We're Kicking Off Construction of the Future Home for 30 Formerly Homeless Calgarians

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - April 24, 2014) - On Monday, April 28^th, the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) and the RESOLVE Campaign will host a kick-off event to mark the beginning of construction of the first of eight purpose-built apartments for homeless Calgarians.

These apartments are funded through capital grants from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs in the Government of Alberta and gifts from 12 local home builders, including Albi Homes, Brookfield Residential Properties, Calbridge Homes, Cardel Homes, Cedarglen Living, Centron, Homes by Avi, Hopewell Communities, Jayman MasterBUILT, Morrison Homes, Qualico and Shane Homes. This first apartment, called 'Stepping Stone Manor,' will be developed in partnership with Cedarglen Living.

To commemorate the event, the Government of Alberta Municipal Affairs' Acting Minister Greg Weadick and Human Services' Minister Manmeet Bhullar will write the 'first wishes' for the future of Stepping Stone Manor, its tenants and the community. Acting Minister Weadick and Minister Bhullar will be joined by Cedarglen Living CEO, Scott Haggins, Chair of the RESOLVE Campaign and CHF Board, and President and CEO Brookfield Residential Properties, Alan Norris and interim President and CEO of the CHF, Gerrad Oishi.

WHAT:	Invited guests will be writing 'first wishes' to be hung on the trees in the front yard and This is My City Art Society, with support from The Calgary Foundation, will transform the façade of the front of the existing house with large-size photographs from the community. The house will then be demolished in early May and the photographs and wishes transferred to the fencing.
	The formal event will be followed by a community event, where all Calgarians are invited to drop-by and view the art installation and write 'first wishes' to be hung from the trees. There will be free entertainment and refreshments, plus a chance to view renderings and floor plans of the future building.
WHEN:	Monday, April 28th
	Invitation only event: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (agenda below)
	Public community art event: 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE:	222 15 Ave SW (public parking is limited to street side only)

Kick-off Event for Stepping Stone Manor

Agenda

April 28, 2014, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

222 15 Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB

1:15 p.m.	Welcoming remarks
	Emcee - Gerrad Oishi, Interim President & CEO, CHF
1:17	The Honourable Greg Weadick, Acting Minister Municipal Affairs, Govt. of AB
1:20	The Honourable Manmeet Bhullar, Minister Human Services, Govt. of AB
1:23	Mr. Scott Haggins, CEO Cedarglen Living
1:26	Mr. Alan Norris, Chair CHF Board and RESOLVE Campaign,
	President & CEO Brookfield Residential Properties
1:29	Unveiling of building renderings and writing of first wishes to hang on tree
1:40	Closing remarks by Oishi

About CHF

The Calgary Homeless Foundation leads the implementation of Calgary's 10 Year Plan and is moving forward in partnership with the many homeless-serving agencies, the private sector, our government partners, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians to end homelessness in Calgary once and for all. For more information, visit calgaryhomeless.com.

About RESOLVE Campaign

RESOLVE is a community-driven capital Campaign with nine Partners collaborating to provide 3,000 vulnerable Calgarians with a place to call home. Our goal is to raise $120 million to leverage government commitments and create a variety of sustainable and affordable rental housing units for Calgarians who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. For more information, visit http://resolvecampaign.com/.

About This is My City

This is My City Art Society (TMC), a not-for-profit society brings opportunities for positive creative expression into the lives of some of Calgary's most marginalized citizens - the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. For more information, visit http://www.thisismycitycalgary.ca/