thing led to another, including drugs. “I had no idea I would end up the way I did. It’s dangerous out there,” she says.

Now, at 34, Kat has her health back and is living with her sister. “My sister is my lock and key. And, I’m talking again with my parents.”

Based on her experience, she has this to offer to young people: “Try to be nice to your parents and family, even though sometimes that’s a little difficult. Don’t get involved in unnecessary confrontations.”

Kevin

Kevin was housed in February 2011 after being homeless for 13 of his 27 years.

For Kevin, homelessness began with addiction, and addiction sabotaged his attempts to get off the street. “I got housed once,” he recalls, “but I invited one friend over and that friend invited all of downtown Calgary over, so that didn’t go very well and I lost that place.”

Now, months later, it’s a different story. “I’m clean now. I’m off my addiction. I have my own keys and I can go to bed when I want, eat when I want.” Now that he is housed, he plans to go back to school – first for upgrading and then for hairstyling.

For people possibly on the verge of homelessness, Kevin has straightforward words: “Try to work every way around it. Do not end up going downtown and getting sucked in to addiction and drugs. It’s so easy to get sucked in.”

“If you are in the younger generation, please listen to your parents – no matter how cruel they seem. It’s hard to find a place to rest your head when you’re on the streets.”

Kelsey

Kelsey, 20, is living with her mom, but feels as though the two of them might be headed towards homelessness. She has felt this fear for about two and a half years.

Kelsey has a medical condition. “Medical expenses are so expensive,” she explains. “After the family circle of support, I feel that one more thing will actually put me out there [onto the street].

“Unexpected situations happen. My mom was working for a great company, but they let her go. I haven’t had a steady job myself in more than four years, and we’re not doing so good money-wise. I’m going to school, and I just need a steady job to support myself.”

Kelsey attended the February 2011 PHC. “People are opening my eyes to what others are experiencing. My situation is not as bad as others.”

Words of advice to other young people: “Stay in school. Try to find a job you really like that you’ll keep working towards and won’t lose your excitement for. Try and keep positive about your work. Even if it’s a job you don’t love, stick with it until you find one you do love.”

Jodie

Jodie became homeless at age 28.

“For me, it was more sudden than gradual, but I see I was doing it myself,” she observes. “I was an addict. Instead of paying rent, I used the money for drugs.”

Jodie cleaned up and relapsed and then was in a car accident. “After the accident, I lost my job and I lost my kid and I lost my place and I went hard with the drugs.”

She sought help from the Mustard Seed, Inn from the Cold and Alpha House. “I’m recovering for 11 months now,” she says. “I have a four year old daughter, and once I’m clean a year, I can be with her.”

“Many people want to help,” says Jodie, “There’s always a way.”

“My mom was an addict, and she lost us for many years. Now, she is my biggest support. When I realized I could lose my daughter forever, I knew I could clean up. I’ve don’t it before.”

“I just want to live a nice, happy, healthy, clean life with my daughter.”

Devin

“I was on the street for a week at 16, and I’ve been teetering ever since,” acknowledges Devin. “My parents kicked me out. It was Bowness. There wasn’t much crime. It was relatively safe.”

But for Devin, the challenges were mostly finding food and finding a safe place to sleep. “It was early November. Thankfully a friend took me in so I didn’t get too cold.”

Devin, now 21, attended the February 2011 PHC. “I just lost my job,” he explains. “I’m in danger of going back out there.”

(Photos taken with permission, by Mi Casa Photography.)

Shared Stories

Volunteers Give Spring Cleaning a Boost!

W.O. Mitchell students make a difference

The Power of Collaboration

RESOLVE -- The Vision of 3,000

Project Homeless Connect -- 16 Amazing Events

We invited people to share their memories of PHC.

Here's a sampling of what they had to say.

Collaborative Mural Project

Collaborative Mural ProjectSunalta LodgingMarch 2013

Creating Research Impact - How We Make Homelessness Research Matter

About Stephen Gaetz

BD&P Research Symposium on Homelessness - November 29

The Beginning of the End

Walking by the Countdown Clock Every Day

Seeking Innovative, Long-term Funding Solutions

Finding Calgary's Rough Sleepers

See more photos on facebook

Bishop Henry's Remarks During the All Faiths Breakfast

Sharing in Mark Horvath's Cross-Canada Road Trip

Fostering Community Spirit at Acadia Place

Chance and Decision and Some Housing First Help

don't ignore me: Students Battle Homelessness Stereotypes

More Student Projects We Like

Hope for Ropes - MRU Business Students on Stephen Avenue

Our Lady Assumption Students Carry Olympic Torch for Raising Awareness about Homelessness

PHC 11 Participant Stories

Kat

Kevin

Kelsey

Jodie

Devin

Collaborative Mural Project
Sunalta Lodging
March 2013