Let’s start with a HUGE thank-you! Thank-you to all of our wonderful supporters and donors for everything that you helped us achieve in 2019. With your help we were able to reach over 9,250 vulnerable and at-risk youth in Calgary, and we could not have done it without you.
With your support, program participants and their families are able to access the resources they need to be successful academically, socially, physically, and mentally. By investing in programs that support crime prevention, education, and early intervention, you are helping youth to make better choices, which creates safer, stronger communities for all Calgarians.
Thank you for your continuing support and we are looking forward to having an even greater impact in 2020!
The Results are In!
Last month we asked our readers how they would prefer to receive information about the Calgary Police Foundation. From your replies we can see that email is the number one preferred way, with social media as the second most popular choice.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and for helping us guide future distribution routes.
For our January Reader Poll, we want to know: Which program you would like to learn more about in the February Edition of CPF E-News?
- Integrated School Support Program (ISSP)
- Multi Agency School Support Team (MASST)
- Youth At Risk Development Program (YARD)
- YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre
- Calgary Police Cadet Corps
- Power Play
Let us know by emailing CPF@CalgaryPolice.ca!
Our Story – the Calgary Police Foundation Beginnings
In 2011, three inspired and motivated individuals shared a vision to change the future for children and for Calgary. A local Calgary philanthropist, the Calgary Police Commission Chair at the time, as well as the Calgary Police Chief wanted to build a safer Calgary; a Calgary where children had the opportunity to live a life free of crime and victimisation. To achieve this, they identified the need to put crime prevention initiatives in place to reach children of all ages.
In no time at all, our early Founders had rallied support from like-minded individuals, community partners, and philanthropic families to generate funding which led to the YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Center we know and love today, as well as the Calgary and Area Child Advocacy Centre. With those organisations firmly established, the Calgary Police Foundation in partnership with the Calgary Police Service was able to focus on other longer-term goals to reach children of all ages with a broad spectrum of supports. The Programs that exist today provide vulnerable and at-risk children with the tools and resources they need to avoid a life of crime or prevent them from becoming a victim of it.
Throughout the years, the Calgary Police Foundation has experienced incredible growth. We currently serve over 9,250 children each year. Through the diverse programs we fund, we are able to create wrap-around support for vulnerable children that can help them navigate the challenges of adolescence; such as avoiding gang recruitment, providing knowledge on safe cyber practices, learning about healthy relationships and conflict resolution, providing access to healthy and nutritious meals, supplying mental health and psychological support, improving their physical well being, and so much more.
The most exciting part is that our work is just beginning! As the Calgary Police Foundation continues to grow and more like-minded donors lend us their support, our reach can continue to expand, and more and more youth can access the services and resources they desperately need. Now is the time for all Calgarians to get involved and help our youngest citizens live the best life possible!
“By working together, we can ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow and thrive, contributing positively to their communities.”
Brian Ferguson, Chairman of the Board
What’s in a Name?
The Calgary Police Foundation has a vision to be the #1 charity of choice for all Calgarians and for our name to be known in every household. To do that, we need your help!
We want to grow as an organisation, so that we can reach and serve more youth. It is that simple. It’s critical that Calgarians know who we are and the opportunities to get involved with CPF so you can be part of a movement to build a brighter future for our youth.
We want to find a brand that resonates with everyone, helps build communities, and fosters ownership with citizens. We know that a name and identity that is meaningful to all is out there somewhere, and we are hoping you can help us discover it!
So, let your creative juices flow and give us your best naming suggestions! Some things to keep in mind are:
- Our Purpose – We keep vulnerable and at-risk youth safe from crime and victimisation by funding programs focused on education, prevention and early intervention.
- Our Goal – We want to find a household name that will resonate with the public and our community supporters. A name that reflects our values, purpose, and role within the community.
We will be accepting your suggestions and feedback until February 27th, 2020 and you can send in your submissions by emailing CPF@CalgaryPolice.ca. Thank you in advance for all for your ideas and feedback!
Calling All Volunteer Photographers!
Do you or someone you know have a passion for photography and volunteering? If so, we have lots of upcoming opportunities where you can show off your talents and have your work enjoyed by all of the Calgary Police Foundation supporters!
Interested? Contact Stephanie at 403-428-8021 or at suhl@calgarypolice.ca for more information.
Gift Donations for the #CYCAGala
Did you grab some extra bargain and sale items while holiday shopping to be used as future gifts? Were you the lucky recipient of a duplicate holiday gift that is now looking for a new home? If so, we can help!
We are collecting silent auction items for the upcoming Chief Youth Courage Awards Gala and will accept any and all donations for our Gala participants to bid on. What a neat way for you to support vulnerable youth in our city! Give Stephanie a call at 403-428-8021 or email at suhl@calgarypolice.ca if you have something you would like to donate!
Our Impact – The Matthew’s Family Story
The Integrated School Support Program (ISSP) and the Multi Agency School Support Team (MASST) work hand in hand when supporting complex cases; cases like the Matthew’s family.
In 2014 the Matthew’s family, consisting of Angela, her husband, and their five children relocated from Toronto to Calgary. Before leaving, they lived a very normal life. They had great jobs, a good marriage, and were, in their view, a normal, happy family.
However, when they moved to Calgary they struggled to cope with the challenges facing the Alberta economy at that time. With limited job prospects, they began to struggle financially which impacted their marriage. Their mental health suffered as depression and alcoholism began creeping into their lives and everything came to a head when they discovered that their ten-year old daughter had been sexually abused by her paternal grandfather for the previous ten months.
Luckily for the Matthew’s family, their children attended a school supported by the Integrated School Support Program and the Multi Agency School Support Team. As such, the children were provided with nutritious meals, access to Calgary Police Officers, and they were able to speak with the school psychologist to help them work through the complex emotional toll these events were having on their family.
Today, the family is in a much better place and mum Angela told us “With sincerity and appreciation, and now with confidence, optimism, and resilience, thank you Calgary Police Foundation, ISSP, and MASST for pulling our lives out of despair and back into the joy of living each day with renewed enthusiasm and love”.
Calling Team Members To Join The Calgary Police Foundation Team – KMs For Kids
The staff at the Calgary Police Foundation are excited to be running (or walking) in the 40th Annual Calgary Police Half Marathon – and we want you to join us! By signing up with the KMs for Kids Team you can help us raise critical funds for the Calgary Police Foundation through our pledge program, while having fun and making new friends with our outgoing and motivational team!
Sign up today for the Calgary Police Half Marathon, 10K Run, or 5K Run and Walk, and help us make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable youth in Calgary!
Register: http://www.CalgaryPoliceHalf.ca.
George Canyon and Belle Cabin are Joining Us for the Chief Youth Courage Awards Gala!
We are excited to announce that Canadian country superstar, George Canyon and one of Calgary’s most exciting upcoming musical duos, Belle Cabin, featuring recording artist Alex Hughes and violinist Darcy Stamp, will be joining us at the Chief Youth Courage Awards Gala on April 29, 2020 at the Telus Convention Centre!
George Canyon has recorded 12 studio albums and has won multiple awards and accolades including Junos, CCMAs, and ECMA’s. He is also a Nova Scotia Country Hall of Fame inductee, actor, humanitarian, Calgary Flames Home Games anthem singer, National Spokesperson for JDRF Canada, and a devoted father and husband. For the CYCA Gala, George will be treating our guests to an exclusive intimate performance of some of his greatest hits. It is sure to be an experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen before!
Calgary duo, Belle Cabin will also be joining us as the musical entertainment for our exclusive VIP reception. Pop Country recording artist Alex Hughes has performed all over North America and has opened for artists such as Kenny G, George Canyon, Paul Brandt and Brett Kissel, and most recently has graced the Calgary Stampede Coca-Cola Stage.
Darcy Stamp, a classical-crossover violinist, has performed with a wide range of artists, including Josh Groban and George Canyon, has performed at the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian and Disney’s Epcot, and has played on 100+ albums. Darcy and Alex will bring a bright and upbeat genre crossing repertoire to the stage and are sure to dazzle our guests!
Want to join us and see these fantastic performances for yourself?
Tickets are available now on Eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/calgary-police-foundation-27925156273.
Canadian Free Wills Network
The Calgary Police Foundation joined the Canadian Free Wills Network on January 1st, 2020. If you are looking to get a new simple Will, or need to update an existing Will, then we can help!
The Canadian Free Wills Network allows the Calgary Police Foundation to offer you a Will writing service free of charge and participating lawyers from across the province will work with you directly to ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as intended.
While you are under no obligation to do so, this is a perfect time to consider leaving a legacy gift to the Calgary Police Foundation. Legacy gifts allow us to continue to carry out our crucial work in the Calgary community and you are able to have a lasting impact on the lives of at-risk youth.
If you are interested in receiving more information about the Canadian Free Wills Network and the free Will service, you can contact us at CPF@CalgaryPolice.ca.
The Calgary Police Youth Foundation Blog 