Cleaning our air, one orchard at a time

On Sunday, August 9th, two Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) properties received 55 orchard trees. With the help of REAP and Enactus Calgary volunteers, nine local businesses, tenants and agencies, like CUPS and the Alex, Acadia Place and Abbeydale Place were successfully beautified and transformed into sustainable orchards, with the possibilities of fresh fruit in the summers to come.

Marina Mellino of the Calgary Homeless Foundation was there to plant trees with REAP Calgary and tenants. “I was so proud to participate, “she shares of her experience on Sunday, “there was lots of passion and care for community in this project and I can’t wait for next year’s planting!”

REAP, the non-profit organization responsible for Sunday’s planting, helps locally owned business that care about the community and the planet contribute to creating healthy and prosperous communities. With the help of the Naaco Truck, Leela Eco Spa & Studio, Conscious Brands, Nya Sustainability Consulting, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Yummi Yogis and Greengate Garden Centres as well as Enactus Calgary, orchard trees were purchased for planting at the Calgary Homeless Foundation sites.

Stephanie Jackman, Founder & President of the REAP Business Association is proud of the Community Orchards project and the generous donors who participated. “Thanks to the leadership of The Naaco Truck who brought us this opportunity, Community Orchards help REAP businesses to reduce their environmental impact by creating lasting assets for Calgary communities in need. We’re proud to have facilitated the donation of 200 trees for the creation of eight orchards since 2013.”

The impact of a day like this one are staggering. In addition to beautifying the communities, on average these two orchards will remove 8 tonnes of CO2 from the air, filter 102 litres of storm water and improve the quality of 20 kilograms of air each year. Tenants of each building will also receive a care and recipe book that will teach them about the trees planted and how to incorporate those goods into everyday cooking.

Thank you to REAP and Enactus Calgary as well as all the volunteers, business, tenants and agencies who made this year’s tree planting such a success. We’re already planning for next year and are excited about the possibilities!

For more information about the REAP Business Association and the Community Orchards project please visit http://www.belocal.org/.

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#HomelessVotes

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.

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Great Minds

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.

 

 

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Mock Election on September 21, 2015

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 Committee, want to change that. They are planning a ‘mock election’ to take place on Monday, September 21st 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.

A group of individuals with lived experience of homelessness are holding this mock election in 4 shelters around the city to encourage those with the lived experience of homelessness to exercise their right to vote. For more information, click HERE.

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.

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Hannah’s Letter: A true act of kindness

On August 25th, the Calgary Homeless Foundation received a gift from a little girl far beyond her years. She sent us letter, painstakingly crafted in the way of children, with a donation and a touching explanation as to why she chose us.

Having travelled here from Florida to visit our city and the Calgary Stampede with her parents, Hannah described Calgary as a “wonderful place” with the exception of one thing. She was brokenhearted to see all those experiencing homelessness all alone in the streets. “I was so ashamed that I couldn’t help them that I put my head down when I walked by and sometimes I held back tears,” she wrote to us in her letter.

From the sunshine state, Hannah wanted to help bring the warmth of Florida to those living on the streets and has generously donated $101 dollars to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, virtually emptying her piggy bank in hopes of making a difference.

Why $101 you ask?  “The odd sticks out,” Hannah explains in her letter, “the odd people of the world make the difference.”

How true.

Hannah describes herself as a Floridian that likes to bring the warmth of God to the world. Regardless of what drives this little girl’s generosity, we thank her.

We thank her for electing to make a difference and for moving past her feeling of helplessness to simply do what she could.

Thank you Hannah for seeing those individuals that so many see through.

We’ve all been there. At one point or another, we’ve all averted our eyes and walked past those living on the streets, telling ourselves that it’s not our fault. That there’s nothing we can do to help, nothing we could offer. Or we judge, thinking that we cannot help those who “won’t” help themselves.

But young Hannah has proved otherwise.

For one so young to acknowledge her own sense of shame in being unable to help those living on the streets is incredible. To then take action is remarkable. We could all learn a lesson from Hannah about moving past our own judgements to simply feel compassion. We could all learn that every small act of kindness makes a difference. There are no rules or quotas on how to lend a hand. Simply that we do.

If you are like Hannah and looking for ways that you too can make a difference, please contact Sharon deBoer, Director of Development at sharon@calgaryhomeless.com. To view the last two pages of Hannah’s letter, click here: Page 3  Page 4

 

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Mock election: You DO matter

On Monday, September 21st, we saw an incredible thing. We watched 500 people line up to vote.

And it wasn’t even a real election.

It was a fake.

A mock election.

And those who lined up?

They live on the streets.

They have no home.

So we organized a mock election to help them get their voices heard.

These are often people whose voices we ignore. They speak to us on the street and we pass by them, barely acknowledging that they’ve spoken.

If almost everyone you spoke to in a day ignored you, why would you think that your voice counted enough to vote?

What would motivate you to search out the information required to make an informed decision if every time you work up the courage to speak you were rewarded with silence?

And if you don’t have a fixed address?

What then?

You have no home and therefore no way to register to vote. What riding do you belong to if you live nowhere?

So the Client Action Committee (CAC) of the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) organized a mock election. Ten members of the CAC, all with lived experience of homelessness themselves came up with a way to remove barriers to voting that this community faces.

They built it.

And 500 people came.

Designed to simulate the exact process of voting in an election, the mock election was held in four shelters around the city. The Alex, Alpha House, YWCA Mary Dover House and the Calgary Drop In & Rehab Centre each hosted a mock polling station for voting participants.

Designed to mimic a polling station, the mock election gave those who attended an overview of what is required to successfully vote as well as a simulation of the process itself. Resources with information around what constitutes a valid piece of identification, how many pieces are required and how to register to vote were all provided.

As for a registered address?

The Drop In Centre provided letters of stay; these letters act as one piece of valid identification and also serve as proof of address for each client to be able to register to vote in the Calgary Centre riding.

People lined up before the set up was even complete.

As reproducing a ballot with candidates prior to an election is illegal, clients instead voted on issues that they deemed most important to them in this federal election. The issues were: affordable housing, mental health, minimum income and harm reduction. They were also given the option to choose “other” and add an issue.

Information on party platforms was provided by the Drop In Centre as candidates will be visiting independently prior to the election. Elections Canada was present at the Drop In Centre to register clients to vote between 4pm-6pm.

And to what end? This project began with a desire to spark conversation, to give a voice to the voiceless, to back our words “You DO matter” with action.

And now?

Elections Canada is placing a polling station in the Drop In Centre on October 19th to give access to those who use its services.

This is the first time in Canada that a polling station has been placed in a shelter for a Federal Election.

Overall 472 clients participated with 60% of them selecting affordable housing as the issue they deemed most important to them in this upcoming federal election.

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Housewarming Party with a Twist – Giving the Gift of Home

Justine and Lee Dowd recently moved back to Calgary to be closer to friends and family. In celebration, the couple hosted a Housewarming Party with a philanthropic twist. In lieu of gifts, the Dowd’s asked their guests to consider giving a donation to the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF).

The evening of the housewarming, Saturday, September 12 was beautiful- one of the last perfect summer nights before the transition into fall and the effort put into the party was extraordinary. The yard was peppered with colourful umbrellas and cocktail tables; the deck housed talented local artist, Aaron Pollock and his band, and a plethora of food and beverages. A friend of the Dowd’s even constructed a dance floor for the evening, which resulted in guests dancing the night away. People laughed, they danced, and they gave to those in need. It truly was a perfect evening.

We want to thank the Dowd’s for inviting us into their home, and for thinking of those that we serve – Calgary’s most vulnerable population. The thoughtfulness of this gracious couple and their wonderful friends and family resulted over $10,350 being raised!  We sincerely want to thank all of the Dowd’s guests for their generous donations, their insightful comments and their continued support of our mission.

If you are interested in inviting us to your next event, whether it’s a holiday party, Halloween party, or Housewarming party please contact alison@calgaryhomeless.com for more information.

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Homeless Awareness Day, 2015

The beats were spinning, the sun was shining, the crowd was cheering. And people were making a stand for what is right.

HAD 1

Homeless Awareness Day is dedicated to promoting greater knowledge and understanding of issues relating homelessness and the steps being taken to end it in Calgary. This year it featured two speakers who have lived experience of homelessness and who are active members of the Calgary Homeless Foundation’s (CHF’s) Client Action Committee (CAC). This group has planned events such as the Homeless Charter of Rights Launch, been integral in the development of the award winning Do You See Me? Documentary and is currently planning Calgary’s first ever memorial for those who have died while living on the streets.

Hilary Chapple was one of those speakers. Dressed professionally to show that the stigma of homelessness is just that, a stigma, Hilary blew the crowd away with her impassioned speech about the actions each of us can take to end homelessness in our city. Her rallying cry was one of community and together-only as a committed whole can we truly affect change.

“I love doing this work and will do it for as long as I can. I am a very passionate woman and wanted to… show that energy to the crowd. Yes, being homeless sucks, but with all the supports at my shelter, there was a huge opportunity to grow, empower myself, love myself and then love others.”

Agencies and the community came together to show their support of those in homelessness and to make a stand for affordable housing and Housing First in our city. Soft Cure, a young band out of Calgary, finished off the entertainment for the lunch hour. The lead vocalist of the band closed out by expressing his thanks for being iHAD 20nvolved “in something as impactful and important as this.”

To all of you who came out and showed your support, we thank you. We thank you for your desire to stand up, be counted and make a difference. We thank you for your willingness to stop and listen, we thank you in advance for what you’ve been inspired to now go out and do. And thank you Randy and Hillary for being brave enough and strong enough to lend your voices and your story.

Together, we ARE the difference.

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Calgarians give so it hurts a little less for someone else

 

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 5th, 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

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NGX’s Ending Homelessness: One Trade at a Time

On October 15, 2015 NGX (a subsidiary of TMX Group) hosted their 2nd Annual Charity Trading Day, which raised $250,000 for three amazing Calgary charities: The Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Special Olympics and you guessed it – the
Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF).

NGX’s charity day initiative started last year in memory of long-time NGX employee Gary Gault. All of us at the Calgary Homeless foundation are honoured to continue Mr. Gault’s legacy’s by using the funds raised to support the Working with Homeless Populations (WHP) Scholarship program and other greatest needs as they arise.
The Working with Homeless Populations (WHP) certificate program is a collaboration between CHF and the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary that supports learning and skill development for staff and volunteers working in the homeless-serving system of care. The certificate covers a broad range of topics from working with compassion to addictions and its co-concurrent disorders.

This certificate program prepares professionals with the knowledge to work effectively, competently and ethically with clients who experience homelessness, knowledge that is also brought back to their respective agencies.  It educates them on how to navigate a complex system composed of government, mental health, medical, social service and community based agencies.

From all of us at CHF – Thank you NGX! We also want to acknowledge all of NGX’s customers for participating in the Charity Day.

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