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Q2 Update from our Executive Director, Jerilyn Dressler

Q2 Update from our Executive Director, Jerilyn Dressler

See this update as a video!

Hello and good day everyone! I hope you are able to take some time to enjoy the summer weather, despite not being able to venture too far from home this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we move into the fifth month of the pandemic, I want to encourage you to check in with yourself. Take a minute – or better yet, 10 or 20 – to sit quietly and reflect on the pandemic so far, on how you are feeling and coping, and on what support you might need to improve or maintain how you are doing. If you need support, Distress Centre is here for you 24/7.

In the past several weeks we have noticed some troubling trends in our crisis data. While feelings of anxiety, depression, and social isolation/loneliness have been the top issues on our crisis services throughout the pandemic, Family, Parent/Child, and Intimate Partner Relationship issues have risen to become the 4th, 5th, and 6th top issues respectively. We know that this pandemic is hard. We know that being at home with your loved ones – no matter how much you love them – can be challenging. We also know that home isn’t a safe place to be for everyone. We hear you, we see you, and we are here to help when you need it, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

I am so proud of what Distress Centre staff and volunteers have been able to accomplish in the short period of time since the pandemic began. I continue to be amazed by the strength of resiliency of our staff, volunteers, and service users throughout this challenging time in our history.

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I am also amazed by what we as a community can do when we work together. Distress Centre is proud to work in partnership with many organizations, programs, and services in the Calgary area. We are working closely within our service delivery and funding partnerships and collaboratives to ensure Calgarians have access to the specialized help they need, when they need it. I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for our many partners, funders, donors, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders for everything they have done and continue to do to ensure that support is available during this pandemic.

We are stronger together, and we will get through this together.

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, Distress Centre Calgary would like to honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land, and who honour and celebrate this territory.