The Alex Community Health Centre

We are excited to announce the return of our annual Holiday Hope Tote campaign, now in partnership with SkipTheDepot! This initiative aims to support Calgary’s most vulnerable individuals and families during the holiday season. Each tote is filled with essential items like hygiene products and winter accessories. 🎁Support Us by Donating:  •$15 Gift Cards (Sobeys, Superstore, etc.)  •Travel-Size Hygiene Supplies  •Winter Accessories (gloves, toques)  •Non-Perishable Snacks From October 28 to November 30, you can schedule your recycling pickups through the SkipTheDepot app. Just package your new, unused supplies, label them “THE ALEX,” and leave them out for collection. 📦 Plus, use promo code HOPETOTES to donate 100% of the value of your bottles and clothing through SkipTheDepot until January 1, 2025! ♻️ Visit our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/gM8yrQBW Thank you for your generosity in helping us spread hope and kindness this holiday season! ❤️  #HolidayHopeTote #TheAlex #SkipTheDepot #Calgary #CommunitySupport

🍝 Hey, pasta pals! Are you ready to indulge in some mouthwatering dishes this weekend? Pasta La Feasta is in full swing, and you don’t want to miss out on these delicious picks that everyone is raving about! ▪️ Annabelle's Kitchen: Tortellini – Dive into this delightful mix of prosciutto, Parmesan cream, and basil oil. One bite, and you’ll be hooked! ▪️ Pat and Betty's: Smoked Salmon & Spinach Mafaldine – A creamy spinach and fennel velouté topped with feta and fresh dill—perfect for a cozy fall day! ▪️ Primary Colours: Campfire Rock Crab Pasta – Enjoy the rich flavors of smoked rock crab and Fogo Island shrimp in a brown butter hazelnut cream sauce with hand-rolled linguine. Pure bliss! So grab your friends and head out for some pasta goodness this weekend! Don’t forget, $3 from each dish supports The Alex. Let’s feast for a cause! 🍽️❤️ #PastaLaFeasta #PastaParty

As we enjoy the cozy pumpkin-flavored dishes of fall, let’s not forget that this season requires a bit more care for our bodies. With the transition into winter, it’s essential to focus on nourishing foods that support our health. Incorporate seasonal ingredients like brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and apples into your meals. These not only provide vitamins and minerals but also help strengthen your immune system. As the days get shorter, let’s make a conscious effort to stay active, hydrated, and support each other with mindful choices that keep us feeling our best! 🍁 #FallHealth #NourishYourBody

Isolation and loneliness continues to be one of the most common issues facing aging adults today. While our world gets more digital, the need for real social connection still remains important to our wellbeing. ☕ If you are aged 50+ and are looking for more social connection with like-minded individuals, we invite you to our Conversation Café program, every Tuesday from 12PM – 2PM at The Alex Community Health Centre. Each week will involve a different activity such as story sharing, art classes and classic movie nights. This class is drop-in and does not require registration. Refreshments will be provided. ✉️ Email kperkin@thealex.ca for more information.

🍝 How’s the festive season treating you, pasta lovers? Oh, we mean the pasta festival—PASTA LA FEASTA! 🎉 We know you're loving our weekly picks, so we've handpicked 4 must-try dishes that you won't want to miss: ▪️ Cucina: Squid Game – A daring blend of anchovy, caper, squid, and squid ink linguine, topped with a vibrant tomato medley. (Dairy-free, nut-free) ▪️ Donna Mac: Beef and Mushroom Ravioli – Savory beef, prosciutto, and mushroom stuffed ravioli swimming in a luscious cream sauce. ▪️ Flores & Pine: Cheese Spaetzle – Gnocchetti Tirolese served with a side of winter Flores and Pine salad—comfort food at its finest! ▪️ Park by Sidewalk: Vegetarian Pasta Salad – In-house made farfalle pasta tossed with olive tapenade, feta, red pepper, and a sprinkle of za’atar. These delicious dishes are just waiting to be enjoyed, so grab your forks and dig in! With every bite, you’re not just treating yourself; you’re helping us make a difference in our community. #PastaLaFeasta #SupportLocal #TheAlex

On World Food Day it was good to spend the day with folks discussing the issue of food security. A lack of food isn’t about access, for many Canadians it’s about having to choose between food and rent or food and medication. With the rising costs to live, many of our neighbors are struggling and depend on services such as The Alex Community Health Centre Community Food Centres Canada Calgary Food Bank Thanks to Sarah Stern and Maple Leaf Foods Inc Centre for Food Insecurity for the hospitality and the opportunity to discuss Food prescribing and the politics of universal basic income. Nick Saul C.M. David Herle

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an important observance aimed at highlighting the need for cooperative efforts to eliminate poverty in all its forms. Established by the United Nations this day serves as a powerful reminder of the persistent struggles faced by our community and emphasises that poverty is not merely an economic issue but a multifaceted challenge affecting human dignity, health, education, and social inclusion.   At The Alex, we work to break this cycle through our social and wellness programs. Whether it’s access to housing, mental health care, or food security, we support and empower individuals to lead their own journeys.   On this important day, we stand with those impacted by poverty and reaffirm our commitment to building an inclusive, just community where everyone can thrive. #InternationalDayForTheEradicationOfPoverty #EndPoverty #Empowerment #InclusiveCommunity #BreakTheCycle

⚠️Please note: The Community Kitchen at The Alex Main Site (2840 2 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2A 7X9) will be closed on Thursday, October 17. We appreciate your understanding!

At The Alex Community Health Centre, we understand the unique challenges Indigenous people face when it comes to accessing healthcare. Indigenous peoples often deal with higher rates of chronic diseases and mental health issues, often triggered and then worsened by factors like systemic barriers, poverty and intergenerational trauma. In Calgary, around 30% of the 12,500 vulnerable people we help each year identify as Indigenous, compared to just 3% of Calgary’s overall population. Our Indigenous Health programs aim to close this gap by creating real access through combining traditional healing practices and worldview with modern medical care. With guidance from our Elder Advisory Council, which includes Elders and Knowledge Keepers from Treaty 6, Treaty 7 First Nations and Metis Nation of Alberta Region 3, we make sure our services respect and respond to the needs of Indigenous people. In our Indigenous space, Isspomanitappi (people with a helping nature), we hold weekly smudge ceremonies, drop in, sharing circles, Wellbriety and groups where people can connect and support each other. As a result, 80% of Indigenous clients report feeling happier with their care and are participating in cultural activities more often. We are incredibly grateful to CNOOC International Petroleum North America ULC for their generous support, which helps us expand these important programs in 2023-24. Their partnership is vital in helping us provide culturally safe and inclusive healthcare, making a real difference in the lives of Indigenous people in our community. Together, with supporters like CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC, we can keep moving toward better health for everyone. Thank you for believing in our mission! #IndigenousHealth #CommunityImpact #ThankYou #TheAlex

This Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of the incredible strength of our community, and we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone - our amazing supporters and those who trust us with their care. Your generosity, time, and commitment truly uplift our mission and make a profound impact on the lives of many. As a special thank-you, we’d like to share a little something from our Community Kitchen. Many of you have enjoyed Mark’s delicious meals, and we’re excited to offer you the chance to recreate that experience at home. 🎃 Here’s a simple recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake that we hope brings warmth and joy to your Thanksgiving table. We can’t wait to see your creations! Snap a photo of your delicious pumpkin cheesecake and share the joy with us! May your day be filled with warmth, laughter, and meaningful connections. #Thanksgiving #TheAlex