Before 1985, it was common belief that individuals with disabilities could not survive in the community and would have to be placed in institutions. URSA challenged that belief and in 1985, opened five residential homes to 30 individuals from Calgary’s Baker Centre. These five homes were just that, homes. These individuals not only survive in the community setting, they thrive. URSA now has 16 homes in Calgary. The majority of these individuals have very significant and multiple disabilities including; requiring feeding, personal care support for bathing/ hygiene, and 24-hour staff support for all areas of life. One of these homes is URSA’s children’s home which provides care for those under 18 years old. Another is our Kootenay Lodge home, a home for at-risk indigenous adults with disabilities.

• In the early 90’s URSA expanded into brain injury services and developed Easy Street – an indoor city block with a diner, taxi cab, grocery store, beauty shop, bus, bank, and apartment. A safe place for individuals to learn and relearn everyday skills.

• URSA also has several day programs for our individuals to attend. Individuals are able to participate in any number of activities and outings including: crafting; gardening; swimming; visits to the zoo and TELUS Spark; day trips out of the city; etc. Anything our individuals want to do, they go out and do it!

• In 2009, URSA opened Camp URSA – a recreational facility out of the city that is fully wheelchair accessible. An opportunity for individuals with disabilities or a brain injury to escape the city and relax with family, friends, or caregivers. The wheelchair accessibility means that individuals have no physical barriers and can enjoy the camp to the fullest. Camp URSA provides bedding, linen and meals to campers to help make the trip easier to plan and more enjoyable. It is a chance for individuals to get out of the city and enjoy mother nature.

URSA continues to grow and develop and we currently have 23 programs including: 24/7 homes, day programs, brain injury service programs, a children’s home, an indigenous home, and accessible camp. URSA makes it possible for individuals with disabilities to live and thrive in Calgary communities. We ensure not only the basic necessities for these individuals are provided, but go above and beyond ensuring individual goals and dreams are made a reality so that they can live the fullest life possible.

MISSION | To develop and provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to attain a personal level of achievement and excellence in life!

VISION | To provide an excellent service to individuals and their families to maximize quality of life in a “wholistic” manner.URSA is continually in development; we currently have 23 programs including: 24/7 homes, day programs, brain injury service programs, a children’s home, an indigenous home, and accessible camp. URSA makes it possible for individuals with disabilities to live and thrive in Calgary communities. We ensure not only the basic necessities for these individuals are provided, but go above and beyond ensuring individual goals and dreams are made a reality so that they can live the fullest life possible.

Developmental Disability Services

URSA provides 24 hour service to individuals living with developmental disabilities. This includes 23 programs throughout the city of Calgary. URSA works closely with outside agencies to ensure consistency between different environments. Programs focus on assisting individuals with meeting their personal goals, in both residential and community settings.

 

Brain Injury Services

Individuals living with a brain injury are supported in a community based setting which promotes survivors to live an independently as possible. URSA also operates a day program for individuals living with a brain injury, that focuses on community participation to maintain their physical stamina as well as prevents social isolation.

 

Indigenous Services

Kootenay Lodge is a vital supported housing program serving the most vulnerable and at-risk indigenous individuals. Kootenay Lodge provides supported and specialized housing for homeless indigenous adults who live with severe disabilities.

 

Children’s Services

URSA’s Children Services home is a 3 bedroom residence that provides 2 rooms to permanent residents and the third room is fully booked for respite care. Children staying with us enjoy consistency in their school programs and participation in recreation and leisure programs.Supporting URSA is helping individuals live a normal, everyday life, so they can live the fullest life they can. Together with our community, URSA changes people’s lives. This is a life-changing experience not only the individuals we serve, but for staff and volunteers as well. For 30 years, some people have never left their home or institution before coming to URSA.

Donations to URSA will directly benefit URSA individuals. These items will all have a direct impact on URSA individuals and will be used for items or experiences our individuals may not be able to afford on their own. These include:

• new bedroom furniture and bedding;
• new clothes;
• donations towards community outings (Calgary Zoo, museums);
• accessible items in the home (such as an accessible swing);
• sending individuals to our W.O Mitchell Retreat Centre (womitchellretreat.com);
• sensory equipment;
• arts and crafts; music therapy; etc.

Volunteer Opportunities

Meet Roger. Roger has been with URSA since Baker Centre closed, over 30 years ago. He came with a bag of clothes, some small personal items, and no friends or family connections.

Roger is non-verbal, in a wheelchair and is on AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped); AISH covers his accommodations and food, but not much else. Roger likes the color green; actually that’s an understatement, Roger LOVES the color green. Last year a corporate volunteer group of 20 people came and did a “while you were out” day of caring. They redid four URSA client bedrooms, including Roger’s. They bought him new bedroom furniture, bedding, a new lamp, and art for his walls. They also painted his room (for the first time in over 20 years) a nice shade of, yes, green. Roger came home that afternoon and was shown his new room by his staff. No one was sure how he was going to react to his new room, especially with 20 strangers watching him. He paused at his door. He slowly rolled over to the newly painted green wall and very gently rubbed his hand along it. He smiled. It was quite evident that Roger was thrilled with his new room, filled with green.

You can change a life by the simplest donation of your time.

URSA’s While you Were Out campaigns are a great way to get involved and directly impact someone’s life, like Roger, and are perfect for team building. These can include:

• Redoing a client room for them while they are out of the house (painting, new furniture, new bedding and lighting, etc.)

 

• Yard cleanup and planting. All our homes require assistance with gardening and yard cleaning every spring and fall. Our individuals greatly enjoy getting in the dirt and assisting in making their yards summer ready.

Other volunteer opportunities include:

• Joining our individuals injury on their Rehab on the Mountain trips. Three trips to the mountains happen each year with 10 individuals. Volunteers can spend the day with individuals helping them participate in the multitude of activities including: skiing, white water rafting, hiking, horse back riding, dog sledding, and more!

 

• Helping URSA put on events for our individuals including: Stampede Bar-B-Q, URSA Games, and the Client Christmas Party. Volunteers can help make and serve food to individuals and participate in the fun!

 

• Spending one-on-one time with individuals. This can include: reading to them, playing board games, arts & crafts, swimming, joining them at the Repsol Sport Centre – whatever your interests are, our individuals are interested too.

The possible volunteer opportunities are endless and make great team building activities. Please contact URSA for more information on these options and see what a difference a day makes in the lives of our individuals. Let us know what your skills are and how you would like to volunteer – Contact us at (403) 272-7722 or email us through: http://www.ursa-rehab.com/contact.html