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Distress Centre 2020 Annual Report

Distress Centre 2020 Annual Report

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50 Years of Crisis Support

Volunteering with Distress Centre has changed a lot over the past 50 years. Explore stories from every decade to see how we’ve grown and adapted to support Calgarians in their times of need.

1970s phone
1980s phone
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  • 1970s
  • 1980s
  • 1990s
  • 2000s
  • 2010s
1970s phone

The Grassroots Origins

Distress Centre was established in 1970 as the Drug Information Centre—a grassroots, on-the-ground agency run by volunteers.

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The Drug Information Centre

The Centre was created to handle “bad trips or freak outs” and be welcoming to all, in person or on the phone.

Story #2

Expansion to Banff

Volunteers and staff set up shop in Banff to support youth travelling across Canada experiencing drug, medical, and emotional crises.

Story #4

From Drugs to Distress

A place to call to make things right

Story #7

Volunteers in the 1970s

Volunteers were on the streets and clients were dropping in to stay.

Story #8

Jeanette McEachern Becomes Executive Director

In 1979, Jeanette McEachern began her 18-year tenure, always fighting to keep the agency alive.

Story #10
1980s phone

From Drugs to Crisis Support

Through the 80s, Distress Centre/Drug Centre grew and became more formalized. Staff never lost sight of the tremendous value of volunteers.

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Just Between Teens

Finding new ways to connect with teens, before they experience a crisis.

Story #12

Moving Out of the Old Y

The move from the Old Y to 11th Ave SW allowed for expansion, but created a need for renovation.

Story #13

Lending an Ear in the 80s

There can never be enough staff, so volunteers keep Distress Centre viable.

Story #14

More than a warm heart: A Distress Centre counsellor

Distress Centre was the only agency that offered free, confidential, immediate counselling.

Story #16

Celebrating 20 Years of Support

After 20 years, Distress Centre had a new, expanded mission to reflect the needs of a changing world, but its core functions remained.

Story #17
1990s phone

Adapting to a Changing World

In the 90s, the number of staff and volunteers grew in order to offer more specialized supports for a more diverse Calgary.

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Recovering Youth Addicts Support their Peers

The Youth Drug Line was opened in 1990, giving teens in recovery a way to help other teens with addictions.

Story #18

Opening the Province-Wide Gambling Line

In 1994, with VLTs in bars and casinos, Distress Centre began a gambling addictions line in partnership with AADAC.

Story #19

Growing to 130 Volunteers and 14 Languages

Throughout the 90s, volunteer numbers grew and services reached a more diverse community, including refugees, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community.

Story #22

From Answering Calls to Lifelong Volunteering

Glenda Nyberg volunteered for 19 years between 1983 and 2002.

Story #23

Fundraising in the 90s

The first World’s Largest Garage sale created a welcome 400% increase in money raised.

Story #26
2000s phone

Increasing Accessibility Online

Changes in leadership and technology ensure constant innovation, but volunteers continue to be the heart and soul of Distress Centre.

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Barb Litchinsky Becomes Executive Director

Barb was not only an effective leader, staff appreciated her kindness.

Story #31

The Big Move

With the move to a bigger space and generous donations, Distress Centre entered the new millennium.

Story #33

Just to Hear Another Voice: Volunteers in the 2000s

Despite many predictions, the world did not end at the start of 2000, and volunteers continued to be the heart and soul of Distress Centre.

Story #37

The Teen Line Goes Online

The desire to meet the evolving needs of the teen community was a constant, and a driver of change.

Story #38

Carol Oliver – A Woman With a Mission

With the retirement of Barb Litchinsky, Carol Oliver assumed the role of Executive Director in May 2008.

Story #40
2010s phone

Supporting More Calgarians than Ever

In the past 10 years, Distress Centre has grown to support more Calgarians than ever, by phone, chat, text and in person.

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Counselling for 50 Years

The professional qualifications and duties of Distress Centre counsellors continue to evolve, as does the complexity and number of clients they see.

Story #42

Disaster Relief in Alberta

From the 2013 floods to the Fort McMurray wildfires, refugee crisis and COVID, Distress Centre has always been there.

Story #44

All about SORCe

In 2013, Distress Centre returned to its 1970 street-level roots by offering a walk-in only service for Calgary’s most vulnerable.

Story #45

Joan Roy: From Practicum to Executive Director

A leader with many roles, from City Crisis Project to Human Resources to agency leadership.

Story #47

Volunteers are Everywhere

Distress Centre would not exist today without the original group of volunteers, so it seems only fitting that the 50th story focuses on our volunteers.

Story #50