Inmate Support
Inmate supports, including visitations, connecting inmates with treatment centres and providing transportation resources after they complete their jail term.
The Calgary Kurjock Foundation will work with inmates throughout their sentence. Relationship building is key in the initial needs assessment completed through a series of visits while inmates are serving their time. This initial assessment will explore the biopsychosocial and cultural needs of the inmates, identify resources in the community and begin the referral process to these resources where applicable. The Calgary Kurjock Foundation facilitates transportation for inmates upon their release. The Calgary Kurjock Foundation collaborates with other community resources including the Calgary Food Bank and connects individuals to a range of free supports including counselling services, substance use programing, employment services, etc. Mentorship offered by the Calgary Kurjock Foundation supports relationship, identification of individualized resources, that is flexible based on the changing needs of the individual
Counselling
Providing counselling services including healing with elders, meeting one on one with elders and peers.
The Calgary Kurjock Foundation promotes multiple pathways to healing. There is a strong established relationship with elders in the community where individuals will have access to one to one support as well as group support from elders. The exposure to community and connection to peers and elders reduces isolation and provides opportunity to identify and address needs and barriers. This is open to all participants and is focused on reducing barriers to service. Furthermore the Calgary Kurjock Foundation is connected to a number of organizations that provide free counselling services and supports individuals with the referral process to these organizations.
Employment Resources
Providing employment resources, including connecting individuals with jobs and helping them with resumes.
The Calgary Kurjock foundation is focused on providing job-skills training to individuals in Sudanese community, in an effort to relieve poverty. The Calgary Kurjock foundation will host a two-hour class every Friday evening, at the Kurjock program. Classes will consist of lesson plans focusing on life skills to assist participants to obtain and to maintain employment, such as effective time management and budgeting. Participants will also have access to the program’s computers. Each class will be facilitated by one volunteer instructor who currently works in the education field.
The class will be offered to anyone in the community at no charge, but will be limited to five participants per session. The training will be advertised throughout the community, and participants will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In addition, each Saturday and Sunday evening, volunteers will be available at Kurjock program to provide one-on-one assistance with resume building and job interview preparation. The foundation will focus on recruiting volunteers who have experience in human resources and/or management, and this service will be available to residents of the community at no charge.
Traditional Healing Activities
Providing healing activities including hosting traditional gaming, songs and storytelling nights.
Description: Healing activities including hosting traditional gaming, songs and storytelling nights will occur on site. These activities will support community and cultural connections. The KURJOCK Foundation offers consistency and a location for gatherings to engage through tradition.
Cultural Transitioning
Providing workshops guided in an epistemological hybridity involving the combination of Western philosophies with Sudanese philosophies to aid the transition to Canadian culture.
Workshops will be provided free of charge weekly. These workshops will be guided in an epistemological hybridity involving the combination of Western philosophies with Sudanese philosophies to aid the transition to Canadian culture. The program will utilize group workshops providing education relating to transition to Canada to enhance knowledge and reduce stress. These workshops will bring people together strengthening community connections and group healing processes. Specific topics will be determined based on assessment of needs of the current individuals served and will be open to the public. The KURJOCK foundation will partner with relevant community partners to offer workshops on a range of topics to address the needs of individuals served and reduce barriers during their transition.
Food Hampers
Providing food hampers to Sudanese refugees.
The identification of resources begins with exploring basic needs. The Calgary Kurjock Foundation will provide food hampers to Sudanese refugees. Many individuals who are faced with challenges with their basic needs are not aware of resources such as the Calgary Food Bank. The established relationship with the Calgary Food Bank reduces barriers for individuals to access food. Addressing basic needs such as access to food provides individuals with the connection to explore other needs.