Fall 2016

Chris and Mit* and their two children, then 5 and 7 years of age, moved to Calgary from an eastern European country 4 years ago to escape the armed conflict and with hopes to make Canada their new home. The parents were excited to be members of the vibrant community of Calgary and their kids were looking forward to making new friends.

The family however was also aware that making a fresh start in a new place was not going to be an easy task. They visited many agencies looking for informa-tion about accessing public transit, housing, job searching, and their children’s education. Soon it was December and they were unsure how they could pro-vide Christmas for their kids. It was a stressful time.

Meanwhile, they learned about Closer to Home’s West Central Community Resource Centre (WCCRC). During one of their visits to the WCCRC, they learned about Closer to Home’s annual Adopt-a-Family initiative and decided to regis-ter. Fortunately, CTH was able to find a donor for the family.

When they found out that they were adopted, Chris and Mit could not be happier. “It was like somebody took the burden off our shoulders,” recalls Chris. They were so thankful.

The kids loved their Christmas gifts and so did the parents! But it meant more for the family. “We found a connection with the community. We noticed that Calgarians have warm hearts and they care about their fellow community members,” says Mit.

Story continues on page 2

1Closer to Home Community Services, 3507A 17 Avenue SW Calgary, AB T3E 0B6, (403) 543-0550, www.closertohome.com, reception@closertohome.com

Empowering Families to Stay Together

Adopt-a-Family Helping Connect Families with Communities

2 Closer to Home | Fall 2016

Continued from Page 1......

Fast forward three years. Chris and Mit are deeply engaged in their community. Mit volunteers in various programs at the WCCRC including Family Café, a joint program with Brown Bagging and Women’s Group. Chris also serves as a board member at their community association.

They were moved and inspired by the support they received and that is why they committed to giving back to the community.

“Mit is like a goodwill ambassador for us and does not hesitate to jump in and offer us help whenever we need it. The couple’s contribution to the agency is exemplary because not everyone can be so dedicated like Chris and Mit,” says Minoush, Program Coordinator at the WCCRC.

Would you like to connect more families like Chris and Mit with their communities? Register for Adopt-a-Family by com-pleting the donation form on this page or register by visiting our website at www.closertohome.com. * Names changed to protect privacy

Donor Registration Form Adopt-a-Family 2016

Presented By McQuiston Executive Wealth Group

Fill out the following form to register as a donor for Closer to Home’s Adopt-a-Family initiative. Please return your completed form to Closer to Home by email at aaf@closertohome.com, fax to (403) 246-6406 ATTN: Jessica Melnychuk, or mail your form and donation to: Closer to Home Community Services, c/o: Adopt-a-Family, 3507A-17 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 0B6. Please return your form by Friday December 2, 2016.

Contact Name Business Title

Company Name Mailing Address (incl. unit #)

City Province Postal Code

Primary Phone # Home Cell Work Email Address

Please review the Gift Value Guidelines on the right side of this page and select a family size that fits with your budget.

Small Family (2-3 family members) Medium Family (4-5 family members) Large Family (6+ family members)

I would like to shop for my adopted family. I understand in-kind donations are not eligible for a tax receipt.

I would like to make a financial donation and have a Closer to Home volunteer shop for my adopted family on my behalf. I understand that financial donations are eligible for a tax receipt.

Please Note: A processing fee of $25 is required to help implement the Adopt-a-Family initiative and to support Closer to Home’s work of improving the lives of families year-round. This donation is eligible for a tax receipt.

Adopt-a-Family Processing Fee $___25.00_

Financial Donation (Optional) Based on the family size I have chosen and the Gift Value Guidelines, my donation is:

$________

Grand Total $ ________

Method of Payment

My cheque payable to ‘Closer to Home Community Services’ is enclosed. I would prefer to use my credit card.* *For credit card donations, Closer to Home will contact you to verify information and process your donation through the CanadaHelps website (www.canadahelps.org).

Credit Card Information

Credit Card Type Visa MasterCard Amex

Cardholder Name _________________________________________________________

Daytime Phone ______________________ Alternate Phone ____________________

AAFNO32016

SECTION A: Donor Information

SECTION D: Donation Information

SECTION E: Payment Options

SECTION C: Shopping & Donation Preference

SECTION B: Family Size

Community Teaching HomesA Safe Haven for Children and Youth

3Closer to Home | Fall 2016

Imagine…

What would it feel like to be separated from your family, moved to a different home and surrounded by other children and adults you didn’t know?

For many of the youth referred to Closer to Home’s Community Teaching Homes, the experience can be very difficult. Their entire world has been torn apart, and they might be feeling angry and alone, like they have nowhere to turn and no one to talk to. Because of the stress and trauma of their situation, they may have a difficult time dealing with their emotions.

Closer to Home works hard to give these youth a sense of stability and belonging during this transitional period in their lives. Our Community Teaching Homes are a special kind of group care that provides a safe haven for children and teenagers who’ve experienced significant trauma in their lives.

Children and their families come to us for many different reasons. They may be experiencing mental health concerns, addiction, poverty, abuse, neglect or a multitude of other issues. Raising a family isn’t easy, but Closer to Home is here to help.

Our Community Teaching Homes are family-style and community-based. Whenever possible, we have Teaching Par-ents who live in the home.

Teaching Parents work closely with youth to ensure they have the support, skills and confidence to tackle life’s chal-lenges and reach their full potential. They go on vacations with the children, enjoy outings together, and as much as possible, they do everything a typical family would. They help children and youth find a sense of belonging, build their confidence, discover their potential, and realize they have an incredible future ahead of them.

You can help.

Please consider making a donation today to support children and families who have hit a speedbump in their lives. You can fill out the form on page 4, or sign up online at www.closertohome.com.

Closer to Home would like to recognize our supporters for the last quarter (July 1, 2016 - September 30, 2016)

Thank You!

4

Alggin Employees * Barb Henning * Beth Haverslew * Beverly and Larry Flug * Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids * Calgary Food Bank * City of Calgary * Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank * Denise Kisilevich * Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church * Eric Lumsden * Erin O’Reilly * Foundation Relations, Alberta Health Services * Geoffrey and Marilyn McMillan * Glamorgan Bakery * Grady Hamilton * Imperial * Jennifer Head Jessica Melnychuk * John Wilbeck * Justin Senft * Karen Olivier * Kate Andrews * Kevin and Melodie Haughton * Kids Up Front Foundation * Laura Sletmoen * Laurie Saelhof Leftovers Foundation * MEG Energy Corp. * MiBox Calgary* Minoush Rafie * Nicole Jordan * Prakash Thapaliya * Rejeanne Bischoff * SPUD.CA * Theatre Calgary * Warren Andrukow * Sponsor Energy * Wildrose Brewery Ltd.

And many donors who choose to remain Anonymous.

Closer to Home | Fall 2016

Foster ParentThis is a full-time live-in position (24 hours a day) in your own home for an individual or couple looking to have a positive and lasting impact on children and their families. Foster Parents’ primary objective is to provide specialized, family-based care for children who may otherwise be placed in more restrictive programs, follow all legislative and agency mandated policies and procedures involved in the care of foster children, as well as participate fully in the process of family reunification, when possible.

Adopt-a-Family Volunteer Gift Shopper

In this volunteer position, gift shoppers will work with CTH staff to purchase gifts for low-income families in the Calgary community during our annual Adopt-a-Family initiative. Shifts will be approximately 3-4 hours each during the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas (Dec 5th – 22nd, 2016), based on your availability.

For detailed information on above positions or to check out more career and volunteer opportunities, please visit our website at www.closertohome.com.

Method of Payment: My cheque made payable to “Closer to Home Community

Services” is enclosed.

I would prefer to use my credit card.

Cardholder Name

Card #

Exp /

Cardholder Signature

I would like to remain anonymous, please do not recognize my name in the Donor Recognition section of CTH publications such as this quarterly newsletter.

I w o uld l I k E T o Emp o w Er c h I ldr E n , y o u T h and F am I l IE S .

I would like to make a MonTHlY GiFT of: $100/mth $20/mth $10/mth Other $ /mth

OR, here is my SinGle GiFT of:

$500 $200 $75 Other $

Name

Address

City Prov Postal Code

Phone #

Email

Please return your completed form to: 3507A 17 Ave SW Calgary, Alberta T3E 0B6 Or fax your completed form to (403) 246-6406

Questions? Contact us at (403) 543-0550 Ext. 250www.closertohome.com | Charitable Registration Number 89823 5759 RR0001N032016

For credit card donations, we will call you to verify information and process your dona-tion through CanadaHelps (www.canadahelps.org). Ph: _____________________

yES,

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