Volume 2 Issue 9 • May 2020
published by ZX Media Corporation
WE’RE INNOVATING!
Inventures is more than a great conference filled with great programming – it’s an opportunity to build networks, strike deals and launch creative ideas into overdrive. Even though we can’t meet in person in 2020, we’re pulling out all the stops to ensure creative collisions still happen.
Introducing Inventures Unbound
We’re putting in place the ultimate platform for innovators, investors and industry to share, inspire and interconnect virtually, including streamed events, access to experts, pitch events and much more.
Innovation is about pushing beyond boundaries. Join us at Inventures Unbound.
Visit InventuresUnbound.com for more information.
Engage. Inspire. Educate. Together. COMMUNITY
BUSINESS
University of Alberta Researchers in Race Against Time to Create COVID-19 Vaccine 5
Peer Guidance and Friends
24
On Children
7
Community Business
27
What COVID-19 Story are you Writing?
8
Featuring: Lenneal Howden, Stacey Madden and Monica Kretschmer
Perspective on Trauma, Connection and Resilience in Challenging Times
13
Running
17
The Best Way to Predict the Future is to Create it
20
Community Organization feature
38
Don’t Ignore Your Engine Light
22
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs
40
All You Need Is Love and a Community in a Pandemic
45
COMMUNITY Community Bulletin Board
36
Support Local Community
Krista Malden & Kenzie Webber
publisher@communitynowmagazine.com
CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS VOLUME 2 ISSUE 9 Jill Quirk
Koleya Karrington
Zanika Malden
Déborah Nichol
Diane Swiatek
Nicole Langton
Les Mottosky
SheInnovates
Jade Alberts
Tracy Beairsto
Alberta Innovates
Wayne Steer
Heloise Lorimer/ STEAM Team
Vanisha Breault Rea Hailley
Subscribe for your free issue of Community Now! at www.communitynowmagazine.com Copyright 2019 ZX Media Corporation, Calgary Alberta Canada Community Now! Magazine Copyright 2018, published by ZX Media Corporation. Volume 2 Issue 9 | May 2020 All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher and writer.
“It Takes a Village” Thank you to ALL the frontline workers, hospital staff, nurses, doctors, truck drivers, retail workers, teachers, researchers, transit drivers, delivery people, care workers, farmers, volunteers, janitors.....along with everyone else who is helping the community stay safe.
Let’s All do our part. 4 // Community Now!
University of Alberta researchers in race against time to create COVID-19 vaccine
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Dr. Michael Houghton
n the movies, scientists race against time to find a vaccine or cure for a contagion. In the real world so, too, are scientists working around the clock across the globe to combat COVID-19 – including Alberta. Researchers in our province have joined the global effort, funded through a partnership between the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Alberta Innovates. One such researcher is Dr. Michael Houghton, director of the University of Alberta’s Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, part of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, a worldclass centre of excellence. Dr. Houghton is internationally renowned for his co-discovery of the hepatitis C virus in 1989 and for his work in developing a hep C vaccine. Houghton joined the University of Alberta when the Li Ka Shing institute was founded in 2010. Since its beginning, the virology institute also has been supported by Alberta Innovates, the University of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta.
Houghton has been working with his distinguished U of A colleague Dr. Lorne Tyrrell to develop their hep C vaccine and bring it into widespread use. Houghton also developed a promising vaccine for SARS in 2004 in just one year, but it did not go into full production once the SARS virus was contained. Now, Houghton and Tyrrell, along with their talented team of researchers at the U of A, have received $750,000 in total funding from the CIHR and Alberta Innovates to support their efforts to develop a vaccine for COVID19. “We’re in a situation obviously where millions of people are being infected with COVID-19 and a frightening projection from the U.S. that 200,000 people might die.… That is really sobering when you hear projections like that. So obviously the risk (of COVID-19) is huge,” Houghton says.
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(continued from page 5...) National Partnership Tim Murphy, Vice President of Health Innovation at Alberta Innovates, says the organization recognizes and supports the excellent work being done by Houghton and his team during this global pandemic. “Our partnership with CIHR allows us to ensure that our investments in COVID-19 activities are connected nationally and leveraged against the tremendous resources being deployed at a federal level.” Houghton says University of Alberta researchers are well-positioned to develop an effective vaccine against COVID-19 in a relatively short time period. He notes that his team has been able to build on past successes with the hep C vaccine and they also have access to critical facilities at the U of A. These include a Level 3 containment lab and a certified GMP (good manufacturing practice) facility for production of vaccine for clinical trials. “I’m hoping we can have some clinical material with which we can go into Phase 1 clinical testing at the end of this year, approximately…. I think we have the ability to do it,” to develop a vaccine that would be acceptable to Health Canada, he says. “I’m not exaggerating – we have a unique combination of access to state-of-the-art research, biological development and a GMP facility to enable us to do the research, to develop it for human use, both in the vaccine and in the therapeutic fields. Solutions take time “It’s not common, even in the United States. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a university that has all of those boxes ticked.”
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Matthias Ruth, Vice-President Research and Innovation at the University of Alberta, says vaccines and treatments are not overnight sensations. “It takes time. Time to understand a virus and the disease it causes, and time to understand the complexities of human biology and immune responses. It also takes significant expertise in many fields, advanced research facilities and equipment.” Ruth says the university has about 30 projects underway including vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and more projects in development. “We are ready to fight COVID-19 because of the significant investments we have made in expertise and cutting-edge research infrastructure, built over decades with provincial and federal government, industry, private and philanthropic support. This pandemic truly illustrates why research is both a critical need and an essential service, and how sustained investment and collaboration are so crucial.” Houghton says if his team’s “spike protein” vaccine is approved by Health Canada, the U of A’s GMP facility, called the Alberta Cell Therapy Manufacturing (ACTM) group led by Dr. Greg Korbutt, has the capability of manufacturing enough vaccine for all Albertans. Partnering with large vaccine manufacturers would make enough coronavirus vaccine available for all Canadians and beyond. While everyone wants to see the pandemic contained through social distancing as soon as possible, the virus has so far proven to be a serious global threat that continues to grow. “The more vaccine candidates there are available, the better and faster our chances will be to defeat the coronavirus and this global pandemic,” says Murphy of Alberta Innovates.
ON CHILDREN
Kahlil Gibran, Writer, 1883-1931 • Your children are not your children. • They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. • They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. • You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. • You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. • You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. • You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. • The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. • Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; • For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable. For too many decades we have thought parents needed professional people who write books to teach us how to parent. When my daughters were very young, I stumbled upon this writing by Kahlil Gibran. It profoundly changed my perspective on how we see children we bring into this world. It also shares the incredible opportunity we have to recognize them as persons.
Marilyn Dyck
Our role is the honor of facilitating their growth to be who they are. In turn, they bring their gifts to their world, their family and their community. NOW! \\ 7
WHAT COVID-19 STORY ARE YOU WRITING? Tracy Beairsto
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“
There was a musical
many years ago called
‘Stop the World…. I Want To Get Off’, and COVID19 stopped the world!”
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here are stories in your life that stick with you, whether you consciously realize it or not. Lately, I have been thinking of many – The Sword of Damocles; Lord of The Flies; I Am Legend; The Diary of Anne Frank; Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; and more importantly, the stories of my parents and how they lived through two World Wars and The Great Depression as they grew up in Saskatchewan, were married in 1935 and lived in this last century of rapid change. …. Well, you are getting my train of thought. Because, my train of thoughts are on so many tracks now that I have a picture in my mind of all those confused tracks running into one another in my amygdala, reptilian brain and causing a large crash.
Let me start by also saying that I realize how fortunate my life has been – how privileged, in many ways, how spoiled, as some would say, and in many ways, also how clear it has been on the tracks that my life could follow – and that I also actually had choices about what tracks to take. But, when it comes down to it, as grateful as I am every single second of my life and that I try to live my life that way, I am still confused and amazed as to how I am living with and reacting to COVID-19. And I
the earth from that, like less pollution, but that seems to be made up by the proliferation of mind pollution rampaging through the internet. Hopefully, these words aren’t in that category for you, but I am only trying to point out that we are all having to take the time to think about a lot of things now that we really did our best to either avoid thinking about, or just wanted to deny, or, for some of us, wanted to control how and when we did think about it. And of course, there is always
know that I am not the only one feeling this way about this situation!
a percentage of the population who refuse to think about pretty much anything at all, because well, it’s easier, safer and there is just too much confusion out there anyways. I know there are many that just want it all back the way it was. We are all questioning a lot of things we took for granted and are worried about what we can do about any and all of this. And we look to those we hope can help us make sense of this, whether the provincial health authority, various levels of our elected governments, religious leaders, news outlets, friends and others, as we try to create a frame of reference that helps us cope with a rapidly evolving global pandemic.
I know that COVID-19’s out there. I read the news and try to distill the politics out of it (because that part is only about how we all choose to interpret and frame what we are hearing), trying to understand the facts of COVID-19, trying to understand a situation that I have never really “seen” in my lifetime before on the scale that it is unfolding. I may not be going to the physical funerals of thousands of people who have died to know that this is happening, I may be only connected through TV and the internet; but I am seeing that there are far less real human activities going on as I look outside my window than what I saw only a few short months ago, and I know that the purposes of those activities are derailed for pretty much the entire population where I live. I see the changes in how we are practising social distancing, whether out for a walk or going to the store or the bank. And the most jarring thing is that I don’t see schoolchildren at the school around the corner, I don’t hear laughter or their voices as they play, I hear the birds very clearly now on my walks. I hear the silence very clearly now. There was a musical many years ago called “Stop the World…. I Want To Get Off”, and COVID-19 stopped the world! Okay, there have been some good effects physically on
And now, most of us are at home (however that can be defined) and our physical sphere of influence and interaction have physically shrunk so that we are faced with feeling more alone and isolated. Our society is shrinking from some larger groups with certain shared goals that we have used to define ourselves individually and collectively – whether that includes the constructs of politics, religion, occupation and financial wealth, abilities (like sports), whatever labels we have adopted in our survival as part of our collective societies – whatever we have, as societies, constructed to try to take some of the mystery out of our existence and deal with the power and creation (continued on next page) NOW! \\ 9
(continued from page 9...) of the lives we live everyday. We are now down to that small space we are quarantined in and living more consciously with the only defining factor that truly matters (and if you think the rest of it does, then you are missing the point of this article). We are now down to truly being human. We are now facing our humanity and, unlike the devastation of a nuclear war, we now have the actual time to think about it. And, we are, thanks to the communication systems we have available, actually able to be physically isolated and yet, face this together in meaningful, emotional ways. Hmmmm. Well, so how do we take responsibility for that humanity as we try to cope today with this change and all the other changes that are coming? And believe me, there are a lot of changes that are coming – the world will not be able to blithely return to how it has been in many ways without recognizing a number of derailments or new tracks of opportunity along the way – at the very least, there will be a focus on ventures that look to help us deal with our physical humanity and, as importantly, our social. That will happen for awhile and like all good exercises that help us overcome our affliction, once that pain and uncertainty goes away, it will be up to us whether or not we continue with the good habits we can form now to deal with that pain, or go back to waiting for this to start all over again. What stories are we writing and going to write about this time and experience that other generations will learn and remember? What stories are you writing, because whether or not you are thinking about, your life is your story… and it is important to many, especially to those who are now closest in your space seeing you from wake up until bedtime. 10 // Community Now!
“
You are allowed to have a few chapters where you have to learn, fail, wail, get up and try again until you succeed.”
It’s not that we all haven’t been writing, i.e. living, our stories. I have also been thinking about the Zombie Apocalypse movies – how do we stop the zombie apocalypse of the mind – oh, some of us are truly going to be physically changed – there are antibodies that are now parts of the biological systems of hundreds of thousands of people. That I know is happening and will happen. But are we going to be zombies, so to speak, in our lives now and going forward? Are we going to tune out to the stories of more COVID deaths, are we going to train our minds to have that escape that we are all craving right now, whether that is through movies or internet conspiracy theories? What truth are we going to imagine and write, even if that truth is somehow still only our own? How are we going to write it? What emotion and experience are we going to write about? What is important to you at this time and what is keeping you resilient, hopeful, moving forward when we feel that our movement is lately simply a circle we are walking in the house?
What new dreams and realities are we building today, out of our fear and confusion; what are we building through hope (and hopefully, we are not out of hope)? Can we each be responsible enough to wake up from the almost paralyzing uncertainty (and remember, in a way, we are somewhat paralyzed right now) and find new and good ways to help ourselves and each other? Carry on the meaningful and impactful ways we have learned to live together and build in our co-creation? I do believe that I am only 50% responsible for yours and my relationship (most of the time), but I am 100% responsible for my own behaviour. So, I guess, all I can be concentrating on at this time is my own behavior and my choices to help myself and others, and how I maintain old and co-create new relationships. I have often felt depressed and sad about those who
stones have been upended, those who don’t know how they are going to find an economic rebound or are thinking about the destitution that may result, those who are part of governments struggling to find the best solutions they can to deal with the short-term and know that the long-term ramifications will be felt by us all for some time. This is not me complaining, that is hard to do when there are people out there doing 14 hour shifts and risking their lives. I am concerned for those health care and front line workers who must be terrified as to what this will mean for themselves personally and those they love, but at the same time are bravely dealing with the unknowns and trying to put their training to good use. I applaud them every night at 7 P.M. loudly with a ladle and a pan. I cry the tears with them when I know that these health care workers
are without jobs, those who are dying without the comforts of their families, those who are dealing with the uncertainty of surviving a disease that will have ravaged their systems and changed their futures, those who are young and whose rites of passage and mile-
are compassionate enough to stand in for the family members who can’t hold the hands of their dying loved ones. I appreciate each and every one of those who understand that their (continued on next page) NOW! \\ 11
(continued from page 11...) humanity can make a difference on our souls as well as our bodies, or our community safety, ensuring the delivery of our food, water and other utilities and otherwise are part of the systems that maintain us, or helping to assure and assuage our overall collective states of mind. And I get so overwhelmed sometimes that I zombie down to the despair that we are all thinking and feeling at this time, sometimes for hours on end. Then I remember, I may only have so long to be here. The sword seems a lot closer to the top of my head. But, we do have to acknowledge our emotions in all of this in some way in order to deal with those emotions, we just can’t let them get the better of us. The point of the story of the Sword of Damocles was that someone (Dionysius) wanted to trade places with Damocles and have his wonderful life in the royal court in which Damocles lived. When he took the place of Damocles, Dionysius saw that for all of those wonderful things available to Damocles, there was still an ever-present danger. A sword hung over the head of Damocles throughout his life, the sword suspended by a slim thread, ready to fall and kill him instantly at any moment. Some say the moral was that it wasn’t easy living with the threat under which a powerful person lives. But, we are ALL powerful and yes, the same sword hangs over all of us, we are just finding this sword harder to ignore at this time. While the collective power of our societies (through education, government, communication and so on), will be chugging ahead in any event, we are on a track together and that is how it goes. But, your life and the choices you make are still all your own – that is your individual human power. So, start simply, take all the reproving judgement out of it (as most of that judgement 12 // Community Now!
comes from those doing nothing anyways), think about who you are and what you care about doing and what you can do. What story are you writing for your children now? You are allowed to have a few chapters where you have to learn, fail, wail, get up and try again until you succeed, and they have to see that so that they can handle their turn. We all need to learn together too. We all have to learn to be resilient together and help each other up from this. Even if it seems trivial, even if others will say, oh, that wasn’t important to the world and that is soooo shallow, well, you are doing way more than those people who are condemnatory right now. We are all worried and frightened at this time. So have compassion now for yourself and others. They have just forgotten that the process of living life through love and compassion is a result all in itself. That’s our humanity. Find your own ways to take that compassion and hope and turn it into something better for yourselves and all of us as best you can. That’s our humanity. What stories are we writing together as a community? Isn’t the process of that community action also providing us with more steadfast hope and resilience in facing COVID-19 together? That’s our humanity. Even though we write our personal stories by living every day, we will look back at this time and remember those personal and community stories more vividly, they will carry greater weight and have greater meaning to those who remember, including you. That’s our humanity. And even though, we don’t know the actual ending, write your story. That’s your humanity. It’s a story that I and others can’t wait to read.
PERSPECTIVE ON TRAUMA, CONNECTION AND RESILIENCE IN CHALLENGING TIMES
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by Wayne Steer
My work experience has taught me that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but rather connectedness, for addiction is a disease of isolation.
I
preface this article with the fact that while, for the past ten years I have worked for one of the foremost addiction treatment centres in Canada (Fresh Start Recovery Centre), my views do not necessarily reflect those of Fresh Start. Most of the staff who work at Fresh Start have firsthand, lived experience from having walked the road of recovery that others come to the facility to follow in their footsteps. I am merely a “Normie in a rehab - or more correctly - recovery world” who has picked up valuable life lessons from my experience over this decade. (continued on next page) NOW! \\ 13
(continued from page 13...) ‘You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.’ ~ Charlie Tremendous Jones I must also say that I am a long-time member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and my work involves meeting with kind and generous people who wish to make a difference in the world by giving gifts of time, talent and treasure to “change the world with a giving heart” (phrase borrowed from National Philanthropy Day Celebrations®). Where I work and the work that I do gives me a tremendous glimpse into the kindness of humanity and the variety and depth of that kindness. ‘Kindness is the glue that holds community and humanity together’ ~ Wayne Steer, #GivingTuesdayNOW 2020 I am no stranger to trauma and know that much of my ability to cope with what sometimes seems like insurmountable odds has been tempered by where I work, my coworkers and the people that I serve with their constant pursuit – ideally – of abstinence using a 12-step approach. As Calgarians, we have had our share of ups and downs and it seems as though during those down times are when we have been able to rally and come together to gain strength as a community. “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche. In 2013 you may recall the floods from June 20th that rushed in and devastated communities along Bow and Elbow Rivers. How Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s call to action filled 14 // Community Now!
McMahon Stadium beyond capacity with tens of thousands of volunteers, all eager to help folks affected by the flood dig out and rebuild. You may also recall a pivotal moment when it seemed that only by some miracle could the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede take place. Then a pivotal moment came when, then Calgary Stampede President, Bob Thompson made the announcement that the Stampede would go on “come Hell or High Water”. The miracle did happen and two weeks and a day after fish and flood waters filled the Calgary Saddledome, the same venue was filled with cowboy boots and bandannas and “the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” was underway as though nothing had happened. ‘True courage is being afraid, and going ahead and doing your job anyhow, that’s what courage is. ... In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still.’ ~ General Norman Schwarzkopf, Ret. It appears the old Western Spirit, borne out of the reality that survival, depends
on an openness to rely on and be there for your neighbour in a harsh climate. We have demonstrated that this spirit lives strong here in Calgary and the time-honoured tradition of neighbours helping neighbours has been passed down from generation to generation and also been adopted by people who are new to the city who get caught up in the “neighbourly fever”. A with the 2013 floods, history has shown that we physically and emotionally come together in times of trauma and need. All this was true and then, suddenly the worldwide reality and impact of the COVID19 pandemic hit. Now that physical connection has been broken by order of law in order to stop the spread of the virus. The side effect is to force people either to become more socially distant or to adapt and find new ways to become more connected without becoming closer physically.
“Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual. Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god.” ~ Aristotle My work experience has taught me that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but rather connectedness, for addiction is a disease of isolation. This down time seems to present a significantly more formidable challenge for those in recovery or those needing recovery services. ‘Most emergencies bring people together. This one is driving us apart, which is a particular challenge to any alcoholic.’ ~ David, communications chair for Alcoholics Anonymous in the Greater Toronto Area (continued on next page) NOW! \\ 15
(continued from page 15...) Isolation, feelings of despair and depression are fertile breeding grounds for those with addictive tendencies to transform distraction into dependence. CAMH reports the connection between addiction and mental illness to be very tight as those with a mental illness are twice as likely to have a substance use problem compared with the general population and people with substance use problems are up to three times more likely to have a mental illness. Prolonged physical isolation and distancing risks creating a mental health tsunami. When things seem bad, try to put it in perspective that this is only a temporary – albeit somewhat prolonged temporary – condition and it will not last forever. ‘If You’re Going Through Hell, Keep Going’ ~ Winston Churchill There are things you can do to help you maintain your Physical health: • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water. • Get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. • Exercise daily, preferably outside while practicing physical distancing guidelines • Take deep breath’s and stretch – meditation and yoga are excellent activities for this • Avoid risky or destructive behaviors, such as abusing alcohol or drugs, excessive gambling or ignoring public health recommendations.
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As well as your Mental health: • Create and follow a routine at home. • Focus on things you can control (“Serenity Prayer”) • Keep in contact with your friends and family • Focus on the NOW and consider what you are grateful for • Listen to music or read books. • Avoid things that agitate you • Connect with your personal beliefs and spirituality. • Be of service to others • Recognize and thank others for what they are doing to help ‘Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do!’ ~ Dr. Robert Schuller. Although we must honor the physical distancing measures in place, and some of the courageous acts are impossible – no 2020 Stampede - we can adapt and reclaim or recover some of that Western Spirit. With a little bit of faith, hope gratitude and ingenuity and with the help of some of the real time, interactive communications platforms to keep us connected, we can reduce social isolation, maintain better mental health, ward off addiction and build up our resiliency – individually and collectively. To quote a common recovery saying
“This too shall pass”
~ translated medieval Persian saying.
RUNNING For your mental health Vanisha Breault
“If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
T
his quote was made for me and has mirrored my life in many ways and through many seasons.
health. Running has been the cheapest and most accessible form of therapy I have ever encountered.
I have found in my life that my mind has been the biggest battle I have had to face or had to face in doing or accomplishing anything; running was and is no different. I have had a long-standing love affair with running for just over 13 years now. I run all year long and always outside and yes even through the winter and even when it is cold.
Running supported me while I overcame a dependence on alcohol several years ago. There was a time I did not think I could go 24 hours without drinking; running along with some additional supports helped me to overcome my cravings and gave me the courage to stay sober for that day…eventually all of my “one day’s” have added up to many days.
For me, running became a metaphor for my life very early on. Five months into my newfound love of running my marriage was hit by a massive tsunami that wiped us out. Running was one of those things that held me up and kept me moving forward and has continued to be one of the biggest tools I have used when it comes to my mental and emotional
The benefits of running or learning to run are numerous, but the mental and emotional benefits of having running in your back pocket as a tool to use whenever you need it; say like a global pandemic or something super cata-
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(continued from page 17...) strophic like that can literally be what pulls you through and gets you to the other side. I learned to run, I’ll be honest here, my first few attempts and weeks at learning to run were incredibly pathetic, I didn’t know I was learning anything all I knew was that I desperately needed to get out of the house with my 2 small boys at that time and so began our journey with me pushing two little toddlers in a baby stroller (I leaned heavily on that stroller) I couldn’t “run” past 20 seconds and my early runs looked a lot like walking with these intermittent spurts of frantic movement and a lot of heavy breathing. But then one day the magic happened and suddenly I was running without stopping. I could not believe it; I had become a runner!
walk/run at least 3 times a week. On your next outdoor walk, you can attempt to add in small spurts of a light or slow jog, get a little shuffle going. The biggest thing to remember is to learn to listen to your body, how does it feel, what is it saying to you. Given there will be some adjustments that you will have to regulate and overcome, especially if you have been non active for awhile or if there are other issues that your mitigating with your physical body- even those will improve over time. The main thing to remember is just don’t quit, both your mental health and physical health will improve as the days move into weeks with consistent effort as you learn to walk/ run. The Benefits of Running for your Mental Health: • Decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety
If you are reading this and thinking of a thousand different reasons why you cannot run, I hope that I might encourage you to rethink some things. I truly believe everyone can run, all it takes is a beginning and we all have a beginning when we start something new. Your head might be telling you your too over-
• Improves your learning ability/clearer thinking
weight to run, your too old, to busy, no time and the list can go on and on.
• Boosts self-esteem/confidence
The best way to learn how to run is to walk. If possible, I would encourage individuals to get outside, we are fortunate that spring has finally sprung here and so what a great time to get outside and start this new journey of learning to run. Give yourself a window of about 20-30 minutes to just enjoy being outdoors, get some fresh air. Maybe your first time out you walk the whole time; awesome! I will guarantee you that even a 20-30 minute walk outside will having you feeling better, more energetic and thinking clearer. Aim to
What You Need to Start Running:
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• Sharpens your memory • Protects the brain from aging • Improves sleep/supports better sleeping habits
• Reduces Stress/Improves your mood
• Good shoes • Comfortable clothing (dress in layers/ weather appropriate) • Water bottle Try not to get caught up in having all the perfect gear before you start- I knew nothing about shoes or gear when I started, just get going and as you do you can begin to incorporate the better shoes and gear. Just start with what you have, trust the rest will come.
The Run-Walk Method:
Life is unpredictable, as the whole world has just recently been made aware of that fact with COVID-19. As much as we try to control our environments, our lives, our situations, families, work etc the truth is that control is out of our reach. Mentally and emotionally coming to grips with this fact and the current state of the world can be traumatizing for some and the feeling of not being in control can wreak havoc on our mental health. Exercise is a basic and fundamental resource for our entire physical and mental well being, yet we live in a world where for most people who are “adulting” exercise has been what we have sacrificed. The way to “armour up” against any battle in life that we face is to first take care of our mind, soul, spirit and body, running takes care of and provides the platform for all of that. The truth is we can learn to overcome any situation, obstacle that we are faced with. Resilience is built and running helps to build it. I have learned in my life through countless setbacks, obstacles and personal tsunamis that sometimes the worst things we go through can turn out to be the best things that ever happened to us.
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I hope you find some peace in all of this and through this and I hope to see you outside somewhere on the running trails and sidewalks of our great city. Take good care of yourselves and each other.
WWW.TERMINATORFOUNDATION.COM
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THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT Déborah Nichol
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” ~ Jack Kornfield.
T
he day the world stopped...what a crazy statement? Right? However, here we are, living this life that feels surreal. We are inundated with information coming from every direction. Some of these information sources are unhelpful and cause more stress and anxiety as if we don’t have enough to deal with already. So, what is helpful? How do we make it through when we can’t see the light at the end of it? What do we do when we feel like we have lost everything? How do we navigate this new reality? What does it mean for our kids, our businesses, our jobs? What is everything going to look like after, jeez, never mind
20 // Community Now!
after, how the hell am I going to get through the day? So far the consensus of coping is, baking to feel productive, Netflix binging to distract us, Wine and other beverages to feel like we can cope and of course eating our feelings, sometimes doing most of these while we zoom with friends and family. Don’t get me wrong, as I have been guilty of all of the above, but these things in great quantity actually keep us from acknowledging and addressing our feeling and emotions. Who cares? Well, you might want to...because the best way to not only survive this but figure out how to thrive from it.
When things are shitty in our outer world, it’s time to go inward...it is a perfect opportunity for us to lean it, feel what we are feeling and then course correct from there if needed. The best place to start is with our story of our inner critic, our self-criticism, self-judgement, we say to ourselves things we wouldn’t dream of saying to others. Why is this? It’s that little piece of us that never feels good enough, no matter what we accomplish in life. So, how do we start changing this bad habit? My answer would be self-compassion. Self-Compassion is learning to motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism. Self-compassion builds emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to recognize the places where we fall short of our expectations. When we are kinder and gentler to ourselves it opens the door for us to show that kind of compassion to others. The world needs us all to have a little more self-compassion. Years ago, I attended a workshop, during the workshop, the facilitator said: “ everything we don’t heal we pass onto our kids” These words rang in my ears and all I could think of at the time was “my kids are F@#%*^”. Self-compassion was non-existent in my world at the time, however, I was motivated to find a way to make sure I was passing along as many good things to my kids as I could. At the time I didn’t have enough worth and value to do it for myself but I could sure do it for my kids. A funny thing happened along the way, I found that having compassion for myself brought out so many great things, not only within myself but also in others. Here are a few things to stop that inner critic from ruling your life;
• Find a mantra, such as I am Enough, I Love & Trust Myself or anything that resonates with you. Post this mantra where you can see it. Whenever that inner critic shows up, say your mantra. You might be saying that mantra a hundred times a day. And although it might seem silly, it works. I wrote those 2 mantras on the palm of my hand every morning for a year, and still, use them today when needed. • Make a list of things you like about yourself. Use these things as a reminder of how absolutely fantastic you are. If you are having trouble with this, make a list of things you don’t like about yourself, then for each thing find the opposite of that. That’s one of the beautiful things in life is there is always something good. • Make a list of things that are stressing you out right now. When you finish, ask yourself these two questions? Is this in my control? Or is this out of my control? Write your answer beside each stressor. What this does is it gives us a complete view of our thoughts and feelings on the things that are causing us stress. It helps us see what we have control over and what we don’t. Then we can spend our time figuring out what we can do about the things we can control. Self-compassion alchemizes criticism, a secret magical tool for transformation. We may not have control over what’s happening in the world but we sure do have control over what story we are telling ourselves, how we react and what kind of experience we are having. Going forward the world will be happier and more successful with the growth of compassion.
NOW! \\ 21
DON’T IGNORE YOUR ENGINE LIGHT Rea Hailley
I
f you ignore the engine light in your car, you can be sure that you will have costly problems down the road. Our bodies are similar. Being aware of and working through your emotions shifts brain patterns that lead to negative thoughts such as fear, anxiety, anger, shame and depression. This is why I teach Emotional Freedom Technique (a.k.a. Tapping). It allows you to safely explore and feel your emotions so that you can finally release them. It also builds resilience, clarity, confidence and overall well-being. All you need to do is tap on specific meridian points (see chart in link) while thinking or verbalizing what is causing you emotional distress. Simply keep tapping until the intensity of the feeling diminishes. Sometimes this happens in minutes, other times, you may need to repeat if the emotion resurfaces. But, there will always be improvement. This is because, according to Harvard studies, stimulating these meridian points calms the amygdala and reduces cortisol levels. For how-to-videos, tapping scripts and other free resources, please visit mynewbeginning.ca/what-to-say-when-tapping/
22 // Community Now!
BUS USINESS INESS
SUCCESS IS NOT
FINAL FAILURE IS NOT FATAL IT IS THE COURAGE TO CONTINUE THAT
COUNTS
– WINSTON CHURCHILL
Support Local: running a business especially in challenging and uncertain times “takes a village” Business \\ 23
Advice from Peer Guidance and Friends Jade Alberts: Founder of Peer Guidance “Asking for help is not a sign of weakness”. I want everyone to remember that today and in the future. We are a strong knit community and there are many people out there that will help, all you have to do is ask. Please remember you are not alone #strongertogether Mo Aladin – Founder Big Sky HR / Owner of Montana’s in Alberta HR Advice In this new environment Leaders have 5 key items to focus on as it relates to their business and People. The Items are Support, Help, Asses, Return to Employment and Engage (SHARE). SUPPORT the people thru what the current environment will look like, are they going to be working from home?, will the business still be open? HELP in applying for CERB or EI, Job Share ideas, new tools needed for home, day care. ASSESS the sustainability of the business and the changing tide. What does the new workforce look like? RETURN to EMPLOYMENT, how does the subsidy from the government help, what is the timetable to the best of your knowledge? Finally, ENGAGE with teams to construct what the future may look as we get closer to reopening the doors. Koleya Karringten – CEO Founder Absolute Combustion Business Adaptation Turn this obstacle into an opportunity. Whatever industry
24 // Community Now!
you are in, you can adapt to the changing business landscape by looking at these three critical areas of your business. 1. Look at your cash flows and where you can make modifications. I know for many businesses were already operating pretty lean, but you would be amazed at how the small subscriptions and tiny payments can add up every month. 2. Take advantage of the government funding available, NRC-IRAP, BDC and banks all have opportunities for businesses to get additional funds at this time. 3. Take this time to streamline your business, were you taking advantage of technologies that could automate time-consuming business processes? Were you using social media and online tools to grow your sales funnel? Now is the time to take a look at how new technologies can support your business and save you cash flows long term. Dafne Canales Lees – Founder Spartan Spark Marketing Marketing We’ve all been on the defence trying to save our businesses, trying to figure out what to do, and now is the time to start your offence. What that means is being part of the conversation in a really empathetic way. It’s no longer about B2B or B2C — it’s human-to-human
marketing. Get your CEO out from behind her desk and get her speaking about what your company is doing; what’s happening behind the scenes. Start telling your story. It’s an amazing time to be online. It’s all about being super empathetic about what’s happening around you, with “experience sharing” and thought leadership to bring visibility to you and your company Peter LaFontaine Win Helix - Founder Philanthropist Social Good Doer
Profitable Businesses) can be an important part of the model going forward. Without a doubt human’s are social creatures and living in isolation will not last at least for the crop of humans I know. One way to battle covid is to become healthy and stay healthy. Become a healthier herd. Build communities that focused on mental and physical health, family, community work, self reliance and honest leadership. Dean Kendall – Author of Hidden Investment Fees / Founder Ideal Life Experience
Time to think! Communities have become more important than ever. If Covid 19 has shown us one thing it is that we have become reliant on international goods and services including our basic needs: food, energy, health products and even control over our own money supply in Canada. Temporarily shutting down the economy has exposed just how reliant / dependant / addicted we are. For years we have watched, and participated in big store, big bank, big farm, big energy, off-shore manufacturing, big lives, big money and big government crushing local markets, entrepreneurs, services. Our healthcare system has been constructed to catch you when you have fallen to your weakened inflamed immune system and has catered to big pharma and a pill for everything. We have become tolerant of corrupt war lord leaders who steal from their own communities and evict or kill their own people. Covid 19 had nothing to do with this. Frankly, we’ve been on a pretty crazy ride for many years. It is time to re-think what we do going forward. Without suggesting I have all the answers, likely self contained family structured communities are a big part of our future. Social Enterprises, (Purpose,
Financial Many people are struggling with a significant financial issue in their life, whether it is a cash flow issue, lay-offs, divorce, stock market or investment uncertainty, spouses disagreeing about money or other financial issues exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis. It may be time to hit the RESET button and focus on what you can control. In order to move forward confidently, you need a crystal clear vision of your desired future, focusing on the things that truly matter most to you, like health and family. It may be a time to reassess our material lives and focus on what is realistic and practical given the impact of oil prices on Calgary’s economy, stock market volatility, and what is happening with the Covid-19 economy. Asking for help is a sign of strength, because it will allow you and your family to move forward with confidence and clarity. Get good advice from multiple professionals before taking action to ensure that you have gotten a balanced view.
Jade Alberts - Peer Guidance - Jade Alberts Consulting 403-771-1301 www.PeerGuidance.ca www.JadeAlbertsConsulting.com www.LinkedIn.com/in/JadeAlberts Business \\ 25
The Canada Blockchain Consortium was founded to unite Canada’s diverse community of blockchain business owners, developers, adopters and those interested in exploring this technology’s transformative potential. Through our inclusive ecosystem, we can educate and bring prosperity back to our nation.
BRINGING VALUE TO THE BLOCKCHAIN COMMUNITY OF CANADA Canada Blockchain Consortium has come together to create a valuable and inclusive ecosystem for influential minds and businesses. Recognizing that technology can best succeed when equipped with the right network and educational materials. The CBC is here to bridge that gap, and provide Canadian a place to connect and share.
www.canadablockchain.ca 26 // Community Now!
C Y IT S N E U S M ES M N O SI U B
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MCKENZIE TOWNE TIM HORTONS “At Mckenzie Towne Tim Hortons our customers are our friends, family and colleagues.”
#7, 20 McKenzie Towne Ave SE 403-257-5791 “Contributing to the success and growth of the people where we live is what makes us proud of what we do!”
Business \\ 27
Q&A
with Lenneal Howden A master time wizard with a passion for “office optimization” to help entrepreneurs and executives focus on what is important to them.
Why did you start your business?
What are some office organization tips you can share that will help people?
Because I wanted to support more people than I was in my current 9-5 job. I didn’t feel like I was making enough of an impact in corporate roles.
Don’t have more than 3-5 tasks to actually get done in a day (both personal and business) Everything else is a bonus, get er done!
What is your favourite thing about your business? Time flexibility and helping people in business spend their time where they need too to maximize their profits.
Don’t have a cluttered work space. A cluttered workspace often leads to a cluttered mind. There are also studies that show arriving to a clean workspace is better for your metal health vs arriving t a cluttered/chaotic work space. A logical approach to organization is often best.
What do you help businesses with the most?
How has Covid 19 changed your business ?
Automation, documentation, program and process implementation and template creation.
Many business were affected by Covid-19 which changed some of the asks from clients.
Do you work with individuals and businesses ? (What size businesses?)
Fun facts:
I work with all sizes of businesses from individual entrepreneurs to international companies.
•
I have an English Bantam Bulldog
•
I was a provincial competitor
•
I crochet
•
I love to cook and try new food
Lenneal Howden Virtual Executive Assistant Email: lenneal@howdenadmininc.ca Phone: 403-975-2708 www.howdenadmininc.ca
mobile optometry At Evolutioneyes Optometry, we focus on what matters – we understand that peoples lives are busy and eye health is often overlooked. In an effort to prevent this, our optometry clinic comes directly to you! The future of eyecare is evolving. Be a part of the movement by scheduling your group appointment today!
Phone: 1-800-429-0589 • Fax: 587-329-7805 Email: info@evolutioneyes.ca • Website: www.evolutioneyes.ca 28 // Community Now!
In studio classes have been temporary cancelled! Check out our VIRTUAL private lessons and master classes!
SCHOOL OF ROCK CALGARY IS THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY MUSIC SCHOOL IN THE WORLD. Traditional music education approaches don’t teach students how to perform with other musicians. The School of Rock Method™ is different. We combine one-on-one instruction with group rehearsals and live performances. This integrated approach teaches students techniques and theory while also helping them apply those skills when performing with other musicians. This method results in remarkable musical proficiency. Plus our students get to perform in some cool rock shows! 2707-17th Ave SW, Calgary, AB Ph: 587-353-7625 • www.SchoolOfRock.com
Q&A What does yoga and meditation have to do with mental health? Movement and mindfulness practice studies strongly suggest that bodily awareness fosters emotional regulation and increased empathy. This is through what is called 'vertical integration', meaning that aware movement (usually coupled with breath awareness) stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system response, (relaxation response) through the body into the brain and mind. Being able to induce the relaxation response leads to a regulated nervous system, which manifests as emotional and mental balance. Why do you focus on trauma ? Trauma is a big buzzword right now and I'm thankful it's being discussed in greater context. Trauma has mistakenly been understood to imply major traumatic events for people; car accidents, sexual assault or war leading to emotional dysfunction. But trauma can be created by events early on in our lives, before we could speak. Toxic stress can induce a traumatic experience; things like workplace bullying, insecure food or housing or living through a pandemic.
with Stacey Madden Mindful Somatic Wellness Body Based Emotional Support yoga - mindfulness - somatic experiencing www.staceymadden.com This is the beauty of Mindful Somatic Wellness, we don't need to talk about the event, or even address it cognitively, instead we increase awareness of our nervous system with movement and breath. The end result is creating a lived experience of safety and increased personal agency leading to emotional resilience. What can you recommend to people who would like to learn yoga or meditation? My recommendation would be to start slow, and find a teacher and style that feels right for you. There are plenty of free online yoga classes, where a person can safely start a practice at their own pace. If you want to study with a teacher in-person/ online don't hesitate to reach out to ask the teacher about their training and expertise. Teachers love to talk about all things yoga! For the person who is looking into yoga or meditation for trauma resolution, or if you know you have a trauma history, make sure your teacher is 'trauma informed'. This is a specialized certification where the teacher is educated in the nervous system and how to safely guide people through practice.
But trauma is more than just a mental/emotional imbalance brought on by catastrophic events or toxic stress; rather it's a physiological state where our lived experiences leave our nervous systems 'stuck' in incomplete survival responses, which creates disorganized emotions such as anxiety and/or depression and leave us feeling helpless. The good news is under the right circumstances we have the innate ability to address this trauma physiology and mindful movement has been shown to be a big part of that healing. Our bodies and the practice of being embodied, which is essentially yoga, can teach our nervous system how to recalibrate to wellness. Our nervous system is in our body and informs our brain, so movement awareness can be the most efficient way to heal trauma, rather than talking about it. 30 // Community Now!
2028b 33 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2T 1Z4 Tel: 403-251-9642 •Cell: 403-542-9639 YogaMCC.com www.yogamcc.com www.facebook.com/yogamcc www.instagram.com/yogamcc
C Y IT S N E U S M ES M N O SI U B
EVENTS June
Join us on June 16th at the
Father Day Walk and Run! Click here to register today!
Print Issue featuring: Community Events: Beer Fest, Expo, amazing community organizations, people and much...(it’s must read)
We’ve been working hard to promote
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Q&A
How are you handling business during Covid-19? As a visionary, one of my greatest strengths is the ability to see the big picture. From the onset, I have been focusing on the “other side” and picturing our “new normal”. The second is that I thrive in adversity. I have become very resilient. When you lose everything, you become fearless regardless of how bad the situation is. During COVID, I have focused on building human capital and being of service to the business community. I launched our Virtual Series featuring industry experts across Canada from diverse industries. I have also re-evaluated our lines of business, building our online network, launched our official Women of Inspiration™ Podcast, planning to start a new line of business, and developing our Membership, Corporate Diversity Program, and Speaking Bureau.
with Monica Kretschmer Founder and CEO, Universal Womens Network™, Women of Inspiration™ COVID19 has directly impacted our ability to do business and host our national events. Early on, I pivoted to move our Success Summit to the fall with our Women of Inspiration™ Awards. The Awards take a full year to engage sponsors, plan, produce, and market. I’m committed to making it happen and preparing to “pivot” again to ensure the safety of our all our guests and nominees. Plan B is in the works to trailblaze a Virtual Success Summit and Gala Awards Experience. The first of its kind in the world! The Women of Inspiration™ Nominee Package deadline is June 30, 2020. Still, time to nominate a leader during this past year and will be significant as we celebrate the inspiring leaders in 25 diverse categories across Canada, including the Unsung Heros, Frontlines and Healthcare workers. I encourage everyone to Nominate a Woman who inspires you! Let her know she is making an impact! NOMINATE: https://universalwomensnetwork.com/ women-inspiration/nominate-2020/ Why do you continue to promote women and the work they do? Women are one of the greatest assets to our economy. When we celebrate the achievements of one woman, we celebrate all women! There are so many women doing incredible things. When we recognize their (continued on next page) Business \\ 33
(continued from page 33...) accomplishments, we not only validate their hard work and contribution, we pave the path for others to follow in their footsteps. What can we do as a community to support each other better during these times of uncertainty?? Be of service. Be patient, kind and respectful. This crisis affects everyone. We all need to do our part to stay safe, stay positive and support each other.
courageous women and men on the frontlines, medical industry and essential services. My heart also goes to all the families in Nova Scotia who lost loved ones, to Constable Heidi Stevenson’s family, and the families of Canadian Military Officers. May we all show more compassion, empathy for each other and be grateful.
What message do you have for the community during these times?
Use this time wisely, help serve others, and build human capital. Support those who support you! I am a single mom, business owner, and am doing everything in my power to lead courageously, support and provide value. It is not easy, but stay positive!
Firstly, my heart goes to all those who lost loved ones and filled with gratitude to the
Thank you to women like Krista who are bravely working to make this happen!
TOGETHER
ARE
STRONGER 34 // Community Now!
COMMUNITY=STRENGTH MAKE AN IMPACT
• help a neighbour • check on a friend • support a local community organization • buy local We need to keep lifting each other up!
NOW! \\ 35
MMUNITY!
OM THE CO FR S ER W S N A D N A S N IO T ES U !! Q How are you maintaining your mental wellness during these times? What is something you do that makes you happy? makeup cely and did my “Got dressed ni d on y. Also focuse and hair toda routines e of my regular maintaining som es, and ednesday, Guid like Wisdom W running. “ Adette oks.” working on 2 bo “ I scrapbook. I’m Brittany rdening!!“ dirt ... aka ... ga “Playing in the -Jill g”
“Virtual networkin
What have you done during the pandemic time that you haven’t done (in a long or have wanted to do)? “Slowed WAY do wn- stay media p ed off a latforms ll social - painte again en d- starte joying th d writing e stillnes s” - Vanis “I have h a tried m y hand painting at som ! Turned e chalk out prett around y good! :) for more looking things to paint! Lo “Go thro l”- Deb ugh box es of tea like 10 c h ing stuff years ag o... and from stuff“ - Ji try to g ll et rid o f
What are your thoughts on the relaunch strategy for Alberta and why? ixed I have m st e n o h e glad the “I will b bject. I’m su e th n o es & I thoughts ted in stag cu e x e e b oth rules rollout is to at it has b th e v ti a ci leased it am appre ns. I am p o ti a d n e dates to & recomm ther than ra s e n o st ext stage. uses mile onto the n g in v o m member measure rtant to re o p im s is f ourselve I think it ke care o ta d e e se n ca that we pact ... in es we im k of in th ’t & the on n ho do w s lk fo e entirely there are ess will b cc su r u O others. Nicole t on us.” dependen
36 // Community Now!
“I be lieve Alber their tan selfle ssnes s deserve their s and credi comm t for comp sever unity a e un s d sion u ring certa for Alber 8 we int ta G eks overn y. I wou proac of ld gi ment tively ve th credi and a pla e t metic n con ulous had they temp econ ly pr lating omic epare healt impa to A d h, saf ct th lberta e ty an a t ns th procl w d a s e mo aime d a gl ment delivered obal the pand WHO emic. ” - Ro bert
“I truly believe we have done a great job social distancing and the plan put forward was well thought out. The stages are good and IMO important not to have dates. We may need adjust based on how the first stage 1 goes. It is time.“ - Jade
COMMUN
ITY ANNO
Congra tulati ons Very to o own C ur N! Su Xalynn p e r Star For raising for t he Can $740 adian Found Cancer ation! You a re supe r brav LOVE e and your n we ew hai r due!
UNCEME
NTS
ase the rele n o s ulation bs Congrat ie Jaco n n o C ook your b
of
If CN! was a person, this is what it! would look like
c o n n ie ja k
a b.c om /p
ro duc t/b r
ing- t h e m
- c lo s e r
NOW! \\ 37
S U O LO PP M C O M A RT U L N IT Y C
WHEN THE STREETS FEEL SAFER THAN HOME, THERE’S SAFE HAVEN FOUNDATION. You can help give homeless and at-risk girls their future back. Visit SafeHavenFoundation.ca to donate now.
Safe Haven Foundation of Canada
@SafeHavenCanada
COMMUNITY NOW! Magazine is proud to support the 2nd annual Fathers Day Run and Walk. Our very own Creative Director Kenzie Webber will be participating in the 10km run. Click here to donate today, and help us raise money for an amazing cause.
NEW DATE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2020 38 // Community Now!
Simon House Recovery Needs the Communities Help!
Donations needed: bathroom supplies/ food/ clothes/ financial. Our Story. Founded in 1982 by Doreen Baker and Franciscan Brother, Bernard Barry, Simon House began its work in a Bowness duplex that still serves men in need today, 37 years later. Simon House has been, and will always be a beacon of hope and refuge for men who have found themselves in the grip of addiction. Humble beginnings saw Brother Bernie and Doreen work tirelessly with integral volunteers and original employees, to grow and develop Simon House into the program and facility it is today. In 1983, the duplex immediately next door to its original location was generously donated to expand Simon House services and support. In 2006, through the generosity of donors, Simon House built a 30 bed building with a full commercial kitchen, board room, and office space. Today, Simon House operates 4 buildings and 64 beds, which provide 3 distinct phases of addiction treatment and recovery to assist men in moving from a residential program to transitional housing, and onto independent living with supports and counselling. Through committed staff, board members, donors, and community partners, Simon House has become a highly respected, valued, integral, and successful addiction recovery centre in the Calgary community, serving men and their families from all across North America. Understanding Addiction. ASAM – AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTION MEDICINE – DEFINITION OF ADDICTION: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Simon House Recovery needs the communities help. to find out more go to: https://simonhouse.com/ To Donate go to: www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/12612
BC & ALBERTA
GUIDE DOGS
WHO WE ARE …
“The stress in our family has lessened immensely and we are laughing again and loving again in our home … thanks to BC & Alberta Guide Dogs.”
“
The stress in our family
has lessened immensely and we are laughing
again and loving again in our home ... thanks to BC & Alberta Guide Dogs.” 40 // Community Now!
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs began training Guide Dogs in 1996 for individuals who were blind or visually-impaired; however, an ever-expanding mandate led to the inclusion of Autism Service Dogs for children ages 3-10 with profound autism, as well as PTSD Service Dogs for Veterans, RCMP and First Responders living with Operational Stress Injuries.
companions and working dogs. The breeding dogs live with volunteer families and the expectant mothers stay with volunteer whelpers when they’re ready to have their puppies. Volunteer whelpers provide a loving home for the mother and her newborn puppies for up to 10 weeks, at all times being supported by BC & Alberta Guide Dogs staff. PUPPY TRAINING All puppies are raised in the homes of volunteer Puppy Trainers rather than in kennels from when they are approximately 8 weeks old until 14 to 18 months old. Through a supervised program, the puppies are taught basic obedience and socialization skills so that they are comfortable in public spaces. Raising a puppy for BC & Alberta Guide Dogs is a volunteer job like no other. It requires dedication and commitment from the Puppy Trainers, and many share that the end result gives them a feeling of accomplishment and pride that no other job would. ADVANCED TRAINING
WHAT WE DO ‌ These certified dogs are provided at no cost to the recipient, along with aftercare and support. It costs upwards of $35,000 to produce each certified dog. BC & Alberta Guide Dogs relies solely on volunteers and donations to fund its programs. PUPPIES ARE BORN BC & Alberta Guide Dogs maintains an inhouse breeding program to ensure a steady supply of exceptionally gentle, intelligent, and good-natured dogs that make excellent
When the puppies in training are 14 to 18 months old, they are assessed and enter into the advanced training program that aligns with their temperament, personality and skillset. The dogs in the advanced training program work with a specialized Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, Autism Service Dog Instructor, or OSI Service Dog Instructor. The advanced training period takes approximately 4 to 6 months. When the dogs are in advanced training, they live with volunteer boarding families who care for the dog on evenings and weekends.
(continued on page 43) NOW! \\ 41
42 // Community Now!
(continued from page 41...) GRADUATION When advanced training is about 75% complete, the process of matching them with a human partner begins. Once matched, Instructors travel to the recipient’s location with the dog and conduct 2-3 weeks of intensive home-based training, culminating in the graduation of a unified team, and a fully certified Guide Dog or Autism Service Dog. Veterans, RCMP and First Responders enter into the 52-Week Healthy Community Living Program that helps transition the recipient back into their communities, providing them with renewed purpose, confidence and unconditional support. AFTERCARE SUPPORT & RETIREMENT BC & Alberta Guide Dogs provides aftercare for each client for the working life of the dog, which is typically 8 years. When a dog retires at approximately 10 years old, if circumstances permit, they will stay with their person. In the case they are unable to keep the dog, it would first be offered to the Puppy Trainer, or placed in a suitable home where someone is with them during the day to give them the retirement they deserve. WHY WE DO IT …. Our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers are dedicated to improving the availability of Guide Dogs, Autism Service Dogs, and PTSD Service Dogs; including breeding, raising/ training more dogs, and continuing to give care to dogs that are currently with human partners.
“Our story, like many, includes sadness, fear, helplessness and uncertainty, but is now filled with joy, happiness, love and hope. Since Roman [our Autism Service Dog] joined our family our lives have been forever changed. We are a mommy, a daddy, and two beautiful boys, Sawyer and Ryker. All of us [now] have less anxiety. With Roman, I can take the boys out on my own so we aren’t isolated anymore, and we’ve gone places we could never go before and done things we didn’t think we could do.” ~ Sawyer & Ryker’s mom “I realized a sense of family and belonging I had not known before as I was divorced from my family early on in my PTSD. Somewhere in it all, we became a tight supportive group at VICD. It has been my experience that if you stick with the program long enough, you get the dog you need, but you also get the family you need.” ~ Veteran Greg of his PTSD Service Dog, Charley HOW YOU CAN DO IT … Volunteers are needed in Calgary and area to assist with Puppy Training. If you are unable to volunteer, Puppy Sponsorship options are available starting at $15/ month where you can follow a puppy as it goes through training to become a life-changing dog for someone in need. Visit www.bcandalbertaguidedogs.com or call 403.258.0819 for more information.
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WE'RE STILL OPEN! These are not easy times and Calgary families need your help more than ever to get through this crisis. Made by Momma is a grassroots registered charity working hard to make sure everyone has the essentials they need.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? COMMUNITY FOOD BANK Made by Momma is a food bank with a difference. Donations of non-perishable food items and grocery gift cards will help feed over 7000 people each year!
BABY ESSENTIALS Donate baby essentials including diapers, wipes, and formula to ensure that every young family facing crisis or adversity will have the basic items they need.
DONATE TODAY Thank you to all of the donors, volunteers, & supporters who continue helping Calgary families in crisis during this challenging time! Check out our website to find out how you can make a difference! Celebrating 10 Years of Volunteer-Run & Donation-Driven Community Impact!
MadebyMomma.org
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE AND A
COMMUNITY
IN A PANDEMIC Jilll Quirk and the Heloise Lorimer STEAM Team Virtual
Stay safe... stay safe...” this was my son yelling from the truck window. Our staff parade (April 9th) was a chance for us teachers to see our students from our truck or car windows, waving and wishing everyone a happy Easter. It was an emotional drive through the neighbourhoods. A way to make sure students know that we care and that we are always there for them. Global News and CTV were there to document the touching reunification of a community. This parade was a pleasant reminder of how much we NEED our community. Students and colleagues give us teachers more than they know. The whole community was buzzing! Currently, our lives as educators have changed. We communicate over google classroom and zoom calls. Every day at 2 pm I zoom call with the grade 5 students, playing games and communicating. However, our hearts are broken. We miss connecting face to face with our students. So, we try our best. What I’ve noticed is students especially want to share how they are staying busy and what
they have been creating. This especially happens over our Google Classroom Grade 5 Hangout Page. We try to make the online course content relevant to what is happening. On Earth Day, for example, we made bracelets out of plastic bags after reading the book, One Plastic Bag about Isatou Ceesay and The Recycling Women of The Gambia. The reality of living in a pandemic is that a lot of youth are feeling the stress, so we encourage students to know that they have the ability to help each other through this! The youth can be powerful ChangeMakers. A ChangeMaker is someone who notices something that needs to be changed or improved and acts on it. If you have read or watched THE LORAX, THE LORAX is a Changemaker. If there are no Changemakers “nothing is going to get better, it’s not!”.... So... we asked the students...
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CHANGE MAKERS What does it take to be a Changemaker in a pandemic? And these grade 5s sure do have some advice... We can be a change maker by baking treats for our family and friends and delivering them. We made and hung up Hearts <3 in our windows to show support for all the doctors and nurses working at our hospitals – Mya
We could go around our neighbourhood with a garbage bag and some gloves and pick up any garbage we see, because many places in Airdrie are filled with trash and it is harmful to our environment – Cora Bake treats. Me, my mom and my brother panted hearts on the window to show love. Me and my mom made cookies with goody bags and delivered them to friends and family. – Cheyanne Kingston wants to be a Changemaker by painting positive words and pictures on his windows. I feel like staying home is hard and sometimes boring.
What we can do to help is not obsessing about it, we should still do the things we LOVE. We can buy elders food and toilet paper. – Arianna At this time, I like to help my parents to clean up the house and outside the house. Also, I like to give my mother a break from making breakfast for us and I prepare breakfast for the family. This helps me to spend time with my family and learn new things and be responsible for the household stuff. – Prabh
My mom’s friend is making masks for people. I see her being a Changemaker. My mom asked for two masks for my grandparents because they are old. I can be a Changemaker by staying home so the Corona Virus does not spread more. I can put up friendly signs to keep my neighbours in good spirits. - Hunter
We can be Changemakers by following the rules and respecting the governments decisions on what we can and can’t do. We can help our family and neighbors by going to the grocery stores for the people who can’t. How I can be a Changemaker in a pandemic is for the people who can’t have birthdays, we can do parades to make their birthday special. – William (aka Austin)
During the pandemic we can continue to social distance, wash our hands and stay home. I like to FaceTime my grandparents, I miss them and wish I could visit them but staying home is keeping us safe. – Colton I think we can try to be positive about this pandemic and make the most of it. Like for example
if it’s nice out maybe go for a walk or go on a bike ride with you family. You can go outside but maintain your distance. – Madison I can be a Changemaker during this pandemic by not fighting with my sister or brother and
also by thinking of some things I can do the day before. For example, planning a family bike ride or walk. You can even use your creativity to invent a new game. I made a new snakes and ladders game with my sister and mom with new tiles like roll again and switch with a
player. It was really fun. – Brayden Make the best of self-isolation! Talk with your neighbors over your fence or you could go for a calming walk and play a classic board game, just have fun with
staying home. Do some cleaning! My family has done a lot of cleaning we would not do in a normal school week. Also, do your part! Stay away from people and stay home as much as you can. - Carter
past their house with your mom or dad and wishing them happy birthday from a distance. (Right Matthew?) Be cheerful by making window pictures of rainbows and messages to stay safe or any other nice pictures. Be helpful by helping out my family by doing my chores and school work when my parents are busy. Also watching my younger brother by playing games with him. – Smith
You should cook for your family and get your garden ready! So, start your seedlings! Use those garden veggies to make your own deliciousness. - Aurora Be thoughtful by helping to celebrate a friend’s birthday by making a sign, driving
What can we do to make this world better than it was? I guess that is the message I am trying to reflect on throughout the pandemic. How can we stop and assess our lives and become a better version of ourselves to continue to make our community better? NOW! \\ 47
COMMUNITY = STRENGTH
The pandemic is going to change the world as we know it. Together we can recreate a stronger more successful community.
#ItTakesAllOfUs
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