In celebration of Aboriginal Awareness Week, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary and Calgary Alpha House are joining together to support reconciliation and awareness through an event that will teach the tradition of moccasin making. Come walk a mile in our moccasins, and learn the tradition of moccasin making through community connection and cultural teachings.
Indigenous moccasins were a nearly universal element from tribe to tribe, with distinctive features and subtle patterns among the various tribes. Indigenous people could often tell each other’s tribal affiliation simply from the design of their shoes. Authentic Indigenous moccasins are made with all natural materials that signify a historical connection to the land. Creating authentic Indigenous crafts builds a genuine cultural connection that’s crucial in rebuilding relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
- Who: EFry Calgary and Calgary Alpha House
- What: “Walk a Mile in Our Moccasins”
$55 includes all material and instruction to make one pair of infant moccasins
- When: Monday, June 19 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Where: Sunalta Community Centre, 1627 10 Avenue SW
- Why: In celebration of Aboriginal Awareness Week
Registration is limited; call 403-294- 0737 to secure your spot. Participation supports both Alpha House and EFry Calgary’s Indigenous Programming.
Join us this weekend!
Books, art and coffee… is there a better way to spend the weekend? Stop by our first annual book sale this Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm at the HUB at West Canadian in Inglewood (1601 9 Avenue SE) and stock up on your summer reading. Books are being sold for $1 to $4 each and all proceeds go towards our SAGE program.
More than just books.
Pre-loved books, client artwork and crafts that celebrate Indigenous culture will be available for sale with all proceeds supporting our SAGE program, helping vulnerable women start again. Join us for more than just books!
Client artwork and handcrafted goods for sale- Author readings throughout the day including Susan Smith, Ghada Al Atrash, and many more
- Specialty coffee beverages handcrafted by Monogram coffee
- A chance to learn more about our work in the community
Our programs help give women a second chance.
Your support will help us! Visit our Facebook event for more details and to share with friends. See you this weekend!
On April 29 and 30, 2017, EFry Calgary is holding its first ever book and art sale at the HUB in the West Canadian building (1601 – 9 Ave SE). Pre-loved books, client artwork and crafts that celebrate Indigenous culture will be available for sale with all funds raised going towards our SAGE program, which helps women transition from incarceration to community by creating better futures through education and employment. We will also have local author readings throughout the day and a coffee bar serving delicious refreshments.
For vulnerable women those released from incarceration, there are many barriers that exist that prevent them from securing employment. Through the SAGE program, women are provided with consistent programming supports to assist them throughout their journey to personal success. It also supports vulnerable women who have had challenges in employment and education, empowering them with the skills they need to move forward.
Do you have any books that you’d like to donate for the sale? We are looking for fiction, non-fiction cookbooks, children’s books and more (but no textbooks please). Get in touch for drop-off and pick-up details. Contact reception@elizabethfrycalgary.ca or call the office at 403-294- 0737.
Pick up your summer reading and help us help women in our community!
September 13, 2016 | Blog, News
Have you ever wondered who was Elizabeth Fry? We are often asked that question and want to introduce you to the incredible woman our agency name honours.
Meet the real Elizabeth Fry
Elizabeth Fry has been referred to as the “angel of prisons”, and was a major proponent to make the treatment of prisoners more humane. Elizabeth Fry was born into a wealthy and socially prominent English family in 1789 and was determined to contribute to those less fortunate.
She took an interest in the poor, the sick and prisoners. She began visiting female inmates at London’s infamous Newgate Prison in 1813 and was horrified by the conditions these women lived in. Elizabeth took action and began her life of humanitarian work and prison reform. She achieved significant reform first in England and then over time in prisons across Europe. Her work expanded to include support of the poor, mentally ill and hospital systems and was even credited with influencing health care providers such as Florence Nightingale.
Canadian Societies Working Together
The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies is built on the foundation of Elizabeth Fry’s work of women’s rights in prisons: the right to equality, opportunities and programs in the justice system, and justice without fear of prejudice and discrimination. The Calgary society was founded in 1975 and one of 24 member societies across Canada that meets the unique needs of our communities and collaborates to address poverty, racism and other forms of oppression affecting women.
Celebrating 50 Years in Calgary
This year, Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary is celebrating 50 years of working with thousands of Calgary’s vulnerable women and youth. These women are all unique in their stories, but are linked together by common themes of poverty, abuse, addiction and trauma. With our help and support, these women and their families get another chance.
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary is rich in stories of hope and change for women and children in the justice system. We’re honoured to continue to carry on the legacy of Elizabeth Fry, a passionate advocate for those without a voice and a champion of prison reform.
April 11, 2016 | Blog
Maybe, because all these good people loved me enough to help me, maybe I wasn’t quite as bad as I felt. Maybe there was a part of me that was worthy of their love.
An Experience of Incarceration
On April 14th, we have the honour of presenting Piper Kerman at our major fundraising event The View from Behind Bars: An Evening with Piper Kerman. Piper Kerman is the best-selling author of Orange is the New Black, My Year in a Women’s Prison and inspiration behind the Netflix series of the same. She will share her experience of incarceration and the intersection of her life with the lives of the women she met while in prison. Her true story explores the friendships and families with these women as well as their mental illnesses and substance abuse issues, cliques and codes of behavior.
Finding Another Chance
Much like the women in Piper Kerman’s memoir, the women we serve at EFry all have unique stories. They are linked together by common themes of poverty, abuse, addiction and trauma. It is this cycle of poverty that must be addressed and broken for lasting change to occur.
An Evening with Piper Kerman is about finding another chance after incarceration. Through this event, we hope to create new community relationships and understanding about the unique challenges facing women and their families who are transitioning from prison to our community.
Thank you for Supporting 50 Years of New Chances
This event is EFry’s largest fundraiser in its 50-year history and would not be possible without the generous support from our event sponsors: CTV Calgary, Corus Entertainment, Bow Valley College, Athabasca University, Display Graphics, Landstar Communities, Krywolt Insurance, Mosaic Communications, Quantum Place and United Way of Calgary and Area. Thank you to these organizations for being part of our historic event that will shape the future of women and children in our community for years to come.
Tickets: Eventbrite.ca
Sure, you know about Orange is the New Black, but how much do you know about the real Piper? She’s an advocate for prisoners, and her message is one that we can’t wait to hear….. and you’re invited!
Download our invitation here and be sure to get your tickets early!
