carya programsCommunityOur DonorsOur ImpactUncategorized
4 min read

Holiday Campaign 2025 

Every day in Calgary, people carry invisible struggles. 

A colleague smiles through anxiety, determined to look “okay.”  
A mom pushes a stroller home, silently calculating whether she can afford groceries this week. 
An older adult says hello in the park — but hasn’t had a real conversation in days. 

Behind every “normal” moment, someone may be carrying more than we know. And too often, the heaviest weight isn’t just the challenge itself, it’s the feeling of facing it alone. 

The Hidden Weight Beneath Everyday Life 

Across our city, quiet hardship touches more lives than we might imagine. 

Recent studies show that:

  • 2 in 5 Calgarians say cost is the biggest barrier to accessing mental-health care.[1]
  • Nearly half of Canadians report feeling lonely or isolated at least once a week.[2]
  • And as the cost of living rises, 75% of Calgarians are worried about meeting their basic needs right now, and nearly the same number fear they won’t be able to afford essentials in the months ahead.[3]

It’s not always visible — but it’s there, shaping how people move through the world. The friendly wave, the brave smile, the polite “I’m fine” can all mask deeper stories of stress, uncertainty, or loss. 

A Place to Feel Seen 

At Carya, we meet people every day who are holding more than meets the eye – parents navigating family challenges, older adults searching for connection, and individuals doing their best to manage the weight of financial or emotional strain. 

They come to find a listening ear, practical tools, and a community that sees them fully. 

For some, it’s the first time in a long while that someone has asked,
“How are you, really?” 

Like Natalie, who was supporting her teenager through mental health struggles while facing her own cancer diagnosis. Counselling gave her the space to breathe, reflect, and begin to heal. 

Or Minh, who found friendship and purpose through community groups after years of loneliness. 

Or Amanda, who slowly worked her way out of debt and toward stability through financial coaching. 

Their stories remind us that healing and hope often start quietly with the simple act of being seen, supported, and understood. 

Help Should Never Be Out of Reach 

Carya believes that no one should have to choose between healing and survival. 

That’s why our counselling, parenting support, financial coaching, and community connection programs are available at no cost. Because access to care, dignity, and connection shouldn’t depend on what’s in someone’s bank account. 

We see every day how that makes a difference for individuals, families, and the community as a whole. When people have the support they need, they rediscover strength, connection, and possibility. They begin to feel lighter, not because their challenges disappear, but because they no longer have to face them alone. 

A Gentle Reminder This Season 

As we move through the busy months ahead, it’s worth pausing to remember: 
We rarely know the full story behind another person’s day. 

The small kindness we extend — a smile, a check-in, a listening ear — might reach someone who needed it more than we’ll ever realize. 

That’s community.

Because you don’t always see the weight someone is carrying.
And no one should have to carry it alone. 

About the Campaign 

This post is part of Carya’s 2025 Holiday Campaign, You Don’t Always See It, which shines a light on the unseen struggles people carry — and how compassion and community can make them lighter. 

Carya provides accessible counselling, parenting programs, financial wellness support, and opportunities for connection to thousands of Calgarians each year. 

Help is here. You don’t have to pay to feel seen. 

Sources

Published on