In Week 25 of our COVID-19 response, we continue to support Calgarians by providing 24/7 crisis and 211 phone support, daily chat and ConnecTeen text support. Counselling sessions are being conducted by phone and video. If you need help, please reach out. We’re proud that we’ve been able to support Calgarians through such a difficult time....
The Shaw Charity Classic has unfortunately been cancelled this year, but Shaw is committed to continuing the tournament’s legacy of giving. They have generously launched a text-to-donate matching campaign - Chip in for Kids! Chip in for Kids today by texting KIDS084 to 30333 and help us support teens in distress through our ConnecTeen program. Shaw...
Image: Teen Line volunteers in 1996. The Teen Line was still going strong in 1990/91 with a new 264-TEEN phone number and almost 5000 calls being answered by 28 volunteers (average age 18.5). Public education delivered by staff and volunteers included youth and parent presentations, as well as school and mall displays. Krista Moroz, former Teen Line...
Image: From a newspaper in the early '90s. A second major focus for Distress Centre/Drug Centre leadership in the '90s came from both the Board and funders. In order to maximize the use of resources and eliminate duplication of services, collaboration between social support agencies in servicing clients needed to be demonstrated in order to receive...
Image: A musician performing at the 1993 Megathon. As requested by the Board, leadership began to look seriously at ways to raise funds internally. Volunteering at casinos was ongoing, raising $13,000 in 1990, rising to $65,000 in 1999. Megathons, where donors walked, jogged and rollerbladed to raise money, began in 1991 and continued through 1996. Barb...
Image: AADAC Chair presenting plaque to DC Board Chair, Dell Stephens in 1995. Funding was an ongoing issue for the Board in the 90s. Priorities stated by FCSS and the United Way inevitably impacted the agency’s future directions. Supporting agencies that were accessible by minority populations, meeting needs around an increased violence trend, and assessing if...
Image: From a summer newsletter in 1996. Meeting the specific needs of seniors for crisis intervention became the subject of discussion among senior-serving agencies and the City of Calgary starting in 1993. Distress Centre Board Chair Murray Young began looking for funding for a dedicated seniors’ line. In cooperation with the Kerby Centre, and jointly funded...
On March 17, Distress Centre moved from operating entirely on premises to operating entirely remotely for the initial phase of its emergency operations with no disruption to Distress Centre’s services. Distress Centre’s COVID-19 Response Team and all staff and volunteers have demonstrated an exceptionally high-level of commitment and passion for serving people in crisis and...
Image: Glenda Nyberg in her home in 2018. From the beginning, volunteers have been the backbone of Distress Centre’s service to the community. One of many individuals who have commented on their importance is Dr. Jackie Sieppert, Dean of Social Work at the University of Calgary and former Board Chair: “The organization would collapse without volunteers. You...
Image: Volunteers at the 1994 Christmas party. 150 volunteers were on the lines in 1990, with a new shift from 9 pm to 2 am added due to volume. The initial phone number from 1975, 266-1605, was still the place to call in a crisis. Drumheller joined with Banff and Canmore to use a 1-800 number...
