As we go about our busy lives, it’s easy to get caught up in our own concerns and forget about the struggles faced by those in our community. However, it’s at this time of year that we can come together and make a positive change right here in Calgary. 

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.

In Calgary, about 1 in 10 people live below the poverty line. What does that mean? It means a family of four is making under $40,000 per year.

When a legal issue can be a tipping point between stability and crisis, access to support is paramount.

As the leaves begin to change their colours and we feel the crisp morning air, autumn brings with it a sense of renewal. It’s a time when the lazy days of summer give way to newfound energy and purpose. 

At CUPS, our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation goes beyond a key focus or pillar. It’s a profound desire to infuse Indigenous influence throughout our organization.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global campaign to end overdose and remove the stigma around those who have died from drug poisonings. The focus for 2023 is to “recognize those people who go unseen,” considering those who have been affected by the global opioid crisis but might not be highly visible.

Celebrating diversity is not about simple tolerance; it’s about embracing and cherishing the beauty that emerges from blending cultures together. It enriches our lives personally, socially and globally. 

There is a global, urgent need for testing and treatment to eliminate viral hepatitis and CUPS is stepping forward with community partners to provide more education and awareness in Calgary. 

Law students from the University of Calgary will be onsite at CUPS several times through the summer, providing free legal assistance to clients who need support. 

Trauma shows up in different ways for different people and CUPS is continuing to establish a safe community space that gives room for people to feel secure and comfortable when they first come in the doors. 

At CUPS we work directly with and support many people who are affected by the intergenerational trauma of experiences of Indigenous peoples in our country. Having an understanding and learning of the cultural background of the people we serve and how we can serve them better is vital. 

CUPS is committed to providing learning opportunities for those who are passionate about the social sector and supporting vulnerable members of our community. Through a dynamic practicum program, CUPS is training and working with the future leaders of the sector. 

We are expanding the impact we can provide to thousands of Calgarians and it’s because of support from community, individuals, corporations and government.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic caused so many to become islands unto themselves, CUPS has seen more and more clients come through the doors looking for support. 

As of the Spring Equinox, we enter into the unlimited possibilities of new beginnings, many of which are apparent here at CUPS.

Building connections with your children can be a difficult task. Not always being able to draw from lived experience makes managing the needs and wants of your little ones feel like learning a foreign language without an interpreter.  

Our entire philosophy at CUPS is built around that approach, where we’re not only meeting the patient where they are at, but we’re listening to them and building support systems around them based on their individual needs. 

If your priority is finding a roof over your head and food to eat, then taxes aren’t even close to a top priority. But for low income individuals and families, filing taxes properly and on time is vital.

At CUPS, we work with all kinds of families. From single parent families, to large households of parents and children. Some need more support than others but the goal is to ensure that every family has whatever level of support they need for them. 

Managing diabetes can be challenging in the best circumstances. For many people experiencing homelessness who also have diabetes, an inconsistent diet and fluctuating living/sleeping arrangements can prove to make it an uphill battle.

Several organizations in the city have been working in tandem for years to combat the situation by providing shelter support for those who need it. CUPS Executive Director Carlene Donnelly says the sustainability of helping those in need comes through community partnerships forged with one common focus. 

CUPS has a longstanding partnership with the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UVCM) to provide free vet clinics to ensure client’s dogs and cats remain healthy and strong. 

December 21 is a long, dark night. In Calgary, the sun will set at 4:31 pm and not rise up again until 8:37 am. For those without a roof over their heads, that’s more than 16 hours of darkness until daylight returns.

Imagine being five years old and waking up on Christmas morning knowing there will be no gifts under the tree. Unfortunately, that is the reality for many children in Calgary.

Truth and Reconciliation is not about one day of reflection, it is a year-long conversation about acknowledging, establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

When you’re struggling with basic needs, mental health counselling is often low on the priority list. But counselling plays an important role in preventative mental health and CUPS is continuing to find ways to remove barriers and keep it accessible for those who need it most.

Sometimes reducing barriers for support and care comes down to the initial welcome to a physical space. For people who often feel judged and unworthy, a warm welcome starts a relationship off on a better foot.