Tags
believe, Calgary, Calgary Dream Centre, Canada, Charity, community, compassion, Corpus Christi Male Chorale, courage, Diana Schwenk, dreams, Fundraising, generosity, Hump Day Chronicles, Legacy Kitchens, Music for a Winter Evening, Room for Hope Campaign, Tenore
Addiction traps you in a seemingly inescapable cycle.
It drives a wedge between you and your loved ones.
It steals away your ability to live your life to the fullest.
And is compounded for those who are experiencing homelessness.
Take Jason for example. Addiction holds a tight grip on his life and it tears away at all the dreams he holds in his heart for a better life.
He wants nothing more than to pull these pieces of his life together again. To restore his relationship with his children. To feel like the provider and father he so desperately wants to be.
For several months, I have been working with a dedicated group of partners on The Room for Hope Campaign – a campaign whose goal it is to help 75 men escape the cycle of addiction and homelessness. Their commitment, passion and determination has been a great source of inspiration for me. What a privilege it has been to facilitate the process of this campaign.
About the Room for Hope Campaign
Room for Hope is a 9-week campaign (October 10 – December 16) that culminates with the Music for a Winter Evening Concert hosted by Darrel Janz with performances by The Corpus Christi Male Chorale and featuring Guest Artist Tenore at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
Legacy Kitchens and Dennis Plintz & Associates with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada are proud sponsors of the Room for Hope Campaign to benefit the Calgary Dream Centre. They have set an ambitious goal to raise $120,000 through this campaign and the Music for a Winter Evening concert.
The campaign is a local, well-established event that has fundraised $1.3 million in the last 13 years toward alleviating homelessness in Calgary.
The Calgary Dream Centre’s addiction treatment program is a 40-day program based on the Hazelden’s ‘Living in Balance’ and ‘Integrating Dialectical Behaviour Therapy’ model. It includes a room, meals, addictions counseling and on site meetings. From there, recovering men move into shared transitional housing with continued treatment and emphasis on developing a toolbox for life. The Calgary Dream Centre also offers housing throughout Calgary with continued supports; ensuring the greatest long-term success for program graduates.
It costs $1,600 to complete the treatment program. $280 helps a man for one week. $40 helps a man for one day.
If you live in Canada will you consider donating to the Room for Hope Campaign this year?
If you live in Calgary and would also like to attend the Music for a Winter Evening concert, please click here to learn more and get your $30 tickets.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
100% of donations and ticket sales benefit the work of the Calgary Dream Centre
elizabeth2560 said:
What a great cause.
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dianasschwenk said:
I think so too Elizabeth – thank you!
Diana xo
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Jim McKeever said:
What a great effort for a wonderful cause … Thank you for leading the charge, Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jim – it’s been a wonderful experience – let’s hope for a remarkable response!
Diana xo
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earthriderjudyberman said:
Diana … I’ve had family members and close friends who battled addiction. Some succeeded. Others continued to use. Wishing the very best for the fund raiser and hope the concert is sold out. Even better, I hope that all those who are battling addictions find the support they need to be the best that they can be. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes addictions are gruesome. So sorry it’s touched your life Judy.
Thank you for your well wishes on the Room for Hope Campaign!
Diana xo
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jmgoyder said:
You are an amazing, inspirational person, Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you – so are you Jules!
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
Diana you are an inspiration and I am sure your energy towards this worthy cause is appreciated by those around you. Keep up the amazing work.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Kath! ❤
Diana xo
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gingeralicia88 said:
You are such an inspiration Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
It takes a whole community Alicia – what an inspiring group of passionate people I’ve been associated with!
Diana xo
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gingeralicia88 said:
You and they then;) xx
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks. ❤
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Sheryl said:
Thank you for all you are doing. The group is very lucky to have someone with your energy and ability. I hope that the campaign is a huge success.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Sheryl, they’re a passionate group!
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
I hope you get to the goal, Diana. What a worthwhile cause. Wonderful, in fact. If I lived in Canada, I would be clicking. If I lived in Calgary, my dear wife Karen and I would be attending.
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dianasschwenk said:
I know you would Mark – you have a big, beautiful heart! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
So wonderful for you to be part of such a worthy cause Diana and I am sure your kind open heart would make all the difference each day.
Karen
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Karen. ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
A wondeful program, Diana; that brings hope to those who seek that hope. God’s blessing for many successfully recovered souls.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much Alan. 😀
Diana xo
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susielindau said:
This sounds like a very worthy cause which puts the fun back in Fundraiser!
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dianasschwenk said:
Ha! I used to say that when I introduced myself Susie!
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Such a worthwhile endeavor, Diana. My heart aches for those poor souls, especially with the chill of winter moving in for the next five months. I hope the campaign is a success.
Jennifer xo
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dianasschwenk said:
I hope so too Jennifer – thank you! ❤
Diana xo
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When in New Places said:
Sounds like a wonderful program Diana!
Way to get the word out there!!
~ Andrea ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Andrea! ❤
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
I’ve been a member of RU which is a faith based addiction program for some time, and I can tell you that the changes can be miraculous – good for you in helping, when addicts recover so often their children receive the biggest benefit.
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dianasschwenk said:
That is so true Bill and I have heard many stories to support that!
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
Some of the guys in the group I see are miracles. Some come in and don’t make it. That’s such a tragedy.
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dianasschwenk said:
It’s a hard road for sure…
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Jean said:
My best wishes for a successful campaign, Diana. I did go to a similar concert 2 Christmases ago. It was great to hear of some successful program participants and their life stories.
Stupid question but what is done for women on addictions, etc. locally? I realize it might be covered by different agencies..
I’m sitting on edge of my chair because my father has entered in his last phase of life. He’s dying …which is why I made an emergency trip to Toronto this past weekend.
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dianasschwenk said:
It’s been awhile since I’ve travelled those circles Jean, but Aventa comes to mind.
So sorry to hear about your dad Jean. Sending good thoughts and prayers on your family’s behalf. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Calgary would benefit in a near front page story in Calgary Herald (or mainstream press) of each a man and woman who recovered from substance abuse and homelessness.
I’m sure this is not “new” story to you, but there are probably a lot of recoverees who have survived successfully:
http://www.torontolife.com/informer/features/2014/11/19/gone-girl-emily-wright/
Thx for your kind thoughts, Diana.
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s a great story Jean!
Peace and love to you,
Diana
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Wyrd Smythe said:
And now we know what your new job is! 🙂
A large part of my giving goes to the local Mission here that provides shelter and meals for the homeless. It gets cold around here, too, and I just can’t imagine what it would be like to be homeless during a northern winter. Clothing donations are helpful as well.
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dianasschwenk said:
You have a good heart Smitty – thank you! ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
You’re totally welcome! 🐻
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cyclingrandma said:
Truly you are a hero for all the work you do to make Calgary a better place.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Lisa, I appreciate your encouragement. ❤
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
Yeah Diana! You rock. Thanks for doing the work to create a better world.
Now… to see if C.C. and I are free that night to go to the concert!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Louise. I’m inspired by people like you! Hope to see you at the concert. ❤
Diana xo
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