Breakfast with Trellis
Trellis had the opportunity to gather with some of our fantastic partners and supporters for breakfast to celebrate our long history and continued commitment to building community in Bowness.
Perched in a beautiful space above the bustling West Calgary Farmer’s Market, CEO Jeff Dyer shared heartfelt thanks with everyone present, highlighting the vital role that each supporter plays in bringing our vision of a flourishing community to life.
“Here, we make flourishing possible by tending to economic stability, mental health and well-being, healing, and belonging and connection. These nutrients we know must be in the soil for a seed to grow, take root and flourish.”
Jeff led the audience through a tour of Trellis' impact in Bowness, from providing support to young people in group homes to empowering high school students to graduate against all odds. The transformative journey from traditional club settings to integrated community hubs shows Trellis' adaptive approach to addressing evolving community needs, with significant support from generous donors.
Key Updates
Trellis was thrilled to share some exciting updates with our closest friends. For those of you who we missed, here are four key takeaways first announced at the breakfasts.
1. Building in Bowness: We're delighted to announce that the affordable housing build in Bowness has been approved, marking a significant step forward in our efforts to provide safe and affordable housing for families in need. We aim to break ground in 2025.
2. Child Intervention Work: We're making strides with our child intervention work project, thanks to a generous $1 million commitment from the Calgary Foundation. This multi-year pilot represents a crucial shift in how we support families, focusing on family restoration rather than solely on individual youth.
3. Soiree Ticket Launch: We're thrilled to launch the early bird ticket sales for our upcoming Soiree. With only a limited number of tickets available at this special price, now's the perfect time to secure your spot for an unforgettable evening in support of Trellis's vital work. Get your early bird Soiree tickets here!
4. Branching Out 2024: Our latest publication, Branching Out, is hot off the press! Guests were the first to receive our publication, offering a deeper look into Trellis's impact and initiatives. Your copy will be mailed to you in the near future!
Our Panel
The event also featured insights from panelists Eva Friesen, President and CEO of the Calgary Foundation, Shawn Freeman, Founder of The Art of Business Tech and a Trellis Foundation Board Member, and Erin Henriksen-Ireland, Manager at the Trellis Bowness Hub.
Eva elaborated on the Foundation's strategic investment in Trellis' child intervention work, emphasizing the importance of systemic change in addressing complex societal issues. Shawn, a former Club kid turned generous donor and board member, shared his personal journey and commitment to giving back to the community. Meanwhile, Erin provided a firsthand account of the challenges families face and the critical role the Bowness Hub plays in providing essential support, particularly amidst the ongoing pandemic. She noted that many families are having to decide between paying bills and paying rent and having food for their families. The staff at Bowness work hard to remove barriers for everyone who comes to their door.
What’s Next
With upcoming initiatives like the construction of family affordable housing in Bowness, Trellis remains dedicated to fostering thriving communities where individuals can flourish. Through a collective effort and unwavering support from you and our community, Trellis aims to empower individuals to overcome challenges and to eventually outgrow the need for services so their lives may be transformed.
Thank you, truly, for your unwavering support. Stay the course with us and together we will continue to create a flouring community.
