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For some people, life is full of struggles and distress as a result of family dysfunction, substance abuse, mental illness, or other challenges. These people are survivors, but they often need help in finding a way to build healthy, happy lives for themselves. With even one caring person who will listen or collaborate in building a plan to cope with issues, they have a much greater chance to reach new heights.

We all benefit from helping others succeed after all, everyone contributes to community life in his or her own way. By supporting those in need, we are investing in the long-term vibrancy of our community.

At Vantage, we know that we are only facilitators for change each person’s path is his or her own. Over the years, we have witnessed some remarkable changes in our clients, and we are proud of the impact we are making in the community.

Stay connected with Vantage Community Services.

Make an Impact by becoming a Board Member

Vantage Community Services is a non-profit organization based in Red Deer governed by a volunteer community board of dedicated professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from various areas of the private sector and human services field. Our wide range of programs and services help youth, adults, and families to find a way through the challenging problems they face.

We are looking for volunteer Board members to join our organization and contribute to our mission to build capacity in people by creating opportunities and instilling hope and confidence.

Duties and responsibilities include:

Strong commitment to and demonstrated interest in Vantage Community Services
Reasonable time availability
Ability to work with and learn from others
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Comfortable working with a policy governance model
Experience on or with other boards is an asset
A strong social conscience and desire to contribute to a healthier community

Please send your letter of interest and resume to hr@vantagecommunityservices.ca OR by fax 403.346.3225

Community Events

Throughout the year, Vantage Community Services hosts or participates in many events meant to support our clients and the central Alberta community. As events arise, you will find details and registration information here. For more information on Vantage’s events and programs, please call 403.340.8995.

Personal Impact Stories

Calming the Storm

When we first met Jack, we could see he was a bright boy, but his mood would shift unpredictably. He could be loud and angry one minute and silent and self-loathing the next. At times, he found it so challenging to communicate that he could not make eye contact.

It wasn’t at all surprising. In his 12 years of life, he had experienced significant violence. Jack’s family had never learned how to communicate in healthy ways. They bottled up their emotions only to let them erupt in violence. Eventually, Jack and his siblings were removed from the situation.

We gave Jack coping skills and taught him methods of expression that allowed him to tell others when he was sad or angry. Gradually, we watched him bring his eyes up from the ground to meet ours, and the new skills he embraced carried him all the way to a high school diploma.

Today, Jack can talk about the future, he can express his dreams and goals, and he can map his own way toward happiness.

Escaping the Street

At Vantage, Street Ties is a safe place where high-risk and homeless youth can form trusted relationships and start plotting a path toward a stable, independent life. One such success was James.

When James first came to Street Ties, he was an active drug dealer. He had a steady customer base, a product that was in demand, and money coming in. James followed this path by necessity, but he lived in constant fear. He dreamed that his future might be different.

We slowly formed a relationship with James, and as he began sharing his experiences, we earned his trust. James told us of his desire to become a mechanic. Given his situation, he felt discouraged, but our team knew it was possible.

With a clear goal in mind, James was able to take steps toward achieving it. We began with simple things like getting picture ID and a social insurance number, built toward writing his first resumé, and finally found him an entry-level position at a garage.

Today, James is working for a local tradesperson. It took a long time and a lot of hard work on his part, but that dream he had just a few years ago is now a reality. All it took was a few people who truly believed in him.

A Family Affair

When they came to Vantage, the Johnsons felt as though they were a step away from disaster. They wanted help, but were hesitant, unsure of what it could mean for their family. Chaos was all they knew, and the idea of change was frightening.

The Johnson family included a mother, father, and two daughters. While it was clear they loved each other, these feelings were often lost amid the chaos and challenges of their everyday life.

We worked with the family to help them uncover positive ways to interact with each other. By setting practical goals and always celebrating each other’s successes, they were able to become a strong, unified family.

Irene

Irene, an 80-year-old woman who grew up in Toronto, was accustomed to the big-city lifestyle. She moved to Red Deer to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter. She missed the big city but was thrilled to be closer to her family.

Everything was wonderful until her daughter had to move away and Irene couldn’t follow. Now in a new community, with a broken heart, she began reaching out and more than once fell victim to email scams promising investment opportunities that never delivered.

One day, Irene decided to pay us a visit at our walk-in clinic. It is a welcoming place without appointments, expectations, or judgments, staffed by experienced therapists who are always there to listen.

Irene came a number of times and spoke with different therapists, gaining a fresh perspective with each visit. In all of these encounters, she found new confidence and a safe place to share her story.

There are no miracles here at Vantage, just passionate people always willing to meet clients on their terms and help them find their way.