From left: Bette, Tracy, Stephanie, Cecilia, fellow supporter, and PattiThis past Tuesday, February 7th the staff and volunteers of Highbanks participated in a Flash Mob at the Market Mall Food Court in an effort to raise awareness for Youth Homelessness in Canada. We were happy to join in the Annual National Toque Campaign lead by the national organization Raising the Roof and local groups Servants Anonymous Society of Calgary and McMan Youth Family and Community Services Association.

Community members and supporters were scattered throughout the food court and at 12:00 noon the first table bravely put on their toques, stood up and start singing and clapping to the chorus of Lean On Me. Shortly thereafter, all the Flash Mob participants put their red toques on and joined in the singing and clapping. Posters were held up promoting the Fight Against Youth Homelessness. 

It was a really fun experience and we were happy to be a part of the cause! 

Posted by Cecilia

It was with a heavy heart that we have bid farewell to our dear On-Site Guardians Hattie & Joe Foote this past month. After nine years of dedicated service and support, this amazing couple said goodbye to the Bowview Apartments as their home. Hattie & Joe will forever be a part of our community and we will surely see them as often as we can. We will, however, greatly miss their tremendous hospitality, fabulous meals and the consistent care and support they brought us.

To commemorate their "retirement" from Highbanks, we hosted a special afternoon this past Sunday, February 5th. We were joined by many community members, current and past residents, staff, volunteers, Board Members and family.  It was a lovely afternoon spent together eating, laughing, sharing memories and thanking this great couple for all their work at Highbanks.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped us bring this event together, thank you residents for your support and love to the community of Highbanks, thank you Val for the delicious cake and most of all THANK YOU HATTIE AND JOE - your love and support will be forever treasured.

Posted by Cecilia & Stephanie

So Fire Up Your Fabulous and mark your calendars - Sunday, February 26th at the Mount Royal University's Glen Ross Hall. This morning (9-12 p.m.) event will be celebrating women, promote personal growth, health and wellness, life passion and of course, charitable giving!

We invite all our community to attend! If you have any questions or wish to buy a ticket please visit the Fire Up Your Fabulous website or contact Cecilia at Highbanks. See you in Fabulous February!

Posted by Cecilia

John is an award winning educator who has been delivering workshops, seminars and keynote addresses since 1989. He is also the author of The Power of Humor: Top Ten Ways to Lighten Up Your Workplace (without getting fired!). 

It is with great excitement that we announce Highbanks Society has been selected as the Charity of Choice for 2012 by the Calgary Chapter of EWI! The Executive Women International is founded on integrity, excellence, respect and collaboration! It is so wonderful to see how in all EWI does, they strive to achieve the highest level of professionalism and community engagement. We are honoured to have been selected! 

We are also thrilled to have joined their Chapter as Members and are extremely grateful to our volunteer Cherise Gosselin for representing us on the Golf Charity Classic Organizing Committee. Thanks again Cherise!

We will keep eveyone posted on the special events the EWI will be organizing throughout the year. For now please mark Monday, August 13th on your calendars as the date of the The Golf Charity Classic.

Posted by Cecilia

Happy New Year, everyone!
We have had a fabulous year at Highbanks and look forward to another great year of hope, inspiration and living life to it’s fullest!

To begin the New Year we must begin with thanks.  This past Christmas Highbanks’ families were blessed yet again by the Soroptimist women of Calgary who generously donated an enormous bounty of gifts for our young mothers and their children.  Not one family was lacking in blessing at Highbanks and we can attribute it to all of our thoughtful and generous donors!  Thank you, women of Soroptimist, for your detailed consideration and benevolent spirits.  We are extremely grateful!

Posted by Stephanie

From left: Stephanie, Jackie and Cecilia

Posted by Cecilia

Last Thursday, the Highbanks community celebrated the holiday season with our annual Christmas dinner.  Volunteers, staff, residents and their children filled our newly decorated common room and kitchen for a delicious turkey dinner prepared by all our wonderful volunteers.  “Ho, ho, hos” echoed down the stairwell as Santa approached our little gathering.  He was met with cheers and tears, depending on the child, and delighted us in a Christmas story.  The evening was complete with good food, good company and of course Christmas gifts.  Thank you to all our volunteers who provided us with our lovely meal.  And thank you Santa for your Christmas cheer.  

May you all have a fabulous holiday season with loved ones!
Merry Christmas!

Below, the resident children search for Santa.

We do our very best to blog often and blog well for our own Highbanks Blogette. It's doubtfully because of any particular following that I was asked to blog on behalf of the Trico Charitable Foundation on the subject of their recent Enterprising Spirit Conference. But regardless, it was a real pleasure to be able to participate and I welcome our community to check out the Guest Blog!

Click here to read the post. 

Posted by Cecilia 

Highbanks is thrilled to be partnering with Canadian artist Steven Csorba. 

Steven's recovery from cancer lead him on a journey of inspiration and healing through art. He is now launching a very cool website that allows people access to affordable and inspiring art with is a twist. Steven is committed to giving back to his community and is donating 30% of all sales from the website to help local Calgary charities. Highbanks has been chosen by Steven as a lucky partnering agency along with Inn From the Cold, Spud Buds, and Butterfly Effect. Art sales will also be going to support the Alberta Cancer Society among other Edmonton based groups. The great thing is - you get to choose who to donate to!

Please consider purchasing some inspiring art and helping local agencies this Christmas!

Go to this link to learn more : www.goprintgo.com

Posted by: Bette