Collaboration. Partnerships. Community.

 We talk about these three elements as part of our commitment to working together to support families who are struggling in Calgary. But it’s not just in our city where people are facing challenges of poverty and homelessness. This is a national issue and one that requires all of us to come together to fight.

In Vancouver, the number of homeless individuals has risen by 32 per cent since the start of the pandemic.

 In Toronto, homeless encampments are growing as people struggle to find affordable housing options.

 And we know in Calgary, inflation is hitting families hard and we’re seeing many people coming to CUPS who don’t have a home, access to health care, or vital family development resources.  

Working together for solutions

CUPS recently attended the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where members of the social sector from across the country gathered to explore solutions. Whether it’s housing developments in rural areas, change rooted in culture for Indigenous individuals and families or dedicated youth strategies, there are extensive best practices to share as we continue to collaborate with our partners.

While what works in one city might not work exactly the same in another, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t common themes and challenges to address. And opportunities that can be adapted and adjusted to support people in different regions across the country.

CUPS Executive Director Carlene Donnelly was recently in Prince Edward Island sharing 30+ years of expertise and knowledge with government and partners. The work is part of CUPS’ ongoing commitment to be a leader in the sector, helping to address the complexities of homelessness across the country.

"As we pull together, you know, come together with political will and community will, I think we can add to those processes, strengthen the connections, and really kind of build better pathways," Donnelly explains.  

It’s through this cross-country collaboration that we can provide support for those who need it most, help families build resiliency to deal with the challenges that lie ahead and, together, become a stronger, nation-wide community.