ICU2 - Infant Care Under Two Program

Poverty in Alberta has increased at an alarming rate and this has been accelerated by the volatility of our economy. The biggest effect a society faces in the midst of such economic volatility is infant poverty.  Both economic and moral, the effects are immediate and long term. Healthy infant brain development is essential to addressing poverty, with nutrition, sleep and attachment being the most important contributing factors. Every infant's first two years should include access to the resources required to build a meaningful and fulfilling life. Studies repeatedly show those who do not - have an increased likelihood of addiction, lower graduation levels, a greater chance of incarceration, less chance of completing post-secondary education and the crossover of intergenerational poverty becomes a very real possibility as a result.

Some quick facts:

• During the first three years of a child's life, the brain develops 700 neural connections per second
• 60% of an infant's energy intake is used for brain growth 
• By age 2, the brain stricture has the overall appearance of an adult brain
• Infants spend twice as much time in REM sleep than adults
• That fastest rate of brain development in a human life happens during infancy

As Canadians, Albertans and Calgarians we have long been a caring people with a history of philanthropy second to none. We simply do not turn a blind eye to those in need and this is where Neighbourlink's Infant Care Under two Program (ICU2) comes into play.  The ICU2 program vision is to advance infant health, specifically brain development, in the children of Calgary and all Alberta through education, nutrition and sleep supports.  A program based on science and need, delivered by professionals and carried out through collaboration and care, Neighbourlink’s ICU2 Program is important, relevant and needed. For a brief but detailed look at the program, its research and development, collaborative efforts and goals, simply CLICK HERE. It is a program that deserves everyone's attention. 

Major Minor Music Project's 5th Show Benefit Concert for Fort Mac

Saturday May 28th will mark the fifth gig for the Major Minor Music Project. The monthly concerts promote artistic experimentation and excellence in a professional setting, leveraging industry standard technology to showcase music and arts. The events have fused with experiential learning opportunities and a volunteer-driven structure that engages young people and new Canadians in the arts, fosters inter-generational communication and gives constituents the skills necessary to pursue their creative and professional passions.

This Saturday has the biggest line-up yet with a number of bands from different genres with the added bonus of Food trucks being on site! More Importantly, all donations made at teh SHow will go to help For Mac Evacuees.Keep in mind the early 3pm start time and CIES will see you there!

CIES Attends 76th Social Media Breakfast

The Social Media Breakfast here in Calgary has been ongoing since November 2009. The monthly meeting of social media enthusiasts, is at a different location each month with venue sponsors providing space and speakers donating their time. Started by Scott Baird nearly 7 years ago, the event quickly grew from 20 or so participants to upwards towards 100 attendees monthly. Events continue to attract 100 + people, the steering committee has expanded to 9 members, and the brand now has 8 regular sponsors.

Hosted by the one and only Twitter Guru and Super Volunteer Donna McTaggart, today's SMBYYC venue was graciously provided by Wurst Restaurant and Bier Hall in the Mission District on 4th Street - hands down one of Calgary's best eateries. Calgary Co-op was on hand to talk about the work they are doing in the community, as well as to announce they have already raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars for Fort Mac and handed out free "Fort Mac Will Fight Back" T-shirts. A great organization called JobJar also was in attendance talk about the work they do, click here for more information on them. Once again a great morning was had by all in attendance with Calgary's tremendous sense community front and centre!  Thanks to Michelle Robinson from 12CSI for joining us and CIES will return to the next SMBYYC! 

CIES Attends ICC Citizenship Ceremony

It takes courage to start fresh in a new country.

The Building Citizenship Program welcomes and celebrates more than 1,500 new citizens each year who choose to officially call Canada home. The program relies on a national network of volunteers to organize special community citizenship ceremonies with compelling roundtable discussions. Alongside partner Citizenship and Immigration Canada, ICC volunteers passionately work to create an event that celebrates new citizens while connecting them to their community. Ceremonies are hosted in welcoming public spaces (often cultural attractions that belong to our CAP program), and roundtable hosts are volunteers from the community – from neighbours to business professionals and city leaders. The roundtable discussions are at the heart of the ICC's community citizenship ceremonies. It's where new citizens, their guests and community members share stories, collectively reflecting on what it means to be Canadian..

Held at Vivo For Healthier Generations, Rabail Qasir, CIES Drop-In ESL Volunteer Tutor and CIES CEO Dr. Sally Zhao, attended the citizenship ceremony as volunteer roundtable hosts on behalf of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. At the round table discussion were former CIES LINC student, Elham, her husband Ahmed, a former CIES Computer Training Program client, along with their son and daughter. After finishing studying at CIES, Elham has since become a Director at the Calgary Childcare Centre and Ahmed has successfully completed his Petroleum Engineering studies at SAIT. At the conclusion of the informal roundtable discussion, the official citizenship ceremony took place and the day's events were concluded by Aboriginal circle dancing and reception.

CIES was very proud to be part of the ceremony and to celebrate the momentus and happy day with new Canadians.  To see CIES very own Rabail Qasir talk about her own story of immigration and her time here at CIES working with newcomers to Canada click below.

World Refugee Day - June 20th

For years, many countries and regions have been holding their own Refugee Days and even Weeks. One of the most widespread is Africa Refugee Day. The UN General Assembly, in December of 2000, adopted the resolution that marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The General Assembly therefore decided that June 20th would be celebrated as World Refugee Day.

People honour the spirit and courage of millions of refugees worldwide on World Refugee Day and it is a day to recognize the contributions of refugees in their communities. Organizations such as Amnesty International and the International Rescue Committee often get involved in various activities for the day.

Some communities dedicate an entire week to encourage people to think about the lives of refugees and the human right necessary to a secure place that one can call “home", while screenings of films about the lives of asylum seekers living in a western country are common. Regardless of how one commemorates World Refugee Day,  being aware of the grim fact that currently 60 million human beings worldwide are being forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict and persecution and how one can help them sits at the day's core. CIES will keep you updated on community events coming next month.

Community Investors XVII - Youth Central

The 16th non-profit highlighted in the  CIES Community Investors Series is Youth Central Founded nearly 25 years ago as Child and Youth Friendly Calgary, Youth Central envisions a society where all youth participate in shaping a vibrant community. This vision is based on the firm belief that young people who experience involvement and philanthropy at an early age grow up with an ongoing sense of responsibility. Youth in modern society are undervalued and should be challenged to do more: they need to be included in all aspects of community life.

Inspiring, engaging and celebrating youth through community participation via various initiatives, Youth Central provides youth the opportunity to volunteer, serve on steering committees, voice their opinions to business leaders and politicians, learn about the diversity in their community, serve on a youth foundation and develop citizenship skills. Youth Central achieves its mission by way of nine innovative programs and events – each with a different focus on youth engagement. The programs are primarily aimed at youth between the ages of 12-18.

When junior and senior high school aged youth get involved in Youth Central’s programs, they gain experience in areas of voluntarism, philanthropy, teamwork and leadership. In addition, youth enhance their self-esteem while making new friendships. The community is opened up to them and they learn about its rich diversity, at the same time gaining valuable employment skills to help prepare them for the future!

CIES would like to congratulate Youth Central on all their mazing work and thank them for building Calgary into a better city with a bigger heart in the process. For more information on their programs and how you can get involved visit their website. 

Momentum's Free Money Party - Canada Learning Bond Enrolment Event

Long time CIES collaborator Momentum, founded in 1991, is one of Canada’s most successful Community Economic Development organizations. At Momentum, individuals and families take control of personal finances, secure meaningful employment, borrow and repay loans for business or education, and even purchase homes. Participants achieve these results through award-winning programs designed to build personal, financial and social assets. Additionally Momentum’s community leadership activities address the broader systemic issues that make it difficult for people in Alberta to exit poverty. The results are individuals and families with sustainable livelihoods, who are able to contribute to their community. Momentum conducts presentations at CIES several times a year and we count them as an invaluable partner in the services we provide our clients.

Momentum will be hosting an RESP Sign up event on June 2nd, 2:30-6:30 pm. This family friendly event will give parents the chance to open an RESP account for $0 at the bank of their choice. Eligible low income families can get up to $2000/ child from the Canada Learning Bond once they’ve opened the RESP. Banks in attendance include TD, RBC, CIBC, BMO, Scotiabank, ATB, First Calgary Financial and Servus Credit Union. Parents need to bring ID & SIN for themselves and their children in order to open the account on-the-spot. The event will also feature children’s activities, prizes, a photo booth & snacks! To register for this great event simply CLICK HERE. 

In the end Momentum envisions every person as having a sustainable livelihood who can contribute to their community and to work towards this vision, momentum partners with people living on low incomes to increase prosperity, and inspires the development of local economies with opportunities for all. CIES would like to extend a healthful thank you to Momentum for the incredible impact you have on the life of Calgarians  the last 25 years.