Calgary Branch

Mamas for Mamas Calgary was created to help fill the gaps in our city for the many families that struggle day after day. Calgary offers abundant opportunities but can also be very economically turbulent. Our branch assists caregivers and children from every walk of life and from all over Southern Alberta. We provide resource navigation and assistance to families in Calgary, Strathmore, Chestermere, Airdrie, Okotoks, High River, Cochrane, Banff, and Canmore.

Our YYC roots began online through our Facebook group – which continues to grow its membership daily! This is still a pivotal resource where mamas and caregivers are able to share, donate and trade items without monetary compensation. It is also a judgement-free space for mamas to support each other with advice and knowledge. After spending the past few years filling the gaps through the use of volunteer homes and donated storage spaces, the first official Calgary branch opened in January 2022! This incredible space offers a permanent home for program development and operations as well as for resource navigation! It also offers a well-stocked, boutique-like Karma Market for our clients to shop (free of charge) for the items they need. Thanks to our growing team of dedicated volunteers, wonderful staff, and the incredible support of generous donors and sponsors, Mamas has a bright future in the YYC area and will be able to ensure that no child or caregiver is left behind.

As we continue on this path of filling the gaps and changing the systems that contribute to the vicious cycle of poverty, we remain profoundly grateful to everyone that supports our goal of providing a hand up and not just a hand out to families who are facing a crisis.

Mamas for Mamas Calgary is proud to promote a collaborative office space and have invited two other local non-profits making an impact in YYC to call our space home.

We are thrilled to join forces and help as many Calgarians as possible!

  • Parachutes for Pets – committed to assisting low-income families in our community work toward better health & welfare for themselves and their pets through accessible programs and resources. ** Mamas for Mamas clients can access the onsite Pet food bank with any Karma Market appointment. **

Our Team

  • Anita Chowdhury

    Branch Coordinator
  • Adedayo Olubunmi

    Facebook Moderator
  • Danielle Guichon

    Karma Market Support Worker
  • Stevie Makila

    Registered Social Worker
  • Sonya Chmelyk

    Karma Market Volunteer
  • Victoria MacLean

    Social Media Coordinator

Want to get involved?

Join our growing team and bring your community together!

Book an Appointment

Karma Market

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Karma Market and the limitless generosity of our community, we have had to make some changes to our operating procedures. The high volume of shoppers and donations has put an incredible strain on our space and our volunteer mama-power. We are implementing these changes to ensure every mama in need receives a hand up and not just a handout. Please understand that these changes are needed for the continued success of the Market and to meet the demand of mamas who need to access our services.

 

We thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Shoppers
Donations
Upon entering the Karma Market for your shop, please visit the sanitization station. We ask that you use the hand sanitizer, as well as any children accompanying you on your visit. Please note that only one person from your household can come to the store at a time.  Gloves and masks will be provided for your comfort.

If children are accompanying you, please note we have a playroom open to the public but no child care will be provided. There will be designated seating for your family and we ask you have your children with you at all times in the store.

We ask that you please cancel the appointment if anything of the below pertains to you:

  • anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and painful swallowing, must self-isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days
  • anyone under the direction of the provincial health officer to self-isolate must follow those instructions
  • anyone who has arrived from outside of Canada, or who is a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms

Please bring reusable bags with you, for your shop.

Karma Market Appointments: Monday-Thursday 10-2pm MST.
Scheduled appointments will be required to access the market starting January 2024. We will NOT be accepting walk-ins any further unless our social worker has been contacted directly for emergency need.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.

We can only accept brand new / like new items for our Karma Market. We are organizing monthly swaps to facilitate mamas sharing and donating items that will no longer be at the Mamas Karma Market. Thank you for your understanding our need to set limitations that will ensure the continued success of the market without burning out our volunteers or duplicating services

We still accept the following items at the Karma Market by appointment only:

  • Brand new/ like new clothing for all members of the family in condition.
  • Baby equipment (GENTLY used, clean exersaucers, swings,carriers, change tables, play pens, etc).
  • Cribs (no drop down side or recalled please, even with hardware we can’t accept them)
  • Brand new Towels and bedding
  • Brand New Personal hygiene items
  • (tampons,pads,tooth care, etc)
  • Brand new Toys
  • Food (not expired and unopened. Fresh produce welcome)
  • Formula and baby food (not expired and unopened)
  • Furniture – Please contact the Share Society, Restore or Salvation army as we no longer accept furniture at our market
  • Footwear – please post or donate to the Shoe bank
  • Housewares – please post on the group, Share society,Salvation Army or Restore
  • Electronics – please post on the group.
    • *We can accept new electronics in excellent working order but cannot repair or re-home outdated technology.

Donations are accepted all week during our regular business hours from Monday-Friday 10-2pm. We reserve Friday as an exclusive donation day and run programming out of our office that requires privacy and will not accept walk-in appointments on Friday in 2023.

Thank you for your understanding.

Join our psycho-educational groups

Groups

Anxiety and Depression Group
Whole Mama
Young Mama
Grief and Loss Support Group
Well Reounded Parent

January 16, 2024

This 6-week workshop focuses on understanding depression and anxiety as well as gaining the tools to assist in combating the symptoms. Each session is built on the next as you continue to learn strategies and techniques to help you overcome depression and anxiety. Every session will help you take steps towards the life that you desire and are so deserving of.

In the 6 weeks together, you will gain a deeper understanding of your anxiety and feelings of depression, learn tools to challenge negative thinking patterns, become more confident in communicating and setting healthy boundaries, while practicing self-care and meeting your basic human needs.

The 6-week program consists of

  • Understanding Depression and Anxiety
  • Self-care and Mindfulness
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – Helpful Thinking
  • Communication & Boundaries
  • Nutrition and Exercise
  • Goal Setting

If you are struggling with depression and/or anxiety, please join this workshop and gain the support a group offers.

Facilitated by a Registered Counsellor.

November 5, 2024

This program is designed for women to become more centered in who they are, and to take steps towards the successes they desire. The workshop is 6 weeks in length, covering the following topics:

  • Goal Setting
  • Self-Care and Mindfulness
  • 4 Pillars of Health
  • Financial Literacy
  • Communications/Relationships
  • Values and Strengths
  • Inner Beauty (optional – extracurricular on own    time)

Each topic is focused on gaining a deeper understanding and acceptance of one’s self.

Facilitated by a Registered Professional Counsellor.

September 10, 2024

This well-informed 7-week workshop is designed to comfort, instruct and celebrate with the youngest members of the mama world. Navigating motherhood as a new and young mama can seem daunting and overwhelming.

In this program years of experience are brought together to take the fear and the unknown out of becoming or being a new young mama.

We are proud to offer the transferring of knowledge from mamas with experience and experts in the world of motherhood to young mothers that embark on this journey with us. You will benefit from the support, guidance and mentoring that this program offers.

The topics covered include:

  • Introduction – Mind Mapping – (processing ideas, fears, strengths, weaknesses)
  • Postpartum Depression / Baby blues
  • Navigating Parenting
  • Self-care and Mom Balance
  • Sleep – baby and mom
  • Exercise
  • Nutrition – (healthy eating, easy meal planning, breastfeeding, bottle feeding)
  • Financial/Budgeting
  • Identity / Goals
  • Relationships and Sex after baby (body image)

Motherhood is a gift, not meant to be done alone. Let’s talk about it, all the fears, concerns, overwhelming thoughts and the joy and delight. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child; let this program be a part of your village.

March 5, 2024

“Grief is an emotional experience and no matter how hard society tries to act as if sad feelings don’t exist – THEY DO”      -author unknown

At Mamas for Mamas we offer a program for Grief and Loss. We recognize that Grief is a difficult and lonely journey. Our goal is to offer support and companionship to mamas that have experienced loss. Loss comes in many shapes and forms, but the one thing it has in common, is pain; whether it is lost through miscarriage, stillborn, loss of infant or child, a life partner, friend, parent or sibling. No one should have to grieve this kind of pain alone.

Through this 6 week Grief and Loss Support Group, we offer support as you gain an understanding of the stages of grief and coping techniques on your grief journey. The group was designed with the purpose of creating a safe and intimate space for each individual to begin their healing journey.  This is a safe place where we provide support for each other and provide the opportunity to experience new ways to understand your own grieving process and how to move forward in a new normal that you did not ask for.

This group is facilitated by a registered counselor.

August 1, 2024

Are you looking to have a successful start to fall with your littles? We are taking a new spin on looking at parenting and how you can become a Well-Rounded Parent and feel good about yourself. This group is open to anyone looking to understand themselves and their reactions to their children. We are taking an in-depth look at the central nervous system and how this impacts the world around you, the impact this has on your children and relationships. As well as how meeting your basic human needs can assist in regulating your stress responses. Join us online to explore trauma, wellness, self concepts, morals and more and how you can implement these techniques into your everyday life to become the Well-Rounded parent.

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