Calgary Homeless Foundation

#SocialWorkMonth reflections from Michael Grant, Registered Social Worker and one of the System Planners on our team: "For myself, I truly believe that Social work and System Planning go hand-in-hand because they are both trying to achieve the same goal providing equitable access to resources, services, and opportunities for all. In the case of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, it is providing a safe place to call home and access to vital services for many Calgarians who are... experiencing homelessness. But it goes so much deeper than that it is also about providing a sense of worth, dignity, and belonging to folks that may not have felt that in a long time. As a Social Worker and former frontline caseworker, I have seen the transformation that can occur in people when they finally have a safe place where they can begin to overcome the traumas of their time on the street. As a System Planner, I have seen the power that a coordinated system working in unison to meet the needs of Calgarians experiencing homelessness can have as well. One of the core tenets of Social Work is advocacy, which I am able to do on a macrolevel to address the root causes of homelessness and create systemic change. Another is upholding the individual right to self-determination and dignity, which Is what the Client Action Committee and Youth Advisory Table are trying to achieve for Calgary’s homeless community. That is very powerful to me. I know that a lot of Social Workers get into the profession because they want to change the world, but changing the world starts with your own community, which I am very proud of every day. CHF is guiding the fight against homelessness, which I do not believe would be possible without the tireless dedication of all Social Workers across the sector." #SocialWorkIsEssential

Last week, our team marked one year of working from home together. Check out today's blog for our year-in-review highlights celebrating the work of #yyc homeless-serving agencies. https://bit.ly/3lrnDRt

Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) is hiring a Data Warehouse Developer! Reporting to the Manager, Data & Analytics, the Data Warehouse Developer is responsible for developing and maintaining CHF’s Data Warehouse, ensuring optimized integration and accuracy of all organizational information assets and associated systems. The Data Warehouse Developer will design, develop, maintain, optimize and document the corporate Azure SQL MI based data warehouse. To apply, please submit y...our resume and cover letter by 4:00 PM Friday March 26, 2021 to: [email protected] For more information, visit: https://www.calgaryhomeless.com//JD_DW_Developer_20210310.

Vice President Matt Nomura talks to the CBC Eyeopener this morning about how concepts like homelessness, housing insecurity, poverty, and their solutions aren’t always how they’re perceived. This is right on the heels of the School of Public Policy release yesterday showing that 4,200 people entered #yyc emergency shelters for the first time in 2019. Outside factors like poverty, income instability & housing insecurity can pave the way for homelessness and must be addressed in tandem. Listen here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-5-calgary-eyeopener

As we wrap up #SocialWorkWeek2021, learn about our CEO Patricia's journey as a social worker. Let's celebrate the essential value provided by qualified, compassionate, and committed social workers that benefits everyone! #socialworkisessential https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smq6VsHgXCU

At CHF, we believe home is the place upon which healing can happen for all of us.

Today we are so proud to announce the grand opening of The Triveri House! This is the 9th building as part of the RESOLVE campaign, and it will provide housing ...for 38 vulnerable young adults at risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness. The RESOLVE campaign is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between 9 partner agencies who believed in one common goal to create affordable rental housing with support services for vulnerable and homeless Calgarians, providing tools for those in need. Celebrate this milestone with us by watching the Celebration Video and explore The Triveri House. http://ow.ly/YnV650CpeEQ Thank you to the RESOLVE Campaign, Calgary Homeless Foundation HomeSpace Society Enviros Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) YourAlberta (Government of Alberta) City of Calgary Your Local Government

YOU'RE INVITED! The Triveri House in Forest Lawn is now open and will soon welcome 38 Calgarian youth exiting homelessness. Enviros will be providing 24/7 support to help them build confidence, experience belonging, and live the life they've always dreamed of. Take the tour today: www.triverihouse.com Thank you to Calbridge Homes for your generosity in the construction of this building in partnership with HomeSpace Society. We also recognize the unwavering support of our government partners Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), YourAlberta (Government of Alberta) and City of Calgary Your Local Government.

STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINE: Centre for Newcomers Homelessness Diversion Program V immigrated as a refugee claimant from a violent country where they were threatened due to their sexual identity. Without eligibility for government assistance, they stayed in an emergency shelter while waiting for their work permit and refugee claim. They found the shelter environment especially difficult as a transgender person, facing ridicule from other shelter users and anxiety about being ...exposed to COVID-19. They were referred to the Homelessness Diversion Program at Centre for Newcomers from the shelter, where they received a microloan to rent a place of their own and connections to career prospects. Now stably housed, V works as a web developer, as they did in their home country. The CFN diversion program was a natural fit, as V did not require intensive health or social supports, but rather a simple microloan to keep them stably housed and safe. A home allowed them to build on their marketable skills, apply for financial assistance, and remain healthy and safe to pursue a new dream in a new country. About the CFN Diversion Program Individuals who have immigrated to Canada are referred to Centre for Newcomers diversion programming when they have recently entered an emergency shelter or are at risk of losing their housing. Newcomers to Canada can be particularly vulnerable if they arrive without friends and family and are not aware of the support services that are available. CFN offers system navigation, help with filling out applications and forms, legal guidance, housing connections and employment coaching, and even house furnishing in addition to their diversion program. Diversion candidates are assessed by case managers and then, if appropriate, they are provided financial support in the form of a microloan, which they can pay back once they reach financial stability. The program is targeted at individuals experiencing homelessness who face financial barriers to housing, but do not require the intensive supports offered in emergency shelters or place-based supportive housing. Since April of this year, 151 loans have been disbursed, which means 343 people have been able to avoid homelessness or be re-housed quickly. CFN has calculated that $2.86 is saved for each dollar invested into the diversion program compared to the cost of accessing an emergency shelter. For more on the value of diversion work in our sector, visit: http://calgaryhomeless.com//program-spotlight-diversion-w/

Today we pause to reflect, remember and honour those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. #LestWeForget #RemembranceDay