The Calgary Humane Society is significantly expanding their Continued Companionship program due to high demand from their 2023 pilot in support of seniors who experience economic barriers in keeping their pets in a loving home. Our pilot produced proven results of reduced animal surrenders and decreased social isolation in seniors. The grant will support the program’s expansion to cover vet bills, behavioural support, food provisions and more for low-income clients.
YMCA Calgary will work in partnership with Silvera for Seniors to provide a high-quality arts program and safe, creative outlet to seniors in a community setting. With a focus on addressing social isolation and promoting holistic well-being, this program will foster connections among seniors and the broader community, provide opportunities for self-expression, enhance creativity and allow seniors to showcase their artistic talent.
Calgary Young People’s Theatre is looking to build a community prop, scenic, and costume shop where local theatre artists can build their stage designs. The CYPT Community Dreams Shop will be an inclusive place where stage designers and builders who may not have the financial resources to have their own dedicated shop spaces have access to the resources they need, ensuring they are not excluded from the artistic community. This grant will supply tools, materials and training/installation labour.
CMHA Calgary is seeking support to expand the positive impact of our KidSMART program, from a mental health education toolkit for Grades 4-6, to include delivery of in-person sessions in schools and community groups across Calgary and area. We aim to empower students from an early age (8-12) with essential mental health knowledge, fostering a positive and resilient mindset for life. The grant will go towards a new facilitator, evaluation, administrative support, travel for session delivery.
Maskan offers support to culturally diverse women and children affected by gender-based and domestic violence. Maskan offers a secure and nurturing environment, along with nutritious meals, access to trauma-informed counseling, and life skills development sessions to empower residents as they prepare for their transition to community life or second-stage shelters. *Note: Formerly The Canadian Pakistani Support Group Association (CPSG)
Queer Calgary aspires to formalize the current grassroot movement into a non-profit organization to better support the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Calgary through existing and new programs. This grant will be used to strengthen Queer Calgary’s program uptake and online community through better resources, conduct a community needs assessment to better align future programs, and develop policies, by-laws, Board of Directors, and other resources to be a formal organization with a sustainable future.
TFFLF provides mentor-based wellness, DJ/MC lessons and educational workshops with incarcerated Youth at CYOC, empowering them to learn productive, creative, and practical life skills, critical thinking skills, and leadership in order to overcome mental health issues and heal from generational trauma. The funding will be used to provide long-term support as a part of their wrap-around programming delivered by their transition team that will support them into successful adulthood.
Fresh Start is wanting to expand its Outreach Program that supports clients after completion of their initial 90-day addiction treatment program. The grant will go towards establishing a new Outreach office and hiring one additional Outreach Peer Support Worker to provide support and deliver programming to over 60 residents of Fresh Start’s new post-treatment housing community in Bridgeland.
Living Lakes Canada (LLC) plans to establish a framework for community-focused groundwater monitoring in Alberta. LLC will identify aquifer risks and prioritize monitoring to address community concerns and fill existing data gaps, using the Oldman Watershed as a pilot area, with the intention of expanding into the Bow River Basin. Presentations surrounding groundwater awareness will be hosted to increase freshwater literacy, discuss best practices, and to identify local groundwater concerns.
Scientists in School is rebuilding its onsite STEM workshop program in the Calgary area, placed on hiatus by COVID. This grant will support: rebuilding the presenter team, recruiting and training up to 15 local scientist-presenters; modification of 12-16 K to Gr 9 topics to fit the new curriculum; purchasing scientific equipment and consumable materials that make workshops hands-on; marketing to teachers/school boards; and free workshops so schools can experience the new programming.