This year, Unison at Kerby Centre celebrates 50 years in Calgary!
Unison 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!
Unison at Kerby Centre has been serving Calgary’s seniors for half a century. The organization was founded in 1973 by a small group of compassionate 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 and beyond – offering a lifeline and a community of support and connection for seniors from all walks of life.
For 50 years we’ve been known as Kerby Centre, and through the pandemic we evolved and expanded our services far beyond our building to better support seniors throughout our community. We are now Unison – for generations 50+, operating seniors’ centres in both Calgary (Kerby Centre) and Medicine Hat (Veiner & Strathcona Centres).
Learn more about the Unison community: Belonging: Aging & the Unison Community
What Unison at Kerby Centre members and clients 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 member
“The grief support group has helped me deal with the recent and not so recent loss of people that I love. It has taught me ways on how to address, deal and cope with issues of grief and loneliness and at the same time share with individuals who are going through the same emotions.” – Grief support group client
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking such good care of me through this terrible time in my life. You helped me when I was exhausted. You provided food so I could begin to eat again. You listened to me and heard my pain and heartache and never made me feel judged or ashamed. You encouraged me and allowed me the time to stand up again. I will always be grateful.” – Helen, Elder Abuse Shelter client
“This program has been a lifeline. I’ve been having trouble getting around and have no family close by. It is such a relief knowing that Kerby provides meals that I don’t have to worry about. My volunteer is reliable and friendly and not only takes care of me but brings treats for my dog!” – John, Food Security Program client
In 2023, Unison at Kerby Centre celebrates 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, Unison at Kerby Centre:
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.
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. Check out this short video showcasing the work we’re doing at the Shelter: Unison Elder Abuse Shelter
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. Watch this video to learn more about our food security programs for seniors: Food Security Program (THRIVE)
Unison at Kerby Centre experienced a huge surge in the demand for mental health support from seniors in the last few turbulent years. To meet this need, we created the Wellness Connection Centre, the jewel of Unison at Kerby Centre!
Our wellness and peer-to-peer initiatives play a crucial role in the lives of older adults, providing them with social connections, useful resources and mental health and wellness programs.
We’ve been able to help countless seniors from all walks of life through programs like our Men’s Shed, Grieving Together Group, Social Calling program, Sidewalk Seniors, individual counselling sessions and art and music therapy classes. Check out this video to learn more about how we support seniors’ physical and mental wellness at Unison: The Unison Community
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.
We offer more than 45 in person and eight 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.
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.
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 Unison at Kerby Centre is a direct and meaningful way to transform the lives of seniors in Calgary.
How you can help:
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.
Funding Priorities:
Nothing is as strong as the heart of a volunteer.
Volunteers are the heart of Unison at 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 website to learn more or contact Catriona at 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!
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