2008 Program Funding- Community Issues

Association of Inside Theatre Projects

Inside Out Integrated Theatre

Grant: $ 15,750

This community-based theatre training enables adult participants with disabilities to enjoy, participate in and benefit from the development of and participation in a theatre production. One learning stream offers the opportunity for people to explore, grow and express themselves through developmental drama. Another stream offers the chance for people to take the next step into performance. Resulting live theatre productions promote public awareness about disability and disability culture.The program emphasizes theatre process as a means of education and development, rather than following the production focused model used by mainstream theatre companies.

Calgary Immigrant Aid Society

Citizenship Learning Project

Grant: $ 20,525

This program teaches immigrants and refugees who have decided to apply for Canadian citizenship about citizen rights and responsibilities, Canadian history, culture, geography, volunteerism and the three levels of government. The program aims not only to help learners successfully become Canadian citizens, but to teach them how to become full participants in Canadian society. Four different levels – Basic, Intermediate, Accelerated and Advanced – are offered at low or no cost in simple English or with first language support to ensure those who face financial and language barriers are able to attend the program.

Centre for Newcomers

Multicultural Family Development Program

Grant: $ 40,340

The Multicultural Family Development Program offers information, support, and community building to immigrant and refugee women through first-language peer support groups. The program uses practical and creatively structured learning activities to attract and bring together isolated immigrant women in safe and supportive learning environments. Collective kitchen sessions, sewing groups, peer group meetings, guest speakers, field trips, multicultural activities and cross-cultural dialogues will serve as venues for learning and confidence building. Participants gain new information and skills related to health, family, and integration into Canadian society. They increase their ability to deal with the challenges of settling and adapting to life in Canada . Program activities provide opportunities for immigrant women to use their skills, build their self-esteem and confidence, and develop as leaders. Participants learn to access existing community resources for their families. As they develop support networks, they break their isolation and increase their participation in Calgary communities.

Canadian Mental Health Association

Family Peer Support Workshops

Grant: $ 26,970

The Family Peer Support workshops are designed to educate and support families and friends of individuals with mental illness to reduce their own isolation and fear through peer mentoring. The program helps them acquire skills and knowledge to better assist their family member and provides an effective learner transition for families before and after an FCSS-funded six-week psychoeducational course. The long-term learning continuum provides structured educational modules, skill development training, guest speakers, and shared support and mentoring by peer volunteers.

Canadian Mental Health Association

Peer Options Workshops

This program provides a long-term learning continuum for individuals experiencing mental health issues. Learners who have a mental health diagnosis are trained to become facilitators, recreation-mates and mentors. They work with individuals who are learning to manage their own mental health while working toward independent living. It is a unique two-part program whereby graduates move from the role of learners to mentors or trainers. Targeting AISH recipients and the working poor, this program primarily focuses on self-esteem related issues.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Family-focused Sign Language Instruction

Family-focused Sign Language Instruction allows adults (parents, grandparents, other family members/caregivers) to learn a second language – ASL – to communicate meaningfully with Deaf family members. This program provides communication support, educational opportunities and language development to adults where a family member is Deaf or hard of hearing and where, in the absence of sign language, meaningful communication is not happening. In this way, the program strengthens the capacity for vital communication within families and so decreases the risk of isolation and abuse, decreases the risk of chldren living in a family where basic needs are not being met and decreases the need fo children to come into care.

Families Matter

Community-Based Family Education

This program is comprised of approximately 40 parenting workshops, courses, seminars and groups covering a diverse range of topics and skill areas to meet the needs of a broad range of developmental stages and life transitions. Programs are available to all families throughout Calgary and are held in local community venues and in partner organization facilities. Of the 4000 plus learners who access this program, around 40% are barriered adult learners. Program fees are charged on a sliding scale and subsidies are available to low-income learners.