About The Alex
We work together. We walk together.
For almost 50 years we have served a community facing complex health challenges, including poverty, trauma, financial and housing instability, food insecurity, and a need for social and community inclusion.
Our Vision
The Alex envisions a healthy and caring community where everyone is valued and can thrive.
Our Mission
To improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing and social services.
Our Values
We are welcoming.
We welcome all humanity with dignity, respect and understanding. We create belonging, community, safety and a sense of home.
We connect.
We build community and nurture relationships with each other, participants, supporters, partners and peers. Together, we are a team.
We have grit.
We listen, learn and grow. We make informed decisions and work transparently, with integrity, accountability and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
We care deeply.
We are genuinely compassionate and invested in people’s wellbeing. We honour and value each person’s story, seeing the hope and possibility in that story.
We promote empowerment.
We believe in self-determination, choice and each person’s inherent ability to lead their journey. We provide encouragement and support as we walk together.
We take responsibility.
We are tenacious and determined. We roll up our sleeves to get the job done and follow through on our commitments with passion and perseverance.
We are change-makers.
We are innovators, problem-solvers and leaders. We are responsive, resourceful, creative and nimble, finding ways to remove barriers, navigate systems and advocate for change.
Our leadership
Our leadership team and Board of Directors represent a dedicated multi-disciplinary team of almost 400 staff including medical staff, social workers, mental health specialists, peer supporters, educators, community facilitators, and an outstanding support team. As a team we know it takes the combination of our unique skills and expertise to make a difference.
Our story
Since 1973, The Alex has seen the whole story of health. We meet everyone where they are at and treat all people with dignity and respect. We tackle tough health and social issues and walk alongside people from crisis to wellness and from challenge to change.
Our impact
Because life’s not simple, our solutions rarely come ready-made. And that’s OK. We tailor them to the person before us. The open hearts and creative minds at the Alex see what’s really needed – and invent the solution. We’ve seen the incredible transformation of thousands of lives.
We’re leaders within the health and social service community, and are constantly innovating in our approach to health, social and community care. When faced with challenges, we rarely ask ourselves ‘if’ and instead ask ourselves ‘how.’
“(The Alex) gave me purpose to be authentically me with no judgment”
Charlene
The Alex Community Member
Stories of Impact
“I love all my Front Liners”
The note, written in beautiful cursive, and decorated with flowers, peace signs and red crosses, read “I love all my Front Liners. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made for us!”
Growing, Cooking, and Sharing during COVID-19
As the world closed its doors in late March, the staff at The Alex Community Food Centre had to look inward and ask ourselves “What does a community resource like the CFC look like without the bustling energy of our weekly meals, the laughter of the kids in our cooking classes, and the welcoming smiles of our volunteers greeting people at the doors? How do we deliver the comforts and kindness that are the values of our programs during a time of physical distancing?”
How do you self-isolate without a home?
The Assisted Self-Isolation Site (ASIS) is a collaboration between The Alex, Calgary Homeless Foundation, HomeSpace, and CUPS. The rooms are for those who have tested positive, are waiting for test results, have symptoms or have come into contact with a known case and don’t have a home where they can properly isolate. The staff provide not only medical support, but also mental health and addiction resources.
Together, there is nothing but possibility.
We can strengthen our community. We can tackle tough health and social issues, walking alongside people from crisis to wellness and from challenge to change.
