Dr. John Rook to Lead the Calgary Homeless Foundation

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - July 27, 2012) - The Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) Board of Directors today announced that Dr. John Rook will become the President and Chief Executive Officer effective August 13, 2012, replacing Tim Richter who is moving on to lead the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.

"Dr. Rook brings to this position a wealth of knowledge and passion towards ending homelessness," said Steve Snyder, Chair of the CHF Board of Directors. "He also has extensive experience leading front-line agencies and key relationships with all levels of government, the research community and most important, those who have experienced homelessness."

The CHF Board is confident Dr. Rook has the skill, the motivation and the leadership abilities necessary to oversee the successful implementation of Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Since 2007, Dr. Rook has been the Chair and President of the National Council of Welfare and since 2008 he has been an Adjunct Faculty Member of the University of Calgary. He has led a number of non-profit agencies, including most recently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Potential Place from December 2011 to present, being the Co-Executive Director of The Alex Community Health Centre for one year and leading The Salvation Army Community Services in Calgary from 2004 to 2010. Dr. Rook has a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford.

The 10 Year Plan targets an end to homelessness by January 29, 2018. Ending homelessness means that an individual or family will stay in an emergency shelter or sleep outside for no longer than one week before moving into a safe, decent and affordable home with the support needed to sustain it.

To learn more about the CHF and Calgary's 10 Year Plan visit www.calgaryhomeless.com.