








IN FIRST RESPONDERS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL, THROUGH EMPATHETIC FAMILY-FOCUSED SUPPORT
Leadership
AboutLegacyPlaceSociety
ProgramStatistics
Financials
LettersofSupport
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"This year, Legacy Place Society celebrated remarkable achievements, from expanding Family Camps and Suicide Awareness Conferences to earning national recognition for our helpline. Each milestone reflects our commitment to the wellness of our community.”
Legacy Place Society continues to be a strong and respected advocate for the individuals and families of First Responders, Veterans, and Military Personnel This includes the provision of individual and collaborative wellness initiatives to meet the broader landscape of life’s wellness. These efforts are essential in creating a resilient and supportive community for those who serve and their families
Meetings in the past year included the following: 4 Board of Director meetings
The previous Annual General Meeting was held in December 2023
Key accomplishments for the year have included:
Rebranding of the website and robust use of social media platforms
Combination of 4 Family Camps and Women’s Retreats in Moose Lake, Drayton Valley and at Camp Kindle in Water Valley with almost 200 participants
The Calgary Legacy Place House upgrade
National recognition with the Legacy Place Helpline – Public Health Canada
Expanded First Responder Suicide Awareness Conferences included Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge
Widespread Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) to over 600 First Responders
Going into 2025, we see our focus on:
Continued activity to support the Structural, Programming, Aspirational, and Geographical Reach of Legacy Place Society
Capacity building for program support
Championing ambassadors to program and peer support/wellness outreach and community events
On behalf of the Society Board, thank you to the staff and membership volunteers for their expertise and dedication which is greatly appreciated. The committees continue to contribute greatly to the advancement of our mission To all the Board members, thank you for your contributions and continued interest in the work of the Society.
KenKing BoardChairperson,LegacyPlaceSociety
To provide empathic support that builds resiliency individually and within the First Responder, Veteran, and Military Families
That all First Responder and Military Personnel have user-friendly access to resources to build resiliency as an individual and / or as a family.
Legacy Place Society exists to build family resiliency and legacies to withstand the unique challenges faced by Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical / Fire Fighter Services, 911 Dispatchers, Veterans and Military Personnel. The very nature of daily work within these professions can create emotional and physical havoc and the vicarious trauma, PTSD, operational or occupational stress injuries and the psychological and physiological demands of the profession can become major stressors on the individual and their family.
Often what is faced as a family as they try to understand and be supportive during recovery while maintaining family stability is a wide variety of challenges. Legacy Place Society does not replace employee assistance programs or professional medical counsel.
What defines us is how our work is done as we act as a bridge of possibilities between the individual, their place of work and their families. Legacy Place Society promotes a shared responsibility approach that encourages the individuals and their families to steer themselves through the everyday adversity, reframe the difficult realities of the profession and to encourage daily behaviors that are conducive to recharge and re-engage with themselves, their families and work place.
Confidentialresponsebytelephone for the individuals and families of First Responders, Veterans, and Military Personnel that facilitates connection to professional and peer support.
ProvideSafeandConfidentialTransitionalHousingandAccommodations to First Responders, Veterans, and Military Personnel (individually or as a family) for their wellbeing, security, and access to professional support in aim for quicker recovery from a broad range of serious difficulties
FamilyCenteredEducationalPartnerships to increase knowledge, reduce stigma, and enable networking by organizing and facilitating psychological wellness and mental fitness workshops and events, suicide awareness, family camps, and peer support opportunities for the individuals and families of law enforcement, emergency services, public service, and military
"Legacy Place Society ensures financial integrity and delivers impactful programs, supporting those who serve with tability and purpose."
lace remains a financially sound and well-managed on Our bookkeeper, Lauren, is a Certified Professional t (CPA) who provides oversight of our financial records and mely completion of monthly reconciliation reports.
ensure accuracy and compliance, MNP LLP serves as our g firm They maintain our financial integrity and can provide
a hard copy of the 2023 Financial Report upon request for review Additionally, our 2023 Charities Report is publicly accessible at the following link: 2023 Charities Report.
Going into 2025:
Albertans continue to struggle with the current economic landscape. Families are rightly putting their wellness and financial needs first. Legacy Place continues to extend the invitation to support our ongoing needs around program delivery and capital reinvestment. We are actively pursuing a 4th location to support our operations and program delivery initiatives. A capital campaign to participate in this will be forthcoming. In the meantime, a Case for Support is available to share.
As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect back and thank our Donors and Community Champions for their generous support to Legacy Place In particular, we thank the following for significant contributions - The Trevor and Amy Cooper Family Legacy Fund, Justin Havre and his team from EXP Realty, The Kristie Charitable Foundation, The City of Edmonton, and The Province of Alberta
We also benefited from several 3rd party wellness fundraisers, including “The Tee It Up For Mental Health Golf Tournament”, “The First Responders Rodeo”, and the “Battle for the Badges”. These public initiatives brought the first responder and military community together, allowing individuals to enjoy sport and competition alongside the public. These opportunities allow for open dialogue on mental fitness and contribute to our Programs.
We invite you to follow our updates via the website and social media platforms as we share ways to participate in both our current needs and the aspirations of our future
Thank you for your continued generous support
Sincerely,
PhilToews BoardTreasurer,LegacyPlaceSociety
DianaFestejo
Begin with the end in mind – The idea behind this habit is that everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in the physical world. By visualizing the desired outcome before starting a task, you can take more control over your life and circumstances as noted in “The seven habits of highly effective people” by author Dr. Stephen R Covey Leading from the frontlines, mentoring the next generation, arrive home safe and healthy to your loved ones, and having a life that is thriving. Sounds reasonable for the average person in society. However
By the very nature of their work, public safety personnel are repeatedly exposed to crime, violence, accidents, natural disasters, disturbing materials, and other emergency situations that increase their risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Injury. This has broad, far-reaching, and interrelated impacts on public safety personnel. Some of the more common impacts of PTSI include depression and anxiety disorders, anger issues, emotional distress, substance abuse disorders, self-harm, sleep disorders, a sense of hopelessness, increased aggression and conflict-seeking behaviours, becoming increasingly withdrawn, weight fluctuations, and suicidal behaviour
PTSI also affects the families of public safety personnel. PTSI can lead to withdrawal from one’s family, loss of income, familial and spousal conflict (including separation, divorce, and custody battles), stress for children and spouses, intergenerational trauma, and intimate partner violence.
In addition, PTSI has various impacts on public safety services, including staffing shortages (e g , absenteeism, recruitment and retention challenges), poor job performance, impaired decision-making, increased stress and responsibilities placed on colleagues, and decreased workplace morale Accordingly, PTSI can cost public safety organizations considerable amounts of money in the form of overtime costs, the recruitment and training of new staff, the cost of the treatment itself, and insurance premiums.
Legacy Place Society takes pride in the approach of being an essential service of support that is meaningful and much needed for our community of first responders, veterans and military personnel We believe in the need for awareness, promotion, prevention, early intervention and safe confidential conversations to ensure those impacted by psychological trauma can access the support they need and deserve before the issues become deep-rooted and harder to address.
Aside from the delivery of our core activities, we’ve been invited to participate in numerous Wellness Days put on by the agencies These are fantastic opportunities to chat and learn in on non crisis settings. We’ve met new recruits, spouses, kids and many who have been on the battle front for many years Collectively with the help phone line, the suicide intervention classes and the First Responder Suicide Awareness Conferences, we’ve directly impacted over 25,000 hours of specific education with peer support, keeping people safe for now, learning to live and thrive, facilitating conversation to wellness resources and courageous stories of hope and resiliency. Also thinking of the thousands of additional considerations with the conversations of those accessing the Legacy Place Houses, the wellness retreats, family camps and wellness days.
THANK YOU to our Volunteers! Your zest and desire to help your colleagues and Legacy Place is admirable. You understand the needs. Your ability to hold space to listen, encourage each other to tap into inner strength and professional supports is amazing We are all stronger together!
Donors and Community Advocates – THANK YOU for cultivating the conversations to further the mission of Legacy Place Society You make it possible for us to focus on our clients and situation at hand.
It’s been a compelling year of growth and progress. Thank you for including us during times of struggle and times of celebration. STAY SAFE AND WELL.
DianaFestejo ExecutiveDirector,LegacyPlaceSociety
Our confidential phone line is a dedicated support service available to first responders, military personnel, and their families across Canada. This lifeline offers a safe, private space to speak with trained professionals who understand the unique challenges faced by those who serve.
At Legacy Place Society, we acknowledge that asking for help is challenging and that mental health concerns can add a complex dynamic to reaching out for help
In 2024, our Confidential Phone Line assisted 604 callers nationally, with 21 being suicidal in nature Our call and text line is open seven days a week from 6:00am through 9:00pm and helps facilitate conversations to additional community supports. Below are the number of Suicidal in Nature Calls to Legacy Place Society Phone Line
Legacy
We are immensely grateful to the Stampede Rotary Club for their generous grant of $82,000, which has allowed us to make vital improvements at the Calgary Legacy House. Thanks to their support, we have successfully completed significant upgrades to the main floor, including kitchen renovations, new flooring, and bathroom enhancements. Additionally, we've re-shingled the roof and made the master bathroom more accessible and spacious.
A special thank you to the BILD Foundation and Pete the Plumber, our secondary donors, for covering a substantial portion of the master bathroom renovations and the heating and cooling system. These enhancements are crucial in creating a welcoming and functional space for the families we serve
EDMONTON | 325 Attendees
CALGARY | 550 Attendees
LETHBRIDGE | 125 Attendees
Our First Responder Suicide Awareness Conferences hosted over 1000 individuals this year. This year Lethbridge was added to our Conference locations. These Conferences provide education, mental health awareness, community support, connection, and conversations conducive to reducing the stigma and creating progressive change for our First Responder, Veteran, and Military Community.
OFFERED IN 7 LOCATIONS ACROSS ALBERTA IN 2024
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is vital to the mental well-being of our families, colleagues, leadership teams, and public safety personnel. Legacy Place in partnership with the Centre for Suicide prevention taught vital skills to 600 individuals to educate people to stay safe for now.
Additional Educational Partnerships included providing over 1500 books that focused on Emotional Wellness, Marriage/ Relationship Enhancements, and Post Traumatic Stress Injury.
AT MOOSE LAKE | 26 Families - May 24 - 26 AT CAMP KINDLE | 34 Families - June 14 - 16
The Legacy Place First Responder Family Camps are an inaugural part of our familycentered approach to holistic family health These weekends provide time to connect, unplug, and create connections with other First Responder families.
“I’m a single Father of three young girls Between shift work and finances it can be difficult to plan getaways Legacy Place made it possible for us to attend and do something we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do I’ll cherish the memories made this weekend ”
-2024 Legacy Place Camper
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This year, we hosted four Family Camps and Women’s Retreats across Alberta, bringing together nearly 200 participants for supportive and transformative experiences that foster resilience and connection
2024 allowed for Legacy Place to successfully rebrand its website, enhancing user experience and accessibility, while also strengthening our digital presence and community engagement through expanded social media efforts
We reinvested in our Calgary House, upgrading its interior to provide a more welcoming and comfortable space for individuals and families utilizing our transitional housing services
Our Confidential Phoneline received national recognition for providing critical, life-saving support to individuals in crisis This acknowledgment highlights our commitment to accessible, compassionate mental health resources
This year marked the expansion of our Suicide Awareness Conferences to Lethbridge, reaching more communities and equipping individuals with tools to decrease suicide risks and promote positive mental health.
Over 600 individuals received Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) this year, enhancing their ability to identify and assist those at risk of suicide.
2024 has been a remarkable year for Legacy Place Society in securing essential funding that allows us to meet the unique needs of our community Through a diverse range of funding sources, we have successfully expanded both regionally and nationally, achieving new milestones that strengthen our mission
This year, we proudly secured National Federal Funding through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Distress Line Funding, which has been instrumental in expanding our crisis support services and educational programs across Canada Additionally, we are deeply grateful for a major gift from the Trevor and Amy Cooper Family Legacy Flow Through Fund designated to support our EMS community Educational Partnerships and the Stampede Rotary Club designated to support our Calgary Legacy House Transitional Housing Their support is foundational to our continued efforts in these critical areas
We are in the early stages of establishing an endowment fund to ensure a steady financial foundation to serve future generations. To meet the increasing demand for our services, we are actively pursuing a fourth property to enhance our capacity to serve. Restricted capital funds will support this expansion, strengthening our ability to address critical needs Legacy Place Society is strategically woven into the community that we serve
While we celebrate our accomplishments, securing sufficient funding remains a challenge for not-for-profits across Alberta We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors who champion our mission and make a tangible difference in the lives of first responders, veterans, and their families. We will continue applying for community grants and building opportunities to support our operations, capital projects, and educational partnerships.
A special thanks to our third-party fundraisers and corporate partners who play a vital role in sustaining our services Events such as Battle for the Badges, Tee It Up for Mental Health, the First Responders Rodeo, the Southern Alberta District RCMP Charity Golf Classic, and contributions from Weyerhaeuser, Canadian Western Bank, the Mental Health Foundation of Alberta, and other dedicated individuals have collectively raised significant funds for our programs
AmberlyWrubleski FundDevelopmentSpecialist,LegacyPlaceSociety
Donate via E-Transfer
Send your e-transfer to info@legacyplacesociety.com
Please include your full name and address in the memo for tax receipting purposes.
Start a GoFundMe Campaign or Create a Facebook Fundraiser
Choose Legacy Place Society as your designated charity. Registered Charity Number: 891549420RR0001.
Become a Monthly Sustainer
Contribute $10 or more per month through automatic electronic fund transfers.
Choose Legacy Place Society for Your Cause
Support us when considering donations for mental health, addiction, suicide awareness, Movember, or PTSD-related initiatives.
Support Through Payroll Giving
Contact United Way and request payroll deductions to be designated to Legacy Place Society. Please provide them with our Registered Charity Number 891549420RR0001.
Donate by Cheque or Money Order - (Temporary Office Address) #3 Chapman Way SE, Calgary, AB
Donor Profile: The Trevor and Amy Cooper Family Legacy Flow Through Fund
Darcy Morgan
"As a former paramedic, I understand the unique challenges that come with serving on the front lines. The toll of trauma, stress, and emotional burden can weigh heavily on first responders and their families. The need for compassionate support and effective mental health resources is more urgent than ever. Thank you to the Cooper Family for helping us achieve our goals.”
-Vice Board Chairperson
Legacy Place Society is profoundly grateful for the transformative $100,000 donation from the Trevor and Amy Cooper Family Legacy Flow Through Fund at the Calgary Foundation. Trevor, a retired paramedic, and Amy’s dedication to supporting mental wellness in the First Responder community reflects their deep commitment to creating lasting impact
EMS personnel face some of the toughest challenges imaginable: long, grueling hours, unpredictable shift work, and the emotional toll of responding to trauma daily. Despite their dedication, many first responders struggle with limited access to benefits and mental health support, often facing operational stress injuries in silence
In 2024, this generous contribution directly supported over 271 families within Emergency Medical Services, enhancing access to transitional housing, mental health resources, and critical education initiatives. The Cooper family's support also broadened access to our Suicide Awareness Conferences, attended by over 1,000 individuals this past year This essential training provides practical tools for suicide prevention and mental health awareness, creating a ripple effect of resilience across Alberta's First Responder and Veteran communities.
Their incredible generosity strengthens our ongoing efforts to build a resilient, supportive network for those who serve We are honored to carry forward the Coopers' living legacy, one that will continue to empower First Responder families and help them find hope, stability, and wellness in times of need.
“I'm grateful that there is an emergency shelter for first responders in Calgary (also Red Deer and Edmonton). I had a sudden and unplanned departure from my family I was in a horrible state of mind as rejection is very difficult to accept. It put me into a sea of emotional turmoil, anxiety, confusion and uncertainty of what to do. 2023
Thank you to the EMS peer support team for contacting Legacy Place on my behalf and helping me make a phone call Legacy Place, thank you for the endless amount of listening and empathy In chatting with others staying at the house, it was incredible for validation, reassurance, shared challenges and tips to get me through the especially hard first few days ”
Our Third Party Fundraisers are the backbone of our efforts to engage our community and to provide essential funds for our programming. Each year, the following community fundraisers provide over $100,000 to Legacy Place Society initiatives and bring together camaraderie, togetherness, and family fun.
Thank you to the continued support and collaboration from the Tee It Up for Mental Health team, The Battle for the Badges Team, The First Responders Rodeo Team, the Southern Alberta District RCMP Golf Charity Classic Team, Christian Olsen (Lethbridge Police Service) with the 12 Hour Murph Challenge, Corrections Alberta with the Octoberfest Event, Rowing Together with Calgary Police Services and the Cochrane Fire Department for conducting the Annual Food Hamper Drive
Together, we are stronger.
Speaker Profile: Brian Griffith, President - First Responders Rodeo
Why is the First Responders Rodeo meaningful to you and the First Watch organization, and what does it mean to support Legacy Place Society with the funds raised?
“As a first responder organization we recognize the value that L Place brings to our community Mental Health concerns among responders has been an issue we decided to address when we founded our association in 2017 Bringing awareness and ultim support for those suffering with mental health injuries is someth are very passionate about and really appreciate the support tha Legacy Place provides We are proud to contribute to that supp any way we can!”
Any memorable moments or stories from past Rodeos that capture the spirit of the event and its impact on the community?
“I think the family aspect of the rodeo speaks to the spirit of the event. We have seen husband and wife duos competing with or against one another in team events. Father/son, father/daughter, mother/daughter, grandfather/grandson teams competing together which is extremely rare in the sport of rodeo but speaks volumes to the spirit of preserving western culture through the sport of rodeo.”
How you see the Rodeo contributing to the well-being of first responders and their families, both in terms of community morale and tangible support?
“We see the value of an event that brings first responders together on a day to ‘let their hair down’ and enjoy the camaraderie that rodeo is famous for promoting The networking available through this event is also extremely valuable to all first responders who may be struggling with mental health concerns. In addition the opportunity for community members to see and interact with first responders in a different light provides valuable insight into the lives and personalities of those that have sworn to protect them ”
Speaker Profile: Tee it Up for Mental Health Committee
“Having our tournament link up with organizations like Legacy Place Society helps to propel the message of mental health destigmatization into our community and into the lives of First Responders We recognize the need to support these front-line heroes in their hour of greatest need, just as they support all of us every day. When the Tee It Up for Mental Health Society chooses to support a group like Legacy Place, we trust that they will use the resources we provide to them where they see the greatest need.
Even if the Tee it Up for Mental Health tournament only impacts one person or saves one life, our efforts are all worth it!”