I have so much gratitude for the Fresh Start program, my recovery has put a smile on my Mother’s heart.” – Anton Kokol • Lead Addiction Counselor, FSRC
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Fresh Start Recovery Centre
411 41 Ave NE
Calgary, AB
T2E 2N4
Canada
"We are grateful for the recognition and affirmation. We don't set out to win Awards but rather set out to build a culture that supports the greatest good for everyone concerned. If we continue to do that then we will continue to yield High results. " Mr. Stacey Petersen, RSW, Executive Director FSRC
CHARITY INTELLIGENCE RELEASES ITS 2019 LISTS OF TOP IMPACT CHARITIES
Toronto, November 14, 2019. Today Charity Intelligence releases its 2019 Top 10 Impact Charities. A growing number of donors each year are looking for terrific charities to support, particularly those that have measurable high demonstrated impact. “Impact” and “investing” are popular buzzwords often used by charities along with marketing slogans saying they “make a difference”. Charity Intelligence’s rigorous analysis measures the “difference”, or the impact, charities make. Like all investments, returns vary considerably. Some charities have high impact returns, some charities have low impact returns. Of the 203 Canadian charities that we’ve analysed for impact, these Top 10 have the highest measurable demonstrated impact. Our calculations estimate this group of Top 10 Impact Charities delivers average returns of seven times for every dollar donated, compared with average returns of 1-2 times on the dollar.
These Top Impact Charities are a breed apart from the over 750 Canadian charities we report on and rate. Charity Intelligence’s star ratings are based on an assessment of 4 objective aspects: 1. donor reporting, 2. financial transparency, 3. funding need, and 4. cents to the cause. The best charities are listed using this approach in the 2019 100 Highest Rated report. The demonstrated impact rating is different and looks at only one aspect: for every dollar you donate, what’s the measurable return? Rather than just heart-warming stories, impact donors feel good about proven results, data quality, and strong counterfactuals. Recently a charity asked, “wouldn’t you agree that making a child smile is priceless?” Our answer is “no”. Impact donors always consider opportunity costs. Impact donors are pragmatic. Money is a scarce resource. If comparing two charities where one charity saves lives for $100,000 each and a second charity saves lives for $20,000 each, impact donors will support the second charity that creates 5 times the impact per dollar. Five lives saved compared with one life saved for the same donation. Impact donors give for the highest returns – the biggest bang for the buck.
Some call Charity Intelligence a “charity watchdog”. We see ourselves as research analysts who help Canadian donors give better. Yes, we hold charities to account for the generous support they receive from Canadian donors and expect them to be financially transparent, and yes, we call out exorbitant overhead costs or charities that don’t need more funding. Similarly, each giving season we also call out the best impact charities we’ve found. Charity Intelligence’s reports are independent – charities do not pay for ratings or accreditation.Charity Intelligence’s reports and ratings help Canadians give confidently. With greater confidence, people say they gave 32% more money.
About Charity Intelligence:Charity Intelligence researches Canadian charities for donors. Charity Intelligence reviews and rates over 750 Canadian charities and provides in-depth reports on philanthropic sectors like Canada’s environment, cancer research, and homelessness. Today, over 390,000 users come to Charity Intelligence’s website (www.charityintelligence.ca) as a go-to source for information on Canadian charities. Through rigorous and independent research, Charity Intelligence helps donors be informed and give intelligently. Charity Intelligence aims to assist Canada’s dynamic sector to be more transparent, accountable and focused on results.
Each year, in my dad’s name, I send a donation to Fresh Start to help another man get the help he needs, so his children can have a better life. Fresh Start is nationally recognized for their addiction treatment program and I am grateful that I hear about the many fathers, grandfathers, brothers and sons who do get better ... and the families who get better and stronger as a result.
Your gift to Fresh Start Recovery Centre of up to $50 US through the Global Giving Little by Little challenge will earn an extra 50% in matching funds starting right NOW and lasting until 10PM MDT on Friday, August 16th, while matching funds last!
Little by little, your contributions, and those of the friends you share this with, will help 18 men get better and create a better life for the little people who rely on these men. Here is a letter from Brandon, a son whose dad didn’t get treatment and now advocates for addiction recovery, so men like his dad CAN get the help they need.
My dad was many things, a fireman, a hockey coach, a scrabble player and the best waffle maker in our city (in my opinion) - but growing up his struggle was like an intermittent undercurrent pulling us down and suddenly swirling our family in any direction without warning.
He always had a job, we always had food on the table, he was kind, he was loving and he was loved. My dad was a good man. My dad was also unwell. For many years my mom would try and clean up his messes (and hers) to keep the illusion that we were a “good family”. It was a deadly illusion … the shame and stigma they felt kept them from reaching out and getting the treatment and support he needed, frankly that we all needed.
I was too young to really do anything at the time but looking back I could feel that my parents were both quietly drowning. My dad never had the opportunity to get help and, in the end, he lost his battle with his addiction. If my mom and I could do it all over, we would have shouted it out to whomever would have listened that we needed help.
The fact is, that 75% of alcoholics and addicts hold jobs. They have families, make waffles, laugh, love, serve community and keep their commitments. It’s not until the end stages that they lose it all; which are the images that we see of what an “addict ” is. This is not an accurate picture. Substance use starts for most people in their youth and for people that have this disease - it is a tough road back.
It’s also a fact that 90% of alcoholics and addicts do not receive the help that could save their lives because they either don’t know they need help, don’t know it’s available or can’t afford it.
Each year, in my dad’s name, I send a donation to Fresh Start to help another man get the help he needs, so his children can have a better life. Fresh Start is nationally recognized for their addiction treatment program and I am grateful that I hear about the many fathers, grandfathers, brothers and sons who do get better ... and the families who get better and stronger as a result.
Your gift to Fresh Start Recovery Centre of up to $50 US through the Global Giving Little by Little challenge will earn an extra 50% in matching funds starting right NOW and lasting until 10PM MDT on Friday, August 16th, while matching funds last!
To donate simply click on the Purple Heart below
Addiction is an illness that is progressive and often fatal if left untreated. The good news is that with the treatment, support and a program of recovery that your help provides, people can and do live healthy, happy and productive lives. Thank you for partnering with us to make a difference. Together we are impacting and restoring lives.
As many of you know, we have started our social enterprise venture by joining the ranks of the awesome food trucks here in Calgary. We are kicking off our first full season and would like to give our supporters the first opportunity at booking us. Last year we served at many private events as well as workplace lunch and learns. This is a great way to introduce your coworkers and community to the gifts of recovery and the Fresh Start movement. They will be able to enjoy a recovery themed meal and they will know that when they eat with us, they are DOING GOOD with all profits helping more men and families get well.
Good Day and Happy Spring! As many of you know, we have started our social enterprise venture by joining the ranks of the awesome food trucks here in Calgary. We are kicking off our first full season and would like to give our supporters the first opportunity at booking us. Last year we served at many private events as well as workplace lunch and learns. This is a great way to introduce your coworkers and community to the gifts of recovery and the Fresh Start movement. They will be able to enjoy a recovery themed meal and they will know that when they eat with us, they are DOING GOOD with all profits helping more men and families get well. The food truck called Eleven-Eleven is part of our social enterprise project under Fresh Start Recovery Centre's umbrella thanks to the generous donation by The McCook Family Foundation.
Our menu is themed for addiction recovery, with items such as The Friends of Bill W Cheeseburger and Primary Purpose Poutine, our menu items resonate with our recovery community and elicits questions from those not fluent in the recovery language. We are here to inspire a message of hope and wellness. We employ and provide opportunities to people in recovery, and are continuing to change the conversation surrounding addiction recovery to a more positive one. Recovery saves lives and impacts families for the better. If you would like to find out pricing and/or more information please visit our website atwww.eleven-eleven.ca or contact lisa@eleven-eleven.ca
When you book with us, you can be confident that you will Eat Good and Do Good. Thank you so much - -We are honored to be able to share our lives, work and service with you.
Kindest Regards,
Mr. Stacey Petersen RSW
Executive Director
UPCOMING EVENTS
Alumni Birthday Celebration
Aug-28-2019
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
411 41st Ave NE
Every month we gather and celebrate alumni who are celebrating sobriety milestones for that month. Join us as we honor them and hear about their journey of recovery. We will have cake, coffee, and fellowship afterwards. All are welcome.