Wood's Homes Blog

Why is it so easy for we, as human beings, to talk about a broken arm and so difficult to talk about a broken heart?

Many of us who have been in the business of caring for and helping children and their families for years would say we have come a long way with understanding and accepting our ‘mental or emotional health’, while many others would say we still have a long way to go.

It started out as an idea; a way to alleviate some of the fear and anxiety felt by the clients we serve who struggle with addictions. For a number of reasons, there are times when our EXIT Youth Hub clients aren’t heard from for long periods. Some find other supports. Some leave the city. Some, unfortunately, fall on hard times and can no longer make their way to us. Whatever the reason, as Wood’s Homes’ Addictions Specialist, I wanted to do something to help the clients who return to EXIT after they’ve taken time away from our services. 

Sometimes we are guilty of underestimating the power of language, and the way we choose our words. In my work as an Indigenous liaison at Wood’s Homes, I am very deliberate in the use of my words and I believe it’s something all of us need to be reminded of.

Thanksgiving is a time when many of us reflect on what we’re most thankful for. At Wood’s Homes, the joy of working with children, youth and families, the support we receive from the community and the 105 year history we’ve shared in Calgary – an amazing city – tops our list.

In the spirit of the season, we decided to ask our clients what they are thankful for. Some of the answers we received were surprising, but always heartwarming.

What is Research? Cambridge Dictionary (2019) defines ‘research’ as the study of a subject, in detail, in order to discover new information or reach a new understanding. Within Wood’s Homes, we have many people who are passionate about research and data, and Adam Flegel, program supervisor at the EXIT Youth Hub, is one of them. EXIT’s outreach programs started in 1989, and offer a service in which young people (12-24) have walk-in access to on-site staff who provide counselling, crisis support, employment and housing support, community advocacy, as well as health, mental health and addictions support. I had the opportunity to talk with Adam about his programs. It was an inspiring conversation, and it kept me thinking not only about the numbers, but the stories behind them.

Did you know that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the number one cause of developmental disabilities, and is ahead of Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

September is FASD Awareness Month, a time to create awareness around the importance of abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy.  FASD is referred to as the invisible disability and does not discriminate – every woman who is pregnant and consumes alcohol is at risk of having a baby with FASD. 

Male suicide has been referred to as a silent epidemic by academics Dan Bilsker, PhD and Jennifer White EdD. The pair published a study in the B.C. Medical Journal in December 2011, and attribute the high rate of occurrence of men ending their lives and the general public’s lack of awareness about this issue, as the reasons behind why the moniker is so appropriate. This blog will examine some statistics of note and highlight some steps that can be taken in hopes of ameliorating this national crisis.

When we think of pride, we sometimes think of a pride of lions. Did you know what a pride of lions represents? A pride of lions is a symbol of a family structure. A good example of what a pride represents is seen when we look at the community that lions build in support of each other. That community is in pursuit of a common goal: The Pride! And it teaches us about balance and how all living things together represent balance in life.

A one-year-old is exploring a basket filled with various swatches of fabric. A five-year-old is playing pretend restaurant with her aunt. An eight-year-old and her friend are working together to build a fort. What do all of these situations have in common? Yes, they are all examples of children playing, but they are also all examples of children engaging in powerful learning and developing their brain through play. Mr. Rogers said that “Play is the work of childhood”, and I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Play is a means through which children can learn new concepts, work through emotions, develop social skills, gain an understanding of others and learn language.

I talk with parents quite often about how praising their child is one of the best ways to encourage positive behavior and build strong bonds. In my experience with families, and in becoming familiar with the outcomes that result from positive reinforcement, I’ve noticed a few key strategies that can help parents take their child-praising abilities to the next level.