Car Seat Donation Update

Due to new car seat regulations implemented by Transport Canada on January 1, 2012, NeighbourLink will no longer be distributing donations of used car seats. Used seats can still be dropped off at NeighbourLink and recycled by Kidseat Recyclers for a $10 fee. New car seats will still be accepted and distributed by NeighbourLink to low-income families. Designated financial donations can also be made in order for us to purchase new car seats for infants in need. To donate, phone Andrea at 403-538-7389. Thank you for supporting our endeavor to provide infants in need with safe journeys to and fro!

Local dance organization raises awareness about poverty

A preview of Something to Say happening April 4-7 at 8 p.m. at the Vertigo Theatre...get your tickets here! This show, put on by Mpact Dance, will raise awareness for several local charities including NeighbourLink. In an artistic fashion it examines the question, 'What does poverty look like?' The answer might surprise you...

Mpact Dance partners with local agencies to get the message out about poverty

Do you know what poverty looks like? The answer might surprise you. Come get a new perspective on poverty at 'Something to Say - Make Poverty Personal' happening at Vertigo Theatre April 4-7. An Mpact Dance production, it's not just dance - it's dance with an important message behind it that will have a positive impact on your life. Find tickets here and more information here!

New community liaison to manage partnerships

At the beginning of January 2012, NeighbourLink hired Cydney Wallace to organize and manage all of our partner agency relationships as our new Community Liaison. Here is an update from her:

NeighbourLink's new Community Liaison, Cydney Wallace

“There are many new and exciting things happening with our partnership agencies at NeighbourLink. The month of January 2012 brought a brand new agency partnership with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC). The AFCC now joins NeighbourLink’s other partnership agencies, Brenda’s House and The Mustard Seed, as one of three organizations whose clients are receiving furniture, household and baby items from NeighbourLink. All three of these partnership agencies specialize in re-housing singles and families as they are transitioning out of homelessness in Calgary. As these individuals move out of homeless shelters, NeighbourLink comes alongside them and provides beds for them to sleep in, dishes for them to eat on, along

with many other essential items. The partnerships that NeighbourLink has established have helped hundreds of Calgarians. In the year 2011, NeighbourLink assisted in helping to fully furnish 90% of the overall move-outs from the Brenda’s House shelter, helping 103 families consisting of 334 individuals. Since The Mustard Seed partnership was established in July of 2011, NeighbourLink has assisted in furnishing the homes of over 40 individuals as they have been re-housed. The months ahead look very exciting and busy for us and our partners. The Mustard Seed is set to open up a new apartment building for their clients in the near future and NeighbourLink will be furnishing a majority of the entire building. Brenda’s House maintains a steady flow of approximately ten move-outs per month and our new partnership with AFCC guarantees that we will be furnishing the homes of fifty individuals over the following months.”

Calgarians' generosity will improve the lives of thousands

The Calgary Herald presented local philanthropist
Allan Markin with a special framed tribute for
tripling the total amount raised during the 2011
Calgary Herald Christmas Fund campaign.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, our CEO Walter Twiddy and COO LeeAnne Alexander were smiling ear to ear along with dozens of other non-profit representatives, local philanthropists and Calgary Herald employees as the proceeds from the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund were finally divvied up. To a standing ovation, philanthropist Allan Markin was honoured for having tripled the total amount raised. Not just one, but several standing ovations later, the giant cheques were distributed by Herald Publisher Guy Huntingford and Editor-in-Chief Lorne Motley to the 12 deserving charities. We're speechless. Thank you so much to Mr. Markin and every one of the 4,600+ donors who found it in their hearts to give generously! Your generosity added up to a $280,483.23 donation made to each charity, including NeighbourLink.

NeighbourLink CEO Walter Twiddy and COO LeeAnne Alexander gratefully accept a Christmas
Fund cheque from Herald Publisher Guy Huntingford and Editor-in-Chief Lorne Motley on Jan. 24.

NeighbourLink PSA on CTV

Have you seen our PSA on CTV? Many thanks to Pearl Tsang from CTV Morning Live Calgary for producing it. Check it out here and share it with your friends to get the word OUT about how low-income Calgarians can be helped and how YOU can play a part!

Yasmina, victim of the Woodridge fire last month, shares her story on ShawTV, and how NeighbourLink helped her