GENEROUS ADVENT

TOGETHER, WE DID SOMETHING
INCREDIBLE THIS CHRISTMAS!

Every year at Commons we commit ourselves to take the generosity inspired by the Christmas story and point it at those we can help. This year, we raised another $65,000 to help our neighbours, here and around the world, to address immediate needs.
THANK YOU!

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We are all aware of the increasing financial pressures many of our neighbours face as inflation puts more pressure on household budgets. In fact, according to Vibrant Communities Calgary, one in five Alberta households experience food insecurity and are concerned about not having enough food. This Christmas, we want to focus our generosity on this vital concern.

We have chosen four areas where we can make a significant impact for our friends and neighbours.

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LOCAL FOOD SECURITY $35,000

In 2021, we opened the COMMONS CUPBOARD, a resource-sharing initiative available to anyone in the community just outside the church. Since then, we have seen an alarming increase in food supply needs. In 2024, we are committing $20,000 to keep the cupboard stocked with food available 24/7 to the neighbourhood. We have also relocated the cupboard to a more prominent spot near our entry on Kensington Road. With close access to transit, the Cupboard has become an important fixture for many in the neighbourhood.

Along with our efforts through the Commons Cupboard, we also support the work of neighbourhood organizations like the Hillhurst Fresh Food Basket program, working to address systemic food issues. And this Christmas, we are again working with local restaurants to prepare and deliver Christmas meals to the Seniors Housing units closest to the church.

Finally, our annual Advent Campaign provides the resources that care for those in the Commons communities and neighbourhoods that need help throughout year. This takes the form of intervention when housing is at risk, grocery and food for families and individuals needing support, and financial counselling and crisis support where necessary. Often, these stories are delicate and private, but it is an honour for our community to help where we are invited and a significant part of our role in the neighbourhood.

YOUNG MOMS $10,000

Commons has a long-standing relationship with Louise Dean School across the street from us. While we are sad to say that the young moms’ program will be relocated in fall 2024, we want to continue to support the work that the Kindred does through the school for another year. Our Advent Campaign provides resources for scholarships for graduating students and the hot launch program at the school. We also support Made by Momma and the High Banks Society in their respective support of education and housing for young mothers in our neighbourhood.

Read the report from Kindred on how our donations were used this year.

RECONCILIATION EFFORTS $10,000

Commons has an ongoing commitment to use our resources in ways that contribute to indigenous reconciliation in Treaty 7. Over the past three years, we have begun and built new partnerships with indigenous-led organizations in the city. This Christmas, we will be continuing our support for the Aboriginal Friendship Centre, which, among many initiatives, provides packed lunches to those in need. We are also continuing our support that provides access to an indigenous elder at Alpha House, and working with Brenda Stafford Centre to support their indigenous housing initiative.

We are supporting Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth, which provides unique programs blending elder support and multi-media experiences. Research indicates as few as 11% of Indigenous youth graduate from high school in Calgary, but participation in USAY’s programs has significantly increased high school completion rates.

And finally, we are adding support for Makwa Dodem, an Indigenous-led program aimed at equipping and empowering Indigenous communities to prevent sexual exploitation. It’s very exciting to support our own Commons participants in Jaiden Kuchinka and her sister Jacqueline Peeace who have founded this new intitaive.

It is a privilege for us to partner with these incredible programs.

MATERNAL HEALTH IN GAZA $10,000

With a temporary ceasefire in place, we want to move quickly to respond to the needs in Gaza. CARE Canada has had an ongoing presence in the region for years. With the current fighting that has raged, CARE has received concerning reports from their medical personnel in Gaza about the extreme vulnerability of pregnant women.

Due to the lack of capacity in hospitals, women are being discharged within as little as three hours after giving birth. And an average of 160 pregnant women are expected to give birth every day until Christmas in Gaza. CARE’s latest Rapid Gender Analysis warns that the dire conditions are exacerbating the risk of maternal and newborn mortality, which are already disproportionately high in Gaza.

“I can only imagine how afraid these women are for themselves and their babies, all while suffering in unbearable pain. We are also hearing that some hospitals have run out of baby formula. This is particularly concerning because trauma can affect a mother’s ability to produce milk. As food supplies dwindle, there is a substantial risk to the health of the 283,000 children under five and pregnant or lactating women,” said Hiba Tibi, CARE West Bank and Gaza Country Director.

We have previously worked with CARE to respond to the Rohingya crisis. We trust CARE to get our resources directly to those most vulnerable, with a particular focus on maternal health amid this ongoing conflict. In volatile situations like this, working with organizations with the experience, expertise, and appropriate policies is important to ensure resources reach the intended targets. CARE has extensive transparency and accountability policies, and our funds will only be used to resource CARE’s direct operations in Gaza. Read more.

This ADVENT, we hope to raise $65,000 for these efforts in 2024.

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THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING YOUR CONTRIBUTION

Your gift means the world to someone. All donations completed before midnight on December 31st are eligible for 2023 tax receipts.