Calgary Homeless Foundation: Nearly 400 Community Members Gather at Summit to Learn from Experts and Each Other, Discuss 10 Year Plan and Pay Tribute to Front-Line Workers/Volunteers

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - March 8, 2011) -

What:

Representatives from non-profit agencies, all levels of government, volunteers, the faith community, business, donors and those who have received housing and support will meet for a full-day Summit centred around Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Typically, this day has attendance of about 300 people. This year's Summit has nearly 400 people attending, a sign of the continued momentum to end homelessness in Calgary once and for all.

When:

Thursday, March 10, 2011 (9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

Where:

Palomino Room, BMO Centre, Calgary Stampede

Highlights:

9:15 to 9:45	Mark Horvath, InvisiblePeople TV and We Are Visible (Los Angeles, California) – see bio and interview availability below
9:45 to 10:15	Sue Marshall, Community Partnership For The Prevention of Homelessness, Washington D.C. – see bio and interview availability
10:30 to 11:30	Agency Panel – Calgary Agencies' "Best Practice" Programs
12:30 to 1:30	Arthur R. Smith Awards Luncheon with Mrs. Betty Ann Smith and Tim Richter, President and CEO, Calgary Homeless Foundation – learn more about this Award
1:30 to 3:30	World Café Discussions on Achieving 10 Year Plan Goals

Details:

Mark Horvath from Invisible TV and We Are Visible (Los Angeles, California)

Three years ago, Mark Horvath travelled across the U.S. to film and share the stories of people living in shelters, motels, tents and under bridges.These stories were so powerful Mark launched InvisiblePeople TV. It is such a hitthat the Huffington Post named him one of 11 Twitter activists to follow and he has been covered by the L.A. Times, CNN, CBS and NPR. He travels the world telling these powerful stories and helping people, like the L.A. Police Department, better understand homelessness.

Mark is available the day of the Community Summit for media interviews.

Sue Marshall, Community Partnership For The Prevention Of Homelessness (Washington, D.C).

Sue Marshall is the founding Executive Director of the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness in Washington D.C. She works with government,community members, homeless service providers and advocates on the D.C. Initiative on Homelessness. Sue is responsible for administering more than $60 million in public sector funding each year. She's become a role model for other cities, providing technical assistance to New York, Philadelphia and Chicago around system development, plans and programs. Sue also helps agencies build their capacity to end homelessness.

Sue is available the afternoon of March 9 and March 10 for media interviews

Panel Representing Nine Local Agencies With "Best Practice" Programs

The nine agencies are: Aspen Family and Community Network Society, Inn From The Cold, Fresh Start Recovery Centre, The Calgary Alpha House Society, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, The Alex Community Health Centre, the YWCA and Servants Anonymous. Listen to these agencies explain their programs.

The Arthur R. Smith Awards (12:30 to 1:30)

Arthur Smith was a leader when it came to ending homelessness in Calgary, Alberta and Canada. He started the Calgary Homeless Foundation in 1998 and, before his death, he provided wise counsel on Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.

The Arthur R. Smith Awards recognize and honour front-line staff and volunteers who provide re-housing and support to those at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Calgary. The winners receive a $2,000 award. The awards were missed in 2009, so in 2010 there will be six award winners, two each in the categories of:

• Volunteer Whose Work Makes A Contribution To Those Without A Home
• Front-Line Staff Who Provide Support To Those Without A Home
• Front-Line Staff Who Successfully Move People Into Housing or Keep Those At Risk Housed

A selection Committee made up of Mr. Stephen Clark (TransCanada Pipelines), Ms. Ruth Ramsden-Wood (United Way of Calgary and Area), Bishop Fred Henry (Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary), Mr. Trevor Daroux (Calgary Police Service), Mr. Barry Davidson (Community Life Improvement Council), Ms. Amal Remu (Public Health Agency of Canada) and Mr. Tom Jackson (Dreamcatcher Housing Ltd.) have chosen the six winners for 2010.

Ms. Betty Ann Smith, Arthur's wife, will join Tim Richter, President and CEO, Calgary Homeless Foundation to present these awards.

Photo Opportunities:

From 12:15 to 12:30, Mrs. Betty Ann Smith, Tim Richter and the six Arthur Smith Awards winners will be on the podium for a group shot.