Aspen Family and Community Network Society

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  • April 27, 2020
 
 

 

Aspen Family and Community Network Society is a non-profit tackling a wide range of social issues affecting individuals of all ages, their families and communities. Staff offer support and assistance to, and advocate on behalf of, thousands of single parents, new immigrants, Indigenous Peoples, children, youth and families in Calgary and area. The society continues to operate amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the stories below are a testimony to the great work they are doing.

Finding a home for a newborn baby: In early April, a mother living in a Calgary shelter with her partner gave birth to a healthy baby. The family went to stay with a family member while Aspen started working immediately to find a sustainable home for the family.

In early May, Aspen confirmed that the family will be moving into an apartment just a few doors down from the family member with whom they were living - in the same building! Aspen was able to support with the family’s security deposit, a portion of the first month’s rent, a referral for a crib from Made by Mamma, a new baby clothing hamper from Basically Babies Calgary, and a new bed for the mother and the father. Additionally, the family is being referred to Aspen’s internal ‘Enmax Community Relief Fund’ to support with some basic household goods. Aspen’s Family Support Workers are not doing many home visits, or face-to-face meetings at the moment, however they continue to help families out of shelters and into sustainable housing in our city.

Diverting a mother and her four children from a shelter: Linda came into Aspen’s Home-Stay (diversion) Program while residing at a family shelter with her four children. The five refugee claimants had expressed their hope to build a new life in Canada. The Home-Stay Program and Inn from the Cold worked together to find a home, furniture and basic household items for the family. Their Aspen Support Worker helped this family find financial supports and build connections in the community that would support their sustainability. After discovering that she and her family had been approved for a housing unit, Linda shared her appreciation:

“Thank you very much for your dedication and patience you have had with us. The most important thing is that we are under a roof.”

Aspen’s Home-Stay Program recently helped a client avoid eviction and a potential shelter stay. Here’s what the client said about the experience:

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you and the Aspen Family & Community Network team for assisting me with my rent for the month of March. I can’t tell you how much stress that relieved for me, helping me to manage these challenging times and put my efforts towards other health and financial supports that I require for myself and my children.”

For more information about Aspen Family programs, visit: aspenfamily.org/​​​

Categories: Shelter

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