COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 1000 VOICES

No one can thrive in isolation. For change to be sustainable, people need a community to go to for help, to provide connections and to offer opportunities to give back in ways that are meaningful and add purpose to life.

1000 Voices is a bustling, multi-purpose space situated in the heart of northeast Calgary, the most culturally diverse quadrant in the city. Here, residents can access—and lead—all kinds of programs, services and activities that are important to them. On any given day, you’re likely to find seniors sitting and chatting together, newcomers taking language classes, friends sharing meals and so much more. For residents, 1000 Voices is not just a physical space. It is a place to gather and find support in community. their own homes, it was essential to maintain engagement.

When they were forced to close their doors due to the pandemic, 1000 Voices knew the adjustment would be challenging. But time and time again, they continued to respond with the same unwaivering commitment: to be there for the community.

“We were making sure that people knew where we were,” Suzanne says. “We needed people to know that they could connect with us if they needed support.” no longer attend in-person exercise groups, the team brought in a yoga instructor to teach classes they could follow from home. Staff also set up Zoom calls before programs so that seniors could socialize with each other.

Going the extra mile to support the community’s diverse needs meant staff would have to do things beyond their normal roles. Prior to COVID-19, 1000 Voices offered a central space for over 30 different service agencies that residents could access. During lockdown, however, 1000 Voices bridged the gap to bring the programs to residents.

“They realized that their mental health was deteriorating, and so they really needed that connection with people,” Suzanne says. “A lot of them were already connected with each other before COVID, so to see their friend online and to hear their voice, they were just thrilled.”

Behind the scenes of all the various programs, the team could be found making deliveries to residents’ doorsteps. These included:

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Calgary Reads Literacy bags for 3-8-year-olds

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In the first few months, staff spent hours on the phone checking in with residents. At times their calls consisted of coaching seniors and new Canadians on how to set up an email so that they could access virtual programs. Once residents were online, they were eager to connect.

Kids Up Front kits (Holiday Magic at Home)

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Suzanne Pointer, who manages the bookings and contracts for 1000 Voices, says one of the earliest challenges was overcoming social isolation. With residents and staff dispersed in

One of the many popular activities was the virtual yoga class. Since senior residents could

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Tablets/Laptops Grocery Gift Cards

Staying connected with the community also included a network of agencies. Suzanne recalls how morning team meetings would often be followed by multiple phone calls and emails. From finding nurses to help with dietary needs to registering families with Immigrant Services Calgary’s Parents and Tots program, the 1000 Voices team was there to ensure residents could access the help they needed.

This was especially true in the face of hardships brought on by an unprecedented year. Conversations with residents revealed growing needs for resources like counselling and financial help. Food insecurity was another pre-existing problem exacerbated by the pandemic as residents experienced lay-offs, struggling businesses and barriers to accessing settlement counsellors. When agencies such as the Salvation Army, Calgary Food Bank and Brown Bagging distributed food hampers at the Genesis Centre, 1000 Voices again served as a bridge to ensure food was culturally sensitive and that residents knew these resources were available to them.

Both residents and staff are looking forward to when they can return to the 1000 Voices space. Although it has been a difficult time for the community, this year has reminded them that they are not alone.

“The team has stayed supportive, and we’ve stayed connected with the community that we love so much,” Suzanne says. “So, even though there have been challenges, we stayed connected. We stayed available. I would say that’s a huge accomplishment, and I’m proud of that.”