CUPS Corner: Into a new millennium
Can you believe CUPS turned 30 in September? You may have noticed that we’ve been celebrating our 30th anniversary throughout the year, and have been putting together some blog posts to highlight key milestones that capture how we’ve evolved to become the science-based organization we are today. As we wrap up 2019, and are gearing up for a new year, we thought it would be appropriate to cover CUPS at the turn of the millennium.
Into a new millennium
In the early 2000s, CUPS opened the One World Child Development Centre (CDC). The Centre focused on early childhood intervention programs for children between the ages of 3 and 6 who came from impoverished or low-income backgrounds. As the program grew roots, it later expanded to provide intervention and therapeutic services for children under the age of 3, coupled with prenatal parenting programs. Today, CDC programs include:
Full-day preschool
Kindergarten
Breakfast, lunch and snacks
Healthcare services (visits from family doctors, dentists and opticians)
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Physiotherapy
Transportation
The Centre also provides support for: parent education; family support; counselling referrals; and referrals to social agencies.
Expanding to offer housing support
In 2008, CUPS recognized how important housing was in providing stability for clients and families, and added a housing program to fill this gap. CUPS now offers crisis support, housing subsidies and other economic support services for Calgarians.
The CUPS Crisis Intervention Fund offers one-time financial aid to cover housing costs, including: damage deposits; first month's rent; utility disconnection and eviction notices. Through the Graduated Rent Subsidy Program (GRSP), clients can get ongoing financial aid for their rent.
The late 2010s
After nearly two decades of community service, CUPS realized that in order to make a lasting impact in the lives of our clients, it meant moving beyond delivering basic services. We began to build on the scientific foundation of the Brain Story, which explains how the experiences we have – good and bad – get built into our brains and bodies. It explains why our brain development, especially during childhood, affects our lifelong physical and mental health. Most importantly, it shows us how to build resilience that spans generations.
In 2012, CUPS moved into a larger building, expanding its services by 30 per cent. Along with this growth began intentional efforts to understanding the underlying causes of why people were seeking support in the first place.
Phew. We’ve been busy since 2000! And what a journey it has been over the last 30 years. What began as a place where low-income and homeless Calgarians could receive basic medical care and referral services has become a trailblazing, innovative organization that applies science to helping vulnerable and low-income Calgarians manage adversity, reach their potential, and end the cycle of poverty and trauma for themselves and their families.
Join us on our blog throughout 2020 as we continue to go more in-depth into our past and celebrate where we’ve come from.
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