The SHARP Foundation receives funding from a variety of sectors which will include private, public, and individual donations to do the important work it does and we are very grateful!
There are many ways in which organizations or individuals can help to support our programming as we strongly believe every person deserves housing and supports that best meet their individual needs.
The SHARP Foundation has a diversity of programming in which donors can contribute and participate, and please view key opportunities to get involved.
Current Funding Priorities:
An ongoing funding priority is the Beswick House Operations (the only non-sustainably funded program SHARP has)!
Beswick House has been in operations for over 26 years and is recognized across Canada for its non-judgmental integrated model of care as well as helped hundreds of Albertans .
However, despite having saved (and continue to save) the health, housing and justice systems millions of dollars the SHARP Foundation only receives 1/3 of the funding necessary to maintain its operations from government.
The remainder of the funding comes from AGLC gaming (casinos) and the community’s generosity. Unfortunately with rising costs it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise the total $300,000 it takes to ensure Beswick House remains a best practice of care! Be a Beswick House sponsor or supporter today!
New Programming
Mental Health Training and Supports
Most of the residents that the SHARP Foundation serves have a history of homelessness and are challenged with complex health and social challenges. Providing a home is only the first step to healing after which the staff and volunteers begin to build relationships that let each resident know they are valued.
Due to the increasing complexity it is vital that the staff and volunteers are equipped with up-to-date mental health support training to meet the individualized needs of each person we serve. We are fortunate that there is some free or low-cost training available for the staff however more in-depth (but costly) training would allow staff to support residents better.
- Funding request: $10,000 annually
Mental Health Therapist/ Specialist
Another identified service gap that SHARP has identified is linking and maintaining over 50 residents to community mental health supports. To manage this gap and enhance the supports staff provide we are seeking funds to hire a Mental Health Therapist / Specialist to ensure residents are connected to mental health services and provided with the appropriate supports until a successful transition to community supports is attained.
- Funding request: $60,000 annually
HIV and Aging / LGBTQ+ Seniors Programming Sponsorship
With the advancements in medication and treatment people diagnosed with HIV are able to live long, rich lives however the SHARP Foundation is receiving an increased number of referrals from long-time survivors who are now impacted with aging.
To address this issue the SHARP Foundation is working with its community partners to investigate and develop solutions that will provide these individuals with safe and appropriate choices. Currently SHARP is leading the following initiatives:
- The Calgary LGBT Seniors Housing and Support Needs Assessment
This project was a collaboration with Mount Royal University, HABITUS Consulting Collective, Rainbow Elders Calgary, Centre for Sexuality and CBR Collaborative: A Program of REACH with funding provided by the Calgary Homeless Foundation.
- The outcomes of this study include recommendations for programming the seniors’ service sector can develop and implement, as well as, training peer researchers for additional studies in Calgary and Alberta. This is important to SHARP as many of the people aging with an HIV diagnosis are men who have sex with men and living within the LGBTQ2SA+ community. This study will also inform the upcoming initiatives.
- Funding request 2019/2020 (honorariums for peer presenters): $1,000
2)“Capturing the Trauma”
This is a digital story-telling project to identify and document the experiences of Calgarians who were impacted by the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and early 1990s. This project will inform the content development for the eLearning module (see following project) on HIV and Aging. We are fortunate to have received 2/3 of the funding for this project from the City of Calgary 2019 Capacity-Building Fund.
- Funding request: $10,000 of a total $30,000 project
3)An Online Roadmap to an Inclusive Community
This is a 3-year project to build a web-based interface to inform and train individuals and organizations on ways to create best practices in building friendly, safe and inclusive communities for LGBT+ seniors.
SHARP will utilize the expertise of the Calgary LGBT+ Seniors Housing and Support Study advisory committee, community partners and peer researchers to formulate ideas on best or wise practices to address healthy aging in the community.
These ideas will be used to develop content for eLearning modules which will be facilitated by community members through community consultations and webinars.
A module on HIV and Aging will be developed in the second year of this project. This project has been 90% funded by the Government of Alberta Ministry of Seniors and Housing “Aging Well In Community Grant Program”.
- Funding request: $10,000 of $110,000 project (2019 – 2022)
4)Provincial LGBTQ2SA+ Seniors Forum / Community Consultation
The SHARP Foundation has partnered with Dr. Jacqueline Gahagan, Dalhousie University, on the national “Meeting the Housing Needs of Older LGBT Canadians: From Research to Policy and Practice” and will be hosting a regional community consultation in Calgary in the Fall of 2019.
Seeking sponsors for funds to provide transportation and accommodations for delegates from throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, honorariums for presenters/facilitators, refreshments and other associated costs.
- Funding request: $30,000
Beswick House Access Upgrades
Over the past 26 years, the Beswick House care facility has been recognized across Canada for its excellence in regards of continuum care, but also supporting over 400 Albertans living during its span of operation.
With the advancement of medication, our residents are living longer, but as well aging and unfortunately facing major complex health challenges that require facility upgrades in order to meet the demands of our clientele.
The facility upgrades include:
- 10 Hospital Beds (sponsor one bed for $3,000!)
- Widening bedroom doorways to accommodate wheelchairs
- Renovate existing basement washroom into a fully-accessible washroom
- Upgrade call system
- Total estimated cost: $50,000
For more information or have additional questions please send an email to info@thesharpfoundation.com or contact 403-272-2912 extension 2 .
Other Funding Opportunities:
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