Taking the lead, in times of change

Because of our knowledge gained through 47 years in Calgary, our counselling research and our unique business model, we have had the opportunity to partner with a number of organizations to assess what Calgarians need in this time of economic change.

We know and understand what Calgarians are facing. They are stressed. They are worried about their finances, they are worried about their jobs and they are concerned about their future. But, they are also asking for help when they are concerned about their problems.

Our unique viewpoint has meant we have been a valuable contributor on a number of committees. This collaboration with other community partners has meant short-term solutions, with services and solutions to help people in the long-term. Here’s what we’ve been part of in the last six months:

Community Reports:

• In the spring of 2009, United Way completed an intensive community scan to better understand the impact of the recession. We were part of the planning committee and in June, 2009, we participated in the release of the Resiliency Report – a report about the severity of economic conditions on Calgarians and the agencies that serve them.
• In September, we participated in the release of Dashed Dreams – a collaborative venture examined the effects of economic recession in our community. As a planning committee member and a sponsor of the report, we are very interested in its conclusion: the recession has impacted Calgarians much more deeply than suggested by recent reports of economic recovery.
  

Tools you can use:

Calgary’s United Way web site hosts services for people who are affected by economic challenges:

• Hope in Hard Times - a workbook for Calgarians impacted by job loss and financial pressures. The workbook serves as a guide for people who need to take stock of their lives and help them figure out their next move when they’ve suffered job loss.
• The Government Benefits Calculator – helps people determine if they are getting the benefits they are entitled to.
• Managing Your Money in Hard Times - offers online resources that will allow you to make the best of the money you have.

With the downturn in the economy not yet behind us, we expect this collaborative work to continue in 2010. The future for Calgary is strong, but there will be challenges ahead. We are working with other community leaders to understand community need in 2010 and respond accordingly.

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