The SHARP Foundation

  • HOME
  • About Us
    • About SHARP
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our People
    • Volunteer Now >
      • Tim's Volunteer Story
      • William Watson Lodge Trip
      • Ashley's Volunteer Story
    • Careers
    • How To Become a Sponsor
  • Our Work
    • Referrals
    • Aging In the LGBTQ2S+ Community
    • United Way Days of Caring
    • Our Model of Work
    • Our Stories >
      • Gerry's Story
      • Robert's Story
      • Fiona's Story
      • A Sister's Story
      • A Mother's Story
    • Partners and Sponsors
    • Resources
  • EDUCATION
    • E-Learning
    • SHARPIE Doodles
    • COVID-19 Information
  • News/Events
    • SHARP in the NEWS
    • Annual Reports
    • Events >
      • Scotiabank Charity Challenge
      • Community Volunteer Tax Clinic Program
  • Contact
  • Donate Now
  • Handmade With Love Bracelets
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Small
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Medium
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Large
  • HOME
  • About Us
    • About SHARP
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our People
    • Volunteer Now >
      • Tim's Volunteer Story
      • William Watson Lodge Trip
      • Ashley's Volunteer Story
    • Careers
    • How To Become a Sponsor
  • Our Work
    • Referrals
    • Aging In the LGBTQ2S+ Community
    • United Way Days of Caring
    • Our Model of Work
    • Our Stories >
      • Gerry's Story
      • Robert's Story
      • Fiona's Story
      • A Sister's Story
      • A Mother's Story
    • Partners and Sponsors
    • Resources
  • EDUCATION
    • E-Learning
    • SHARPIE Doodles
    • COVID-19 Information
  • News/Events
    • SHARP in the NEWS
    • Annual Reports
    • Events >
      • Scotiabank Charity Challenge
      • Community Volunteer Tax Clinic Program
  • Contact
  • Donate Now
  • Handmade With Love Bracelets
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Small
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Medium
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Large

About SHARP

Picture
The SHARP Foundation is celebrating its thirty years of providing care and support to people challenged with complex health and social challenges. We are so proud of the legacy founded by Walter Beswick, Don Gallant, Gary Krauscher and other compassionate Calgarians in 1990.

Audio - CJSW interview with the Founder of the SHARP Foundation, Walter Beswick.
​Established in 1990, the SHARP Foundation is a Calgary-based non-profit organization committed to providing a continuum of care including housing, healthcare, and support to those living with HIV or at the highest risk of contracting HIV.
​
From 1993 to 1998, the SHARP Foundation's primary focus was providing palliative care as well as controlling symptoms and maximizing the quality of life in a caring, non-judgmental environment. 

With the help of modern advancements in medication and treatment, our clients are now living longer, but still face marginalization within our community.  

Today, the SHARP Foundation's main focus is helping residents live longer and have sustainable lives instead of primarily acting as a palliative care facility, but most importantly help residents become independent and integrate in the community.

SHARP operates five programs located in various Calgary residential neighbourhoods which provide affordable housing as well as medical and psycho-social needs.  Generally, the services are targeted to individuals living with HIV or at risk of contracting the virus. Overall, our clients come from diverse communities or backgrounds. ​
​In the spirit of respect and reconciliation, The SHARP Foundation acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and  all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
​