Archive for category: News

On October 19, Canada will hold a federal election. 

In the homeless sector, voting in an election is not a common practice. 

This year, members of the CHF Client Advisory Council, want to change that. They are planning a ‘mock election’ in late September complete with ballot boxes, screening officers and candidates vying for the votes of those who do not believe their vote counts.

It is the challenge of homelessness.

Another challenge of homelessness and voting… Voting requires identification. Many people living the experience of homelessness do not have that which the majority of us take for granted; a piece of paper that legally confirms we are who we say we are in the world.

At the mock election, there will be people who can support those without identification obtain it. 

 

Other than applying for a passport, few of us have ever been faced with the task of getting something so seemingly simple – proof that while living with no fixed address, or an emergency shelter as place of residence, we are who we say we are.

At the shelter where I worked there is a room filled with belongings clients have left behind. When giving tours of the facility, people would ask, “Why do people leave these things behind? Don’t they want them? Don’t they care?”

It is not so simple. 

Sometimes, someone won’t return to their locker because in the process of going about their daily life, they have been arrested for outstanding warrants. With no ability to pay for jay walking tickets, vagrancy tickets, and a host of other tickets a homeless individual can acquire in daily life, they opt for jail. They have no choice.

Sometimes, they wind up in hospital, too  sick to let anyone know where they are.

Sometimes, a job offer comes up and they grab it, even if it means leaving right now to travel to the oil fields or some other distant place. They do not dare hesitate. Jobs don’t come along often in the world of homelessness.

Sometimes, the burden of the past is too great to keep carrying, and they leave it behind.

Sometimes, in constantly leaving things behind, the things they carried are simply that – things.

There are many, many reasons people leave things behind. Things like clothing. Family photo albums. Bibles and and other books. Certificates, like the certificate of merit from a Scout troupe one person left in their locker. Staff could not throw it out, just as they could not discard or repurpose things like Bibles and family photos and other personal items. For staff, clearing out an abandoned locker was one of the most difficult tasks. The choice to keep it, just in case the person returned, or let it go, was not easy. 

Homelessness fosters a sense of disconnection. Of not being part of ‘your life’ because the fact that this, this place called homeless could be ‘your life’ is hard to grasp. Hard to understand. Hard to believe.

In the disbelief, in the tiredness of having to keep jettisoning the things that once made up your life which you can no longer carry, or bring into a shelter because there is no room for all your stuff, only one suitcase that will fit into a small locker, you let go of holding onto everything.

It’s easier that way.

Just let it go and don’t hold on, to anything.

Especially the belief, you can make a difference.

It’s too hard to hold, that belief. Because if I can make a difference, if for example, my vote might count, then why am I in this place called homeless?

A group of individuals with lived experience of homelessness are holding a mock election in September to encourage those with the lived experience of homelessness to exercise their right to vote. 

It is an important thing they are doing, this group of concerned citizens. 

They are building the path, walking their talk, creating space for their voice to be heard. And in that space, they will hold space for others to rise up and cast their vote too.

They cannot predict the outcome. But they do know,  if they do not walk this path. If they do not take these steps, the way will not magically appear. It must be created with each step.

There are lessons to be learned from these individuals who are walking this path. They are creating a new direction with every step they take.

Great minds think alike… But if we all thought alike there would be no change.

On Tuesday, September 22, over 65 board chairs and CEO’s in the participated in a CEO/Chair Connectivity Breakfast hosted by the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) and The Mustard Seed. Rene Collins of the Metis Calgary Family Services graciously opened the event with a blessing,

The main topic of discussion related to Calgary’s Plan to End Homelessness and Calgary’s Homeless Serving System of Care. Attendees brought their innovative ideas, suggestions and potential opportunities to the table.

Diana Krecsy, President and CEO of CHF, spoke about the various Plans as well as the true meaning of ‘Ending Homelessness’. She also discussed the similarities between social service agencies and the value of an integrated Homeless Serving System of Care.

Stephen Wile, CEO of The Mustard Seed, added additional value to the presentation by talking about the System of Care in connection to The Mustard Seed.

The Breakfast showcased great minds coming together to work towards a common goal – ending homelessness. It’s no doubt that there is power to create change in a group like this one. After much thoughtful discussion, the attendees agreed that it was clear that communication and collaboration were the key elements to be developed to continue the success of the Plan.

As a result of the event, is safe to say that we are all on the same page, but there is still room to grow. We can all work together on improving the effectiveness of the Plan to reach our end goal. The Connectivity Breakfast was the first time this many great leaders in the sector came together, and there are plans to host more in the future.

For those that attended the Connectivity Breakfast, please note that a report of the discussions will be sent out at the end of October.

 

 

 

Homecoming Party draws attention to the epicentre of homelessness

No matter the times, Calgarians give so it hurts a little less for someone else.

Calgary. Alberta – November 3, 2015 — Corporate Calgary has long been known for its commitment to giving back to community. “Giving and supporting one another is the Calgary way,” says Sharon deBoer, Director of Fund Development of the Calgary Homeless Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. “Even though times are tough right now, Calgary’s business community continues to turn up in support of events such as our annual fund-raiser. They may be giving less and buying fewer tickets, but they still believe in the Calgary way and are giving what they can.”

Like most charities in the city, the economic turmoil precipitated by the dramatic and sustained fall in oil and gas prices has impacted CHF’s ability to raise much needed funds to support ending homelessness. “You have to get really creative, especially with events,” says deBoer. “You not only need a compelling case for support, you have to find a unique angle that intrigues people enough to buy a ticket and come out to your event.”

This year’s Homecoming Party is no exception. “In previous years we didn’t have to do much other than send out the invites,” says deBoer. “We could always count on a strong presence from all members of the community, including representatives from our municipal, provincial and federal governments.”

“When we learned that key government representatives were unable to attend, we had to broaden our scope. We’re pleased to have a video from the Premier which Calgary-Klein MLA, Craig Coolahan, will be introducing. We’ll be focusing on celebrating Calgary’s amazing philanthropic spirit and the ability of our community to come together to support vulnerable Calgarians,” says deBoer. “We know everyone is hurting and while we aren’t expecting as big a turnout as previous years, we are grateful Calgary’s corporate community is still committed to ending homelessness. Like so many in our city, they are giving what they can to help lift the burden for others.”

Calgary represents 53% of the province’s homeless population. Since 2008 when Calgary’s Plan to End Homelessness was launched over 6,000 people have been provided housing with supports, saving tax-payers millions of dollars through decreases in interactions with Calgary Police Service, EMS, hospital emergency rooms and justice.

The Homecoming Party, to be held at Civic on Third, Calgary’s hottest new event space, will feature a video message from Premier Rachel Notley and the world premiere of Calgary musician Aaron Pollock’s, “Blue Sky Won’t Break”, a song he has written to support Calgary’s shared vision of ending homelessness.  

The Homecoming Party will also feature “Do You See Me?” a short documentary by Calgary-based NurFilms which wowed audiences at this year’s Calgary International Film Festival and was nominated for two ROSIE’s. “Do You See Me?” director, Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi will share highlights from his experiences filming the documentary.

This year’s Homecoming Party is presented by NOVA Chemicals.

WHAT:                  The Homecoming Party

                                Annual Fundraiser for the Calgary Homeless Foundation

 

WHO:                    Since 1998, CHF has held an annual fundraising event, which over time has become one of Calgary’s most      popular networking events of the year.

 Speakers:

• Diana Krecsy, President & CEO, Calgary Homeless Foundation
• Craig Coolahan, MLA Calgary-Klein (NDP)
• Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi, Documentary film-maker, Director, “Do You See Me?”
• Aaron Pollock, Calgary Singer/Songwriter

WHEN:                 Thursday, November 5^th, 2015

                                5 – 7pm

                                Formal Program (5:15-6:00 pm)

WHERE:                Civic on Third

                                130 3 Ave SE

                                T2G 0B7

 

TICKET INFORMATION:                  http://calgaryhomeless.com/get-involved/events/

 

About CHF

The Calgary Homeless Foundation is a catalyst and enabler for Systems and Service Agencies to optimize client success. CHF focuses on four strategic pillars of work; Advocacy, Research and Development, Systems Planning, and Funding (outcomes). In addition, CHF addresses gaps and identifies best practices to improve the system of care and enhance desired client outcomes. Through mobilization of collective impact, CHF is committed to moving forward in partnership with the many homeless-serving agencies, the private sector, government partners, local communities, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians to end homelessness in Calgary.

For more information, visit www.calgaryhomeless.com .

 

Media Inquiries

Calgary Homeless Foundation

Darcy Halber

Communications Specialist

Media Line: 403.615.7607

darcyh@calgaryhomelessness.com

“We often look at the society we live in [in Canada] as being a peaceful and tranquil place where we can go about our lives. It’s not always evident, except on Remembrance Day, as to how it came about. Taking part in battles, fighting for our freedoms, being involved in peacekeeping missions and working through our international partners such as United Nations, make a more peaceful world as well as a secured Canada. I am thankful every day for that sacrifice, that service – putting themselves in harm’s way to keep our society largely democratic and free. We owe them [veterans] a deep gratitude – it’s up to us to remember that on November 11 that this didn’t just happen. People fought and gave up their lives and were committed to the cause, to see that we live in this age of peace and tranquility here at home.”

-Kent Hehr, MP Calgary Centre and Minister of Veterans Affairs

A blog by Darcy Halber

Since I was little I’ve worn a poppy in the first two weeks of November, pinned to my coat just over my heart. I stood in the Remembrance Day ceremonies in the gym at school while someone read aloud “In Flanders Fields” and our school band played “The Last Post.” I held my minute of silence at that eleventh hour and felt an ache in my heart for those I could never really thank, who sacrificed for a generation they would never meet. I remember wondering if our offering of gratitude was enough.

As I graduated and left school, I would occasionally wear my poppy and sometimes I would remember to go to a Remembrance Day ceremony. I would see the displays in the malls and glance at them as I walked by. Sometimes they would stir me, other days they blended in with the scenery and Christmas decorations. If the T.V. was on and the news broadcasting a ceremony, I would pause on it for a few seconds before moving on.

But despite my vague commitment, every year on November 11^th, at that eleventh hour, I remembered my moment of silence and that familiar ache would settle into my chest.

Why, I couldn’t tell you. Or myself for that matter. No one in my family had ever fought in a war. There used to be a military base in the small B.C. town that I grew up in, but it closed and moved up north when I was young. Perhaps it was because of all those years in grade school, when they packed us all into the gymnasium and gave us no choice but to remember and to reflect on those who fought for a freedom we took for granted. Or perhaps it was because my mother, ever a scholar and indignant that it was no longer part of our school curriculum, had us each read Erich Maria Remarque’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” in our grade 7 year.

Perhaps.

And then two and a half years ago, I met the man who would become my husband. And I knew.

I met a man who enlisted at seventeen years of age, who became part of a Special Operations Unit at eighteen, who deployed when he was nineteen and who turned twenty in the middle of a desert in a country whose people were not free. I met a man who had seen 5 friends die before the age of twenty-one, who at twenty-two had to present a folded flag to the wife of a friend who would never come back and who escorted a fellow warrior’s body to his burial amidst name calling protesters shouting for “peace.”

I met a man who joined for love of country, but who stayed because of the man to his left and to his right. I met a man who came back quieter than he was before he left, a man who accepts thanks, not because he considers himself deserving, but for those who can no longer accept the thanks themselves. Who has good days and sometimes bad days when the memories become too much.

I met a man who helped me understand that ache in my heart for men and women I didn’t know. A man who helped me understand that I felt, not because I truly understand the value of my freedom, but because there were those before me who did. He helped me understand that I mourn for those like my husband who have buried friends, and for those wives who have buried husbands all so that I would not have to.

He helped me to understand that it is not a crime to not truly understand the incredible value of our freedom. How could we? We’ve never had to fight for it.

Someone else did.

He helped me to understand that our crime is not in not understanding.

It is in forgetting.

So remember that your freedom is not free. Hold that ache in your heart and let it help you to remember those we can never truly thank.

And let that be enough.

A blog by Darcy Halber

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The Calgary Homeless Foundation thanks those who have sacrificed for our freedom. Homeless veterans are a reality in Calgary. We work hard with our partners to ensure they have a place to call home. To learn more, click here.