COME FROM THE PROGRAMS, STAY FOR THE PEOPLE

Samuel found a home at CLSA.  When Samuel joined CLSA, he was at a low point in his life.  He was living alone with mobility issues, had recently retired, and didn’t have a social outlet.  He was getting depressed.  Someone mentioned joining CLSA and he liked the idea.  He came to the Centre every day to play Snooker and found a place of fellowship.  He found people willing to lend a hand, visit him when he was ill, and even someone that made him a box to help him get into his vehicle.  Such are the people of CLSA.[i] 

Althea lost her husband to COVID and what was supposed to be their golden years turned quickly into despair for her.   Althea was a member of CLSA and had been for many years.   She turned to her CLSA family, who embraced her and allowed her to grieve.  She kept the loneliness at bay by signing up for activities that kept her busy.  She was always trying new things like painting and crafting.  Although she deeply misses her husband, she is engaged in her life at CLSA and is enjoying her time with friends.[ii] 

HOW IT ALL BEGAN…

CLSA began as a dream of the Edmonton Host Lions’ Club which, as far back as the early 1930s, envisioned a facility to provide recreational opportunities for Edmonton seniors.  In partnership with the City of Edmonton, which provided the land for the centre, the Host Lions realized their dream in 1966 making CLSA the first of its kind on the continent. 

Between 1966 and 2008, our Centre grew from a small building to one of the largest Senior Centres in North America featuring 77,000 square feet housing a fitness and wellness centre, weight room, fitness studio and change rooms, sports gymnasium specialized classroom, and auditorium, atrium, cafeteria and meeting and office areas.  

Between 1966 and today, CLSA has undergone many changes.  Today, the facility is still owned and maintained by the City of Edmonton. However, the Association and all its programs are governed by the CLSA Board of Directors, with operations run by the Executive Director and her staff 5.   The Mission remains the same, to encourage, promote and provide recreation, education and social opportunities that enhance the well-being of persons 55 and older. 

OUR VISION FOR WORLD DOMINATION

Alberta’s population of 55+ represents 27%[iii] of the population of Alberta and this is expected to increase substantially over the next ten years.  Of that 27%, 14% is over 65 with those being older expected to increase steadily.  An overwhelming majority of Alberta seniors choose to remain in their homes and “age in place”.  There is a significant opportunity for CLSA to play a critical role in supporting aging-in-place in the community.  We are well-positioned to act as a hub where older adults and caregivers alike can access information and services, make social connections, and where other members of the community and business can engage with and support older adults.   Meeting seniors’ community needs are key to aging-in-place and age-friendly communities.  Social isolation, ageism, lack of access to transportation and community services, mobility problems, and poor health outcomes are all concerns expressed by seniors from all parts of our Province.  

CLSA can be the solution for all of these concerns by providing quality programming that addresses each of these in turn.  Our vision for the future is to expand our programming offerings to include:

• Additional fitness and exercise classes, specific to the needs of the Members.
• Additional social gatherings that bring the members together in fellowship.
• New activities that expand the offerings in art, music, crafts, hobbies, and games.
• Provide a transportation program to help bring Members to the Centre.
• Provide programs that address social issues such as food insecurity, housing, medical treatment, and mental health through staff/outreach workers.
• Provide programming that takes Members out into the community to enjoy what the City of Edmonton has to offer.
• Provide additional programming to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse population including multiple languages and cultures, non-binary identities and sexual orientations.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFERENCE YOU CAN MAKE AND THE LIVES YOU WILL TOUCH 

Our ability to meet the needs of our Members will rely on grants, fundraising activities, and donations. 

With your help, we can raise the necessary funds to achieve the vision and make CLSA into the best of the best.   With your help, we can embrace more Members, alleviate social isolation for those at home and alone, provide support for those who need it most, and welcome in new and diverse members with stories to share.  With your help, we can create a Centre that everyone is proud to be a part of and that ensures everyone is living their best senior life.   With your help, we can achieve world domination!

What you do thunders above your head so loudly, I cannot hear the words you speak.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

[i] Letter from a grateful sibling.  Jan 2023 (Name has been changed to protect their identity).

[ii] Story has told to J. Isberg, Dec. 2022 (Name changed to protect their identity).

[iii] Census Profile, 2021 Census Of population, Statistics Canada