Dear Friends, Members, Partners, and Community,
On March 25th, we held our Open House at our new space at Deerfoot 17. Despite a March winter storm and roads that tested every ounce of determination, more than 30 of you showed up. You bundled up, navigated the ice, and came anyway, and in doing so, you reminded us exactly what community means.
Our Open House was a celebration of two things: a new chapter and a rich legacy. For over 40 years, CommunityWise has had the honour of walking alongside small, grassroots nonprofit organizations doing vital, often unseen work in Calgary’s communities. Yesterday, we got to reflect on what that means.
We were moved by the stories shared by our tenants, hearing firsthand how CommunityWise has helped advance their missions reminded us why this work matters so deeply. The energy in the room was alive with purpose, pride, and possibility.
We are especially grateful to the organizations who took the time to set up and showcase their incredible work:
• Bridges Social Development
• Chew Project Calgary
• The Romanian Canadian Cultural Association of Calgary
• Street Sisters
• Filipinos Rising
• Venezuelan Canadian Cultural Association
Your presence gave our guests a window into the remarkable diversity and strength of the community we are privileged to serve. Your attendance enriched the entire experience.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the representative from Ward 9 City Councillor Harrison Clark, our guests from the City of Calgary, and fellow agencies like The Alex, whose commitment to this community was felt in every conversation. Your attendance speaks to the shared belief that when we invest in community, everyone rises.
To our members, our board, and every person who walked through our doors yesterday, thank you. You didn’t have to come. The storm gave everyone a perfectly reasonable excuse to stay home. But you chose celebration and you chose us. That means everything.
We step into this new space at Deerfoot 17 with full hearts and renewed energy, excited about what the next 40 years will hold, and deeply grateful that we don’t have to build it alone.
With immense appreciation and gratitude,
The CommunityWise Board and Team