News Release
Immediate Release
Albertans Rise Up Against the Odds
Man shares how CSS helped him remain housed and connected throughout the pandemic
Edmonton (September 23, 2021) - Catholic Social Services (CSS) will today highlight how ordinary people across central Alberta face challenges and rise up, often against all odds.
At the launch of its annual Sign of Hope fall fundraising campaign, Dr. Troy Davies will say, “This has been an incredibly difficult time for all Albertans.”
“Our world is hurting, families are struggling, neighbours are fighting, people are broken. At CSS we are called to heal, to bring hope, and to serve.”
He will continue, “Every day at CSS, we serve people who are dedicated to transforming their own lives, such as Ken, a client of our Welcome Home program.”
Welcome Home is one of 14 programs funded by public donations, which the agency secures through its annual Sign of Hope fall fundraising campaign, which takes place between September and December 31 each year.
The program pairs volunteers with vulnerably housed and formerly homeless participants, providing them with new friends to help navigate life off the streets. An overwhelming 96% of participants stay in their new homes.
“That program helped me stay connected, calling me, sending me care packages,” Ken will share. “It’s very important. A lot of people need that, they need that support, they need that help. This program is reaching out and saving a lot of lives, especially right now.”
Dr. Davies continues, “At a time of so much despair, Albertans need proof that hope is even a possibility. Like so many of the people we serve, Ken shows us that. When people work together to solve our most pressing problems both the personal and common good can be realized.”
“Our Sign of Hope campaign is every person’s chance to join us in that commitment. A commitment to building communities of compassion and communities of hope.”
Information about Catholic Social Services:
Catholic Social Services is one of the largest multi-disciplinary social services agencies in Canada, serving more than 20,000 people annually in 11 communities across the province.
From April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 Catholic Social Services:
• Provided psychological counselling services to more than 1750 individuals, children and families in Edmonton, Red Deer, Lloydminster.
• Facilitated more than 1,200 virtual intercultural counselling sessions, parenting classes, support groups, and conversation circles to recent newcomers and refugees as they adjust to life in Canada.
• Provided a safe home for 87 high-risk youth, many at-risk of, or experiencing, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
• Helped nearly 50 recently housed individuals maintain stability and housing throughout the pandemic.
• Provided safety to 136 women and children, fleeing domestic violence, through emergency and first stage domestic violence shelters.
• Helped 89 seniors experiencing isolation, neglect, and abuse find safety, through its Elder Abuse and Resources Program.
• Ran 1,144 drop-in centre hours for vulnerable women living on the streets of Red Deer, through its Morning Star program.
• Filled the fridges of 250 individuals and families in Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, and Wainwright, who were experiencing food insecurity.
• Helped 581 people and their families to pay bills, buy groceries, and gent connected with other long-term community supports.
Donations to Catholic Social Services through Sign of Hope can be made online at cssalberta.ca or by calling 780-439-HOPE.
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Background:
Catholic Social Services (CSS) has been bringing hope to vulnerable Albertans for 60 years. Today, CSS is one of the largest providers of social services in Canada, serving more than 20,000 people annually, across three priority areas: newcomers to Canada, individuals with disabilities, and children, individuals, and families.
Sign of Hope, the charitable fundraising arm of CSS, provides funding for dozens of programs each year, including domestic violence shelters, homes for high-risk youth, programs for seniors experiencing isolation and abuse, and supports for the recently housed.
For additional information, contact:
Laura Ruddock
Manager of Communications
Catholic Social Services
Laura.ruddock@cssalberta.ca | 780-224-1489