Behind the Match: How Adopt-a-Family Brought Hope to a Newcomer Family
Last holiday season, a father and his family arrived in Calgary with hope for a better future. They dreamed of new opportunities and a fresh start, but the reality of beginning again in a new country was harder than they had imagined.
The father, an experienced manager in the homebuilding industry, possessed the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Determined to provide for his family, he tried everything — visiting construction sites, applying for jobs, even offering to work as a labourer. But no matter how hard he tried, doors kept closing.
Each rejection weighed heavily. “It was hard on him,” their Healthy Families practitioner recalled. “He felt as a husband and a dad; he couldn’t provide for his family.”
Through it all, their practitioner visited weekly, offering both practical guidance and a steady source of encouragement. She saw not just the challenges the family was facing, but also their resilience and determination. And when she realized how much they could use an extra helping hand, she referred them to Closer to Home’s Adopt-a-Family program.
The news that they had been matched with a donor was transformative. The father and his family felt something they had been missing since their arrival in Calgary: they were not alone. Someone in their new community cared.
When the family received their gift card, the impact was immediate. For the first time in months, the parents could shop with dignity, choosing what their family truly needed. They filled their fridge with food, picked out warm winter clothes for the children, and even allowed themselves a few small comforts to brighten the holiday season.
What began as a simple referral to Adopt-a-Family became a turning point. The father, though still searching for steady work, carried himself with renewed hope. The children felt the joy of being cared for, and the family as a whole could step into the new year with a little less worry and a little more strength.
This story reminds us that behind every referral, every weekly home visit, and every matched family, lives are being lifted up – not just through immediate relief, but through dignity, compassion, and the knowledge that the community is here for them.
You can help another family feel that same sense of hope and belonging this holiday season. Learn more about Adopt-a-Family today!
