Conference Leads the Way to Transformative Action in Ending Homelessness

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - May 2, 2016) - Leaders, researchers, front-line staff, individuals with lived experience and government representatives working together to end homelessness will conference on May 5 and 6 in Calgary to share best practices, new approaches and innovative successes on ending homelessness,. The Alberta Way Home: Transformative Action in Ending Homelessness, sponsored by the 7 cities on Housing and Homelessness and hosted by the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) will feature expert key note speakers, a short play on the lived experience of homelessness and a performance by Indigenous hip/hop artist, Jerilynn Webster. Over 80 presenters from across Alberta will present on a diversity of topics and programs including housing first, youth homelessness, trauma informed care, outreach services, Indigenous relations, and the integration of housing, supports and services in community and across systems of care.

The sold out conference of approximately 400 will include leaders, and professionals from all orders of government, Alberta Health Services, community agencies, research, policy and front line service providers.

In addition to conference presentations, an interactive learning lab will reveal the 7 cities Online Learning Resource (SCOLR); an innovative electronic learning platform accessible to Alberta Housing First practitioners and an ever-current resource for Housing First best practices.

Media are invited to attend. There will be interview and photo opportunities throughout the 2 day event.

About CHF
The Calgary Homeless Foundation is a catalyst and enabler for Service Agencies and Systems to optimize client success. CHF focuses on Advocacy, Research and Development, Systems Planning, and Funding, outcomes and impact. CHF addresses gaps and identifies best practices to improve the system of care. Through mobilization of collective impact, CHF is committed to moving forward in partnership with the many homeless-serving agencies, the private sector, government partners, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians to end homelessness in Calgary. For more information, visit calgaryhomeless.com.

About 7 Cities on Housing and Homelessness
Working together to end homelessness since 2001, Alberta's 7 Cities on Housing and Homelessness (7 Cities) is made up of the lead organizations responsible for the implementation of local Plans to End Homelessness. The seven cities coordinate local plans at a systems level and align funding resources for greater impact and progress towards ending homelessness. 7 Cities provides a forum for dialogue with the federal and provincial representatives on housing and homelessness. These seven cities have long-standing histories of delivering strategic planning and service delivery in communities, along with administering and aligning funds, with accountabilities to several provincial or federal funders, including Alberta Human Services and the federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy. The 7 Cities are: Calgary Homeless Foundation, City of Grande Prairie, City of Lethbridge, Homeward Trust Edmonton, Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, City of Red Deer and Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

About SCOLR
The 7 cities Online Learning Resource (SCOLR) is an electronic learning platform for Housing First practitioners across the province of Alberta. The program provides a modular learning experience, and an ongoing source for Housing First best practices. SCOLR is structured to train front line workers from the beginning of employment and continues for up to one year of training. This platform of training enables the 7 cities of Alberta to consistently disseminate core concepts of housing first and effectively implement this approach to end homelessness across the province.