Site logo

    The SHARP Foundation

    About

    Established in 1990, the SHARP Foundation is a Calgary-based non-profit organization committed to providing a continuum of care including housing, healthcare, and support to those living with HIV or at the highest risk of contracting HIV.

     

    Today, The SHARP Foundation's main focus is helping residents live longer and have sustainable lives instead of primarily acting as a palliative care facility, but most importantly help residents become independent and integrate in the community.

     

    SHARP operates six programs located in various Calgary residential neighbourhoods which provide affordable housing as well as medical and psycho-social needs.  Generally the services are targeted to individuals living with HIV or at risk of contracting the virus. Overall, our clients come  from diverse communities or backgrounds. ​But what makes SHARP so unique, is it two existing models of care which consists of independent housing for residents who demonstrate a need for individualized programming, and our three  24/7 care facility which provide integrated care for those with complex health and higher demand of care.

    ​

    Recently, the SHARP Foundation partnered with Calgary Homeless Foundation to open a new care facility named Murray’s House to provide 24/7 integrated care as well as decrease isolation and improve health outcomes for highly acuity persons.The new care facility will include 23 one bedroom units as well as an emergency room, and will serve who are chronically homeless and need health supports to live independently with dignity in a safe non-judgemental environment.

    Gender & Sexuality
    Social Networks
    Services & Programming Offered

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The SHARP Foundation provides a variety of supported housing facilities which include integrated care housing, independent housing with supportive case management and combination of both with our new care facility Murray's House.

     

    For more detailed information on the different housing offerings please follow this link:
    Specific Housing Information

     

    • For more information regarding Murray's House and referrals please contact: 403-474-3855.
    • For more information about our other housing programs: Beswick House, Project 2011, Project Kathleen, or Carlyle Commons, please contact 403- 457-7476 or email [email protected].
      ​
      Referral Application 
      The referral application  can be faxed to 403-764-1984 or e-mailed to [email protected], or mailed to us at A023, 5717 2 Street SW Calgary Alberta T2H 0A1

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    • AGING IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY/AGING WITH HIV - Unfortunately in Canada there is a lack of seniors facility which provide non judgmental compassionate care to individuals aging with HIV or in the LGBTQ2S+ community resulting in fear of discrimination, possibly going back into the closet and decreased quality of life.  The SHARP Foundation is partnering with Mount Royal University, HABITUS Consulting Collective, Rainbow Elders Calgary, Centre for Sexuality and the Alberta CBR Collaborative: A Program of REACH to investigate and develop solutions  to ensure respectful and inclusive care for LGBTQ2S+ Seniors as well as individuals aging with HIV.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SHARP is leading the following initiatives:

     

    • The Calgary LGBT Seniors Housing and Support Needs Assessment ​- The outcomes of this study include recommendations for programming the seniors’ service sector can develop and implement, as well as, training peer researchers for additional studies in Calgary and Alberta. TO LEARN MORE

     

    • “Capturing the Trauma”- This is a digital story-telling project to identify and document the experiences of Calgarians who were impacted by the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and early 1990. CHECK OUT AN ENTRY

    ​

    • An Online Roadmap to Inclusive Communities - This is a 3-year project to build a web-based interface to inform and train individuals and organizations on ways to create best practices in building friendly, safe and inclusive communities for LGBTQ2S+ seniors. SHARP will utilize the expertise of the Calgary LGBT2S+ Seniors Housing and Support Study advisory committee, community partners and peer researchers to formulate ideas on best or wise practices to address healthy aging in the community.

     

    • LGBTQ2SA+ Seniors Community Consultation - The SHARP Foundation has partnered with Dr. Jacqueline Gahagan, Dalhousie University, on the national “Meeting the Housing Needs of Older LGBT Canadians: From Research to Policy and Practice” and hosted a regional community consultation in Calgary in the Fall of 2019. FOR MORE INFO