Wood's Homes Blog

The past year has brought tremendous obstacles and challenges for all us. Working within the Emergency department of the Alberta Children’s Hospital has been no exception.

As we entered the new world of COVID-19 in March 2020, we, as a community, did so with caution and uncertainty. This was evident in the Emergency department; the hustle and bustle we once knew became a solemn void. We witnessed a collective apprehension towards attending the hospital.

Where did all the mental health concerns go? For us, this was the calm before the storm, and we were patiently waiting and preparing.

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns and restrictions have been hard on all of us. We’ve all experienced increased stress and previously unforeseen challenges in our personal and work lives. But through all of it, Wood’s Homes and its staff have come together to support one another and find new and innovative ways to complete our work and continue serving our clients.

For nearly a decade, Wood’s Homes has been recognizing Children’s Mental Health Day (CMHD) as a way to bring attention to - and break down the stigma - attached to mental health challenges faced by young people. This year, Mental Health Week takes place May 3 – 9 with Children’s Mental Health Day falling on May 7.

Wood’s Homes has celebrated Children’s Mental Health Day in a number of ways, ranging from staff and client-focused campaigns/activities, to far-reaching events involving the community, donors, media, noted Calgarians and even a large-scale march through the heart of downtown.

This year, we decided TO GO BIG… but wait… first, we thought we’d take a look back at how we’ve been able to shine the spotlight on child and youth mental health over the years.

I am one of those volunteers who has been blessed to have the opportunity to serve as a Board Member at Wood’s Homes! 

I first became involved with Wood’s Homes, in support of a fundraising effort to replace the ‘old’ EXIT Community Outreach van. This was during a time in the past before the technology, (tablets, social media, etc.) changed our outreach abilities.

Eastside Community Mental Health Services and Central Library in downtown Calgary began a pilot project last fall that offers library patrons immediate, no-charge, walk-in mental health and addictions support.

We are pleased to announce that this partnership has been extended to December 2021. 

A year ago, the therapy and crisis counselling teams at Eastside Community Mental Health Services (formerly Eastside Family Centre and the Community Resource Team) faced a daunting task. 

We were looking to create an immediate overhaul of a service delivery model that was 30 years in the making - because of something called COVID-19. 

This blog post is result of a conversation had between Tye Rhyno, Indigenous Liaison at Wood’s Homes, and Elder John Crier from Maskwacis, Samson Cree Nation, around Valentine’s Day. It shares knowledge on self-love, love for your children, love for your partner and love for your community. We acknowledge the impact of colonization on Indigenous families and the loss of traditional teachings, and that finding new pathways requires access to knowledge, with the understanding that we can integrate new teachings at any point along our journey.

Today we acknowledge the inter-generational impacts on all Indigenous families from the residential and day schools throughout Canada. 

We welcome the knowledge and wisdom from our Elders who come to support our children and families. The opportunities to ground, anchor, and instill a sense of belonging to a rich and diverse culture that comes from these lands. We acknowledge that ‘Every Child Matters’ – all of their uniqueness and vibrant ways of being. 

The following is a testimonial written by a volunteer at Wood’s Homes FASD Program. This volunteer shares personal stories, and experience on volunteering in a virtual setting.

I’ll start by saying that I’ve never fit so perfectly well with something before. It honestly feels as though Woods Homes and its FASD community in particular has my back even though I haven’t been a part of it for very long. It’s been less than three months. I’m finally with people (of all ages) who have the same condition as me, so I’m no longer like a square peg in a round hole... not that I really minded being ‘different’ that much. Admittedly, my ego most likely enjoyed being different because it meant being “special.” There are times when being different doesn’t feel good.

This week, we send a special “thank you” to Sobeys Inc.! Sobeys Inc. is a generous donor to the Youth in Culinary Arts Program (YCAP), which provides hands-on culinary training to vulnerable and at-risk youth in Calgary. There are many different scenarios that bring a young person to Wood’s Homes for help. Young people who join YCAP often face multiple barriers and lack employability skills due to mental health issues, trauma and a multitude of other challenges. In 2019, because of the support of donors like Sobeys Inc., YCAP was able to help 56 young men and women develop life skills, discover their talents, and build a network of support.