Spotlight: Aboriginal Friendship Center of Calgary
ABES College is proud to illuminate and support local health and wellness initiatives that make a difference in the communities we live and work in.
One such group is the Aboriginal Friendship Center of Calgary. With an emphasis on improving the quality of life of marginalized and unhoused Indigenous people, this movement has been hard at work providing extremely valuable resources where and when they are needed most.
With programs including the COVID 19 Indigenous Task Force, aisokinakio’p, “A place where you take your body and mind to make it healthy” in Blackfoot, and Honouring Life, a youth suicide prevention and awareness program, the AFCC is meeting issues head on and making a positive impact on the lives of the people who use their resources.
The AFCC's efforts mean that indigenous people receive weekly street level outreach, incuding access to aid ranging from basic hygeine essentials, referrals to available community health resources, and hampers that provide food as well as PPE, medication, and more. The outreach, resources, and tangible support provided has had a heightened importance during the COVID-19 crisis.
In 2021, AFCC, Siksika Health Services, OKAKI Health and the Seven Brothers Circle launched the 1st Urban Indigenous Community Immunization Clinic with a base in the NW and mobile outreach capabilities. A smaller, intimate immunization clinic was implemented on street level every Wednesday from 5:30pm-7PM, and Saturdays 2PM-7PM in order to reach our most vulnerable community members in a space that is comfortable for them. To date, the clinic's combined efforts have immunized over 7,136 individuals.
With programs including the COVID 19 Indigenous Task Force, aisokinakio’p, “A place where you take your body and mind to make it healthy” in Blackfoot, and Honouring Life, a youth suicide prevention and awareness program, the AFCC is meeting issues head on and making a positive impact on the lives of the people who use their resources.
The AFCC's efforts mean that indigenous people receive weekly street level outreach, incuding access to aid ranging from basic hygeine essentials, referrals to available community health resources, and hampers that provide food as well as PPE, medication, and more. The outreach, resources, and tangible support provided has had a heightened importance during the COVID-19 crisis.
In 2021, AFCC, Siksika Health Services, OKAKI Health and the Seven Brothers Circle launched the 1st Urban Indigenous Community Immunization Clinic with a base in the NW and mobile outreach capabilities. A smaller, intimate immunization clinic was implemented on street level every Wednesday from 5:30pm-7PM, and Saturdays 2PM-7PM in order to reach our most vulnerable community members in a space that is comfortable for them. To date, the clinic's combined efforts have immunized over 7,136 individuals.
If you are an Indigenous person needing an appointment or youth born 2004-2009, please email immunization@afccalgary.org or phone 403-710-9725. If you are a newcomer to Canada needing an appointment or youth born 2004 – 2009, please email response@ccisab.ca or phone 403-629-7090.
To learn more about the Aboriginal Friendship Center of Calgary, discover how you or members of your community can access their resources, or to get involved and help them help others, visit AFCC online at https://www.afccalgary.org/