The Overcoming Obstacles Handbook – Calgary, AB edition

Whether it’s physical, financial, professional or psychological, everybody goes through tough times in their lives. Lifestyle Citizens’ founder Josh Martin was 28 years old when he experienced his biggest challenge yet: an aggressive form of leukemia. Inspired by his journey, the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook is a free collection of real-life stories, practical advice and local resources in the Calgary community geared at helping people who are facing adversity.

Scroll below to download your FREE copy and to find local resources.

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    The Overcoming Obstacles Handbook

    Click here to download your FREE copy of the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook [PDF 2.0 MB]

    Click here to purchase a print version of the handbook ($20)

    Community Resources in the Calgary area

    One of the most important lessons Josh learned from his health crisis was the importance of community. Whether it was accessing peer support programs, using the Cancer Society’s shuttle service to get to appointments or tapping into educational materials from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, community resources played a big role in his success.

    Whatever obstacle you face in life — personally, professionally or otherwise — be sure to consider the resources available in your community. Fortunately, the Calgary area boasts all kinds of organizations and programs focused on helping folks overcome a variety of obstacles.

    Below, you’ll find information about some of them. This listing is by no means exhaustive, but it will hopefully give you a flavour of the kinds of resources available in your own backyard.

    Mental health

    Distress Centre Calgary
    (24-hour crisis line)
    403-266-HELP (4357)
    http://www.distresscentre.com/

    Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary
    http://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/

    Youth Addiction and Mental Health – Help4Me
    https://myhealth.alberta.ca/HealthTopics/youth-addiction-mental-health

    Alberta Health Services – Addiction & Mental Health
    https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/amh.aspx
    Addiction helpline: 1-866-332-2322 (24/7)
    Mental health helpline: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)

    Local therapists
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/ab/calgary

    Anxiety counsellors
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/anxiety/ab/calgary

    Depression counsellors
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/depression/ab/calgary

    Grief counsellors
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/grief/ab/calgary

    Victim resources – death and bereavement
    (City of Calgary)
    http://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Community-programs-and-resources/Victims-of-crime/Victim-resources-Death-and-bereavement.aspx

    Grief Support Program – Calgary Zone
    (Alberta Health Services)
    https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page13161.aspx

    Physical health

    Find a local physiotherapist
    https://opa.on.ca/physiotherapists/

    Alzheimer’s Society of Canada – Alberta
    https://alzheimer.ca/en/ab

    Canadian Cancer Society – Alberta
    http://www.cancer.ca/en/?region=ab

    Heart & Stroke Foundation
    (Calgary office)
    119 14 St NW #200, Calgary
    https://www.heartandstroke.ca/

    Seniors programs and services
    (City of Calgary)
    http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/CNS/Pages/Seniors/Seniors-Programs-Services.aspx

    Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society
    https://www.calgaryseniors.org/

    Kerby Centre for the 55-plus
    https://www.kerbycentre.com/

    Families & individuals

    Calgary Region Child & Family Services
    http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/services-near-you/calgary-and-area-child-and-family-services.html

    Ministry of Children’s Services
    https://www.alberta.ca/ministry-childrens-services.aspx

    The Carya Society of Calgary
    (counselling and development services for families and individuals)
    https://caryacalgary.ca

    Divorce therapists in Calgary
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/divorce/ab/calgary

    Family conflict therapists in Calgary
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/family-conflict/ab/calgary

    Women’s Centre of Calgary
    https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/

    Connect Family & Sexual Abuse Network
    http://www.connectnetwork.ca/
    Sexual abuse/assault assistance: (403) 237-5888 or 1-877-237-5888 (toll-free in Alberta)
    Domestic/relationship abuse assistance: (403) 234-7233 (SAFE) or 1-866-606-7233 (toll-free in Alberta)

    Victim resources – Sexual assault and violence
    (City of Calgary)
    http://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Community-programs-and-resources/Victims-of-crime/Victim-resources-Sexual-assault-and-violence.aspx

    Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCSA)
    http://www.calgarycasa.com/
    Support & information line: 1-877-237-5888

    Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
    https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/

    The Mustard Seed Shelter
    https://theseed.ca/

    Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre
    https://www.calgarydropin.ca/

    The Calgary Food Bank
    https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/

    YWCA Calgary
    https://www.ywcalgary.ca/

    YMCA Calgary
    https://www.ymcacalgary.org/

    Community centres
    https://maps.calgary.ca/CommunityCentres/

    Employment & financial

    Calgary Career Counselling
    http://www.calgarycareercounselling.com/

    Calgary employment services
    (Government of Alberta)
    https://www.alberta.ca/calgary-employment-services.aspx

    City of Calgary Youth Employment Centre
    http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/CNS/Pages/Children-and-youth/Youth-employment-centre/Home.aspx

    Career guidance counsellors in Calgary
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/career-guidance/ab/calgary

    The Credit Counselling Society
    https://www.nomoredebts.org/canada/alberta/calgary/credit-counselling.html

    New Canadians

    Immigrant Services Calgary
    https://immigrantservicescalgary.ca/

    Centre for Newcomers
    http://centrefornewcomers.ca/

    Calgary Catholic Immigration Society
    https://www.ccisab.ca/

    Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association
    https://www.ciwa-online.com/

    The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth
    http://www.cbfy.ca/

    Want to help others in your community overcome obstacles? Here are some local opportunities to consider:

    Propellus – The Volunteer Centre of Calgary
    https://www.propellus.org/

    Volunteer opportunities with the City of Calgary
    http://www.calgary.ca/General/Pages/volunteer.aspx

    Volunteer Connector
    https://www.volunteerconnector.org/volunteer/browse/page-1/

    Blood donor clinics
    (search “Calgary” for nearby clinics)
    https://blood.ca

    Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta
    https://www.habitatsouthernab.ca/

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area
    http://bbbscalgary.ca/

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