When Cristina* had her first child, Colton, she was worried about how she would handle it. As a young, single mother with limited social supports in Calgary, she was determined to find a way to succeed. Colton’s father is not able to be in their lives, due to his own Read more
As adults, we should teach children to use basic skills such as how to follow instructions, accept feedback, raise concerns or disagree appropriately. By practicing these skills with your child regularly, they learn to listen more and argue less. 1. From an early age, teach your child what your expectations Read more
Watch Asha's story. Sitting down with a drum can be a spiritual experience, says Darcy Turning Robe, who teaches the drumming circle every Tuesday as part of Closer to Home’s Ee-Des-Spoom- Ooh-Soop program. “The drum itself has its own spirit,” he continues. “Every drum speaks to a person.” That was Read more
1. I can’t be a foster parent, because I don’t have parenting experience. Truth: No parenting experience is needed to become a foster parent. Many people with various backgrounds choose fostering. Although parenting experience is not necessary, you will need to meet certain criteria and participate in screening and assessment for Read more
Minoush Rafie (above left), Coordinator of the West Central Community Resource Centre, says it takes time and trust for people to feel comfortable opening up, especially about mental health concerns. (Photo Courtesy: Leah Hennel, Calgary Herald) “If you don’t address the root of the problem, it will just Read more
Are you feeling blue? It’s common to feel low at this time of year, with around one in three Canadians experiencing the “winter blues.” Another 10 to 15 percent suffer from a mild form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression most common in the fall or winter. Read more
For over 12 years, Camp Chestermere has been welcoming youth from our Teaching Homes to their overnight summer camps, offering Closer to Home a steep discount for each child. Without this, we wouldn’t be able to give our kids this exciting and valuable experience, where they get to participate in Read more
For the past 10 years, Sonia Lopez has welcomed countless children into her home as a Foster Parent. The role came into her life at just the right time, because the following year her husband passed away. “Having kids around me during that difficult time helped me a lot,” Sonia Read more
Growing up on a farm with seven siblings and a large extended family, Agnes was brought up to pitch in and lend a helping hand to others. At the age of eight or nine, she got to join a 4-H club. “Maybe it all started there,” she says. “I find Read more
Since 1929, Scarboro United Church has prided itself on being an open-minded, diverse and caring community, welcoming people and families from all backgrounds, beliefs and values. They are an ‘Affirming Congregation,’ meaning they have adopted the affirming process to be inclusive of the LGBTQ2+ communities. They also pride themselves on Read more
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