News & Stories

Celebrating the United Way’s 2021 Bhayana and Agency Awards

May 6, 2021

The Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI) is thrilled to have received the Engaging Communities Award alongside The Mustard Seed, Alpha House, and Salvation Army as part of the United Way’s Bhayana and Agency Awards. This awards program is designed to shine a spotlight on the agencies and community leaders that support our most vulnerable people – we are proud to be among our incredible partners who work tirelessly every day.

Engaging Communities Award

This award recognizes agencies and initiatives that exemplify a strong commitment to mobilize community members in addressing the issues that matter to them.
Recipient! Front-Line Shelter Providers Working Together to Ensure Continued Access to Shelter during COVID.

The DI, Alpha House, The Mustard Seed, Salvation Army front-line homeless shelters faced unprecedented challenges at the onset of COVID-19 – with reduced capacities, staff shortages, outbreaks, new protocols and procedures agencies needed to band together to ensure uninterrupted service for those most in need. Together, agencies created smooth referral pathways and continued to communicate and collaborate regularly. Lending each other support as each agency faced their own unique challenges was truly inspiring.

Our joint advocacy resulted in the homeless population being prioritized for Phase 2C of the vaccine roll out and we will continue to work together as issues emerge.

“Front-line homeless shelters faced unprecedented challenges upon the onset of COVID-19 – with reduced capacities, staff shortages, outbreaks, new protocols and procedures we needed to band together to ensure uninterrupted service for those most in need,” says Sandra Clarkson, Executive Director, Calgary Drop-In Centre.

“Lending each other support as we individually faced our own unique challenges was truly inspiring,” says Clarkson.

We could not have responded nearly as effectively if we had not worked together to adjust and adapt to the ever-changing demands of the pandemic. Our joint advocacy resulted in the homeless population being prioritized for Phase 2C of the vaccine roll out and we will continue to work together as issues emerge.

We are also thrilled to announce that three of our people were recognized for their incredible work:

Fatima M. received the received the Above and Beyond Award. The award recognizes individual employees and/or teams who have demonstrated remarkable commitment and passion to their work and community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also want to congratulate the DI’s Melanie M. (nominated for the Above and Beyond Award) and Alvin C. (nominated for the Commitment to Person-Centred Practice Award). Thank you for your tireless efforts!

Congratulations to all the deserving nominees and recipients of the United Way’s 2021 Bhayana and Agency Awards!

For more information, contact:

Chris Huestis
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Calgary Drop-In Centre
587-391-5508
christopher.huestis@thedi.ca

About the Calgary Drop-In Centre

The Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI) is more than an emergency shelter. We provide essential care as well as health services, employment training, and housing supports to people who need help. Our programs and services connect people to permanent housing that meets their individual needs. For more information on how to volunteer, donate or otherwise make an impact, visit www.calgarydropin.ca

About the Bhayana and Agency Awards

The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards are made possible by a generous donation from Raksha M. Bhayana and the Bhayana Family Foundation. As a former member of United Way Toronto’s Board of Trustees, Raksha is a dedicated community volunteer and a passionate champion for the recognition of staff who make a difference in the community every day.

For more information, visit www.calgaryunitedway.org/agency-appreciation-awards