To our partners and supporters,
In what has been an unprecedented year for us all, we are deeply grateful for the support of those who choose to walk with us alongside our city’s most vulnerable citizens. In light of the continued human and financial toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, the power of community has never been stronger, and we look back on this last year inspired by your commitment and generosity.
We were just wrapping up the fiscal year when the crisis hit and we quickly had to find new ways to support clients with their immediate needs. But in doing so, we never lost sight of our goal to provide integrated care – seamless support across CUPS and across agencies to help people build resiliency in all areas of their life, so they can move forward better equipped to handle adversity when it happens. Disaster comes in many forms and the pandemic has much to teach us about the need to become more resilient.
This year, more than 9,000 Calgarians came to us seeking help. Each one is offered access to a care coordinator who will take them through the CUPS Resilience Assessment Tool. This process allows us to map out a person’s current state and have a discussion around care options to tailor a plan that is right for them. As we move more and more people through this intake process, we’re able to track progress, make changes as needed and report better on our impact.
Through the COVID crisis, you answered our call for support through the CUPS COVID-19 Fund. You enabled us to pivot our operations, mitigate risks and continue serving those who needed our care. While we’ve never seen anything like this before, historically, we know that the hardest hit by any developing crisis are those who are already well entrenched in one of their own. Because of that, your support has been more important than ever.
As we grow in awareness of social-injustices, experience new economic disruptions and face increasing instability, your support will allow us to learn, react and respond, evolving our operations so we can continue to effectively understand and address the unique challenges of each client.
We recognize the opportunity to extend resilience beyond poverty and trauma. We can apply a brain science, trauma-informed approach to building the resilience of our entire community against inequality, discrimination and vulnerability. With your support, we are determined to bring transformational change in thinking, policy, infrastructure and everyday practice so our community can adapt and flourish.
You are part of this important movement. CUPS isn’t simply solving problems, but remains committed to leading the way toward creating lasting, positive change. The pandemic has emphasized this need more than ever, and despite our best efforts now, we know that the future will bring additional challenges. We look ahead with optimism knowing we have the support of individuals like you to help us get there.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, thank you.
Carlene Donnelly, Executive Director
Michael Lang, Chairman of the Board