CEO Season’s Greetings for 2023

I think we’re all ready to pause and celebrate…

with family and friends this special season. At the same time, let’s celebrate how our services have made life better for so many clients this year. It seems like new opportunities keep opening up for the George Spady Society and that’s due to the excellent services and commitment from everyone on staff.

A big opportunity this year was funding for a new building for Detox. That opportunity speaks to the quality of care at Detox since their services began in 1983. Much energy and time has gone into finding a site and planning the new facility so thank you to everyone who’s been involved in that. For years into the future, all that effort will help us serve many more community members. 

Another important new opportunity in 2023 was opening our new Supportive Housing program in the Westmount community. There, too, our strong track record at Balwin, Cloverleaf, and the Scattered Site Permanent Supportive Housing program had an impact. Now called Unity Manor, the new site in Westmount started accepting applicants a year ago and is now full. That’s a real achievement.  

And our solid track record in working with community partners created some brand new opportunities. The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has always been a valuable support for us. This year, though, our HELP team began collaborating with the EPS Diversion and Desistance branch to help make our GSS client-centered care and harm reduction principles part of EPS services in select community areas.  

So, there is much to celebrate about our services. But a special highlight for me this year was a chance to spend time with you at our spring retreat at Fort Edmonton. That was our first big in-person event after COVID and spending a day with over sixty staff learning and playing together was a healing, affirming, and energizing experience.

I thank you all for being such a special gift to our clients and to each other all year long. Your kindness and compassion make our agency a source of hope and healing for many. Thank you and may this holiday season be a joyful and restful time for each of you.