Background

The Calgary Alpha House Society was formed in 1981 as a committed response to a marginalized population of men and women who were alcohol and or other drug addicted and living vulnerable on the streets of Calgary.

We opened the Alpha House Shelter on January 18, 1982 at its Victoria Park location and we were seen from day one by many as a safe haven and alternate to city cells for those affected.

Alpha House showed innovation early on by combining both a Shelter and a Detox in the same building.

This has been referred to over the years as a Social Shelter/ Detox or as a Community Based Intox/Detox.

The combination of a Shelter where entry was based on alcohol use or drug abuse and a Detox managed by a non-medical staff with sound withdrawal management has helped many Calgarians to recover from alcohol and drug abuse.

Milestones in our History

• In 1985 the team concept of client care is instituted with four teams made up of a Shift Supervisor, Senior Recovery Aide and a Recovery Aide.
• In 1992 with the help of Royal Canadian Legion No. 1 and Alberta Public Works a women's dorm of 4 beds is opened in our Detox.
• Throughout our history we have maintained a small but effective volunteer base of Board members and administration help.
• In June 1993 our first open Friday night AA meeting is held and it remains a popular meeting to this day for men and women in the community.
• In 2005 our outreach program starts with a partnership with Calgary Urban Project Society and the Downtown Outreach Addictions Partnership (DOAP) begins.
• That same year we are operating as a 24-hour self referral facility.
• In 2005 a Development Permit Application is sent to the City of Calgary and this begins our Detox addition and Shelter renovation project.
• In 2006/2007/2008 with community partnerships we operate a second shelter known as Alpha2 to meet the needs of those needing shelter due to winter conditions and demand.
• Throughout Alpha House's history our occupancy rates have remained steady from 85% to l20% for the Shelter and Detox programs. 
• Presently we run five programs: Shelter, Outreach (DOAP), Detox, Housing and Encampment.
  

Board Chairs:

Norm Cowie	1981 - 1982
Art Marshall	1982 - 1983
Ken Hodgson	1984 - 1985
Ron Montgomery	1985 - 1986
Bob Hardie	1986 - 1987
Bob Ward	1987 - 1988
Stuart Hutton	1988 - 1990
Dr. Stephanie Koza	1990 - 1991
John Mitchell	1991
Neil Mitchell	1991 - 1992
Chris Bixby	1992 - 1993
Garry Smylie	1993 - 1994
Conrad Delorme	1996 - 1999
Karen Pirie (Middleton)	1999 - 2004
Harold Elman	2004 - 2006
Ron Carter	2006 - 2009
Alex Ross	2009 -

Executive Directors:

Clifford A. Pope	1981 - 1982
Gerry Montgomery	1982 - 1983
W. Jim Henry	1983 - 1986
Neil Mitchell	1986 - 1989
Eve MacMillian (MacNamara)	1989 - 1999
Cecilia Blasetti	1999 - 2001
Kathy Christiansen	2001 -