CUPS Calgary

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The Power of Integrated Care

“CUPS integrated care gets to the root of the problem and builds resiliency.

- Carlene Donnelly, CUPS Executive Director 

The CUPS integrated care model addresses the health, economic, development, social and emotional support needed to build resilience and make an impact in the lives of our community members. 

And CUPS client Tim, whose story is featured in our 2020 Corporate Video, understands how important that model is in making a real change. 

A final Hail Mary

When Tim came to CUPS, he wasn’t sure how much longer he had. He was living on the streets, unemployed and estranged from his wife and 3 children. 

“It was the first time I made the choice to be sober and was fully willing to do whatever it took… that one, last hail mary. And that was my first experience with CUPS.” 

When Tim came to CUPS, he sat down with a care coordinator who walked him through the Integrated Care Tool. This science-based assessment tool helps us figure out what support clients need — to get to the root of their challenges. Based on the results, we work with the individual to create and deliver a customized, integrated care plan and are able to measure the results over time. In this way, we help those who come to us in a state of crisis of vulnerability move towards building resilience in all areas of their lives.

For Tim, the Resiliency Tool revealed he needed more than help with his addiction. To effectively support his recovery and set his family up for stability and long-term resilience, his care plan also included:

  • Setting him up with an ID and Alberta Health Care card

  • Finding a safe a stable home for him and his family

  • Medical support for his wife and children

  • Mental health supports and access to counselors 

  • Enrollment in the Nurturing Fathers parenting program to build his parenting skills 

“It really was a one-stop-shop for me. Everything we needed was here,” says Tim. 

The foundations for a bright future 

Today, Tim has not used substances for two and a half years, reunited with his family and living in his own home. He has completed his treatment, is working and recently finished his first year of a welding apprenticeship program. And best of all, he can see a bright future ahead for himself and his family. 

When we asked Tim what his dream was now, the answer is simple: “I accomplished my dream already — I got a home and my kids back.” 

Helping the community thrive 

CUPS helps more than 9,000 individuals and families like Tim’s every year. 

The COVID-19 outbreak and economic downturn has impacted us all as human beings, businesses, governments and communities. While we’ve never seen anything like this before, we know that historically, the hardest hit by any developing crisis are those who are already well entrenched in one of their own.

Despite our best efforts, we know that the future will bring additional challenges and we must look ahead to ensure CUPS is set up to continue this important work into the future. 

We understand that many of you may be experiencing challenges yourselves and that every dollar counts. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and want you to know that with your generous donation, your support is going directly to helping these important community members — like Tim and his family. 

Be part of building a resilient community for all. Please, donate today.


Interested in getting involved at CUPS? Click here.


LINKS TO LEARN MORE:


CUPS 2019 Corporate Video