Access Mental Health is a non-urgent service providing information, consultation, and referrals for individuals with addiction and/or mental health concerns. Mental Health Clinicians complete a clinical interview over the telephone to assess the individuals’ needs. Mental Health Clinicians are familiar with both Alberta Health Services and community-based programs and will explore all options in order to refer individuals to the most appropriate resources.
Hamper programs-emergency, best beginnings, formula hampers, milk for new moms, bread and extras
School programs-Fuel 4 Kids, Snack Attack, R.J. Hawkey Breakfast Program, G.E.A.R. (Gathering Edibles for Airdrie Residents), School Partnership Programs
The Airdrie Food Bank collects & distributes food to those in need and educates the community on hunger related issues.
The Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre is a Canadian non-governmental, non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Calgary which undertakes research on contemporary civil liberties and human rights issues that are of concern to Albertans.
The ACLRC: teaches students, community members and organizations about human rights, including the rights of LGBT people; undertakes research on a variety of human rights and civil liberties topics; and provides information and referrals to the public on issues of human rights and civil liberties.
Information, support, links to senior specific resources,
Network dedicated to increasing awareness and supporting a community response to elder abuse
● A province-wide network of professionals
● Representing communities across Alberta
● Promoting the well-being and security of older adults
● Working to increase community awareness
● Developing resources to address and educate about elder abuse
The Alberta SPCA receives thousands of calls each year from people concerned that they have witnessed some form of animal cruelty. They deal with animal welfare issues involving livestock and companion animals, from horses to dogs to cattle.
Neglect is typically the most common reason for animal welfare issues and can be defined in a number of ways:
to pay little or no attention to; fail to heed; disregard
to fail to care for or attend to properly
to fail to do or carry out, as through carelessness or oversight
Regardless of the reason for neglect—be it carelessness, oversight or lack of knowledge—people who own or look after animals must be held accountable. In some instances,they are able to work with people to improve their understanding of acceptable levels of care and therefore improve the condition of the animals they have. But because no two investigations are alike, it’s up to their Peace Officers to take appropriate action based on what they observe along with their extensive experience and knowledge of animal welfare and care.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership.
The Alliance of Hope was created by survivors, for survivors. Their website contains information to help survivors understand the complex emotional aftermath of suicide. It also features a blog, bookstore, and memorials.
Their community forum operates like a 24/7 support group. It hosts more than 17,000 members from around the world, and 440,000 posts describing the survivor experience. It is overseen by a mental health counselor and trained team of survivor moderators who provide information and hope. Many members call it their “lifeline”.
The primary work of the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services is to provide leadership, coordination and collaboration of sexual assault services in Alberta
AASAS works to increase public and government awareness of issues involving sexual abuse and sexual assault and the impacts they have on Albertans. AASAS strives to ensure that all Albertans affected by sexual abuse and sexual assault have access to healing and recovery programs, services and supports
Anyone wishing to become a mentor or looking for a mentor
Program Information
Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Airdrie and Rocky View County creates and nurtures one-to-one mentoring relationships for children and youth in Airdrie who are facing adversity. Each mentoring relationship (“match”) is monitored and supported to ensure positive and meaningful relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of the children and youth (“Littles”), their families, the mentors (“Bigs”), and generations to follow.
Individuals who are 18 years or older and are grieving the death of someone
Individual and group counselling
Individual counselling and grief groups are offered in a safe, supportive
and healing environment. All counsellors have specialized training and
skills in grief and bereavement care.
Since 1979, The Boys and Girls Club has been a safe and fun space, providing high quality affordable programs and services that are accessible to all children, youth and families of Airdrie and surrounding areas. They have two main locations in Airdrie, a club in Irricana, and before and after school programs at three participating Airdrie schools.
BullyingCanada is Canada’s only national organization that resolves bullying situations by directly facilitating communication between bullied kids, their tormentors, parents, teachers, school boards, social services, and police.
CCASA strives to enhance the health and well being of all people and our broader community through responsible and effective programs in sexual abuse education, research and advocacy, crisis intervention and counselling.
There can be dozens of different reasons for why a helpless animal is exposed to abuse or is abandoned. As Calgary’s first animal welfare organization, the Humane Society proudly combines their legacy of sheltering with their focus on education. They are Calgary’s only open-admission animal shelter, and this means one simple thing:
They never say no. They never turn an animal away.
CIWA provides women with the knowledge and supports to address the settlement challenges they face related to employment, community engagement, access to resources, English communication, cross cultural parenting, role reversal, etc. They also offer services to support senior immigrant women and immigrant girls as their settlement experience is unique due to their age and level of independence, physical health and surroundings. Both seniors and youth face challenges related to balancing societal expectations with cultural and familial expectations.
They offer wide range of programs and services in areas related to settlement, language, employment and family supports to address the diverse needs of immigrant and refugee women and their families. All clients have access to childcare and first language support.
CSRS Outreach Workers assist hundreds of seniors per month with things like pensions and benefits, grocery resources, housing and home care support, or personal/family crisis
Sexual Assault victims within 4 days of the assault
medical treatment, emotional support and education about options for care and reporting
Provides medical care and emotional support for people who have been sexually assaulted in the past 4 days (96 hours).
Registered nurses, doctors and crisis counsellors offer medical treatment, emotional support and education about options for care and reporting for people who have been sexually assaulted in the past 4 days (96 hours).
medical treatment with no police involvement
medical treatment with police involvement and collection of a sexual assault exam kit
medical treatment with no police involvement and collection of a sexual assault exam kit and 1 year to decide if you want to report to the police
Information, 24/7 support line, emergency shelter, workshops
The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter is “More than a Shelter”, providing many innovative safety, healing and prevention programs to the community. Programs and Services include: emergency shelter, 24 hour family violence helpline, wellness centre, child and adolescent services, court program, community services counselling program, healthy relationships, mens counselling service.
Provides a monthly pension to the surviving spouse, common-law partner or children of a deceased contributor. Information on eligibility and how to apply
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak. This link provides financial resources for individuals, businesses and sectors.
Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime
Parents of a deceased or missing child
Financial grant
The death or disappearance of a child is devastating and can leave parents unable to work. Parents or legal guardians who have taken time away from work and suffered a loss of income to cope with the death or disappearance of their child or children may be eligible for federal income support
To provide support and assistance to all survivors of homicide victims across Canada, while actively working towards eliminating the immense loss to our society caused by murder, thereby creating a safer Canada.
Equips individuals/organizations with info, knowledge, skills necessary to respond to the risk of suicide… “In crisis” link leads to suicideprevention.ca
Information, support, programs and workshops, STI testing and birth control,
At the Centre for Sexuality, they believe everyone has the right to good sexual health and good sexual health information. They offer information on everything from STIs and birth control, pregnancy options, sexuality, to aging and talking to your kids about sex. Programs and workshops available
Provides tools to help police officers, parents, teachers and other educators inform youth ages 13 to 21 on various crime and victimization topics, such as:
A multidisciplinary, specialized service that provides therapeutic and medical services to children who have been abused or neglected.
In order to enhance their bio-psycho-social health and well-being. Child Abuse Services (CAS) has two streams:
Medical Stream - referrals to the medical stream, for a child who may have experienced physical or sexual abuse, are triaged to determine if medical assessment of the child is warranted.
Psychosocial Stream - assesses the impact of abuse and neglect on the referred child, and provides therapeutic intervention to address emotional, behavioural and relational challenges associated with the abuse and neglect.
The program does not provide investigations of abuse. If you have a concern about a child who is being abused or is at risk for abuse, call the police and Child & Family Services.
Individual and family counselling, text/chat, peer support, education and resources
The Children's Grief Centre offers professional, specialized services for grieving children in Southern Alberta. Our counsellors help families with children and teens adjust to the changes in their lives.
Using individual, family counselling and group support, we compassionately support people through grief. Our counsellors are recognized experts in end-of-life, grief and trauma counselling for those aged 19 years and younger.
Community Links is a nonprofit charitable organization which strengthens individuals, from birth to seniors, families and communities of North Rocky View by providing them with and connecting them to services, supports and resources.
Connect is here to help if your gut says something in your relationship – or a sexual experience – isn’t quite right. They’re not here to make judgments or tell you what to do. They are here to help YOU decide what’s healthy and what’s not. And to help you find what you need – at your own pace – and confidentially.
One phone call connects you to Calgary’s network of services and support. They’re a friendly, easy, confidential service that helps you – or someone you know – find the answers you need. It’s for anyone who needs help – and the people who care about them.
Support for children and parents during separation, divorce or death
CORNERSTONE OF HOPE is a Calgary based, not-for-profit organization that helps families live through loss and thrive in the face of adversity. Their programs for children and adults assist the participants to deal with the emotions around divorce, separation, or death and help restore emotional wholeness. Each program is a 12 week, small peer-support group that meets to share with each other and gain the emotional strength needed to be able to deal with what life has dealt to them. There are groups for all ages. Programs begin in September and January each year
Protection of children through online reporting of child sexual exploitation; cyber tip’s primary function is to receive and address online and telephone reports from the public regarding: child pornography, online luring, child exploitation through prostitution, travelling to sexually exploit children, child trafficking
FAMH is a grass roots community based charitable organization committed to sharing the reality about addiction and mental health, the potential links between addiction and other secondary health conditions, and the continuing care required for long term recovery.
At FAMH, all clients complete a thorough comprehensive assessment to determine your needs and an individualized treatment plan and recommendations are provided based on this
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
HomeFront is a non-profit organization in Calgary that works alongside the justice system, police and community partners to help free families from domestic violence. Through a unique collaborative model, HomeFront works to ensure that victims are safer and offenders are being held accountable.
Hull Services is a registered charitable organization that provides an integrated continuum of services including specialized therapy, counselling and education. Hull helps children, youth and families who experience emotional and psychological disorders, behavioural problems, learning disabilities, mental illness, developmental delay, neglect, abuse and trauma.
If the Media Calls: A guide for Crime Victims & Survivors
Crime Victims & Survivors
Information Guide
This Guide is intended to help crime victims and survivors work effectively and comfortably with the media (or to decline to do so). Interacting with the media following victimization is a significant decision for crime victims as media exposure can positively or negatively impact your recovery process.
InformAlberta is an on-line directory of publicly funded and/or not-for-profit community, health, social, and government organizations and services provided within Alberta. The directory is maintained by health regions and community information and referral services across Alberta.
Programs to mitigate trauma, build confidence, and guide families towards independence and away from social supports. Offer homelessness prevention, temporary emergency shelter, housing and supports
Day programs, drop in activities, elder abuse response team, housing referrals, information and resources, workshops
To assist older people to live as well as possible, for as long as possible, as residents in the community. Kerby Centre has established itself as Calgary’s premiere multi-purpose seniors’ centre, providing a host of services to older adults in the community.
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. They offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.
Whether by phone, text, mobile app or through the website, you can connect whenever you want, however you want.
Their service is completely confidential — you don’t even have to tell your name if you don’t want to.
Kids in the Know is the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s national safety education program. The program engages students with interactive activities to help build skills that increase their personal safety and reduce their risk of victimization online and offline.
Legal Aid Alberta provides legal services and expertise to individuals and the legal community to support fairness in the justice system. Through professional, effective and accessible services in support of Albertans and their justice system, it is uniquely able to operate as a Centre of Excellence in Alberta's justice system.
It is an independent, publicly funded, not-for-profit organization that provides a broad range of services in family law and child welfare, adult criminal law, youth criminal law, immigration and refugee law and civil legal areas.
McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association of Calgary & Area is a responsive and innovative organization making a difference in the lives of over 2,500 vulnerable children, youth and families annually.
They support children, youth and families with complex needs that can include mental health issues, addiction, homelessness, poverty, and disability by providing them with the services and supports they need to thrive. As a fundamental practice across all McMan’s services, they work with individuals to help them maintain and grow relationships that can extend beyond our professional support- life-long connections that can help people sustain, and build on, their strengths and new skills.
Provides 24/7: confidential, anonymous service, crisis intervention, information about mental health programs and services, referrals to other agencies if needed
Families of missing kids or for looking for prevention
Information, support and resources
MissingKids.ca is owned and operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. As Canada’s missing children resource centre, MissingKids.ca offers families support in the search for their missing child and provides educational resources to help prevent children from going missing.
To help anyone negatively impacted by a sexual picture/video being shared by peers. The NeedHelpNow website is designed to provide youth (13 to 17 years old) with practical steps to regain control over the situation. This includes information about contacting websites/online services to request a picture/video be removed, dealing with peers who may have seen or be sharing the content, the importance of emotional support and information on certain criminal offences. The site also provides resources for parents and safe adults who are assisting youth involved in these types of instances.
Nurse Next Door caregivers are carefully screened, interviewed and provide daily grocery shopping, meal preparation, and walks in the park to medication reminders and companionship, their caregivers make it possible for seniors to live in their own home.
The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, mandated to work with vulnerable young people.
The OCYA provides individual and systemic advocacy for children and youth receiving “designated services” as defined under the Child and Youth Advocate Act. This includes young people receiving or attempting to access services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act; or who are involved with the youth justice system. The OCYA also provides access to legal representation for young people receiving child intervention services, offers public education, and conduct investigations in serious injuries and deaths of young people receiving designated services.
Calgary Outlink is a community-based, not-for-profit charity dedicated to providing support, education, outreach, and referrals for the LGBTQ2IA+ and allied community in Calgary, Alberta.
Project SEVFIN is a flexible 28-week program that is designed to work with clients who have been sexually exploited and move them towards self-sufficiency through the attainment of education or employment.
Information, downloadable, age specific brochures, how to report
ProtectKidsOnline.ca helps parents/guardians stay on top of the digital world their children are engaging in.
You’ll find information about the ever-changing online interests of young people, the potential risks they face and proactive strategies to help keep your child/adolescent safe while online.
Offers biohazard blood and body fluid remediation services, virus decontamination and protection, crime scene cleanup, sewage cleanup and sanitation, deodorization and odour control, hoarding cleanup
women and girls age 16 and over exiting sexual exploitation and sex trafficking so that they may transform their lives.
Housing
Life Skills Classroom
Trauma-Informed Counselling
Educational Scholarships
Employment Skills
Community Support
Through one-on-one intensive case management, the EXIT (EXploitation, Intervention and Transition) Program at RESET supports women as young as 16, with or without children, as they exit from sexual exploitation. RESET provides immediate and safe supportive housing allowing women to stabilize and begin the process of healing, and supports each woman’s progress through transitional housing to independent living as the women graduate through the EXIT Program.
Sagesse offers direct service, capacity building, education or advocacy, to empower people, organizations and communities to break the cycle of domestic violence.
Information, videos, benefits finder, financial planning, tips for managing and protecting assets, planning for possible loss of independence, planning for future housing needs, wills and making funeral plans, financial abuse, frauds and scams
An intergovernmental body established to share information, discuss new and emerging issues related to seniors, and work collaboratively on key projects.
This guide is for seniors, their family members, care-givers, friends, and anyone else who may find it useful. It is not meant to include everything but tries to answer some common concerns when it comes to seniors' safety and security.
The information in this guide can also be used to help people and their loved ones discuss this topic to help recognize a potential crime situation and show how to reduce or remove the risk.
Residential facility with counseling and supportive services for women and children fleeing domestic violence; counseling, safety planning, assistance in accessing community resources; day care and day home, childrens centre
Help for women and children to transform their lives. Working to create a community where women and children
live safely in healthy families.
The Safe Communities Opportunity and Resource Centre (SORCe) is a multi-agency collaborative that connects people experiencing homelessness, or those at imminent risk of homelessness, to programs and services that can help to address the barriers to stable housing.
Send daily texts messages on how to focus on healthy thinking or suggested actions to help manage your mood
Text COVID19Hope to 393939.
Alberta Health Services program Text4Hope – a free service providing three months of daily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)–based text messages written by mental health therapists.
Monthly sharing meetings, telephone friends, newsletters, an annual Candle Lighting Memorial Service and various specific events. Most chapters have a library of resource books, CD’s and videos
The Compassionate Friends is an international, non-profit, self-help organization, offering friendship, understanding, grief education and HOPE for the future to all families who have experienced the death of a child at any age, from any cause.
Triple P is a parenting program, but it doesn’t tell you how to be a parent. It’s more like a toolbox of ideas. You choose the strategies you need. You choose the way you want to use them.
The three Ps in ‘Triple P’ stand for ‘Positive Parenting Program’ which means your family life is going to be much more enjoyable.
Triple P helps you:
Raise happy, confident kids
Manage misbehaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
Set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
What Victims of Crime Can Expect from the Criminal Justice Protocol Booklet
Crime Victims
Information Booklet
Victims of Crime Protocol Booklet explains what happens after a crime is reported to the police, and what standard of service you can expect in your contact with the criminal justice system.
The criminal justice system includes police services, victim services, the medical examiner, Crown prosecutors, court services, the judiciary and correctional services.
Victims of crime can get a monetary benefit to acknowledge victimization, based on serious injuries directly suffered from the crime.
serious injury benefit – for victims who are seriously injured as a direct result of crime, who require assistance to perform daily functions
death benefit – reimbursement of funeral costs for victims who died as a result of violent crime
Emergency assistance
Victims of crime can get financial assistance to assist with emergency safety and security expenses, court attendance expenses, as well as access to psychological supports for injuries suffered from the crime.
emergency assistance – financial assistance following a violent crime to assist with safety and security-related losses and damages
court attendance expenses – reimbursement for expenses related to court attendance for specified events, such as sentencing or providing a victim impact statement
counselling – immediate access to short-term supports to assist in dealing with the psychological impacts related to specified Criminal Code offences
Quick access to basic needs items such as emergency food, and personal care supplies, referrals to other agencies for food, clothing, furniture, housing, health, employment, education and recreation.
Women seek assistance at the Women’s Centre with issues as diverse as poverty and hunger, family breakdown, parenting, homelessness, unemployment, health and education, legal and financial, immigration and settlement, domestic violence, isolation and loneliness, life transitions and discrimination.
They strive to continue working with women after their immediate needs are met. By offering a safe, open, drop-in space where women can use public computers, have a coffee and attend free workshops, they strive to create a sense of community for women of all backgrounds.
Wood’s Homes is a children’s mental health centre that provides treatment and support for children, youth and families with mental health needs. Services range from the least intrusive to live-in treatment services. 40+ programs fall under 5 pillars that include: Crisis & Counselling; Short-Term Stays; Services for Parents and Families, Live-in Treatment; Services for Homeless and At-Risk Youth and Learning Centres.
The Your Life Counts Learning Centre is an ever growing resource of day to day life coping information that we hope you will find helpful. YLC’s first priority is to offer immediate attention to people who are at risk for suicide, providing counseling and support to those who are suicidal and for suicide survivor loss families.
Information, programs, resources, 24 hour domestic crisis line, free for anyone at risk of domestic violence (403.266.0707)
Programs and services are designed to help vulnerable women find stability, then build the skills and confidence they need to make permanent, positive change in their lives. They offer programs for children and men, as well as services to help women and men overcome language barriers..Supports offered: domestic violence and crisis, shelter and housing, counselling, language/employment and child care.
