What's New in the Coalition
Plus: Partnerships, Reports & Programs
Letter from the Director |
|
With Family Day quickly approaching, thoughts of family poverty in
Calgary and across the country are on my mind.
We know that children who live in poverty tend to do poorly in school and experience poor health. We know that families living in poverty face increased stress. We can do better... |
| Note from our Affordable Housing Chair |
We were recently delighted to see that after a year of hard work, the Calgary Committee to End Homelessness has released their 10-Year Plan... |
In the News |
|
Low-Income Families in Calgary |
According to the 2006 City of Calgary’s Count of Homeless Persons:
|
Pilot & Partnerships: Solution at Work
The Poverty Reduction Coalition has partnered with Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry (AEII) and the Calgary Health Region to design and implement two pilot projects that will find sustainable employment for two populations facing particular barriers to employment: immigrants experiencing literacy and language barriers; and lone parents struggling to overcome child-care and education barriers. These projects will turn transitional employment models (supports first then employment) on their heads by first offering full-time employment and then immediately building supports around the new employees to encourage success.
Both pilots will address Calgary’s labour shortage while providing long-term employment opportunities to two populations of workers who have faced profound challenges in accessing the workforce. Participants will be employed at a rate of $12 per hour and offered full medical and dental benefits starting on their first day of employment. Training, education, advancement opportunities, affordable transportation and flexible work schedules will also be built in to these projects. Upon completion of the pilot, the participants will be encouraged to continue in their place of employment.
Pilots and Partnerships: Community Child Care Capacity Building Pilot
In a third 12-month pilot project, the Poverty Reduction Coalition has partnered with Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority and Bowness Montgomery Family Day Home Association. Fifteen lone parents currently receiving provincial government income support benefits will be recruited and supported in their efforts to open their own day homes.
With the goal of creating long-term earning potential for lone parents this pilot will also remove the barriers of personal child care, transportation and inflexible work schedules, while addressing the demand for child-care spaces in the community. With appropriate training and supports, this is an employment opportunity that could be sustained over time. During the 12 month pilot, participants will work towards their Child Care Orientation Level I certification. At the end of the pilot, participants will be encouraged to maintain their day home and their relationship with Bowness Montgomery Family Day Home Association.