Community Stories

Vecova invites the Calgary community to attend its third annual (dis)ABLED Art Show & Sale on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Brentwood Sportsplex. Organized by Dani Paulich, counsellor and art therapist at Vecova, the event celebrates the creativity, talents and artistic expression of artists with disabilities. The show provides an opportunity for artists to share their work with the community, connect with visitors and sell their creations directly to the public.

Attendees can explore a variety of unique, original artwork available for purchase while enjoying an inclusive and welcoming community event. The day will also feature raffles, door prizes and interactive art-making activities for visitors to participate in.

The (dis)ABLED Art Show & Sale aims to create opportunities for artists with disabilities to showcase their abilities, gain recognition for their work and connect with the wider community through art.

“Art is a powerful way for people to express themselves, share their perspectives and connect with others. This event celebrates the creativity of artists with disabilities while creating an opportunity for the community to come together and appreciate their work.” said Dani Paulich, Counsellor and Art Therapist at Vecova.

Vecova welcomes community members, art enthusiasts and anyone looking for unique handmade artwork to attend and support local artists.

Details:

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Brentwood Sportsplex

Address: 1520B Northmount Drive NW, Calgary, AB

Activities: Art sales, raffles, door prizes and interactive art-making

For more information, please contact Vecova.

Vecova

Daniella Paulich, Mental Health Counsellor & Art Therapist, [email protected]

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to honour residential school Survivors, remember the children who never came home, and recognize how residential schools continue to affect First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities today. The day also takes place on Orange Shirt Day, which helps people learn about the impacts of residential schools and remember that Every Child Matters.

Understanding the history

For many years, Indigenous children were taken away from their families and communities and sent to residential schools. These schools were created to force Indigenous children to leave behind their cultures, languages and traditions. The effects of residential schools are still felt by Survivors, families and communities today. Learning about this history helps us better understand the experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and why reconciliation is important.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created following a recommendation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. It gives us a day to honour Survivors and their families, remember the children who never came home, and learn about the history and lasting impact of residential schools.

Beyond wearing orange

Wearing orange on September 30 is one way to show your support and remember the children who never came home. But Truth and Reconciliation is about more than wearing orange for one day. It is also about learning, listening to Indigenous voices and understanding the history of residential schools and their impact on Indigenous communities.

At Vecova, we believe everyone should feel respected, included and supported. Truth and Reconciliation gives us a chance to learn more, reflect on the past and think about how we can help build more welcoming and inclusive communities.

Taking time to learn and reflect

There are many ways to take part in Truth and Reconciliation. This September 30, you can:

Learn about the history of residential schools and how they continue to affect Indigenous communities.
Listen to the stories and experiences of Indigenous Survivors and communities.
Learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Support Indigenous-led organizations, events and community programs in Calgary
Take time to think about what Truth and Reconciliation means in your community and workplace.

Resources in Calgary

If you would like to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation, there are many local resources available in Calgary.

Visit the City of Calgary’s Indigenous Relations resources to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation in our community.
Explore Indigenous books, stories and learning resources through Calgary Public Library.
Learn about the work of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary and the services they provide to the Indigenous community.
Visit The Confluence to learn about local history and take part in Truth and Reconciliation programming.
Look for local Orange Shirt Day events and community activities happening around Calgary.

Resources in Airdrie

City of Airdrie – Indigenous Relations and Truth and Reconciliation: Learn about Airdrie’s work toward Truth and Reconciliation, local Indigenous communities and upcoming opportunities to learn.
Circle Connections for Reconciliation: Explore local resources for learning about residential schools, Indigenous history and reconciliation. The City of Airdrie works with Circle Connections on Truth and Reconciliation initiatives.
Airdrie Public Library: Explore books and other resources to learn more about Indigenous histories, cultures and experiences.
City of Airdrie Indigenous Culture Programs: The City supports Indigenous-led storytelling, teachings, cultural workshops and other opportunities to learn and connect.

Details:

All Vecova locations will be closed Wednesday, September 30, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This includes our Airdrie, NW Kaleidoscope and Beltline locations.

For many people, a dementia diagnosis can bring changes and uncertainty, not only for the person living with dementia, but also for the people who support them. World Alzheimer’s Month is an opportunity to build understanding, reduce stigma and remind people affected by dementia that they don’t have to navigate the journey alone

A dementia diagnosis can affect more than the person receiving it. Family members and caregivers can also experience changes, questions and new challenges as they support someone they care about.

At Vecova, we recognize that caregivers need support, connection and a place to share their experiences, too.

A Space for Dementia Caregivers

Vecova’s Dementia Caregiver Group provides an opportunity for caregivers to connect with others who understand the realities of supporting a loved one living with dementia.

The group creates a welcoming space to share experiences, learn from others and have conversations about the challenges and changes that can come with caregiving.

Sometimes, knowing that you are not alone can make a meaningful difference.

The group also provides an opportunity for caregivers to connect with others who may be experiencing similar situations, exchange perspectives and build a sense of community.

Supporting People Living With Dementia

While supporting caregivers is an important part of dementia care, Vecova also offers opportunities for people living with dementia to stay active, engaged and connected.

Our Early-Stage Dementia Wellness Program is designed for adults aged 60 and older living with a dementia-related condition. The twice-weekly program incorporates physical, cognitive and social activities in a supportive group environment.

Participants have opportunities to stay active, participate in activities, connect with others and continue enjoying meaningful experiences within their community.

Creating Community Through Connection

Both programs reflect Vecova’s commitment to creating opportunities for people affected by dementia to feel supported, included and connected.

For someone living with dementia, having a welcoming place to participate and socialize can help maintain important connections. For caregivers, having a community where they can talk openly with others can provide a valuable sense of understanding and support.

This World Alzheimer’s Month, we’re recognizing both sides of the journey, the people living with dementia and the caregivers, family members and communities supporting them.

Learn More About Vecova’s Dementia Programs

If you or someone you know could benefit from Vecova’s dementia-related programs, we invite you to learn more: https://vecova.ca/programs/the-early-stage-dementia-wellness-program/

For information about the Dementia Caregiver Group or Early-Stage Dementia Wellness Program, contact Dani Paulich or Heather at [email protected].

This World Alzheimer’s Month, let’s help create communities where people living with dementia and the people who support them can feel connected, included and supported.

📍 Vecova – NW Location, Kaleidoscope
Calgary, AB

Learn more:https://alzheimer.ca/ab/en/world-alzheimers-month

From Airdrie to Calgary, Vecova is creating inclusive spaces where people can connect, grow, and thrive. We also continue to provide services in Cochrane and the Bow Corridor, ensuring support reaches individuals and communities where it’s needed most. Read more about our locations below: (Link to blog)

Vecova Across Our Communities: Three Locations and Continued Support in Cochrane and the Bow Corridor

At Vecova, we’re proud to support individuals of all abilities through inclusive programs, services, and community connections across multiple locations. With three unique spaces in Airdrie and Calgary, we’re able to meet people where they are and create opportunities that foster independence, belonging, and growth.

Each location has its own identity and strengths but together, they share one mission: building an inclusive community where everyone can thrive.

📍 Vecova Airdrie

104 MacKenzie Way SW #4105, Airdrie, AB T4B 0L3

Our Airdrie location has quickly become a welcoming hub for connection, learning, and engagement. Over the past year, it has grown into a vibrant community space where participants build confidence, develop skills, and form meaningful relationships.

From social programming to individualized support, Vecova Airdrie focuses on creating a safe, inclusive environment where participants feel valued and supported every day.

📍 Vecova NW @ Kaleidoscope

Unit 1, 2520 Capitol Hill Crescent NW, Calgary, AB

At Vecova NW @ Kaleidoscope, creativity, connection, and community come together. This location offers a dynamic space where participants can engage in meaningful programming designed to support personal growth, independence, and social inclusion.

With a strong focus on engagement and accessibility, Kaleidoscope continues to be a place where individuals are encouraged to explore their interests and build lasting relationships in a supportive setting.

📍 Vecova Hub @ Beltline

The Kahanoff Centre, Calgary, AB

Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, the Vecova Hub @ Beltline brings services and supports into a central, accessible community space. This location allows us to connect with individuals, families, and community partners in a vibrant urban setting. The Hub plays an important role in outreach, connection, and collaboration, helping to bridge services and create new opportunities for inclusion across the city.

🌄 Supporting Cochrane and the Bow Corridor Community

Vecova continues to proudly support individuals in Cochrane and the Bow Corridor region. Our services remain active in the area, ensuring that participants can still access meaningful programs and supports within their community. Although we no longer have a physical office space in Canmore, our presence and commitment remain strong. We continue to work alongside individuals and partners in Cochrane and the Bow Corridor to promote inclusion, independence, and community connection.

Summer registration opens on Tuesday, June 2nd at 8:00 AM. Get ready to secure your spot in our exciting lineup of programs designed to support connection, learning, recreation, and personal growth. From recreation to social opportunities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this summer.

Whether you’re looking to try something new, stay active, build skills, or connect with others in the community, our summer offerings are designed to be inclusive, welcoming, and fun for all ages and abilities.

Spaces can fill quickly, so early registration is strongly encouraged. We recommend reviewing program details ahead of time so you can plan your summer and register for your preferred sessions as soon as registration opens.

At Kaleidoscope:

Social & Community

*New* Coffee & Bingo – Thursdays – 9:30 -11:00 am
Located at: Kaleidoscope

Start your Thursday with Coffee & Bingo! This social & Community program is a relaxed morning of warm drinks, friendly conversation, and classic Bingo fun. It’s a welcoming, low-pressure way to connect, laugh, and enjoy the morning together. (No experience needed)

Active Arts – Thursdays 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Located at: Kaleidoscope

This fun, welcoming program combines weekly creative art projects (clay, painting, collages) with gentle, accessible movement and fitness games. Designed for all abilities, create, move, and connect in a supportive environment.

Club Vecova – Wednesdays 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Located at: Kaleidoscope

This fun social program lets participants vote on weekly activities like bingo, floor bowling, and group games. It’s the perfect place to try something new, play games, and build friendships through teamwork and casual conversation.

Creative Kitchen – Mondays 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Located at: Kaleidoscope

Creative Kitchen brings people together to explore food, health, and connection. Each week, participants will help prepare simple, nutritious, and delicious recipes to enjoy as a group. Every session also features fun group games and built-in social opportunities to encourage teamwork, conversation, and friendship.

Explore Abilities – Tuesdays 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Located at: Kaleidoscope

This fun social-educational program features a new theme each week to spark curiosity and growth. Participants will enjoy plenty of time to chat, play tabletop games, and build friendships. A includes theme-based gentle movement and hands-on creative projects like music and crafts.

Children’s Adapted Recreation – Saturdays 11:15 AM – 1:30 PM
Located at: Vivo Recreation Center

Children aged 6–12 will match up with volunteers for a fun-filled session of swimming, sports, and games.

Youth Adapted Recreation – Saturdays 2:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Located at: Vivo Recreation Center

Youth ages 12–17 are paired with awesome volunteers for an action-packed afternoon of sports, games, and swimming.

Outdoor Swimming Lessons with COSPA – Tuesdays + Thursdays + Fridays
Located in: SE AND SW Calgary

We’re excited to partner with the Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pools Association (COSPA) to bring our adapted aquatics programming outdoors this summer for both youth and adults. These inclusive swimming lessons will be offered at two outdoor pool locations in South Calgary outdoor Pool, & Forest Lawn Outdoor Pool, providing a supportive environment to build confidence, safety, and water skills while enjoying the summer season.

Adaptive Inclusive Rugby for Youth & Adults – April 25^th – June 27^th 9:30am – 11:30am Located at: Calgary Rugby Park – 9025 Shepard Rd SE

This program introduces the core skills of rugby in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. While tackle practice equipment (such as tackle bags and gym mats) will be used, the remainder of the sessions are non-contact. Partnership with Lacrossing Barriers, in association with the Southern Alberta Rugby Union.

FUNdamental Movement – Sundays 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Located at: Calgary Western High School – 641 17 Ave SW

FUNdamental Movement is a multi-sport program in Calgary focused on building foundational movement skills for children with disabilities. Develop coordination, balance, throwing, catching, and teamwork through engaging, game-based activities that help build confidence and physical literacy. Great for children with disabilities who want to build physical skills, increase confidence, and explore different sports and movement activities.

On May 12, we had the pleasure of hosting our Youth Recognition Event in partnership with Rocky View Schools, a night dedicated to celebrating the achievements, hard work, and determination of students in our community.

The event brought together students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate academic accomplishments, leadership, resilience, and the positive impact students are making both inside and outside the classroom. It was wonderful to see so many young people being recognized for their dedication and growth.

Throughout the evening, there was a strong sense of pride and encouragement as students were applauded for their efforts and contributions. Events like these remind us of the importance of creating supportive and inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

We extend our congratulations to all of the award recipients and thank the organizers, staff, and volunteers who made the evening so memorable. Your commitment to supporting students and celebrating their achievements helps inspire future success for our entire community.

We were honoured to be part of such a fantastic night and look forward to continuing to support and celebrate the incredible students in our community.

Rhonda Stone, Employment Services Manager and Karen Duffy, Divisional Supervisor, Learning Supports, Rocky View Schools.

At Vecova, every day is focused on building inclusive communities where people of all abilities can thrive. That work happens through programs, housing supports, recreation, and community connection but it also depends on something simple and powerful: the everyday items that make those programs possible.

That’s where our Amazon Wishlist comes in.

View here: https://a.co/02aXdvfR

A simple way to make a big impact

Our Amazon Wishlist is an easy way for individuals, families, and community members to directly support Vecova programs. Each item on the list helps us provide meaningful experiences, safe environments, and accessible supports for the people we serve.

From program supplies to day-to-day essentials, these contributions go straight into enhancing the services and spaces our participants rely on.

What your support helps us do

When you choose to support Vecova through the wishlist, you are helping to:

Keep community programs running smoothly
Provide accessible recreation and learning opportunities
Supply essential materials for daily activities
Create welcoming, inclusive environments for all participants
Support staff in delivering high-quality services

It’s a simple action that helps strengthen a much larger impact.

Why it matters

Inclusion is built through consistency, care, and community support. Small items, often the ones we take for granted, can make a big difference in someone’s ability to participate fully and comfortably.

Whether it’s supplies for a program session, materials for creative activities, or essentials that support daily operations, each contribution helps us continue building spaces where everyone belongs.

How you can help

Supporting Vecova through our Amazon Wishlist is easy:

Browse the list
Choose an item that speaks to you
Send it directly to support our programs

You can also help by sharing the wishlist with your networks, spreading awareness is just as valuable as donating.

Thank you for being part of our community

Vecova’s work is only possible because of the people who believe in it. Every item purchased, shared, or supported helps us continue creating inclusive spaces where people of all abilities are respected, supported, and celebrated.

Thank you for helping us make that possible 💙

View here: https://a.co/02aXdvfR

Our next Charity Sale is taking off in an exciting new location, join us on Thursday, June 18 from 10am to 2pm for a day of shopping with purpose.

This time, we’re bringing the experience to Kananaskis Hall at YYC International Airport, a fresh, larger space that makes it easy to stop by, browse, and be part of something impactful!

This isn’t just any sale. It’s a chance to support meaningful community programs while giving great items a second life. Every purchase helps fund services that create opportunities, foster inclusion, and strengthen our community.

Expect tables full of unique finds, practical everyday items, and a few hidden gems. Whether you love the thrill of a great deal or just want to shop more sustainably, there will be something for everyone.

Items we will have include:

Luggage

Electronics – Printers, Laptops

Clothing – kids & adult

Sports items – bikes, golf

Books

Shoes

Shopping at our Charity Sale means:

Supporting inclusive community programs
Giving pre-loved items a second life
Reducing waste and supporting sustainability
Contributing directly to local initiatives

Bring a friend, spread the word, and come check out this exciting new location. Your support truly makes a difference and it’s what keeps events like this going strong.

Parking details will be shared closer to the date, so stay tuned for updates and sneak peeks of what you can expect to find.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Details:
Where: Kananaskis Hall, YYC International Airport
When: June 18, 10am – 2pm
Parking: Code: VFREE2025,

book before you arrive for easy access,
the code will be active 24 hours before the event, make sure to book for Thursday in P1 Short Term : https://parkingres.yyc.com/CalgaryBooking/

At Vecova, our Bottle Pickup Program has grown into something much bigger than a recycling initiative, it’s a community-driven movement that supports inclusion, sustainability, and local impact all at once.

What started as a simple way to collect refundable beverage containers has become a meaningful service that brings people together, supports accessible employment, and raises vital funds for programs that empower people with disabilities.

Now, as we continue to grow, we’re excited to share that our Bottle Pickup Program, already making a strong impact in Southeast Calgary is looking to expand into Airdrie.

Making a Difference in Southeast Calgary

In Southeast Calgary, the Bottle Pickup Program has been helping households, businesses, and community groups turn everyday recycling into real community impact.

Every pickup contributes to:

Reducing waste and supporting environmental sustainability 🌱
Creating meaningful work and skill-building opportunities
Generating funds that directly support Vecova’s inclusive programs
Building stronger connections between Vecova and the community

What makes this program so special is that it’s not just about bottles—it’s about people. Each pickup supports inclusive employment opportunities and helps participants build confidence, independence, and valuable workplace skills.

Why Expansion Matters

Demand for the Bottle Pickup Program has grown steadily, especially in communities that want easier, more accessible ways to recycle while supporting local social impact initiatives.

Expanding into Airdrie means we can:

Reach more households and businesses who want convenient recycling solutions
Increase funding for inclusive recreation and community programs
Create more supported employment opportunities for people with disabilities
Strengthen community connections beyond Calgary

This growth reflects something we see every day, communities want to give back, and they’re looking for simple, meaningful ways to do it.

How It Works

Our Bottle Pickup Program is designed to be simple and accessible:

Book a pickup online or through Vecova
Leave your bagged refundable containers outside
Our team collects, sorts, and processes them
Refunds are reinvested directly into Vecova programs and services

It’s an easy way to make a big difference without leaving your driveway.

More Than Recycling

Every bottle collected supports Vecova’s broader mission: building inclusive communities where everyone belongs.

Funds raised help support programs like:

Adapted recreation and aquatics
Employment readiness and training
Community participation programs
Accessibility and independence supports

So when you schedule a pickup, you’re not just recycling you’re investing in inclusion.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future, expanding into Airdrie represents an exciting step forward. We’re eager to connect with new households, local businesses, and community partners who want to be part of something impactful and practical.

Together, we can turn everyday recycling into lasting change one bottle pickup at a time. 💚♻️