dresses not only the illness but the social determinants of health - physical, mental and emotional. Our services extend beyond healthcare and social supports, to provide for other basic needs such as food security, housing and assistance accessing AISH, employment and education.

Today, The Alex is a respected, integral service delivering critical services annually to thousands of Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens. Our operation encompasses three separate locations, and six major programs, including the Family Health Centre, Seniors Community Health Centre, Com- munity Health Bus, Youth Health Centre, Pathways to Housing and HomeBase.

Collaboration in Calgary

The Alex collaborates with other agen- cies so clients can access and receive the best resources tailored to their needs. Working together with agencies, funders, partners, donors and volunteers is the formula to successfully make an impact on the lives of individuals who face so many barriers to care—barriers that most of us take for granted.

We Believe in You

The Alex starts working with their clients where they find themselves at this point

in their life. The Alex clients experience a non-judgmental, respectful and safe atmo- sphere. Our model of care is relationship based. The staff, physicians and nurses at The Alex develop meaningful, long-term relationships with their clients – something that is not often found, or encouraged, in the traditional medical system.

Our clients are our focus.

Our staff is our most valuable asset.

Our health care is unhurried.

1972—Calgary Medical Aid Centre moved from the YMCA on 12th Avenue SW to a storefront in Inglewood, becoming the Inglewood Health Clinic. That year, the clinic was relocated to the Alexandra School and renamed The Alexandra Com- munity Health Centre.

1973—Granted charitable status.

1976—Successful application to Alberta Health for special pro- gram funding.

1992—Multicultural Internship Coun- seling Program (sponsored by an FCSS grant) launched; Health Kids Immunization Clinic opened.

1998—Partnered with Calgary Health Region in an interdis- ciplinary approach to serve clients needs.

2001—Seniors’ Community Health Centre opened in Calgary’s East Village.

2002—Launched The Alex Community Health Bus and The Alex West Dover Outreach Clinic (closed when main clinic relocated).

2003 —Opened the Suds and Sav- ings Community Laundromat (closed when main clinic moved).

2006—Moved Family Clinic and Ad- ministration to Centre Street NE location.

Provided a new home for breast-feeding clinic when its space in Bowness closed down.

2007—Launched Pathways to Housing (based on the proven New York model) with funding from the Alberta Government via the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF).

2007—Youth Health Centre opens.

The Alex officially designated a teaching site for residents of the Faculty of Medicine, Univer- sity of Calgary.

2009—The Alex’s program budget more than doubles within two years as it faces the greatest growth in its history. Launched HomeBase (housing 100 homeless individuals iden- tified through the vulnerability index conducted by the CHF) with funding from the Alberta Government via the Calgary Homeless Foundation.

2010—HomeBase completes their goal of housing 100 clients and now has a second team to house a second group of 100 clients.