Who We Are

Alpha House has a long history of innovating and evolving to meet the changing needs of our clients, the city, and the increasing complexities of homelessness and drug use.

Calgary Alpha House Society was established in 1981 as a committed response to a marginalized population of men and women who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs and living vulnerable on the streets of Calgary


 

Our services include a Shelter and Detox facility, Outreach Programs, and Housing Programs with intensive case management. The scope of our work is a direct intersection of homelessness, addiction and mental and physical health issues. We undertake programs to support improving the lives of vulnerable individuals while simultaneously having a positive impact on the broader community through dedicated responses to social issues.

For over 40 years, we have helped people with addictions. Innovation is at the core of what we do as we look to respond to the ever-changing needs of those we serve and the broader community of which we are a part.


OUR MISSION

To provide safe and caring environments for individuals whose lives are affected by alcohol and other drug dependencies


OUR HISTORY

1981 – Alpha House receives incorporation under the province of Alberta

1982 – Alpha House’s Shelter and Detox programs open. This is a pivotal innovation for clients with alcohol and other addictions.

1985 – We institute the team concept of client care with four teams made up of a Shift Supervisor, Senior Recovery Aide and a Recovery Aide

1992 – With the help of Royal Canadian Legion No. 1 and Alberta Public Works, we open a women’s dorm of four beds in Detox

1993 – We hold our first open Friday night Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. It remains a popular meeting to this day for individuals in the community

2005

  • Our Outreach program begins through a partnership with Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS) called the Downtown Outreach Addictions Partnership (DOAP)
  •  Alpha House’s main facility begins operating as a 24-hour self-referral facility
  • Our Detox addition and Shelter renovation projects are initiated through a Development Permit Application with the City of Calgary

2006-2008 – with community partnerships, we operate a second shelter known as Alpha2 to meet the increased demand due to winter conditions

2012 – Our first 3 permanent-supportive housing programs (Madison Place, Lodging House, and Francis Manor) open

2013 – the year of the flood. Our main location was flooded. We responded immediately setting up a temporary shelter. We returned to our  main building after a 6 month renovation.

2017 – Alpha House’s 1st Alpha House-owned-and operated permanent-supportive housing building opens – an all-Women’s supportive living program

2019

  • Our Needle Response Team starts operations and quickly becomes the number one resource for needle debris cleanup in the city
  • Alpha House, in partnership with Calgary Transit, launches DOAP Transit, pairing an Alpha House Outreach worker with a Calgary Transit Peace Officer
  • Alpha House expands the Encampment Team into Encampment-PAL, pairing an Alpha House Outreach Worker with a Calgary Bylaw Officer

2020 – Alpha House takes on operations of the full Lethbridge Stabilization Centre and Shelter

2020 – 2022 – Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Alpha House:

  • operates 3 temporary overflow shelters to support pandemic restrictions on congregate spaces while continuing to support street-involved individuals
  • operates 2 COVID-19 isolation programs (one in Calgary and one in Lethbridge)
  • opens a transitional housing program in Sunalta
  • operates a transitional housing program in Lethbridge
  • starts a recovery coach program as part of our Detox services (Calgary and Lethbridge)

2022 – Alpha House begins operating a new outreach program focused on client care and business outreach called The Ambassador Program

2023 – 

  • Alpha House transitions out of Lethbridge and the Blood Tribe Department of Health takes on operations of the Shelter and Stabilization Centre
  • Alpha House transitions one of its harm reduction supportive housing program to its 1st sober living housing program

 


Annual Reports


Past Alpha House Newsletters

Financial Statements

2022-2023

2021-22


Alpha House acknowledges the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the traditional territories of the Blackfoot: Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, and the Tsuut’ina, and the Stoney Nakoda: Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley First Nations. We would also like to note that Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and that the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis” which we now call the City of Calgary. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.