Community Partner Feature: Trellis

Canada’s national Pink Shirt Day/ anti-bullying day takes place February 22, 2023, which makes it a great time to share a bit more about an amazing youth-serving organization supporting our local Mosaic communities. Trellis works alongside young people, families, and communities to realize their potential and support their growth. The organization grew from the merging of Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary and Aspen Family & Community Network Society, and has a strategic direction focused on making generational impact by strengthening economic stability, wellbeing, mental health, and belonging, so the people can flourish. Trellis supports deeper connections by meeting people where they are, across all cultures, languages, and diversity spectrums.

Trellis operates in five main streams of programming including Clubs, Hubs, and Family Resource Networks, Education and Employment, Family and Caregiving Supports, Housing, Shelter and Outreach, and Indigenous Initiatives. The organization works in every quadrant of Calgary as well as surrounding communities, and says “we expand our reach by working with committed partners, including funders and other agencies who share our values and further our expertise”.

Trellis offers several youth programs and services, ranging from education and employment services to group programming, and therapy services.

Trellis’ Youth Group Programming offers free programs to youth between the ages of 12-24. The programs provide a safe, welcoming place for youth to come after school, make friends, and participate in activities that encourage learning, expression, and a positive connection to community and family. Youth and families that are interested in joining these programs can email youthprograms@growwithtrellis.ca for more information or visit the website for the event calendar and registration link.

The Building Youth Connections (BYC) program supports newcomer youth to become healthy, integrated, and self-sufficient adults by equipping them to meet their personal, social, community, educational and employment goals. BYC addresses the developmental and settlement needs of newcomer youth through a comprehensive and culturally diverse service model that includes:

• Needs assessments
• Referrals
• Community Connections
• Advocacy and support for system navigation
• One-to-one case management with ongoing supportive coaching
• Employment related services including employment skills workshops and connection to employment opportunities
• Cultural and recreational activities with positive adults and peers that promote community connections and building social networks
• Family events that promote family togetherness and celebration of cultural diversity
• Community collaboration to reduce barriers and increase access to a wider range of community supports and resources

Youth and families that are interested in joining these programs can email byc@growwithtrellis.ca for more information.

Finally, Trellis is happy to offer low-cost therapy services to people in the community. Trellis has a diverse team of counsellors and therapists that support children, youth, and adults in overcoming life’s obstacles to grow into a healthier, happier version of themselves. The therapy team accepts referrals from many programs within Trellis and the community. Their therapy team has designations that most insurance companies recognize including Registered Psychologists, Provisional Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, Canadian Certified Counsellors, and clinical students.

There are a limited number of fee-for-service appointments available on a sliding scale starting at $35 per session and insurance receipts can be issued. Revenues from the fee for service program are reinvested back into offering low cost or free therapy sessions for those in our community without the financial resources.

To connect with the Clinical team at Trellis please email therapyreferrals@growwithtrellis.ca or visit the website page to fill out a referral form.

To learn more about Trellis and the programs and services they offer, please visit growwithtrellis.ca.