Image: Our 2020 staff and volunteer photo, taken in December. Like the rest of the world, 2020 was one of the most challenging years we’ve had in our 50 year history. Thanks to the support and hard work of our staff, volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters, we got through 2020 and are poised to take on...
Image: ConnecTeen volunteers (Amy Li on the right) at the 2014 Calgary Hitmen game in support of ConnecTeen. There would be no Distress Centre without the original group of volunteers, so it seems only fitting that our 50th story focuses on our volunteers. What follows are a few volunteer highlights from 2010 to 2020. In 2011, ConnecTeen...
Distress Centre continues to support Calgarians by providing 24 hour crisis and 211 phone support, daily chat and ConnecTeen text support. Counselling sessions are being conducted by phone and video. Distress Centre Calgary/211 Alberta South phone services are available in over 200 languages, 24/7. If you need help, please reach out. Contact Numbers/Stats – January 26-November...
Image: A celebratory cake baked for the 2016 211 launch in Red Deer County. We’re celebrating 15 years of 211 Calgary! 211 launched in Calgary in 2005 as a partnership between Distress Centre Calgary, United Way of Calgary and Area and the City of Calgary. 211 Calgary is operated by Distress Centre. Since 2005, 211’s Community...
Image: The Distress Centre staff and volunteer team at Outrun the Stigma 2019. A partnership between many different organizations and individuals created the initial Drug Information Centre in 1970, and partnerships continue to be vital in enabling the current Distress Centre to serve the community. Some partnerships provide financial and personal support, while others provide joint...
Image: 211 staff celebrate with cake after we successfully renewed our AIRS accreditation. The 211 service continued to expand in the last decade. It is still free, multi-lingual, and confidential. Certified Community Resource Specialists answer 211 calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, helping callers find appropriate services and resources in their community. By...
Image: Joan Roy speaking at our 2014 Lend An Ear Breakfast. The unfortunate passing of Executive Director Carol Oliver brought a period of leadership instability to Distress Centre, until the Board appointed 25-year staff member Joan Roy to the ED position in June 2013. Joan recalls the offer: [caption id="attachment_20871" align="alignleft" width="385"] Joan Roy in 2001.[/caption] “I moved...
Distress Centre continues to support Calgarians by providing 24 hour crisis and 211 phone support, daily chat and ConnecTeen text support. Counselling sessions are being conducted by phone and video. With new cases and restrictions increasing, you may find your stress level are increasing as well. If you need help, please reach out. Up-to-date information is...
Image: The 2018-2019 Board of Directors at our 2018 Annual General Meeting. Over the last decade Distress Centre’s Board has kept to its governance role, with a focus on strategic planning. They defined the organization’s primary role as crisis intervention, and with support from major funders FCSS and United Way, they advocated that Distress Centre’s crisis...
Image: On June 2, 2017, SORCe was honoured with a Community Justice Award from Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. The award recognizes excellence and innovation in community partnerships, in the areas of victims’ services, youth justice, restorative justice and other crime-prevention efforts. In 2013, Distress Centre returned to its 1970 street-level roots by offering a walk-in...
