E N G A G E M O T I V A T E A C H I E V E

The Community Development Program that is administered by CUPS assists Calgarians find low cost housing. But this dry statement of fact doesn’t really begin to describe the long-term goals that CUPS and its clients hope to achieve. A stable housing environment is directly linked to healthier living choices, better educational opportunities, and successful child development. CUPS want to help people reach their full potential, but that can be a daunting task in the face of poverty and homelessness. !Dan’s story is a wonderful example of how the Community Development Program has helped someone overcome

challenging circumstances. Dan’s life was turned upside down when, while going through a divorce, his daughter was abducted by his ex-wife. His legal struggle to get his daughter back cost him his job, his house, and his savings.

Thankfully, he was ultimately successful in getting his daughter returned, but then they were faced with homelessness, unemployment, and poverty. This is where the Community Development Program stepped in. Dan and his daughter now live in one of the four apartment buildings in Calgary owned by the Calgary Homeless Foundation and managed by CUPS, and are rebuilding

their lives. But it is much more than a roof over their heads. As Dan says, “CUPS to me is community, people, support.”

You can see Dan’s story on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU4QMvlb3c0

Community Development Program - Dan’s Story!

on feb. 21, 2015walk for:

Acadia Place andFeed the Hungry

charities@calgarydiocese.ca

Coldest Night of the Year is coming back to Calgary in 2015.

Walk in solidarity with our homeless brothers and sisters on February 21, 2015.

Last year our denomination helped raise more than $135,000 for Acadia Place and Feed the Hungry.

Help us make this event a continued success by registering to walk or volunteer at:

http://www.coldestnightoftheyear.org.

KAIROS Calgary has partnered with the Calgary Homeless Foundation since 2009 to provide affordable housing for families by their support of Acadia Place, a family housing unit that provides housing and assistance to families at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. In addition to raising funds to pay down the mortgage, KAIROS Calgary also provides volunteers for building maintenance projects and the community development programs run by CUPS. The Partnership of KAIROS Calgary, Calgary Homeless Foundation and CUPS is expanding the model developed at Acadia Place to three other family housing units owned by Calgary Homeless Foundation and managed by CUPS. The three housing units are in the southwest (Bankview), southeast (Claire), and northwest (Longbow). The vision is to have each housing unit surrounded by a network of churches that provide support and friendship to the residents of the housing units through hosting events, running programs and helping with building maintenance and repair.KAIROS Calgary is currently setting up volunteer committees for the new buildings and is actively seeking members to help with events and programming. Please consider making a difference in the lives of Calgarians living in poverty. For more information contact Geoff Zakaib or Amanda St. Laurent at email address amandas@cupscalgary.com.!

Four Building Plan Expands Partnership

Annual Acadia Place Fall Clean-Up - September 27, 2014Church Volunteers and residents came together for the annual Fall Clean-up at Acadia Place to help with sweeping the driveway, washing windows, trimming trees, clearing the garden, and cleaning up garbage. Thank you to everyone who came out to lend a hand.

2014 State of Homelessness in Canada Report ReleasedThe Canadian Observatory on Homelessness(Homeless Hub) and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) released their second annual State of Homelessness in Canada Report. You can read highlights of the report by following this link.

http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=3ab6441cec1986db191b15a35&id=e1078af41a&e=6ffcf75866

CUPS Tours and Info SessionsIf you or your organization would like to learn more about CUPS and those we serve, please join us for a tour.

Please call 403.206.0294 or email amandas@cupscalgary.com to register.