News & Events

International Harm Reduction Day 2019

Shaundra Bruvall | May 7, 2019

This is the 6th International Harm Reduction day and it has got us thinking about the principles of harm reduction. Alpha House supports a harm reduction approach in all of its programs. We know  every individual has their own journey and should be treated with support and dignity while they navigate that path.

There is some great discourse happening lately on harm reduction,  addiction and mental health. We want this discourse to continue in Canada and around the world. By continuing to learn, collaborate, and educate others, we can continue to provide hope to individuals caught in a cycle of addiction. Last month, Policy Options shared a great article on the need for greater resources and investment in health care that we thought we’d highlight today.

“”I’ve met thousands of people with substance addiction and I’ve never met any for whom this was their life plan,” says Dr. John Weekes, director of research and academics at the Waypoint Research Institute in Penetanguishene, Ontario.” (Cordy, Gagne, 2019)

We have been fortunate in Alberta to have non-profit agencies and local government that have made harm reduction a principle of their work, but there is more work to be done still. Research continues to show the factors that fuel, and put individuals at risk of, addiction.

“Dr. Sheri Fandrey clinical assistant professor at the University of Manitoba said it well, “We don’t have an opioid crisis or a methamphetamine crisis. We have a trauma crisis; a housing crisis; a poverty crisis; a stigma crisis.”” (Cordy, Gagne, 2019).

Read “Opioid crisis needs more attention and investment: https://bit.ly/2IYe0Jy


Alpha House Partnership with Calgary Transit Continues!

Shaundra Bruvall | April 26, 2019

The two members of the DOAP Transit team, April 24, 2019.

We are so excited to be continuing our partnership with Calgary Transit to bring the Downtown Outreach Addictions Partnership (DOAP) team to city transit, providing a new avenue for vulnerable individuals to connect with addiction services and other social supports.

Alpha House started the pilot for the DOAP Transit program alongside Calgary Transit in September 2018. Funded by the City of Calgary’s Crime Prevention Investment Plan, the Community Outreach Team consists of a Calgary Transit Peace Officer and one of Alpha House’s DOAP team members.

In the 6 months since its creation, the program has had 667 interactions with individuals on city transit. These interactions have led to over 200 welfare checks, 148 case management portfolios, 124 transports, 43 referrals to other community outreach programs, and 16 hospital visits.

“The Calgary Alpha House Society and Calgary Transit partnership has enriched our ability to bring the appropriate support to vulnerable Calgarians while improving safety and facilitating access to services individuals require.” Kathy Christiansen, Executive Director, Alpha House. “We look forward to continuing the collaboration and building on the great work that has already been achieved.”

If CTrain riders see someone who may need assistance, they are encouraged to use a Calgary Transit Help Phone or dial 403-262-1000 (option 1). If an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more information about the DOAP Transit team, along with Alpha House’s other Outreach programs, visit https://alphahousecalgary.com/services/outreach/.

You can check out more media coverage detailing the program extension below:

Calgary Transit DOAP program a success, will be extended through 2019: city
April 24, 2019 | Heide Pearson, Global News

Calgary Transit and Alpha House will continue partnering to help vulnerable Calgarians

April 24, 2019 | Dave Dormer, CTV News

Calgary Transit teams with Alpha House to help vulnerable

April 24, 2019 | Dean Pilling, Calgary Herald

Calgary outreach program building connections with most vulnerable

April 24, 2019 | Kass Patterson, 660 News



Mountain Necklace: A Creative Way to Give

Shaundra Bruvall | May 10, 2018

With Alpha House in mind, a unique hand-stamped mountain necklace was created by CoutuKitsch. The mountain range symbol represents “overcoming obstacles and challenges as well as being a prominent symbol for Alberta,” (CoutuKitsch).

Half of the profits from the sale of the necklaces will be donated to Alpha House. A BIG thank you to the team at the The Livery in Inglewood who came up with this creative way to raise funds for our clients.

To support this project or learn more, visit CoutuKitsch online: https://www.coutukitsch.com/products/mountain-necklace.


Remembering Krista Lee Karch

Shaundra Bruvall | March 12, 2018

Live a life that matters. These are the words Robin Spooner shared at her sister Krista’s funeral in 2015 and they are the same words on a t-shirt she’s designed in memory of her sister to help raise money for Alpha House.

“Krista lived a life that mattered. She was an incredibly kind, generous and caring person. Even when she was living on the streets, if she had a quarter in her pocket, she would gladly give it to someone who needed it more. She had a huge heart,” says Robin.

(Read More…)



Housing Clients Seasonal Gifting Call Out

Shaundra Bruvall | November 23, 2017

Your help is needed! We’re collecting Seasonal Holiday gifts for men and women in our housing program. Wish list includes: socks, winter gear, home items, pictures, toiletries, make-up and gift cards. Recommended spend of $10 per gift. Our goal is to collect 125 gifts by December 8th in time for our housing Christmas party.

Donations of unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at 203-15th Ave SE. If you’re dropping off, feel free to call ahead so that someone  assist you with your donation: 403-234-7388.

Thank you!

–Housing Team

 

 


Calgary Emergency Department Donation

Shaundra Bruvall | October 27, 2017

Our sincerest thank you to the Calgary Emergency Department’s. Jen, Stuart and Chris who are Emergency Department doctors team presented Alpha House with a cheque for $5,000 in support of the DOAP (Downtown Addictions Outreach Partnership) Team. Funds were raised by the Department’s staff at their gala dinner celebrating clinical excellence.

Thank you Calgary Emergency Department’s. We are incredibly grateful for your support and all the good work you do in the community!


Alpha House FUNDrive with Value Village

Shaundra Bruvall | October 6, 2017

We have teamed up with Value Village for a FUNDrive in October and need donations of gently-used clothing and household items to help us raise funds for much needed winter items and to increase our client fund.

Items will be received for the entire month of October 2017 at Calgary Alpha House Society – 203 15th Ave SE. We will gladly accept donations for our FUNDrive from 7am to 7pm; please come to our front door on 15 Ave SE and our staff will be happy to assist you. If you have a large amount of goods to donate, please call ahead so that we can be ready when you arrive, 403-234-7388 ext# 1.

Our goal is to raise $1000 in funds by collecting 400 bags of clothing. Our partnership with Value Village will help us to gain access to clothing all year round through the Get to Give Program.

Acceptable donations include clean clothing, shoes, accessories, books, CDs, DVDs, linens and working small household items the size of a microwave or smaller (no furniture please).

Calgary Alpha House Society is holding the FUNDrive in partnership with Value Village; a global thrift organization. Items collected during the drive will be sold to local Value Village stores and we will receive funds towards goods we need for our clients.

 

 

 


Chrissysentme – Thank You

Shaundra Bruvall | June 22, 2017

 “May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your heart with beauty, may hope forever wipe away your tears, and, above all, may silence make you strong.” – Native American Proverb

This has been a very sad time at Alpha House as we’ve mourned the loss of our dear colleague and friend, Chrissy Archibald. And yet in our sadness, we’ve also celebrated Chrissy’s incredible spirit of compassion, her kindness, and her ability to connect with people of all walks of life and offer them hope.

In these difficult days, we’ve also been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our community, both here in Calgary and from around the world.  The #ChrissySentMe movement — that evolved from a statement started by her family— became a venue to honour her life’s passion. It touches us at Alpha House and extends to other organizations serving marginalized people across Canada and throughout the globe.

Thank you to all the individuals and organizations who shared words of encouragement, sent flowers, volunteered or made a donation in honour of Chrissy. Your kind gestures show that love always wins. To our clients, who paid tribute to Chrissy’s impact and touch on their lives, thank you for sharing your memories and encouraging us as we grieve. To the media who told Chrissy’s story with sensitivity, thank you for understanding how difficult those early hours and days were as we tried to make sense of this tragedy.

And finally, to Chrissy’s family, we are so deeply sorry for your unimaginable loss. We will continue to find ways to honour Chrissy in our work here at Alpha House, and we feel her spirit with us. She will be remembered always.

Sincerely,

Kathy Christiansen

Executive Director, Alpha House