When Amanda came to the program she brought such a vibrant energy to the house that it was easy for staff to bond with her. Amanda often seemed eager to share her own personal experiences with others and to feel accepted by others. Whether this be through helping out another youth or spending one to one time with staff, it was evident that most of Amanda’s actions were an attempt to gain attention from others to feel valued. Part way through her recovery Amanda began home visits to give her an opportunity to spend time with her mother and to practice the skills she’d been developing at the program. It became clear during these visits that the remainder of Amanda’s recovery would be largely focused on supporting her in building a healthier relationship with her mother as they continued to experience conflicts regularly.

Over the six months that Amanda dedicated to achieving her own recovery goals she was able to develop upon many of skills she set out to improve. She began to recognize the importance of healthy personal boundaries, particularly by communicating her own needs in a healthier way. She often attempted to communicate more calmly with her mother during phone calls, visits, or program meetings showing great personal growth and maturity. As she became more confident in the relationships she developed at the program she also began to utilize more independent time, relying less on other’s acceptance to feel content. Despite staff’s attempts to reunite Amanda and her mother by providing them with various therapeutic supports, transitioning home ultimately was not an option for Amanda. Instead, she was connected with a family through the Foster Care program, where she has been residing since leaving our program. Amanda’s success can therefore be measured in the fact that she was able to stabilize in treatment, make healthier decisions surrounding her safety and peer group, she’s developed many valuable life skills to carry with her into adulthood, and she has the safety and security of the family environment from which she can receive the nurturance and support that she sought.

Six months later Amanda continues to accomplish success in her recovery and everyday life. She continues to reside with her foster family, attends therapy weekly, and attends mainstream school where she is excelling in her grades. Amanda has connected with a healthy peer group and enjoys community sports and activities. Amanda is aware of her risks of sexual exploitation and will reach out for support when she needs it. Amanda expresses that she feels happy, confident and is “enjoying life”. Amanda has developed strong relationships with some of her extended family members and continues to work towards rebuilding her relationship with her mom.

Youth Amanda, 16 years old

Grimmon House / Foster Care

Kristy’s Story of healing and recovery;

Kristy chose to access Grimmon house at the age of 17 after a life of trauma, heartbreak and unhealthy coping skills that were built to protect herself. She began using methamphetamines at a young age, and had been involved in very scary and dangerous situations with her peers. She had not attended secondary school and was involved in sexual exploitation using her body and illegal drugs as a way to make money to survive.

When she contacted Grimmon House in March 2017 she stated that she was seeking safety, security and health. Prior to intake, Kristy stated that her goal in life was that she “wants to help others avoid the mistakes I have made in my life. If I can protect one girl from experiencing and seeing what I have, I will be happy.” From day 1 at Grimmon House Kristy was committed to her recover, engaged, hopeful for her future and ready for change.

Throughout her time at Grimmon House Kristy abstained from drugs and alcohol and consistently demonstrated a desire to build healthy coping skills. She discovered a love of physical activity such as dancing and weight lifting to help her through difficult times. Prior to her time at Grimmon House, the longest she had abstained from illegal drugs was 30 days. During her time with BGCC, she followed through with all of her legal commitments. She also felt safe enough to reach out to RCMP to report a man who hurt her when she was only 13 years old, which was something she had never spoken about previously. With the support of the program therapist, an RCMP therapy dog and her own courage, she was able to make this disclosure with the hopes of him not hurting any more young women.

Kristy reconnected with her family and worked on developing healthy communication skills with her mother and her sister. Prior to coming to Grimmon House, Kristy was not deemed as safe enough to spend time with her young niece and nephew. During her time at Grimmon House she was able to fulfill her hope of being a positive role model for her young niece and nephew and continued to be able to spend quality time with them on a weekly basis and building a strong and healthy connection.

While at Grimmon House, Kristy achieved her very first high school credits at age 17. Facing obstacles of a diagnosed learning disability, low self- confidence and peer conflict, Kristy had not ever enrolled in high school. After reaching this goal of obtaining high school credit, Kristy expressed that she felt “so smart” and that she felt as though she “could do anything she put her mind to”. She sought support from the program teacher, Grimmon House staff and the other students during challenging subjects and was able to persevere through difficult hurdles in school work.

Kristy was successful in receiving the Child and Youth Spirit Award for her ongoing commitment to herself, her commitment to her recovery, for being a positive role model for others and for her contributions to her community.

Upon graduation from Grimmon House, Kristy was asked about what she feels is important for people to know about where she is at in her journey of recovery in this moment, she stated that she wants the world to know that she has “never been so happy in her life.”

Female Youth, 17 years old

Grimmon House

Thank you for painting my room my favorite color and making it feel like home

Thank you for putting positive messages on my door every day.

Thank you for practicing and perfecting the art of pancake making and making them for me anytime I ask even if its 3 in the morning.

Thank you for coming in my room every Monday morning and gently waking me up and saying “good morning sunshine you’re going to have a beautiful day because you’re beautiful” it’s the most perfect way to start out my day.

Thank you for sharing my love of ketchup chips and sitting on the couch eating bags and bags of them while we watch endless nonsense on the Family Channel

Thank you for asking me every day how many classes I went to at school and thank you for your amazing reaction when I tell you I went to all four. That’s my motivation.

Thank you for reminding me every day just how beautiful (inside and out but most importantly inside) I am and thank you for helping me realize that it’s true.

Thank you for always sharing your kindness and your genuine spirit with me and thank you for always starting your day with a smile and ending it with a smile even though I know I probably make you wanna pull your hair out some days.

Thank you for supporting me when I go back to the same group of friends over and over again even when they hurt me and use me and I know that I deserve better.

You are the best person in my world.

Thank you for holding me accountable to the promises and goals that I make even when I give you attitude and don’t follow through. You are teaching me the importance of accountability and you’re teaching me that I can do it even if it’s really hard. You’re teaching me I can do anything I set my mind to.

No one in my life has ever had the impact on me that you have had,

Thank you for always telling me every time I walk out the door to ‘make good choices’ even though I mock you every time.

Thank you for always checking in with me throughout the day to make sure that I’m okay.

Thank you for your goofy humor and always being someone I know can make me laugh even if it’s in the middle of super store and you’re dancing to the song over the radio.

Thank you for listening to my awful music that you hate and pretending that you like it sometimes I secretly think you do.

Thank you for always dropping everything if you know I need you. Thank you for talking with me for hours and hours when I’ve had a bad day.

Thank you for working too hard.

Thank you for always supporting me even when you don’t support my choices.

Thank you for being hard on me when I need it.

Thank you for being positive always.

I could go on forever and ever and thank you for the millions of things you do daily to make my life beautiful but I think I’ll stop here.

Your presence is my present. THANK YOU.

You are the best. You are helping me discover the person I’m meant to me. You make me feel loved, heard, valued and important. Thanks for never giving up on me!!! You are teaching me not to give up on myself.

“Xoxo”

Written by a youth at Eleanor’s House to staff

Female youth 16 years old

Molly resided at Eleanor’s House for a duration of 10 months and achieved significant success in multiple areas. Molly was able to develop healthy relationships with staff members, peers in her community, and most importantly herself.

Prior to Eleanor’s House Molly struggled with her attendance at school due to peer conflict and low self-confidence. While at Eleanor’s House Molly was able to re- connect to a community school, she attended regularly and currently continues to pursue her high school education. Molly attended groups   to learn about internet safety, sexual exploitation, self-esteem, positive relationships and healthy coping strategies.  Molly enjoyed meeting with staff daily and worked with determination on her goals to better herself in all the areas that both she, and her Mother, had identified.

Molly continues to attend mainstream high school and has expressed that she feels better able to make safer and more responsible decisions in the community. Molly participated eagerly in all experiential learning and specialized recreational activities while at Eleanor’s House and gained the confidence to assert herself as a leader for new peers moving into the program.  Molly demonstrated pride in how far she had come, and all that she has accomplished.

Molly also demonstrated commitment in attending family counselling weekly to rebuild her family relationships and focus on a safe and healthy transition home. Despite multiple challenges that were out of her control,  this (along with all the other dedicated work and growth that Molly achieved)  resulted in the opportunity for Eleanor’s House staff members to support Molly and her family in developing an active transition plan back into the family home.

Youth Molly

15 years Old

Eleanor’s House Resident

There’s still the final accounting to do in the new year, but Avenue 15, the Veterans Food Bank and the Warmth Project were delighted recipients of everyone’s generosity this year. Avenue 15 will receive the remainder of the money to assist with shelter expenses. I would have to say that this has been an exceptional in spite of the economy! Thank you one and all who have helped in anyway. I hope I haven’t missed anyone.

to everyone who has embraced the gift of giving this season. The donations of money, gift cards, and the stuffed backpacks that have been steadily dropped off at the Sports Office. We delivered 47 backpacks to Avenue 15. 24 youth were adopted in only two days and another 23 generic packs were given. The thoughtful attention to detail in creating the backpacks for the homeless youth at Avenue 15 is touching and inspiring.

• to the member who just read this message and donated $2500 online – WOW! Thank you!
• to the family who decided to donate their Xmas exchange gift money to Project Angel instead of buying gifts for each other.
• to the member who took this project to her office and adopted a teen.
• to the member that adopted TWO youth with very generous items in the backpacks.
• to the Maintenance Department (Karene) for organizing the Poinsettia Sales! It put $1000 in the fund after selling 100 poinsettias. Thank you to the member who purchased 12 plants!
• to the Administration Department for filling little tin toolboxes with 16 gift cards for eight lucky recipients.
• to the Aquatics Department for adopting one of the youth and the Gators who sold their extra t-shirts for $50.
• to our HR Department who hosted a Festive Sweater day where staff paid money for the opportunity to wear jeans and a sweater. Ka-ching! $97
• to the Tennis Department for hosting a Cardio Tennis event and to the 41 members who donated $100 to participate. We netted just over $3700.

• to the Bridge Section for their Tree-mendous Bridge Event donating, cash, cheques and cards to decorate the tree valued at over $2160.
• to the Golf Department for donating 19 Superstore gift cards to supplement the backpacks.
• to the Curling Department for the very successful Celebrity Super Spare Silent Auction bringing in over $4700!
• to the Pro Shop who lovingly wrapped hundreds of presents, hosted a member Appreciation Day, Spin-to-Win Contest as well as organized door prizes valued at over $5000 from their vendors. Many thanks to La Blend, Liverpool, Lucky in Love, Manstead, Maui Jims, Nic & Zoe, Paper E-Clips, Part II, Pistil, Royal Robbins, Sugoi, Tyr, V.Fraas, Wilson and Yogini. So far, just over $2500 has been donated.
• to the Banquet Department for gathering all the food & gifts from the three Family Xmas Parties. Four van-loads of goodies were delivered to the Veterans Food Bank.
• to Shipping for delivering the donations!

• to the staff member who took this project home and her family filled a backpack for one of the homeless girls.
• to the staff member who owns a honey farm and supplied the honey for the Bee-a-Honey project and for the Kitchen staff for donating the cost of the Heavenly Tortes. The Café sold 64 jars of honey netting $128 and the Sports Lounge and Grill Room sold the tortes donating $660 to Project Angel.
• to the Sports Office for being Heaven Central. They carefully kept track of 37 cash, on account or credit card donations averaging $93.75, processed the adoptions and collected the backpacks. We couldn’t have done it without you.
• from the Lost and Found, we re-gifted 12 pairs of sunglasses, 5 watches, some bracelets and an mp3 player.
• to the Accounting Department for being the keeper of the funds.
• to the Membership Department for looking up addresses for the charitable receipts
• to my Communications team for creating the displays, sending the emails, creating this website and anything else that was needed for Project Angel. We shopped for 50 adult bus tickets and 374 gift cards for a total of $12,020. When the dust settles in January, we will use the reaming funds to purchase more gift cards and bus tickets.

Staff and Members should be proud of what we have been able to accomplish in 30 days and even in the changing Calgary economic climate. Thank you for your generous and continued support. Every little bit helps! We processed 101 donations totally $13581.58 requesting charitable receipts. Avenue 15 was overwhelmed by our generosity and I know we have all made a difference in the lives of many local vulnerable youth.

Should you receive any gift cards for Christmas you can’t use or don’t want, think about donating them to Project Angel. Until January 4, dropboxes will be available at the Main Reception and Sports Desk where they can be deposited.

My heartfelt thanks,

Wendy Dypolt