News & Events

Walk A Mile In Our Moccasins

Shaundra Bruvall | June 16, 2017

Walk a Mile in Our Moccasins

In celebration of Aboriginal Awareness Week, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary and Calgary Alpha House are joining together to support reconciliation and awareness through an event that will teach the tradition of moccasin making. Come walk a mile in our moccasins, and learn the tradition of moccasin making through community connection and cultural teachings.

Indigenous moccasins were a nearly universal element from tribe to tribe, with distinctive features and subtle patterns among the various tribes. Indigenous people could often tell each other’s tribal affiliation simply from the design of their shoes. Authentic Indigenous moccasins are made with all natural materials that signify a historical connection to the land. Creating authentic Indigenous crafts builds a genuine cultural connection that’s crucial in rebuilding relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Who:                EFry Calgary and Calgary Alpha House

What:              “Walk a Mile in Our Moccasins”

$55 includes all material and instruction to make one pair of infant moccasins

When:              Monday, June 19

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where:            Sunalta Community Centre

1627 10 Avenue SW

Why:                In celebration of Aboriginal Awareness Week

Registration is limited; call 403-294-0737 to secure your spot. Participation supports both Alpha House and EFry Calgary’s Indigenous Programming.


Remembering Chrissy

Shaundra Bruvall | June 9, 2017

Remembering Chrissy

It takes a certain type of person to work at Alpha House. There is a level of passion and heart that has to be present within someone in order for them to stay in the work. Addictions can cause many complexities in an individual’s life. The work is often heavy, and can take from you both mentally and physically, but in the same breath offers many blessings.

Within these walls we bandage scrapes, mediate disagreements and try to help mend hearts, all while trying to influence change in people’s lives. A listening ear or thoughtful words can do so much because often that’s all people want is someone to listen, someone to care. Everyone has a story and deserves the gift of human compassion, the feeling that when the roads are rough there is still a collective of people who will never stop caring, that will never give up.

Chrissy was one of those people, but she was more than that even. Chrissy was a person who made you want to always be a better person. No matter the circumstance, Chrissy always remained so patient, so kind, and so genuine. Her heart for the work was evident from early on at Alpha House. Chrissy handled every situation with such good intentions, and always maintained a sense of calm about her, even in the most chaotic situations. Chrissy always found the silver lining that would make you know it was all going to be okay, and that the work we do has a purpose – to spread love not hate.

Chrissy’s smile and the little giggle that went with it…this woman was the definition of a beautiful, genuine, all rounded human being. Chrissy showed her passion and love for the people she served through the countless hours she would sit with clients and let them talk about anything they needed to talk about. She always gave them that time to feel important and to feel heard, never needing to raise her voice. Chrissy cared so much for everyone, taking the time to make every person feel like they were valued.

The world has suffered the loss of a beautiful soul. Chrissy reminds us that we need to be more kind to each other and spread love throughout our communities. If more people in this world embodied the spirit and accepting nature that Chrissy did, this world would be so much easier, and so much more bearable for everyone to live in because love and acceptance really do change everything.

Written by Rebecca L., Shelter Team Lead at Alpha House

Alpha House News News


Calgary Foundation – Community of Knowledge

Shaundra Bruvall | March 6, 2017

We are pleased to have a page on the Calgary Foundation Community Knowledge Centre, which is a resource that connects you to the outstanding charitable organizations who serve our community. Be inspired by compelling stories. Be informed of innovative work. Be connected to the issues. Be responsive to the needs. It is great way for people to learn about what we do and how they can help our community work.

Alpha House News


Top 40 Under 40

Shaundra Bruvall | November 9, 2016

We are pleased to have our own Outreach and Housing Location Manager, Adam Melnyk selected this year for Avenue Magazines Top 40 Under 40. Adam has been working with Alpha House for over 10 years and helped start the DOAP Team in 2005. It is great that he can share about his passion for outreach work and harm reduction, which is all part of the great work we do at Alpha House

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Alpha House News


DOAP Encampment Team

Shaundra Bruvall | August 24, 2016

Our Encampment team works within Calgary to connect with those roughlseeping to try to get them into housing. There was a recent article in the Calgary Herald who spend time with the CPS Marine Unit who referred to work of the Encampment Team. If you come across a camp site or know of someone sleeping outside then please contact Encampment 403-805-7388.

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Encampment


Easier Access to Naloxone Kits

Shaundra Bruvall | May 13, 2016

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We wanted to share that the Alberta Government has announced that you can now get Naloxone kits for free at pharmacies across Alberta without a prescription. They are also putting in 3 million dollars into Opiate Dependency Programs. We have Naloxone kits in all our programs at Alpha House and have over 45 staff trained to administer it.

News


RECA Donation of Housing Hampers

Shaundra Bruvall | May 12, 2016

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Thank you to the Real Estate Council of Alberta for the great hampers that we can provide for our clients when they move into their new place. The photo is how we surprised a new person last week with the great gifts.

Donations


Scotia Bank and University Medical School Donation

Shaundra Bruvall | April 29, 2016

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Another big thank you! The University of Calgary Medical School donated funds raised from their Med Show and Scotia Bank matched the donation. We are so thankful for your support!

Pictured: Abdel Ali (Scotia Bank North Hill Mall location), Finola Dksouza (medical school student), Kathy Christiansen (Alpha House) and Ismael Capeda (Scotia Bank, North Hill Mall location).

Donations


Alpha House received $250k from the CHBA – UDI Calgary Region Association

Shaundra Bruvall | April 20, 2016

We are excited to announce that Alpha House received $250k from the CHBA – UDI Calgary Region Association towards our women’s building. This is a building we want to develop for vulnerable females experiencing homelessness. We are working towards this lofty goal through the the Resolve campaign.  We were presented this cheque at the SAM awards this past Saturday evening. Thank you CHBA!

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Alpha House News Fundraising


Encampment Team

Shaundra Bruvall | April 13, 2016

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With the warm weather already here please keep a look out for possible encampments where people are sleeping outside. Our Encampment Team 403-805-7388 is always looking to connect with rough sleepers to talk to them about housing and provide other resources. The team operates Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.

DOAP Team