A Letter from Alan Norris and Sheryl Barlage

Welcome to the first issue of the RESOLVE newsletter! We’d like to thank you for taking the time to stay up-to-date with the Campaign.

The newsletter is a quarterly snapshot of the Campaign, where we can share with you our progress, news and other information. You’ll also find stories of those who are helping make the Campaign a success, as well as those who have been positively impacted by having a place to call home.

Thanks to our generous donors, we have raised enough to provide 729 vulnerable Calgarians a key to a safe, affordable rental home. Our goal is 3,000. We hope to engage you, our stakeholders, and reinforce the great need for affordable housing in Calgary. Feel free to share these stories with your friends and colleagues. The newsletter is about connecting with our community.

News

The early results of the point-in-time count, conducted by the Calgary Homeless Foundation, were released in February and we know that there are still over 3,500 Calgarians who are homeless. While the growth rate in the homeless population has stabilized since the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness began in 2008, we still have 3,500 individuals who are vulnerable and without a home.

These people are the reason we are collaborating to raise $120 million for affordable housing. That is our focus.

Thirty of these individuals will find a home at Stepping Stone Manor, which received a development permit this past December.

Suncor Energy Foundation has donated $1 million to the RESOLVE Campaign. They recently confirmed their support for RESOLVE and renewed their commitment to being part of the solution. We are honoured to have them join in our endeavour.

We are also pleased to report that CIBC has donated $300,000 to RESOLVE, designated to the Calgary John Howard Society. This gift was announced on March 18 at the grand opening of their Private Wealth Management Branch in Calgary.

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP (BD&P) has contributed $300,000 to RESOLVE. BD&P has been long-time supporters of the Calgary community, as well as the Calgary Homeless Foundation since its inception. BD&P Partner John Brussa is a member of the RESOLVE Cabinet.

We have continued to see great support and contributions. More information on these donations will be included in upcoming e-newsletters.

As well, Cabinet, Partner and staff giving has continued to move towards 100 per cent.

Activities

November was a busy month with two breakfast presentations to industry groups, as well as our first Town Hall Meeting. The Legal Breakfast, hosted by Cabinet member Craig Hill, and the Builders Breakfast, hosted by Cabinet Chair Alan Norris and Cabinet member Jay Westman, were both great successes. Members of the respective industries were present to learn more about RESOLVE, our nine Partner agencies and how these industries can get involved with the Campaign. In April, Craig hosted a second breakfast for the legal community.

RESOLVE’s first Town Hall Meeting attracted over 90 attendees, including Cabinet members, representation from all nine of our Partners, and members of the homeless-serving community. The goal was to introduce RESOLVE to community stakeholders and explain how our efforts to build more affordable housing will potentially impact their work. We heard from a Partner tenant, Michael, about his journey through mental illness and homelessness, and how finding a home with Horizon Housing Society has changed his life. We truly appreciate Michael sharing his story, as well as all those from our Partners and Cabinet who make these events possible.

Thank you again for your support of RESOLVE. Together we can make Calgary a better home for everyone.

Alan Norris
Chair, Calgarians Committed to Change Cabinet
President and CEO, Brookfield Residential Properties

Sheryl Barlage
Executive Director
RESOLVE Campaign