CEO Patricia Jones is pleased to announce that the Catholic Family Service of Calgary is officially a partner in the Alberta Mentoring Partnership (AMP) whose vision is to ensure that every child or youth at risk in Alberta who needs a mentor, has access to one. Through this initiative, Catholic Family Service - the Agency - will focus on raising awareness and providing increased access to mentoring of the children and youth in our Teen Parent Friend, Athletes Mentoring, and Counselling Mentoring programs.

AMP is working with government, community agencies and other funded organizations province-wide, to enhance mentoring programs for access in local communities. As an AMP partner, Catholic Family Service will have access to best practices and sound research including tools and resources, to further strengthen our mentoring programs in Calgary and area. Later this year, the Agency takes part in piloting an online training resource to better prepare adults for their mentoring experience.

To find out more, ask our CEO at Patricia.Jones@cfs-ab.org

To find out more about AMP, go to the Alberta Mentoring Partnership

Click here to find out more ....

Teen Parents' Holiday Celebration

Young Parents Celebrate Christmas with the Help of Corporate Sponsors

Young parents from The Teen Parent Friend Program and Louise Dean Centre celebrated the holiday season on December 15, 2011.  This festive event took place at Fluor Canada corporate headquarters in South Calgary complete with a 20 foot Christmas tree.  A full turkey dinner along with all the fixings were provided by Eurest Dining Services.  Thank you so much to the sponsors of the wonderful event! 

This is a well-received event that provides a needed respite for young parents who are either working, going to school and raising their children.  They often struggle financially to provide for their family and so a delicious meal and presents for all family members from Santa Claus himself is sometimes the only gift they receive . A special thank you to all the volunteers at Fluor for going the extra mile in supporting the young families.  We also could not have had such a fun evening without Mrs. Claus and all the elves who brightened up the gift giving.

Teen Parent Friend is a Catholic Family Service program for young parents under the age of 24 experiencing stress and isolation.  The program provides young parents with mentors within their community to lend a listening ear and provide encouragement. Young moms can gather every month to connect with other young parents.

Catholic Family Service’s CEO Patricia Jones is pleased to announce that our Butterfly Program recently received through the Unlocking Potential Foundation, a $19,200 grant from the TELUS Calgary Community Board. The grant from TELUS will be used strictly in support of enhancing communication as well as interaction capabilities, with and among the children and families of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing in the Butterfly Program.

TELUS Calgary Community Board Member Brent Shervey, our CEO Patricia Jones and managing director of counselling services Hugh McGeary (left to right) at cheque presentation to the Unlocking Potential Foundation.

Created in 2009, the Unlocking Potential Foundation of Calgary and Area raises funds to enhance the sustainability and service delivery potential of Catholic Family Service programs.

On November 17, 2011 Catholic Family Service took time out to further honour four out of 36 Louise Dean high school graduates, with the scholarships they need to pursue and achieve higher education.

Ashley receives the George Stalinski Award; Nyalok and Geraldine each receive a Spectrum Fund. In addition, Danai receives the Samaritan Club Bursary, and has this to say on behalf of all four:

'We are all extremely honoured and grateful to be the recipients of your scholarships.Thanks to all of you, we are now one step closer in achieving our dreams and goals for a future in support of ourselves and our children.'

The annual Awards and Scholarship Assembly at Louise Dean Centre is made possible by many corporate and community citizens. This 2011 we are specially proud to celebrate in partnership with the Calgary Board of Education, another record year with 36 graduates!

One evening last week, a high school graduation was held in a small neighbourhood church in Bowness. About a dozen students donned robes, and before family and friends, received their diplomas.

It sounds like a typical ceremony, but there was nothing ordinary about this group of people, or the achievement they were there to mark. Ranging in age from 21 to 53, and coming from all walks of life, these students had one big thing in common: they were high school dropouts.

Check out the full story.

More Never Too Late Learners Graduate

Take a look:

More Never Too Late Learners Graduate 

THANK-YOU Greg

THANK-YOU Greg!

On October.19.2011 more than 200 people gathered together at a private function at the Calgary Winter Club, to celebrate the retirement of Greg Campbell from the Catholic Family Service of Calgary. Greg Campbell leaves behind a legacy spanning 29 years of compassionate service, sound leadership and integrity.

Most recently the chief executive officer, Greg made it his mission in 2009 to establish with Board support, a fundraising arm - the Unlocking Potential Foundation of Calgary and Area - whose purpose is to enhance the sustainability and service delivery potential of Catholic Family Service programs.

Today the Foundation is proud to announce that in recognition of Greg and in addition to other funds created during his time, they have named an endowment fund in his honor: the D.G. (Greg) Campbell Humanitarian Fund will ensure a sustainable future for the delivery of programs closest to his heart, that help remove barriers for the vulnerable, the working poor, young families and their children.

To find out more, contact CEO Patricia Jones directly by telephone 403.205.5200 or by email to patricia.jones@cfs-ab.org

Andra McGinn, Board Chair of The Catholic Family Service of Calgary, announces the appointment of Patricia M. Jones to Chief Executive Officer upon retirement of current CEO Greg Campbell.

Take a look  Appointment Notice

THANK-YOU CALGARY!

Huge thanks to 300 friends, volunteers, board and sponsors, The Unlocking Potential (UP) Foundation of Calgary and Area is declaring its 2nd UP & AWAY charity gala another huge success!

Held in the Palomino Room at Stampede Park, the gala featured 19-years-young Calum Graham from High River AB with his infectious acoustic-guitar music.

Proceeds from the 2nd UP & AWAY charity gala will go to these Catholic Family Service community and school program beneficiaries:

• our Butterfly Program for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing;
• the Athletes Mentoring Program that engages the youth with athlete-student-volunteer role models; and
• the Dr. Clara Christie Learning Centre at our Louise Dean location.

The Unlocking Potential Foundation of Calgary and Area was created in 2009 primarily to generate revenue, in order to enhance the sustainability and service delivery potential of The Catholic Family Service of Calgary.

THANK-YOU CALGARY

for your ongoing support!

For more information about the UP Foundation, please call 403.205.5296 and ask for the CEO.

UN ranks FAST 12^th best evidence based family skills programme in the World

The United Nations recently recognized Families and Schools Together (FAST) as an evidence-based family skills programme, listing it number 12 in the world. FAST was one of 150 programs world-wide, evaluated and ranked by The United Nations Office of Drug and Crimes.

The announcement also reported that FAST has been implemented in different countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, England, Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, Wales, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. Many of the large-scale programs have launched using a different implementation strategy than is used in North America to accommodate FAST in a larger scale and include many more team members and families all at one time.

To find out more about F&ST in Calgary and Area in Alberta, contact Catholic Family Service managing director Sherry Hiebert-Keck via info@cfs.ab.org or sherry.hiebertkeck@cfs.ab.org