At a special unveiling, Aspen, announced that their dream to reach a greater number of Calgary youth has become a reality with Headspace, their new Youth Matters Mobile Unit.
Now, thanks to the generosity of sponsors, youth who are impacted by poverty, alone during the critical after-school hours or residing in socially isolated communities can participate in the Aspen program. Youth Matters helps young people (aged 9 to 21) make positive and healthy lifestyle choices by supporting them with basic needs, family and peer relationships guidance plus assistance with school-related issues.
“This unit will provide an essential service that enhances our capacity to strengthen youth through activities such as recreation, learning, youth volunteerism and leadership opportunities.” Aspen CEO, Shirley Purves, says. “Ultimately, it provides a safe and positive atmosphere to hangout, do homework and connect with friends.
Click links below to watch media coverage:
Video 1 | Video 2
Aspen is pleased to announce that the documentary film, Growing Up Among Strangers, took home two Rosies at the 2010 AMPIA Awards.
Executive producer, Aspen, along with butterflytyphoon pictures (BTPIX ), are proud to be 2010 recipients of prestigious Rosie awards for Best Director Non-Fiction Under 30mins and Best Educational. Growing Up Among Strangers’ Producers Patrick McLaughlin, Nina Sudra, Shirley Purves, Candice van der Vliert & Courtenay Hick were also nominated for Best Production Reflecting Cultural Diversity while Derek Waite, Patrick Butler and Brent Planiden were nominated for Best Overall Sound Non-Fiction.
Growing Up Among Strangers is an insightful look at the experiences of Canadian youth from culturally diverse backgrounds as they struggle to balance two worlds: the traditional cultural values of home and the Westernized culture that lies outside.
AMPIA’s support of this independent motion picture is an honour and a testament to the dedication and efforts of all involved. Additionally, Growing Up Among Strangers is proud to be nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award at this year’s Yorkton International Film Festival.
Aspen and BTPIX appreciate the support provided by the funders, Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund, The Calgary Foundation and Citizenship and Immigration Canada for the production of the film. Aspen would also like to acknowledge the support of ConocoPhillips Canada in the reproduction of the DVD for distribution.
For more information on Growing Up Among Strangers or to order a copy, please contact Aspen at 403 219 3477.
Click here to watch the video >>
Please join us in congratulating our Volunteer Calgary
Leadership Award Recipients!
HOPEWELL RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
(Leaders in Employee Volunteering - Sponsored by Chevron Canada Ltd.)
JOHN LABUN
(Volunteer in Profile - Sponsored by CTV)
In the passed year Aspen has been fortunate to have welcomed hundreds of volunteers who support and enhance our work in communities, with families, youth and individuals. Aspen volunteers have planted, painted, cleaned, built, mentored and literally transformed two of our facilities both of which provide homes to a number of youth. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them and we celebrate their contributions.
Thank you to all who continue to support us in helping people create better lives.
If you are interested in joining our team of volunteers we have many opportunities for you to get involved. Become a VOLUNTEER DRIVER with our new Aspen Transportation Program. If you know the city, like to drive, enjoy working with people and you want to make a difference please contact our Volunteer Coordinator – Nancy Bildoeau-Cogger
2nd Annual Charitable Pint
Saturday April 10
7:00PM
#102, 630 8 Avenue SW
The Belfry Gastro House, along with its partners: The Point & Feather Neighbourhood Pub, Kilt & Caber Ale House, King’s Head Pub, and newest partners The Black Bull Pub & Berwick Public House are proud to host the second annual Charitable Pint Fundraiser. As in the first year, proceeds will benefit Aspen Family & Community Network Society.
Tickets are $10 and will be available in advance at any of pub locations and through Aspen. Unless the event is sold out, tickets will also be available the day of the event. The $10 ticket price will include entry to the event, one beer and appetizers.
There will be food and drink specials, as well as entertainment, and most importantly the opportunity to raise much needed funds for Aspen programming for children and families, living in vulnerable situations. Ticket sales, as well as a portion of proceeds from drink sales will go directly to Aspen.
Last years popular silent auction will be back, offering one of a kind sports memorabilia, entertainment packages, and other exciting items. This year’s Silent Auction will include a Team Canada Jersey signed by the Men's Olympic Hockey Team.
The information for the book is gleaned from interviews with 39 immigrant youth of a variety of different ages and ethnic backgrounds to provide a comprehensive account of the triumphs, experiences and obstacles they face every day.
The conclusions drawn by Taylor and her contributors will enable organizations and professionals to better meet the needs of this growing population and help ease the transition process for future immigrants to Calgary and Canada as a whole.
Click here to download the book
This year nearly 200 families didn't have to make the choice.
“At the beginning of December, I was unable to figure out how I was going to pay the rent, never mind afford Christmas dinner and gifts for the children - I was dreading Christmas coming," says an Aspen Winter Breather Campaign Recipient.
The Aspen Winter Breather Campaign helped nearly 200 families – many first-time recipients - and raised over $36,000. At a time when it may have been more difficult to donate, Calgarians helped many families experience the joy of the holidays this year.
Along with the generous support of many individuals in the community, Enmax also contributed to the success of this year’s campaign. For the third year in a row, Enmax provided $12,000 in utility support for the Winter Breather Program and this year Enmax employees collected donations of hundreds of toys which were distributed to Aspen recipient families.
“I don’t know how I would have been able to get through this without all of you," says an Winter Breather Campaign Recipient.
Thank you to each of our Winter Breather Campaign supporters, including Enmax, for helping many Aspen families during the holidays and throughout the year.
Helping families during the holidays
Heat or Holidays? Groceries or gifts?
At Aspen our goal is to ensure that families in need do not have to answer these questions during the holidays. Our Winter Breather program helps pay for basic necessities such as utilities, transportation, and groceries, so that local families are free to create their own holiday memories and traditions.
If you would like to help a family in your community make the most of the holidays this year, please contact Melanie Dekker at 403 219 3477.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will make a huge different in the lives of hundred of families this holiday season.
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: PALOMINO BALLROOM, BMO CENTRE, STAMPEDE PARK
(Formerly the Roundup Centre)
DRESS CODE: Come as you are!
Reception-style appetizers and refreshments
PLEASE REGISTER at
www.aspenfullcircle2009.com
BY NOVEMBER 13, 2009
Join the celebration! Aspen’s 2009 Annual General Meeting and HOPE Awards is Tuesday, September 22nd at Fort Calgary.
Reception: 5:00 p.m.
Program: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
RSVP to rsvp@aspenfamily.org or call 403-219-3477 today.
Calling all Cowboys & Cowgirls to dust off your boots for
Our Annual Aspen & Enviros Stampede Open House.
Come on Down to our Ho-Down for Some Fixins
& Celebrate Aspen’s 25th Anniversary
Hosted by Aspen, Enviros and
the Aboriginal Spirit Committee on
Friday June 19, 2009 from
11:00am – 2:00pm at
13, 2115 – 27 Avenue NE
Please RSVP to Enviros by June 12
Email: office@enviros.org
Phone:(403) 219-3477
Hope to See Y’all There!
Thank you to all who came out to our May 9th Urban Street Party!
We held this party to celebrate the renaming of our SIL building after Tom Berthelotte who dared to dream a dream that Aspen could one day own a building where youth could live affordably with support in order for them to gain their independence into adulthood. This dream was realized in 1992 when Aspen purchased the SIL building and remodeled it with the help of local architect Barry Graham.
We had a great day and estimate that over 300 people came to celebrate with us. Live graffiti art, VOX BOX, youth resources, we even had a group come down from Red Deer to enter the bboy breakdancing battle!
We would like to thank the following community partners who have helped to make the 2009 Urban Street Party possible:
VOX BOX
One Circle Dance Company
The City of Calgary
Alberta Health Service (AADAC)
Calgary Police Service
ACAD
Calgary Sexual Health Centre
Big Chief Jerky
Coca-Cola
Rent All Rentals
Carpet Supermarket
CN Gunn School
Forest Lawn Sobeys
Brian’s Porta Potties
Illmovements.com
Visualorgasm.com
Lerock
DJ Meta Won
Hopewell
The Calgary Foundation
Stepping Stones
Opening Doors
Calgary Alpha House Society
Stay tuned for photos!
Thank you to the Belfry Gastro House for the Grand Opening and Fundraiser they held to benefit Aspen. Through the efforts of the owners and staff at the Belfry a considerable amount was raised, by way of a silent auction, bar sales and tickets sales. Though the Flames lost that night, Aspen was certainly a winner! Thank you to everyone for coming out and again thank you to the Belfry!
Please join us for our next Aspen event, the Urban Street Party!
Saturday, May 9th, 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
200 block of 15th Ave SE
Join Aspen for a fun, energized street party!
Aspen will be renaming the SIL building, to honour one of the visionaries of the program, to Tom Berthelotte Place.
This free event will featuring DJs, hip-hop dancing, graffiti artist demonstrations, three on three basketball, great music and refreshments.
Aspen is one of Calgary’s leading social agencies with unique character building opportunities for youth. For more information on Aspen or the Urban Street Party, call 219-3477.
Aspen’s annual Kurl for Kids Funspiel is a fun, family-friendly event in support of providing recreational opportunities for children and youth who might not otherwise have these opportunities.
Sponsors of Kurl for Kids 2009
Calgary Sun Citytv
Enbridge Carscallen Leitch LLP
Gift In Kind Donations
Bill March Photography Shaw
Walmart (Airdrie) Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Starbucks A Banff Boutique Inn
Oolong Tea House McDonalds
Banff Mountain Spa Tim Horton's Brier
ATCO Gas Spruce Meadows
Maple Leaf Grill & Lounge Sobeys
The Ship and Anchor Calgary Climbing Centre
Max Elliott Theatre Junction
Tuxedo Source for Sports Lynne Huras
Delta Sun Peaks Marble Slab Creamery
Sara Schwarz ING Real Estate
Telus World of Science Snap-On Tools
South Centre Mall Fort Calgary
Roots Canada Curlers Corner
Oasis Flowers Heritage Park
La Terra Ventures Sunridge Mall
Toole Peete Insurance Boston Pizza
Kilt & Caber Ale House Janet Horbacio Photography
Thank to all the staff and volunteers and participants that made this year’s event success possible!
Saturday, March 14, 2009 • 12:00 Noon
Acadia Recreational Complex (240-90 Ave SE)
$240 per team, $200 early bird before Feb. 20
For more information email kurlforkids@aspenfamily.org or call (403) 219-3477.
To register please download these forms and fax them to us at (403) 250-9420, or email them back.
Kurl for Kids Team Registration Form
Kurl for Kids Pledge Form
Aspen's 10th annual Kurl for Kids Funspiel is a fun, family-friendly event in support of providing recreational opportunities for children and youth.
Join us to help give kids the chance to experience summer camp, a favorite sport or their first trip to the ocean. These activities make memories for a lifetime, so register your team of four today and help us create better lives for our kids!
There are many wonderful foster families in and around Calgary who have opened their homes to care for children, yet there is still a need for more foster families.
Come to an information session to learn more about foster care and find out if it is right for you. Meet other foster families who will share their experiences and information about how fostering has enriched their lives.
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Aspen Family and Community Network Society #13, 2115 – 27 Avenue N.E.
Call Karen Savage at 403-219-3477 Ext. 144 for more information.
This unique approach gives families the ability to purchase gifts for their families and create their own traditions and memories, without the worry of their basic needs.
This year, with your support, we plan to assist 180 families through this program.
Your gift of $225 will assist a family of four in a way that makes a lasting difference.
A Holiday package includes:
$150 grocery gift certificate
$110 utility gift certificate
$50 telephone gift certificate
Bus tickets or gas gift certificate
To find out more or to make a donation please contact us at (403) 219-3477 or by email at aspenfamily@aspenfamily.org.
The event will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at the Artists of the World Gallery.
For more information on this event, or to purchase tickets visit the Elevate website at www.elevatecpc.ca
Thank you to the women at Elevate who are dedicating their time and resources to making this event a success!
We welcome you to join us for Aspen's Annual General Meeting and HOPE Awards to be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008.
The event will profile our community partners as well as the showcase some of the innovative work that Aspen has been a part of over the past year.
Location: Fort Calgary (750-9 Avenue SE)
Reception: 5:00- 5:30 pm
Program: 5:30-7:30 pm
Please rsvp by email at rsvp@aspenfamily.org
Aspen is proud to showcase some of the innovative work that has been accomplished over the past year. Please visit our resources section to view our 2008 Report to the Community.
To start the month off, on June 1st, Aspen was chosen by Ismaili youth to participate in their National volunteer day for CIVIC. Twenty youth spent a day at one of our group homes, building a vegetable garden, and working around the yard, mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, repainting a picnic table. Aspen was also able to attend the wrap up party at the end of the day, where the youth were provided a lunch and recognition by the other Ismaili community members. It was inspiring to see the value that this community puts in volunteering and community involvement.
On June 21st, Aspen was happy to partner with our valued volunteer Darin Dejong to host Dad and Me. This annual community event, allows children and youth, and their dads, male guardians, or male mentors to build a children's picnic table together. The event was started a few years ago to create an opportunity for these male role models to create memories with the children and youth in their lives, as well as provide a support network between the men involved. What a fantastic day- full of sun and smiles.
The day would not have been possible without all Darin's hard work, as well as the hard work as our wonderful volunteer Clarke Stroud, who helped to set up and tear down of the event, and cut all the lumber. We would also like to thank Totem Building Supplies, for providing us with a fantastic discount on the lumber and building supplies we needed.
A few days after Dad and Me, Shell visited our group home in the SW, and repaired and painted their fence, reinforced their outdoor patio, and bought, built and stained a picnic table for the back yard. Not only did the group donate their time, Shell also generously donated all of the paint and supplies for the project. The youth were already making plans for an outdoor dinner before the team even left. That in itself says a lot.
In addition to all of these wonderful opportunities, Aspen was also given a really great gift from our volunteers John Labun and Saro Bunting of Rare Indigo. They hosted a staff BBQ for the whole Aspen agency following the Stampede Parade on July 4th.
These are but a few of the many volunteer happenings at Aspen over the course of the month. There are many people that volunteer at Aspen, and we would like to take this time to acknowledge and to thank each and every one of you. What an amazing team of volunteers; partnering with us to help people create better lives!
If you are interested in more information on being an Aspen volunteer, please check out our current opportunities under Get Involved.
If you have unique idea that is not represented on the current opportunities, please do let us know.
The event brought together community partners, businesses, staff and volunteers to raise money for Aspen youth. In total, the event raised $18,000 that will go to providing recreational activites for youth. Please see the events section for this years pictures.
Thank you for supporting this event and helping create better lives.
The event brings together staff, community partners, funders and donors to raise support for children growing up in our group homes. Funds raised from the event go toward providing positive opportunities for kids, such as attending a summer camp, going on a vacation or playing team sports.
To register today, call the main office at 219-3477. The cost for a team of four is $240.00 which includes an afternoon of curling, prizes and entertainment! From all of us at Aspen, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our donors, volunteers and participants who assisted with this year's Kurl for Kids
Other volunteer opportunities include tutoring, fundraising, event planning, marketing, aiding staff with youth programs or providing childcare support for children whose parents are attending groups or workshops.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities please check out our volunteer section under Get Involved
We'd like to take a moment and thank everyone who gave including Enmax Energy Corporation who assisted each family with an energy credit toward their utilities this season. Other major sponsors include Trend- Setter Exteriors, Five Jay Investments, Husky Energy, Delta Airport Hotels, and Spartan Controls.
We are well aware that our work of building upon people's strengths to help them deal with life's challenges would not be possible without the support of our funders, donors, partners and volunteers. Thank you for helping create better lives!
Over the years, we've been extremely fortunate in attracting energetic and passionate people who are driven to help Aspen carry out our mission - and make a meaningful impact in our community.
We are always looking for people who demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm and believe in the power of a strength based approach to helping people.
If you are interested in joining our dynamic team, please check out our job opportunities.
Your gift of $225 will assist a family of four in a way that makes a lasting difference.
A Holiday package includes:
$100 grocery gift certificate
$100 utility gift certificate
Donated gift items, shoeboxes, recreational passes games and crafts for the family.
(each gift package is valued at approximately $400)
Our goal is to have materials that reflect Aspen's unique approach of building upon people's core strengths so they are able to deal with life's challenges and create a better life. The rings you see represent our approach, which is to focus on the core strength of the people we serve and provide a continuum of service for our clients.
Whether it is a child in need of a supportive home, a family transitioning out of homelessness or opportunities for youth, each client is supported through a continuous network that is building strength, one layer at a time.
Support for part of this project was generously provided by The Calgary Foundation.