Calgary Queer Arts Society exists to amplify and ignite the voices, stories and creativity of 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, makers and community members. We envision a world where Queer art and storytelling are integrated and celebrated as part of the larger human story.

CQAS programs include Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival and The Coming Out Monologues, and we are currently exploring new programs to act as a platform for community connection through the arts.

Film, story, visual and performing arts are all vehicles for connection and an integral part of who we are, as well as part of our social and economic contributions to society. Storytelling is more than a buzz word – story is what connects us all, dissolves our differences and breaks down barriers.

If you are interested in learning more about Calgary Queer Arts Society or attending one of our events, please follow and engage with our social channels @queerartsyyc. We’ve been quiet for a while, but we’re gonna get louder!

And never hesitate to reach out and connect! We only exist because of you.

Daughter of a west coast artist and east coast naval boatswain, Shone is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, Certified Fundraising Executive and creative work in progress.
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Shone Thistle is a Queer poet and multidisciplinary artist. Once described as a “feminist folk poet,” Shone’s poetry credits range from radio to jazz concerts, festivals to conferences. Poetic highlights include representing Calgary at the 2007 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, competing to receive perfect scores at the world-famous Nuyorican Poets Café in 2016, and performing with jazz quartet Red Line Trio+1 during the 2019 Brightside Festival. Shone’s poetry can also be found in several anthologies, including Mic Check: An Anthology of Canadian Spoken Word Poetry and, more recently, in YYC POP: Poetic Portraits of the People.

Shone played an integral role in brokering Calgary’s first permanent Pride and Trans crosswalks and was an active voice in the establishment of Canada’s strongest municipal bylaw against conversion therapy. Her superpower is taking disparate content and weaving it into a cohesive story.

Shone lives in gratitude with her partner, two dogs and one cat, west of the Bow River and east of the Paskapoo Slopes. She creates in her back yard studio and is currently writing her first full length poetry collection titled 'Conversations with Henry.'

Alchemy Communications is a full-service strategic communications agency headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They have an experienced team of writers, designers, media experts and marketers who joined forces, talents and skills to create an elite team of professionals.

Leveraging decades of experience in business, non-profit, charity, and municipal affairs, they take pride in delivering cutting-edge custom solutions for clients.

The core of their work involves developing and executing strategies that maximize brand development, grow your bottom line, and protect your reputation. Whether you need to promote a product, improve a campaign, or handle a communications crisis, the team at Alchemy Communications has your back.

Empowering Individuals. Supporting Families. Connecting Communities.

Trellis is a Calgary-based social services agency that grew from the amalgamation of Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary and Aspen Family & Community Network Society on June 15, 2020. Growing from a combined history of 117 years, Trellis is building on the work of both legacy organizations to offer a comprehensive continuum of 33 programs for over 9,000 people each year designed to support children, youth, families and communities. The programs and services offered open a path upward for people from all sorts of backgrounds, including those caught at the intersection of society’s most complex needs.

We work to end youth and family homelessness and create spaces for belonging and exploration in our community. We provide education and employment connections and ensure a safe home environment for youth and children whether that be through foster care, group care or in their own home. And we support deeper connections by meeting people where they are, across all cultures, languages and diversity spectrums. Trellis is committed to empowering individuals and communities with the support they need to grow beyond life’s challenges and reach their dreams.

In a world where the "other" is still feared, visibility matters, and sitting on the volunteer board for Calgary Pride, in service to this visibility, is both humbling and joy filled.

I try not to take myself too seriously, but working in any capacity on the Calgary Pride Board is an honour and privilege that I do take seriously. As your board president I promise to remember that I will always be more ignorant than wise, and grounded by that knowledge, I invited your guidance, teachings and stories to guide the board in acts of celebration and service to the gender and sexual diverse communities of Calgary.

Yours in Pride,
Shone

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem. ' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” - Fred Rogers

Working with colleagues, volunteers and supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary (BGCC) is like working among heroes, people who show up for kids and young people, in their formative years, and at those times when they need us the most.

BGCC is a source of belonging and resilience for thousands of young people who lack the advantages of their peers. Beyond our traditional club programs, BGCC addresses a range of social challenges and provides support for vulnerable youth, including newcomers, LGBTQ2S+ and Indigenous youth. Among the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada family, Calgary is recognized today as the largest network of programs with the greatest breadth of services.

In our more than 80 years of service delivery, much has changed, both in our city and at BGCC. We're always evolving, but our commitment to providing safe spaces and positive relationships for young people has never wavered. To feed this dream - and the dreams of our city's youth - we count on the support of leadership, partners, volunteers and donors.

BGCC is committed to reconciliation and acknowledges the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot (Siksika, Piikani and Kainai), the Tsuut'ina (Sarcee), the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Metis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Funding for our nine clubs and 35 programs come from individuals, corporations, small businesses, foundations, service clubs, and all three levels of government. The Development team at BGCC approaches our work with joy and excellence, and we would be thrilled to sit down with you to explore your interest in supporting Calgary young people to thrive. We can be reached at 403.473.8063.

An unknown person at the congress of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) was recently quoted as saying... "politics is what we do to each other; culture is how we talk about it."

Having an opportunity to support and encourage those conversations through Corporate Development at Arts Commons is for me, the opportunity of a lifetime. If you want to know how you or your business can get involved, or how you can steward some of your most precious relationships by partnering with us, please connect - I'd LOVE to chat with you!

Arts Commons emerged from the extraordinary dream of Calgarians who recognized the critical importance of arts and cultural experiences in their daily lives. Arts Commons' founders envisioned a place that would reflect the spirit of their growing city and would help develop the strong community bonds necessary to support its entrepreneurial spirit.

As a leader in arts and culture in Alberta, Arts Commons plays a critical role in the health and growth of countless organizations by providing performance venues, public engagement spaces, facilitating collaboration, and supporting long-term sustainability.

When you contribute to Arts Commons, you join more than 600,000 patrons who visit each year to enjoy some of the most exemplary arts programming in Canada.

Shone Thistle
Development Officer
sthistle@artscommons.ca
Office: 403-294-7455 ext.1468
Cell: 403-819-5926

Arts Commons
205 - 8th Avenue SE | Calgary, Alberta T2G 0K9
Box Office 403-294-9494 | Main 403-294-7455 | Fax 403-294-7457
www.ArtsCommons.ca

Sometimes brilliant opportunities arrive in pairs and you get to say yes TWICE! At the time I was invited to join the team at Arts Commons, part of our portfolio was supporting the fundraising efforts of Calgary International Children's Festival, or Kidsfest.

From its humble beginnings in 1987, Kidsfest grew to be one of the most prominent arts festivals of its kind in Canada and the largest presenter of performing arts for young people in Calgary.

As a vital contributor to the cultural landscape of our community, Kidsfest offered children, parents, and teachers an experiential and educational environment for imagination, growth, and creative expression.

With an over 30-year legacy, Kidsfest started to reach its next generation of patrons, and it was exciting to see adults who had their first exposure to performing arts through the Calgary International Children’s Festival share that same magic with their children.

Unfortunately, after careful consideration by the Board of Directors, the difficult decision was reached to cancel the 2019 festival and wind up the society. It was an honour to be a small part of this wonderful for festival in 2017 and 2018.

As the Development Officer responsible for Site Relations at Rockyview General Hospital, I have the privilege to support and encourage a culture of philanthropy; elevating our health care system from good to great, from enough to inspired. My responsibilities include site relations, mid-level and major gift development. On a personal note, developing meaningful philanthropic relationships between patients and their families, donors, physicians and other health care practitioners is a dream I GET to live, each and every day.

Calgary Health Trust is a catalyst in health care philanthropy, connects donor passion with treatment, education and research priorities in the Calgary community. Calgary Health Trust is the fundraising arm of Alberta Health Services in Calgary. The Trust receives and disburses philanthropic health care gifts and other funds across Calgary and the surrounding area.

The Trust employs 40 dedicated fundraising professionals who work closely with Alberta Health Services and community partners to identify key priorities where philanthropic support will ensure excellence. Together with the generosity of our donors, sponsors and volunteers we enhance the development of health care, advance patient care, technology, programs and services at Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, South Health Campus, Women's Health, Carewest continuing care centres, community health programs, the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine and other health care organizations in our community.

We believe that every donor has a story, every gift has a vision and every patient's life can be changed. Together we are making a difference.

(B.N.) 89383 4697 RR0001

In order to achieve the YWCA of Calgary vision of women thriving in a safe and equitable community, we are resolutely focussed on family violence prevention, and the reduction of social isolation and poverty.

The result of that focus speaks volumes... "The YWCA empowered me by helping me find the strength to be a better mom, the resources to be a better leader and the educational opportunities to turn my fear into freedom. The power is mine, forever.”

My role at the YWCA of Calgary includes: annual and mid-level fundraising with a yearly target of $750,000 dollars, as well as supervision of our donor relations coordinator, data administrator and donations administrator, fundraising volunteer recruitment/training, newsletter contribution and support of third party fundraising initiatives. In addition, I support major giving through mid-level giving program development, stewardship and research that acts as a gateway for major giving donors with appropriate linkage, ability and interest in the organization.

Please don't hesitate to contact me to learn more about the YWCA of Calgary, the resilience of women, and how you can get involved.

Acting as HomeFront's Community and Donor Relations Specialist, I was honoured to share and be a part of HomeFront's story.

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HomeFront is all about teamwork! Working together with justice, law enforcement and the community, HomeFront shares a common vision and goal to reduce domestic violence in Calgary. We listen for families in crisis and respond with timely service and support to bring about positive change.

Domestic violence knows no cultural, regional, or socio-economic boundary.

Since the inception of HomeFront, the voice of domestic violence victims is considered at every court appearance and victims are more than twice as likely to engage within the justice process.

Prior to HomeFront, domestic violence re-offence rates were calculated at 22%. Today the re-offence rate sits at approximately 11% marking a dramatic and consistent reduction in violent futures for Calgary’s men, women and children.

While the social, spiritual and cultural cost of domestic violence to our community is incalculable, the cost to tax payers is not. Research indicates that by preventing even one domestic homicide, the cost savings to the province of Alberta equals $1,710,634.00.

When you consider that the cost to Albertans for early intervention is less than 1% of the cost of a homicide, it is easy to conclude that an investment in intervention is money well spent.

If you need support for a domestic violence situation and you have a case before the courts, please call 403.206.2100 ext 243.

If you need support for domestic or sexual abuse and you don't know where to start, please call Connect at 403.237.5888.