Two transformation grants enhance safety and community support at the Calgary Drop-In Centre

Known as the largest shelter in North America, the Calgary Drop-In Centre supports the local community by welcoming adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Working collaboratively with community partners, the Calgary Drop-In offers everything from an emergency shelter, health and recovery programs to housing options – all geared to help people find their way home.

Their mission is working with the community to end homelessness, one person at a time. The CREB® Community Foundation has supported this mission by providing two transformation grants, one in 2023 and the other in 2024, to enhance the Drop-In Centre’s infrastructure and capacity to serve the community effectively.

Through these two grants, the foundation provided $30,000 to support exterior safety upgrades to the Sundial apartment building, one of the Drop-In’s affordable housing units, and to revitalize the communal kitchen at their Bridgeland Manor building.

Upgrades to the Sundial apartment building included improved lighting and security measures, aligning with the centre’s mission to provide safe and dignified housing solutions.

“When I first moved into Sundial, I was just grateful to have a roof over my head. But the building didn’t always feel safe, and the doors didn’t lock properly. After the upgrades, everything changed,” said one Sundial tenant.

“The new doors and security features made me feel protected for the first time in years. I sleep better. I feel safer. And for the first time in a long time, I can start thinking about what’s next in my life and not just surviving. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”

At the Bridgeland Manor building, upgrades to the community kitchen helped enhance the overall quality of services offered to guests.

Cindy Ngo, Development Manager at the Calgary Drop-In Centre, says that besides improved physical infrastructure, both projects have also contributed to a sense of dignity and community among residents, which are essential components in the journey towards stable, independent living.

“The CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation has been instrumental in enhancing the DI's infrastructure and capacity to serve the community effectively,” Ngo says.

“This partnership exemplifies how targeted investments can lead to tangible improvements in the lives of those we serve, reinforcing our shared commitment to ending homelessness in Calgary.”

Tagged: CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation