in our city and show how, through the generosity of our readers, we can all make a difference in helping our fellow Calgarians, including some of the city’s most vulnerable.While these are indeed challenging times, it puts a fire under people like Donnelly, who is eager to discuss some of the initiatives her organization has undertaken to combat the growing threats to our collective well-being.
Like CUPS, Bruce Holstead’s organization has faced unprecedented hardship over the past three years. “Addiction and isolation go hand-in-hand and the pandemic exploited that,” says Holstead, the executive director of, which for more than three decades has been helping men and their families at its Calgary and Lethbridge long-term recovery addiction treatment centres. “For recovery to happen you need connection, not isolation,” he says. “We had to rethink a lot of the ways we reach out to help.
He has praise for his front-line staff, who have continued to show up each day despite the added stressors of the past three years. “It’s really worn a lot of people down, but they still have a lot of resilience and commitment.” The work done by Hospice Calgary includes programs that support the mental wellness of children and relatives who lose a loved one. Postmedia file photo.