About Us
Sunrise Community Link (Sunrise) is a community development agency and resource centre engaged in poverty reduction and community economic capacity building in east Calgary. Located in the heart of east Calgary, Sunrise works within 17 diverse communities to provide advocacy and basic needs referrals to more than 10,000 people each year. By providing sensitive, respectful, and consistent services, Sunrise has established a safe, accessible, and trusted centre that truly belongs to the community. We have earned a strong reputation for providing crucial basic needs, advocacy and referral services that significantly impact clients' financial and personal crisis.In her article Can Communities Reduce Poverty?, Sherri Torjman from the Caledon Institute of Social Policy sets out a framework for community-based poverty reduction as a compliment to public policy. The framework discusses four basic interventions: meeting basic needs, removing barriers, building skills, and promoting economic development. Sunrise Community Link was designed to address poverty reduction through these same interventions.
Meeting Basic Needs
In a variety of ways, the staff at Sunrise assist residents to maintain housing, have adequate food available and gain access to clothing and furniture.
Removing Barriers
An integral part of the Sunrise mandate is to address access barriers to community resources, agencies and active community involvement. The barriers can be naturally occurring barriers or institutional barriers. Sunrise works with community programs to look at the barriers in their agencies.
Building Skills
The peer volunteer and community engagement projects build skills and competencies for residents. The projects are designed to increase knowledge and practical skills in accessing change, self-advocacy and grassroots community development.
Promoting Economic Development
In partnership with Calgary Dollars, Sunrise is supporting the growth of an alternative monetary system in Greater Forest Lawn. Calgary Dollars will be part of the peer volunteer program as it increases economic stability and will increase residents' abilities to meet basic and secondary needs of individuals and community.
History
Sunrise was created in response to community concerns about social problems in the Calgary's east side. In 1997, the Marlborough Social Concerns Network, the Sunrise Community Partnership, and the Family Violence Prevention Initiative, with the encouragement of Calgary Rocky View Child and Family Services, formed a working committee to address these concerns. There was broad agreement that a centre was needed in east Calgary to provide information dissemination, referrals to services, and more accessible programming. In September 2000, Sunrise Community Link was established.Staff
Sunrise staff can be reached by calling (403) 204-8280 and asking for the extension listed below. Until the new email system is in place, please contact the staff atCurrent Staff
| Executive Director - Direct Service /Fund Development |
203 | chrism@sunriselink.org | |
| Executive Director - Operations |
|
204 | kellys@sunriselink.org |
| Community Advocate | 212 | madhus@sunriselink.org | |
| Client and Volunteer Support Worker | 210 | annaw@sunriselink.org | |
Board
Sunrise is guided by a board of directors comprised of area residents, representatives of local agencies and businesses, and interested professionals.Current Board (2005/06)
| Co-Chairs | Treasurer | Secretary | Members at Large |
|---|
If you would like more information on the Board, including how to join, please contact Sunrise at sunriselink@sunriselink.org.
Partnerships and Collaborations
One of the keys to Sunrise's success has been our ability to bring services and programs to area residents by having partner agencies locate counsellors and advocates at our centre. Partners can be accessed on the scheduled days by calling (403) 204-8280, ext. 203.Current Partners
| Awo Taan Native Women's Shelter | Denise | Mondays & Wednesdays |
| Best Beginnings | Heather Krowchuk | Thursdays |
| Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | TBA | please call |
| Calgary Immigrant Women's Association | Magdalena | Tuesdays |
| Eastside Family Centre | TBA | please call |
| YWCA Youth Advocate | Carla Nicholson | please call |
Partnerships in development with Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse and the Eastside Clinic will bring counsellors specializing in sexual violence and mental health to the centre. We also plan to add an evening legal clinic and an immigration consultant who will accept payment in C$ (alternative currency supported by Calgary Dollars).
Collaborations, which are more formal, include Sunrise/Calgary Dollars and Sunrise/Red Cross/Aboriginal Resource Centre.
Awo TAAN Native Women's Shelter - Family Violence Prevention Program
The Awo TAAN Family Violence Prevention Program provides community outreach and follow-up serivces to families that are experiencing domestic violence and abuse. The F.V.P. counsellor provides and faciliates services which include Healing/Sharing Circles, family/indiviudual counselling, and access to Elders. Advocacy and referrals are available, as well as home visits when necessary, all designed to prevent family violence. Awo TAAN sponsored a Women's Coffee & Chat Group every Wednesday.
There are many benefits to becoming a Calgary Dollars member! Whether operating an established commercial enterprise or thinking about turning a hobby into a home-based business, Calgary Dollars can help you promote your services and build your customer base.
The East Calgary Initiative Coordinator is now located at
For more information contact Corrine Younie at (403) 270-8002, or by e-mail at cyounie@shaw.ca.