Media Advisory: Calgary Launches the First Ever, City-Wide Plan to End Youth Homelessness in Canada

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Aug. 10, 2011) -

WHAT: A celebration of the "first ever," city-wide Plan to End Youth Homelessness (Youth Plan) in Canada. The plan focuses on ending and preventing youth homelessness.

Did you know? It is believed there are as many as 2,000 individuals up to 24 years old who do not have a permanent residency. And, these numbers are likely low because youth homelessness is often hidden, with young people couch surfing and sleeping outside.

The goal of the Youth Plan is that by January 29, 2018 the maximum average stay in an emergency shelter will be reduced to less than seven days, at which point any young person will be moved into a safe, decent, affordable home with the support needed to sustain it.

WHO: The Youth Plan was drafted and will be implemented by a group of community agencies that form the Youth Sector of the Community Action Committee. These organizations are listed below. Joining these organizations will be other non-profit agencies working on the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Calgary, government partners (municipal, provincial and federal), local philanthropists and volunteers, community-minded corporate partners, the faith community, and, most important, youth who were at risk of or experiencing homelessness and who have since been rehoused and supported.

ADDRESS: McDougall Building, 455 Sixth Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta

WHEN: Event will take place Friday, August 12, 2011 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Formal program from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. includes:

• Emcee opening – Transit (Calgary-based hip hop artist)
• Story by David Rhoads (youth who experienced homelessness and has been rehoused with support)
• Remarks by Chairs of Youth Sector agencies (Leslie McMechan, John Howard Society and Madelyn McDonald, Woods Homes)
• Remarks by Murray Smith, Member of TELUS Calgary Community Board
• Greetings from City of Calgary –Richard Pootmans, Deputy Mayor
• Greetings from Government of Alberta – Kyle Fawcett, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-North Hill
• Greetings from Government of Canada – Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre
• Video of scope of youth homelessness in Calgary
• Story by Stacie Buttee (adult who was homeless during her youth, volunteers and is pursuing post-secondary education to work in homeless-serving sector)
• Song by Matt and Becca (brother and sister who experienced homelessness)
• Tim Richter, President and CEO, Calgary Homeless Foundation

There will also be sign flipping before and after formal program by local youth.

ABOUT: The Calgary Homeless Foundation leads the implementation of Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. Issued in January 2008, Calgary's 10 Year Plan was created by the Calgary Committee to End Homelessness, a community-based, multi-stakeholder, leadership group who issued the Plan and selected the Foundation to implement the Plan. The Foundation is moving forward on Calgary's 10 Year Plan 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, please visit http://www.calgaryhomeless.com.

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE YOUTH PLAN:

• Alberta Children and Youth Services
• Alberta Health Services
• Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness
• Aspen Family and Community Network Society
• Boys and Girls Club of Calgary
• Calgary Homeless Foundation
• Calgary John Howard Society
• Calgary Police Services
• Calgary Sexual Health Centre
• Calgary Young Offenders Centre
• Canadian Red Cross
• Catholic Family Services
• Children's Legal and Educational Resource Centre
• City of Calgary, Community and Neighbourhood Services
• Community Action Committee
• Enviros
• Hull Children and Family Services
• McMan Youth, Family and Community Services
• TELUS Calgary Community Board (community partner)
• The Alex Youth Health Centre
• United Way of Calgary and Area
• Woods Homes
• Youth Criminal Defense Office