CUPS Corner: The Early Years...
A lot has changed in our city and at CUPS since we opened our doors in 1989. Over the course of our 30th year, we will be diving into our past to honour our beginnings and celebrate our growth and impact. This month, we’re going back — way back — to where it all began!
The idea for an organization like CUPS took seed when faith-based communities and medical professionals from across Calgary came together with the vision of providing referral and basic medical care to Calgary’s impoverished and vulnerable populations. The demand was strong, so these dedicated physicians and nurses focused on meeting the immediate needs of these clients, which included homeless people, sex workers and those struggling with mental health and addiction issues.
Over the course of those early years, we learned a lot. It was clear the need for CUPS’s services was strong and the demand wasn’t disappearing anytime soon. The team incorporated into a registered non-profit, and over the course of the next few years — and with modest annual budgets ranging from about $50,000 to $100,000 — the team got to work making a difference in the lives of those who needed it the most.
Flashback to 1989
For a little additional context, here’s what else was happening in 1989! Calgary’s population was 671,138 and Ralph Klein was our mayor. The average housing price was $110,000 and the average household income was $46,283. A loaf of bread cost $0.99. There was a lot of excitement in Calgary, particularly on the sporting front. The 1988 Winter Olympics left the city buzzing with energy and momentum that carried us into the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals. Led by Lanny MacDonald and Jim Peplinski, the Calgary Flames defeated the Montreal Canadiens in six games to win their first and, so far, only Stanley Cup! You can imagine how this environment could have been challenging for someone struggling with addiction, homelessness or health issues. How do you find your place amidst the excitement around you?
Today, there are still individuals struggling with these issues, but as we dive deeper into brain science and become more trauma-informed in our approach, CUPS is truly redefining how we approach these social challenges and making a real difference. Driven by our vision of building resilience lives for all Calgarians, we don’t just tackle problems; we take a big picture approach that creates lasting, positive change for our clients, their children and our city. Watch this video and you’ll see what we mean!
Join us on our blog every month over the coming year as we go more in-depth into our past and celebrate where we’ve come from. Next month, we’ll take a trip into the ‘90s. Stay tuned, there might be some Boyz II Men or Full House references that you won’t want to miss!
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