Over the past 50 years we’ve evolved and expanded our services far beyond our building to better support seniors throughout our community.
Local seniors need your help. With your support, we can help more vulnerable seniors get the food they need, stay safe from elder abuse and get wellness supports to reduce social isolation and foster important connections in the community.
Life is better together, with Unison!
The Need
Elder abuse is a hidden crisis, affecting up to 1 in 10 of Canadian seniors, yet only 20% of cases are reported. Unison’s Elder Abuse Shelter and Outreach Program provides a lifeline, offering safety, support, and hope for those in need. In 2024 alone, we provided 4,872 safe nights to seniors escaping abuse, yet 76 were turned away due to lack of space. Emotional, physical, and financial abuse remain widespread, often at the hands of adult children or intimate partners. With 50% of our clients identifying as racial minorities and 17% speaking little to no English, our work is more vital than ever.
Food insecurity affects 1 in 4 Alberta households, and seniors are among the most vulnerable. Unison’s Thrive Food Security Program, Calgary’s only senior-serving food bank, ensures older adults have access to nutritious, culturally inclusive food with dignity. Through the Kerby Centre Market, seniors “shop” for essentials in a structured way, while Grocery Delivery & Friendly Visits provide food and companionship to those who are homebound. Beyond meals, we lift seniors out of poverty by connecting them to free tax clinics, government benefits, and housing support. Since launching in July 2024, our Kerby Centre Market has seen 2,098 clients in just six months, proving the urgent need for our services.
Unison’s Wellness Connection Centre is a lifeline for seniors facing emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges. With a 16.1% increase in participation in 2024, our programs empower seniors to build resilience, find community, and enhance their well-being. From Grief Peer Support and Caregivers Support Group to Laughter Yoga, Indigenous Drumming & Storytelling, and Dementia Basics, we offer diverse, research-backed programs tailored to seniors’ needs. With 2,794 participants in 2024, averaging 72 years old, our impact is clear – wellness thrives through connection.
Seniors in Calgary face financial instability, struggling to find and apply for affordable housing or access the benefits they deserve. Unison’s Senior Supports team tackles these challenges head-on, guiding seniors through complex administrative processes, securing vital income support, and connecting them with safe housing options. Our free tax clinic helps low-income seniors maximize deductions and credits, filing 4,767 tax returns in 2024 alone, securing $1,147,130.86 in refunds. With 5,568 clients served in 2024, we’re making a real impact, lifting seniors out of poverty and ensuring they live with dignity.
Aging is a natural part of life, but staying active – physically, mentally, and socially – is essential for maintaining overall wellbeing. Research shows that older adults who engage in regular physical activity experience a 35% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a 30% reduction in falls, and improved mobility and independence. Unison’s Active Aging programs provide seniors with the opportunity to remain engaged, challenged, and connected. Our programs are tailored to various skill levels, ensuring accessibility for all participants.
Make a Life-Changing Impact for Seniors
Now, more than ever, Calgary’s seniors need your support. Your donation to Unison provides safety, nourishment, connection, and hope to vulnerable older adults in our community.
How You Can Help
Your gift can:
- Provide refuge for a senior fleeing elder abuse.
- Feed a hungry senior through our food security programs.
- Support mental health for isolated older adults.
- Lift seniors out of poverty with housing and financial assistance.
Funding Priorities
- Elder Abuse Shelter: $10,000 provides 90 days of safe, supportive housing for seniors fleeing abuse.
- Food Security for Seniors: $15,000 a month ensures no senior in Calgary goes hungry by supporting our Thrive Food Security Program.
- Wellness Connection Centre: $5,000 a month helps seniors access mental health resources, social activities, and peer connections in a welcoming, supportive space.
- Seniors Supports: Lift seniors out of poverty by funding affordable housing assistance, benefits and pension support, free tax clinics, legal aid, and will clinics. (Goal: $25,000)
- Active Aging: Reduce isolation and foster social connections through vibrant, engaging programs. (Goal: $25,000)
Your generosity transforms lives. Donate today and be a lifeline for Calgary’s seniors.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
Volunteers are the heart of Unison – our programs simply wouldn’t exist without them. In 2024, 284 volunteers dedicated an incredible 46,626 hours, the equivalent of 25 full-time employees. With 60.1% aged 65+, senior volunteerism is growing, fostering connection and purpose. An overwhelming 98% of volunteers are happy in their roles, and 96% have built meaningful friendships through Unison. Their generosity transforms lives—proving that giving back gives back.
Check out our website to learn more or call 403-234-6570 or [email protected].
Thank YOU for making a difference in the lives of seniors in your community! We couldn’t do what we do without you!