carya was here for Calgary when its first pandemic hit, the Spanish flu of 1918, and we’re here for Calgary now during COVID-19. With our experience and adaptability, we were able to quickly change course, whether it was organizing delivery of food hampers, helping people access the medications they need, providing opportunities for older adults to connect, or helping Calgarians take care of their mental health in the midst of an ever-changing crisis.
The dynamics of our pandemic response continue to change, and we need your help to get through the rest of the year and prepare for what’s ahead in 2021. We need you to be with carya as we work to make Calgary a better place for all of us. By donating to our Moving Forward Together fund, you will help ensure that no Calgarian is left behind.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing stories of be with carya, highlighting how carya’s programs help Calgarians believe in the power of community, feel a sense of belonging, and find the courage and confidence to become the individuals they aspire to be. From youth taking part in our empowerment-building programs to updates on our Village Commons project, we want to keep you connected to the difference your gift makes.
carya has been helping people believe, belong, and become for 110 years. Whether faced with challenges, adversity, or a community crisis, we work with participants across all phases and stages of life to:
- BELIEVE in themselves by developing the necessary skills to navigate life’s changes and challenges.
- BELIEVE in their ability to use that knowledge to help their communities become better places to live.
- Know they BELONG when they feel most alone. We offer access to support networks, open doors to community groups, and provide counselling.
- Discover the emotional and social supports that combat loneliness and isolation and make people feel they BELONG, allowing them help others who are struggling.
- BECOME the best version of themselves. Our life skills, well-being and education programs help Calgarians increase their resiliency, self-confidence and self-awareness.
- They, in turn, BECOME stewards of connection and community, allowing carya’s impact to spread even further.
With your support, more Calgarians will be able to access our diverse range of programs and services, including:
- Programs for youth from grade six through high school who face challenges that might keep them from graduating and/or becoming the best versions of themselves. Participants build leadership skills, develop self-confidence, improve decision-making skills, and learn how to build and maintain healthy relationships.
- Virtual and COVID-safe in person groups for older adults that reduce social isolation and keep them connected to their communities.
- Counselling that helps families, youth, and older adults overcome challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, stress, and more. At the onset of COVID-19, we introduced phone and video counselling to make the service safe and accessible for participants.
- Our brand new Village Commons community space in East Village, opening in early 2021. Village Commons will bring carya’s multigenerational programming together under one roof and feature a community kitchen, an art studio, a counselling centre, recreation spaces, and common areas for neighbours to get to know each other. This building will truly be about belonging and connection.