Stay Informed

• Who We Support

• Current Investees
  • Autism Aspergers Friendship Society
  • Calgary Youth Justice
  • Connections Counselling
    • SVP Involvement
    • "Capcity to Excel", CC, 2008
    • "Strengthening Ourselves",CC, 2009
    • Website
  • EvenStart
• Investee Alumni
• Evaluation and Outcomes
• How to Be Supported

Last year, I spoke of the impact of the strategic planning process facilitated by a SVP partner in 2007.

This, to me, continues to be the SVP-related activity which acts as a spring board for all other capacity building activities. In January 2009, the staff and board met with an SVP partner alum to review the strategic process. Successes and areas for improvement during the 18 months since the original process took place were discussed, and once again we were able to collectively agree on four identified key areas. A committee for each of those four areas exists and a board member or community volunteer takes a lead position to ensure ongoing goals and objectives are met.

In 2009-2010 our Strategic Plan, along with the summary from the SVP-directed Capacity Assessment process, guides us as we continue to build capacity. The managerial staff continues to develop new skill sets which benefit and motivate the rest of the staff and board - ultimately leading to a solid foundation. The ultimate outcome from this is the strengthening of our programs and the positive impact for the clients we support.

Connections Counselling and Consulting Foundation will celebrate its 20th anniversary as an organization in April 2010. We’re very excited as we reflect on where the organization started, the growth we’ve experienced and the recognition and respect from other organizations or referral sources including: Calgary Child and Family Services Authority and Persons with Developmental Disabilites.

As we continue to build capacity, the board and staff recognize the need to communicate more effectively with the greater community not just about our work, but about the issues faced by the individuals and families we support.  As such, both Houman and my hope is that the most significant change for the 2009-10 funding cycle is the development of key messages prior to the 20th Anniversary events. This would include the planning and marketing of these messages during and beyond the 20th Anniversary. It is our hope that SVP partner(s) expertise plays a big role in this area. 

We believe that success in this area will have tangible and intangible positive effects with our Human Resources and Fund Development goals and even as we continue to recruit additional board members.