The third Monday in February is Family Day in Alberta, a time to celebrate the connections that matter most—our families, friends and communities. Strong families are integral to building strong communities. That’s why United Way supports families across Calgary and surrounding areas, helping parents, caregivers and children access vital programs and services.
Join us this Family Day to make a difference – whether by giving, connecting with your community, volunteering or simply sharing a kind word. Hope is in your hands to create a kinder and more inclusive Calgary and area for all families.
How United Way is Helping Families
United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way) works year-round to support families and children across our city. In 2023, United Way funded 22 agencies serving families and children, helping more than 16,700 individuals access resources and support. Our Signature Initiatives—All In for Youth, Planet Youth Calgary, Community Hubs and Healthy Aging Alberta—ensure that even more individuals and families receive the care and opportunities they need at every stage of life.
Families can find free programs and services to promote connection, education and well-being across all four quadrants of our city through our Community Hubs Initiative, including:
- Alex Community Food Centre (Southeast): Weekly family dinners and budgeting workshops
- Village Square (Northeast): Healthy Connections Workshop for parents
- Sunalta (Southwest): Parent-Child Mother Goose program, afterschool activities and toddler playgroups
- Bowness (Northwest): Family game nights, drop-in play and a Family Day Free Skate event!
Beyond Community Hubs, United Way supports programs that promote healthy relationships and help families overcome barriers. Hull Services’ Braiding the Sweetgrass program offers Indigenous parents, caregivers and their children access to cultural teachings and promote a positive connection to their identity as they explore the effects of intergenerational trauma. All In for Youth is helping to remove financial barriers for students, ensuring families have access to essential resources like transportation, medical services and school supplies. A strong partnership with WINS ensures families in need have access to basic goods, food and services, with more than 6,000 families receiving support last year alone.
These are just a few examples of the work that’s possible thanks to the support of our community. United, we can continue to ignite hope and create positive change for families across our city.
How Your Family Can Make a Difference this Family Day
Family Day is the perfect time to enjoy quality time together while instilling values of generosity and community care. Here are a few ways you and your family can make a difference:
- Talk about giving – Discuss social issues like poverty, mental health or access to education in ways that align with your family’s values.
- Make giving a family tradition – Celebrate birthdays or holidays by encouraging children to donate a portion of their gifts or allowance to a cause that is important to them.
- Volunteer together – Whether it’s organizing donations, helping at a community kitchen or joining a neighbourhood clean-up, volunteering as a family is a meaningful way to spend time together.
- Lead by example – Share your own giving experiences with your children; they’ll be inspired to follow in your footsteps.
- Explore Family Funds – United Way’s Family Funds and Tomorrow Fund offer a way for families to create long-term impact, supporting causes that matter most to them. For families looking to make a lasting impact, United Way’s Family Funds provide a unique opportunity to create a legacy of giving tailored to your family’s philanthropic goals.
Hope Is in Your Hands
Every act of kindness helps build a brighter future for families in our community. This Family Day, we encourage you to celebrate not just with your loved ones but also by extending hope to those who need it most. United, we can ensure families across Calgary have the support they need today and in the future.
Make a difference today at hope.uwca.ca.