This organization is a life-save for people in the community who find themselves caring for a loved…read moreone who has a long-term disability or illness. Those who take up the roll of caregiver are often selfless and sacrifice there own well-being in the process. This can lead to depression and isolation, and the Alberta Caregivers' Association helps by providing information and a supportive community for such giving individuals who have given away their own right to life in the process. The owner of the ACA knows what she's talking about because she cares for her husband who has Parkinson's. I had the pleasure of interviewing her for a story I wrote for a local publication and learned a lot about the ACA, and its work. After over 45 years of marriage, Eleanor found herself not just a wife but her husband's full-time caregiver. After years, stress, depression and isolation, she realized she couldn't do it on her own. Her breaking point saved her, and made her a better wife and caregiver. She got involved with the ACA because she realized education is key to helping caregivers find balance in their lives and avoid the downward spiral she went through. If you think you're there, visit www.albertacaregiversassociation.org and get the support you need.

Donations are a fantastic way to give back to the community. And I like how this place takes it…read morequite literally, haha! I've been a blood donor for many years and used to donate in another city, but I find the main centre by the U of A hospital here in Edmonton to be the best place so far! My first time here was made into a great experience with the lovely, caring staff members that helped me along in the screening process. The actual donation portion only takes like 5-10 minutes for whole blood, and you get treated with free food after like juice, coffee/tea, soup, cookies, snacks, and other treats (aka more sugar )! Coming from a place where I was once terrified of needles, I've grown quite a tolerance for them since becoming a blood donor - other needles just feel thoroughly unpleasant (aka sucky) compared to the ones used here! (Especially booster shots... yucky ) I've even also switched to being a plasma donor in the last 2 years, which helps bump up your donation counts substantially (Donate whole blood every 56 days/~2 months vs donate plasma every 6 days!) * advantage to being a plasma donor - you get to know the staff better when you see them every week Depending on the person, whole blood donations take about 5-10 minutes, plasma donations approximately 15-20 minutes (and looks like beer!), and platelet donations takes about 1.5 hours. The free food is nice, especially when you score some Cookies by George The staff are all experienced in poking people nicely, or you can request for someone more experienced for those harder-to-locate veins. CBS also has great campaigns and fundraisers for donors to participate in, like the Corporate Challenge or Bravery Bead Program Blood. It's in you to give

I just received my commemorative pin for my 50th donation…read more I've been donating whole blood and plasma for over 30 years. I had to take many breaks because it's easy to become disqualified for donations. Low hemoglobin, risky travel, ear piercings, low body weight. etc. The CBS located beside The U of A hospital has a free parking lot. Don't forget to register your plate #. Screening can now be done online to save you some hassle. The interview must still be done in person. The procedure for plasma donation is quick. The seating times are exclusively done by appointment on Tues, Wed, and Thursday. The renovated wait area is spacious and the snack bar is "help yourself". There are greeters to answer any questions. The national call centre calls me up every week to ask me to donate. It gets a little annoying, but they will stop the calls for a while if you ask. It's a worthwhile cause if you are physically able to do it.

This retreat centre accommodates individuals or groups who want a break away from their hectic…read moreschedule and can come here to be refreshed and gain a fresh perspective on things. The centre offers a wide variety of programs in personal development and contemporary spirituality. I can not speak to the programs that they offer since the retreat I attended here was facilitated by two individuals who run their own programs but used the facility to host the retreat. Therefore, my review is based on the venue itself. The venue offers large and small meeting rooms, AV equipment, food service, and live-in accommodation for over 60 guests. I stayed in a single occupancy room that had a bed, sink, sofa chair and a desk in it. It kind of felt like I was staying at a hostel but with your own private room. The washrooms and showers were shared but there was still a lot of privacy with stalls for both showers and toilets. They were also very clean which I really appreciated. They do have rooms for double occupancy as well. Many of these seemed to have their own washroom and shower as well as a sitting room. These rooms were quaint and lovely but overall everything was a little dated and needed some TLC. The meeting room we met in was large and full of windows. It was a very nice space to be in and accommodated our group of 20 people. The grounds were also very nice to walk around and they also had gazebo that we utilized a few times to do our activities in since it was so nice out. We had breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks provided to us in the dining room. We often shared the room with other groups of people who were there on retreat too. Overall the food was ok. We were served vegetarian meals since the group I was with were mostly vegetarian. It was cafeteria/buffet style. Breakfast consisted of hard boiled eggs, toast, french toast, hash browns, cereal, yogurt and fruit. Lunch consisted of butternut squash soup (which was the best thing I ate there. So delicious with the perfect amount of nutmeg), salad, egg salad sandwiches, pickles, olives, cheeses and breads. Dinner consisted of roasted sweet potatoes/potatoes, salad, vegetarian chili, vegetarian lasagna with quinoa and bread. Snacks consisted of either fruit or cookies. The only time I really ever dealt with the staff was during meal times and they were nice and quick to accommodate us if we needed anything. My time here was pleasant and I would come here again for a retreat.

iHuman helps youth at risk and marginalized by providing a place to hang out and get to learn some…read morecreative skills. Music, visual art, fashion, and more - youth from iHuman take part in various events and show their work throughout the city. The organization also helps with housing, as well as support for mental health and addictions. iHuman is always looking for donations not only of money, but of supplies.

My mom and my aunt have both used the wheelchair loaner program…read more Their institution sent a request, and within a day or 2, the appointment was scheduled to pick up the item. (they have walkers and other aids to daily living). You drive into the old ambulance bay at the General Hospital. You are directed to the elevator and go down 1 floor. Follow the signs. Check in at the front desk. Wait for your item to be brought to you. They will go over the paperwork with you. You get to use the item for 6 months. You can apply again if the items are needed for a longer period of time. You will be encouraged to make a donation to the Red Cross. They ask everyone. I dropped off an old walker instead of giving them cash. They are grateful for any donation. This was an easy chore, but I would have liked an offer to lift the wheelchair into my vehicle. I'm not sure if that help is available.

TERRIBLE! I was asked to take back a wheelchair and other items that a friend had asked me to…read morereturn... that her mum had got through the loaner program. At the time I didn't think that this would be an issue, however it sure has been. I am Handicapped myself and I can not walk why is this an issue u say because there is no one there to off load the wheelchair and stuff in my uplander and I can't lift or walk. Then they tell me that I can call once I am there like WHAT! I don't have a phone sorry on Aish. With Smith's cuts we cant even afford to eat, never mind have a phone. Then they tell me that I will have to pay then to send it into a taxi cab like WTH . I am not paying nothing u don't want the stuff back I will drop it off at goodwill where people will come take it out of my vehicle the minute I drive up. They seem to be great at getting the items to people but totally shite the bed on when items need to be returned and lord forbid u are Handicapped trying to return stuff as they are not set up for that. Also do not call the company that deliver's the stuff to people when the RED CROSS loan it out, as they also are rude and treat people TERRIBLE. Finally she explains that they have nothing to do with RED CROSS they just deliver( yet there name and phone number is all over the paper work.) for them and that yes I can drop it off to them but they also will not come out the get it from vehicle and they will charge u to drop it off to them! Shocking really when all a person is trying to do is get the stuff brought back so others can use it.

Wow, that's all I can say about everything that Chrysalis does. I have been to their Info Sessions…read morea couple of times and really, to get the full experience of what they do, GO TO AN INFO SESSION!!! They have both employment services and a volunteer program for people with intellectual disabilities. On the employment side, clients are assisted in finding meaningful employment in the community. On the volunteer side, the clients help out in various ways throughout the community - there's this amazing board of who is where, at what time, and who is there to support. It's a logistical balancing act that is very carefully done and has accumulated over 50,000 volunteer hours in the last year! AMAZING! There is also a phenomenal art program. I couldn't believe the level of art that came out of studio there - just blew my mind. Some of those most beautiful pieces I have seen! Check out an Info Session and enjoy lunch there too! Also - go to the Art Show!! Oh, just stop by the building and see everyone! Everyone is so nice!

Operation Friendship is an inner city organization that serves seniors in terms of housing and…read moreother forms of support. Seniors are one of the most vulnerable groups in society (apart from children) and are often the victims of neglect and abuse. OP manages several apartment buildings in the 95th street area for seniors, and also offers assistance with daily tasks like shopping and a drop-in centre for socializing and receiving support for daily tasks. The people who work there are concerned and caring, and the people who use the services really benefit. This is another organization that helps make the inner city better.

Programming for Indigenous children and families based in traditional values and teachings. Today,…read moreBent Arrow's Mission is to "build on the strengths of Aboriginal children, youth, and their families to enable them to develop spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally so they can walk proudly in both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities." Programs and services include youth employment programs and comprehensive family services, supported referrals, and soup and bannock lunches. The organization works closely with community partners and other stakeholders, and makes Edmonton a better place for our Indigenous population.