7th Annual Arthur R. Smith Awards Winners Honoured for Excellence in Ending Homelessness

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - March 6, 2014) - Today the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) honoured the 2013 recipients of the Arthur R. Smith Awards (Awards) which recognize front-line staff and volunteers who exemplify excellence in providing housing with support to those at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Calgary. The Awards are made possible through the generous support of Mr. James Stanford.

• Cheryle Sklapsky, Keys to Recovery is the recipient of this year's Front-line Employee Award, which goes to someone demonstrating a strong commitment to Housing First and the goal to end homelessness. Nominated by co-worker, Elsie Olson, a Case Manager at Keys to Recovery, Cheryle was described as having, "the hope of a child, the vision of a leader and the experienced skill set of a veteran."

• Sunalta Lodging House Team, Alpha House Society is the recipient of The Front-line Team Award, which is given to a front-line team demonstrating a strong commitment to Housing First and the goal to end homelessness. Nominated by Kiimberly Sikora of Pathways to Housing, she described the team as "leaders in using the Housing First model and pioneers in the concept of Harm Reduction."

• Harry and Irene Simmelink are the recipients of the 2013 Volunteer Award which is given to an individual or group who demonstrate a long-term commitment to volunteerism in the homeless sector. The couple has been volunteering at Sonshine Community Services for 34 years. "'Salt of the earth' would be words that come to mind when I think of Harry and Irene," says nominator, Julie-anne Toews of Sonshine Community Services.

Each individual and group receives a $2,000 award.

"You are to be commended for your hard work with and compassion for those you serve so well," says Mrs. Betty-Anne Smith, the widow of the late Arthur Smith, who will be presenting the awards to the recipients. "Arthur would have been proud of the great work being done by all those receiving awards and the many others who represent the front-line work that Arthur thought was so important."

More information on the Arthur R. Smith Awards is here. Bios and photos of the recipients are here.

The CHF leads implementation of Calgary's 10 Year Plan with agencies, the private sector, government, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians to end homelessness in Calgary once and for all. For more information, visit calgaryhomeless.com.