Counseling and Support

Counselors at The DI provide a broad array of services to clients as well as to low income Calgarians and individuals referred by other agencies.  Thirty-nine (39%) percent of those using our services to not reside at one of our facilities. Counseling services are available to all clients of The DI at no charge Monday – Sunday from 7:30a-9:00p. Clients may access counseling services on a short-term or ongoing basis by appointment or walk-in. Individuals can be directed to available Counselors by contacting the Day Office located on the 2nd Floor.

Counseling Services include, but are not limited to:

• Crisis counseling and intervention
• Referring clients to obtain services such as vision care, dental care, prescription coverage, resources to buy equipment when starting a new job, income supports and related programs.
• Supports and advocacy in referrals and access to external agencies.
• Addictions counseling and assistance in application to residential addictions treatment programs.
• Assistance with re-housing and application for external supported or subsidized housing programs.
• Assistance to obtain or replace identification, including Statutory Declarations.
• Income tax for both DI clients and low-income individuals residing independently.

All Counseling Services are client-centered and operate from a position of non-judgment.

Client-Individual Service Plan (ISP)

ISP services are available to any client of The DI with an interest in supports focused on personal growth and planning. Case Workers assist clients on a one-to-one basis in the creation and monitoring of a personal plan that includes assessment, goal setting, progress review and supports to ensure success. ISP is a supportive and personalized approach to assisting individual clients to address challenges that have led them to homelessness and to recovering or building the skills necessary for renewed independence. Clients involved with the ISP program will follow a schedule of regular sessions with their Case Worker and be involved in a range of support programs within and external to The DI.

Residents of the 4th and 5th Floor Supported Living beds will automatically be assigned a Case Worker. Clients residing on all other floors or Centre 2507 can access ISP programming by referral to the Service Plan Coordinator. Referrals can be made by any staff member.