Kerby Centre (Unison at Kerby Centre)

we serve these populations

  • aging population
  • veterans
  • women

we need help with:

  • education
  • food security
  • mental health
  • physical health
charity

Description of Need

This year, Kerby Centre celebrates 50 years in Calgary!

Kerby Centre is one of Canada’s flagship agencies, setting the standard for services, information and programs for older adults 50+. Over the past 50 years we’ve evolved and expanded our services far beyond our building to better support seniors throughout our community.

Many Calgary seniors are struggling. They’re dealing with anxiety, depression and social isolation, and 90 percent of seniors are experiencing daily stress.

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. Together, we can do so much!

Our Story – Why We Exist

Kerby Centre has been serving Calgary’s seniors for nearly half a century. The organization was founded in 1973 by a small group of people committed to helping seniors live their best lives.

We now serve more than 30,000 older adults every year, helping them to stay connected, to stay active and to remain a vital part of their communities. We’re an integral part of the senior serving landscape in Calgary – offering a lifeline and a community of support and connection for seniors from all walks of life.

Our Impact – What We Do

What our members are saying:

“Kerby Centre offers a constructive approach to ageing. It makes our world bigger, deeper, warmer and kinder – even when ageing tempts us to slow down and withdraw. There’s always something fun to do and friendly faces to find at Kerby.”

“Kerby Centre makes life more interesting. It takes away the loneliness, especially for older adults who live alone.”

“Kerby is keeping older adults active. It’s very important for people to stay as active as possible for as long as they can. It may not extend their lives, but it sure will improve the quality of their lives.”

In 2023, Kerby Centre will celebrate 50 years of serving seniors in Calgary! It’s a huge milestone – an opportunity to celebrate a tremendous history of meeting the needs of seniors, made possible by people like you!

Located in the heart of Calgary, Kerby Centre is a multi-service organization committed to helping seniors enjoy healthy, active lives with a focus on their mental, physical, social and emotional well-being.

Our mission is to support older adults to live well in their community. It’s our passion and purpose to create in person and virtual spaces for older adults to join together in nourishing experiences for the mind, body and spirit.

During the pandemic, the world changed, and we changed with it. People needed us in a way we had never experienced before. So we pivoted and adapted to find new ways to meet seniors where they are. We created innovative new food security and wellness initiatives to support the needs of vulnerable seniors. We also now offer many of our programs and services both in person and online, extending our reach and impact in the community.

In 2022, Kerby Centre:

  • Served more than 30,000 seniors through our various programs and services
  • Provided 3,100 safe nights to seniors fleeing elder abuse
  • Received almost 1,000 calls to our Elder Abuse Resource Line (available 24/7)
  • Served almost 11,000 seniors at more than 140 food markets across the city
  • Delivered more than 2,300 nutritious meals to isolated and/or mobility challenged seniors
  • Completed almost 4,000 free tax returns for low-income seniors
  • Launched our new Wellness Connection Centre to support the mental health and wellness of seniors in Calgary

Our Programs – How We Do It

Since 1973, Kerby Centre has provided a variety of programing and supports for older adults in Calgary and the surrounding area. More than 30,000 people access our diverse programs and services every year.

Kerby Elder Abuse Shelter

Since 1999, Kerby Centre has operated a residential shelter for seniors experiencing elder abuse. We are the ONLY elder abuse shelter in southern Alberta. We give seniors fleeing abuse a fresh start. We offer a safe and supportive place to stay, and help abused seniors regain their confidence, sense of peace and place back in the community.

THRIVE Food Security Program

Did you know that many seniors in Calgary suffer from food insecurity? The unfortunate reality is that many seniors throughout Calgary don’t have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. Our THRIVE program aims to combat hunger through a variety of initiatives including free biweekly food markets, weekly food hamper and grocery deliveries to isolated seniors, a free Community Food Pantry at Kerby Centre, and a community kitchen program for low-income seniors.

Wellness Connection Centre

Seniors were hit hard during the pandemic, and we’re committed to offering programs that support their mental health and wellbeing. Our programs currently include a Men’s Shed, Grieving Together Group, Social Calling & Sidewalk Seniors programs, individual counselling sessions and art therapy classes.

Information Resources

This department is the hub of Kerby Centre providing information and referrals for older adults and their families including how to access government services, housing and community resources and a free tax clinic for low-income seniors.

Active Aging

We offer more than 45 in person and 8 online Active Aging programs in the areas of active living, lifestyle enhancement, fine arts and financial literacy. These popular programs include computer classes, ESL, knitting, music, yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, art classes, Ski Fit and Indigenous Studies.

Adult Day Program

This program is designed to promote holistic wellness by providing stimulating, enriching activities for older adults with significant health challenges helping provide respite to caregivers.

Our Requests – What You Can Do

Now, more than ever, we need your help to support vulnerable seniors in Calgary.

We all have an important role to play in helping seniors in need in our community. Being involved with Kerby Centre is a direct and meaningful way to transform the lives of seniors in Calgary.

How you can help:

Donate

Philanthropy lies at the heart of human greatness. Your financial gift can help feed a hungry senior, provide safe sanctuary for a senior fleeing elder abuse or counselling and connection for an older adult experiencing isolation and mental health challenges. An investment in our programs gives a hand up and hope to seniors when they need it most.

Volunteer 

Nothing is as strong as the heart of a volunteer. And volunteers are the heart of Kerby Centre! We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our dedicated and passionate volunteers, many of whom are seniors themselves. Opportunities include event support, delivering food hampers to isolated, low income seniors or answering calls at our Elder Abuse Resource Line. Check out our volunteer page to learn more or contact Catriona Wright at 403-234-6570 or [email protected]

Thank YOU for making a difference in the lives of seniors in your community!

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Are you a Calgary Foundation Fundholder?

Contact Info

Lori Wilson

Development + Community Relations Officer

403-705-3179

Email

More Info

Charity Number: #118979947RR0001

Visit our Website

Financial Statements / Annual Reports

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