YYC Community Helpers Volunteer Call out

YYC Community Helpers, one of our CACG initiatives, is in the immediate need of volunteers to deliver Food Bank food hampers weekday mornings (M,T, W, F) to households within Calgary experiencing food insecurity.  If you are interested, you can read more about the requirements of the position on the Propellus volunteer posting here.

From Our Environment Research Action Team:

Defend Alberta Parks Campaign - Letters to MLAs and lawn signs in Calgary

www.defendabparks.ca

The Alberta government is planning to close 20 parks and remove 164 from the Alberta Parks system. A total of 175 parks (37% of Alberta parks) will lose protection and Albertans could lose access. 4,400 campsites may be lost. 7 of 10 Albertans oppose these closures / removals. This decision was made without public consultation and without evidence of cost savings. 

We need your help. The changes are not yet final. Please join the Alberta Environmental Network, CPAWS Northern Alberta and CPAWS Southern Alberta and tens of thousands of Albertans who have already spoken up against these changes. Tell your MLA that Alberta Parks are important to you and should not be closed / removed. We are mobilizing an MLA letter-writing and lawn sign campaign in Calgary - please find us at www.defendabparks.ca

Go to www.defendabparks.ca to send a letter to your MLA, request a lawn sign, donate or volunteer. And please spread the word and tell others. Thank you! For more information contact info@defendabparks.ca.

Building Mental Health Resiliency: Weds. September 16 at 7pm.

On June 22, 2020 we sent this letter calling for the implementation of a Basic Income program to Prime Minister Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Freeland and Minister of Finance Minister Morneau. 

This Thursday, June 27: Domestic Violence Webinar: at 7-9p.m.

Thursday, June 25: 7-9 p.m. Click here for more information and to register.

“Domestic violence is at epidemic levels in Alberta with 1 in 3 individuals experiencing violence in their lifetime. The impact of domestic violence knows no bounds. Incidents of domestic violence exist across rural and urban areas, within all cultural and faith communities, amongst university educated professionals with a roof over their heads and those who don’t know where their next safe place to sleep will be.

Join us for a presentation by Carolyn Mitchell, Real Talk Program Coordinator at Sagesse. Carolyn Mitchell works as the Real Talk Program Coordinator with Sagesse.

This presentation is jointly sponsored by CACG, Calgary Interfaith Council, and the I-CARE (Interfaith Community Approach Resisting and Eliminating Hate, Racism and Violence) Task Force.

The Green Line received City of Calgary approval this past week.  Now, a letter received from Transportation Ric McIver indicating the Green Line project will be reviewed by the province is pause for concern.  The Calgary Alliance for the Common Good has responded with a committment to write the province and involve our membership.

From 660 News:  

"That’s prompted the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good to write to all Calgary MLAs including McIver and Premier Jason Kenney ensuring they keep their end of the bargain."

The full article with letter, the City of Calgary's response and our committment to keep the Green Line alive can be found here.

We did it! On Tuesday evening, Calgary City Council approved the Green Line! This approval is an incredible victory for both ordinary Calgarians and for the Calgary Alliance! Thank you to our members, who successfully fought for the Green Line by writing letters, making phone calls, tweeting, speaking at Council and coming to the rally. You made a difference! Through this campaign, you fought for a city that looks after ALL its citizens, one that believes in helping our vulnerable get to their place of work, families take their children to school and recreational facilities, and seniors remain mobile, all while reducing Green House Gas Emissions, creating jobs and diversifying our economy! We are so grateful for each and every effort in support of this campaign and particularly want to thank Christine Laing & Aïda Nciri and the Calgary Climate Hub for their work and partnership on this project!

Annual General Meeting 2020

Thursday, June 25: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

For more information and to register click here.  

The Green Line is at a critical juncture. You can take action to make sure that it gets built. 

The Green Line barely passed the committee vote on June 1. Now it goes to Council on June 15, where they will decide if it goes ahead, or dies from indecision. Currently, there are 6 councilors who are committed to supporting the Green Line, we need to take action to ensure there are at least 8 councilors who vote in support of this project.

Trauma Informed Care Webinar: Thursday, June 11: 7-9 p.m.

Having a good understanding of Trauma-Informed Care, is now being recognized as one of the most important aspects in creating good mental health supports. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Trauma-Informed Care is about recognizing the prevalence and impact of trauma in our communities and then using this understanding to influence how we interact with people to create emotionally and physically safe environments.

Join us this Thursday, for a conversation with Agnes Chen and Vicki Park from CUPS Calgary on the importance of Trauma-Informed Care.

Tomorrow: Monday, June 1: Green Line Calgary Alliance Action at City Hall

 We have asked for 50 people to come to City Hall at 9:30 am on Monday June 1^st for a socially distanced action. Please go to our sign-up link below to see if we still need people, as we can only have 50 people to comply with health regulations. If you are coming you must register at: https://signup.com/go/GyvduSc .

Thursday: June 4 at 7-8:30p.m. (MST) Imagining a Better Tomorrow Webinar

"Join hundreds of leaders from unions, citizen organizations and congregations across Canada, the US and the Northwest to be inspired to work together to REIMAGINE the kind of community our faith and democratic traditions call us to create."

Register in advance for this meeting here:
https://iafnw.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrd-6spjIvG9Pk7SzEqhLFuFGPZ-d8uEQ1

AND, email Ryan at Ryan@calgarycommongood.org to let him know that you have registered.

How do we live out the best values of our traditions at this time?

How do we bring love, compassion, solidarity, Tikun Olam, and justice into our communities? 

 We are asking our members to consider taking one of three actions:

1. Join your organizations’ core team as they look after people within your institution.

2. Become a block captain and work with your neighbour to build a neighbourhood solidarity team where neighbours look after each other. 

3. Become a community helper – and offer up your time and skills to volunteer where it is most needed.