Healthy Wishes from the Calgary Police Foundation
From the Board and staff at the Calgary Police Foundation, it is our sincere hope that you are remaining safe and well in these trying times for our country. The challenges we are facing as lives and livelihood are impacted in such a significant way will take a lot of personal strength and collaboration to overcome.
Charities not only have a significant role now to help those most in need, but will also have a major role to play when the time is right to begin rebuilding our economy and our communities. We must be ready to turn helplessness into hope and hope into action and with your support, we can do that.
#AlbertaCares
Please remember those who are continuing to serve our community selflessly during this time of need: our police officers, program staff who support our children and youth, paramedics, firefighters, nurses, grocery and pharmacy staff, delivery drivers and so many more
– let’s say THANK-YOU and say it often and loudly.
We will post all messages of encouragement and appreciation on our social media channels so that those who keep us safe while managing the impact of this pandemic on their own families know how much they are appreciated.
You can send your messages to suhl@calgarypolice.ca and we will be happy to share them!
Join – Promising Futures – the Calgary Police Foundation Monthly Giving Program and Give Your Support to Our Most Vulnerable Children and Youth
Right now, we are facing an unprecedented and uncertain time in our world’s history. With schools closing and people being asked to remain at home, our city’s most vulnerable children and youth are more at risk than ever before. Increasing stress levels, isolation from positive influences, violence in the home, food security and poverty are very real challenges that our young Program participants deal with every day. Now more than ever, vulnerable children and youth at risk of crime and victimization need our help.
All of the Calgary Police Foundation’s funded Programs are grounded in positive relationships with others in the community. Now, in this complicated world with safety guidelines around physical distancing, we know we will have to find new ways to support our Calgary Police Service members who deliver the CPF funded Programs.
By becoming a Promising Futures donor, you are ensuring that our city’s most vulnerable children and youth will continue to be supported during this difficult time, and in the future through our six funded Programs.
A monthly contribution, of any size, has the ability to make a difference. Please consider donating in this way so our most vulnerable children and youth do not get forgotten in the weeks and months to come.
To sign up today, visit https://cpf.cpsevents.ca/promising-futures/
The Canadian Free Wills Network
Since the beginning of the year, the Calgary Police Foundation has put in a place a Free Wills Program for our most valuable and loyal supporters. This allows you to access a Will writing service completely free of charge. As a participant in the Canadian Free Wills Network, our supporters have access to lawyers throughout to the province to help ensure that your final wishes are carried out exactly as intended.
While you are under no obligation to do so, this is also the perfect time to consider leaving a legacy gift to the Calgary Police Foundation. Legacy gifts allow us to plan for the future so that our crucial work in the Calgary community can continue and will have a lasting impact on the lives of at-risk children and youth today, tomorrow and always.
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.
2020 Chief Youth Courage Awards Gala COVID-19 Update
In light of the current public health emergency, the Calgary Police Foundation made the decision to postpone the 2020 Chief Youth Courage Awards Gala, which was to be held on April 29, 2020 at the Telus Convention Centre. The health and well-being of our guests is of the utmost importance to us and we are committed to following the recommendations of our government and health authorities regarding physical distancing, travel and large gatherings at this time. With that being said, we are excited to announce that we have officially rescheduled the Gala to November 13, 2020!
Knowing our Award recipients and their families were looking forward to this special day, it is still our intent to celebrate and recognise the Giants Among Us on April 29, 2020. So watch your mail box and follow your favorite CPF newsfeeds to learn more about Dick Haskayne, receiving the Philanthropic Leader Award, along with six remarkable children and youth from our Programs.
Stay Tuned! April 29th, 2020 will be a very special day!
Power Play – Say What!
Lilly has been enjoying Power Play, a free weekly, drop-in hockey (winter) and soccer (summer) program that engages youth ages six to 17 and their families. The program helps foster trust and understanding between youth and police.
Mom Charlie loves the Program as much as Lilly does, she told us “I can not say enough about how much we love the Power Play program! Lilly would have never played hockey or soccer if not for the program. I can’t imagine all of the things she would have missed out on. I’ve watched Lilly’s confidence and leadership skills grow, I’ve watched her try things she wouldn’t have tried before, I’ve watched her build positive relationships with children and members of the community and our police service. The best thing about this program is its inclusiveness. Everyone who wants to play gets to play. No one is left out because of age, sex, ability or financial situation. It is an amazing thing to watch as this idea spreads into the community. It’s pretty cool to see when walking past a playground and the kids all know Lilly and invite her to play.
We love the positive role models this program has introduced to us. Yes, Lilly got to meet some hockey players who were so great but it’s the coaches and police officers she talks about to her friends and family. Sgt. Jack, Cst. Fred, Cst. Ron, Cst. Alex, Tanis, Tim, Darlene, Coach Andrew and so many others have not only helped build children’s skills at hockey and soccer, but they show up week after week to encourage, include, and listen to each child. They are there to tie laces, cheer them on, give them a little push, or simply just an ear to listen. The people involved in the program make all the difference and it really does show in each child during and after each game.”
Community Partners Making a Difference
Our community leaders at Safeway and Sobeys are stepping up in a HUGE way to help vulnerable and at-risk children and youth in Calgary during this public health emergency.
Our students attending schools supported by the Integrated School Support Program funded by the Calgary Police Foundation receive a healthy breakfast, lunch and snack throughout the school day. With schools now closed we were worried about how to feed hungry students isolated at home.
That is when Safeway and Sobeys got involved. They provided us with grocery gift cards to donate to the families of our ISSP students so meals can be provided during these difficult times.
Thank you, Safeway ans Sobeys for caring and remembering that in these challenging times, our children need us more than ever.
Our friends and supporters as 5 Element Martial Arts Studio have come up with a clever way to keep kids entertained and healthy while practicing safe physical distancing.
They have created a Ninja Training video series on their YouTube channel – Find Your Element. These videos are a great way to get to get some physical exercise while at home and are fun for the entire family!
Check them out by searching “Find Your Element” on YouTube!
Thank you, Painted Pony Energy for stepping up so quickly in this urgent time of need and for ensuring that vulnerable children and youth are not forgotten!
Our staff partners from the Multi Agency School Support Program – a program funded by the Calgary Police Foundation – identified a family in need. With her children now home from school, a single mother of four was struggling to keep up with her part-time work while continuing to provide for her family. Her eager to learn children were also struggling to stay on top of their school work as they did not have a computer to manage their homework assignments.
This is when our valued friends at Painted Pony Energy stepped in. They graciously donated a computer for the children to share and now these kids can complete their school work!
The Calgary Police Youth Foundation Blog 