Pushing boundaries. Making cracks.

"There is a crack in everything 

That's how the light gets in."

~ Leonard Cohen

This year we celebrated our 40th anniversary of serving the Calgary community. I have had the chance to reflect and reminisce with many of our supporters over the past year at our various celebrations, and I would like to share some of my thoughts.

We began as a grassroots volunteer organization back in 1972, with our work focused on improving access to birth control and increasing support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Ours was, and continues to be, a leading voice in the city promoting access to choice and advocating on behalf of women.

Our pioneering work to bring sex education into schools began in 1975. Our broad and comprehensive approach, which went beyond anatomical nuts and bolts, and recognized the vital importance of teaching sexuality was a challenge at that time. It is a challenge we have faced ever since.

Our society remains uncomfortable and silent about sex and sexuality, yet it is such an important and encompassing part of our lives. That is why we need community support to continue our essential work.

At the CSHC, we work every day to shine a light on this shame-based culture and the harm that it causes. Our award-winning programming has grown and responded over the past 40 years to the growing and changing needs of our community. We are honoured to work with a variety of Calgarians, providing sexual and reproductive health resources and support to youth, women, the LGBT community, older adults, young men, the disability community, new Canadians, and more.

In our 40 years we have found that the more work we do to educate our community, the more we make cracks into new areas that need support. The cultural shifts necessary to ensure that everyone has access to the non-judgmental services and information they need won't happen overnight. We will continue to face opposition.

We've come a remarkably long way - made a lot of cracks - but we need to keep going.

We invite you to support our work by making a donation today. Your support gives us the freedom and ability to continue to push boundaries, reach new communities and make new cracks.

--> Donate online via Canada Helps    

--> Donations by mail, phone or in person

Thank you for your support of our work promoting healthy sexuality in our community.

Sincerely,

Pam Krause
Executive Director

Year End SALE! - Sexual Health Resource Centre

Year End SALE!

Save now at our Sexual Health Resource Centre!

Since 1991, the Sexual Health Resource Centre has been an important source of sexual health resources and teaching aids - serving professionals, educators and parents across Canada and around the world.


From now until the end of the year, all inventory is on SALE!

Birth Control Demonstration Kits - NOW $325 (save $50 off regular price)

Our top selling item! This educational resource comes in a custom-made nylon carrying case (19"x17.5"x4") that opens into a stand-up display. The kit contains demonstration samples and info pamphlets on all birth control methods and many additional resources on sexual health topics.

All other pamphlets, DVDs, woodies, and resources - NOW 10% OFF REGULAR PRICE

As Canada’s sexual health information marketplace, our Resource Centre is a comprehensive source of up-to-date and accurate sexual health information including books, pamphlets, educational kits, DVDs and other teaching aids. We are also continuously expanding our resource catalogue and building additional materials that are specific to Canada.

We invite you to visit us online to view our Resource Centre catalogue at www.calgarysexualhealth.ca/resource_centre.html .

Your purchases have a multiplier effect in promoting healthy sexuality!

When you purchase your sexual education resources with us, your funds help us deliver comprehensive and non-judgmental sexual health programs in our community. Its win-win.

We are a community-based organization with a 40 year legacy of providing access to nonjudgmental sexual and reproductive health services and supports across the lifespan.

For questions or assistance, please contact us at resources@calgarysexualhealth.ca or call 403-283-5580.

SALE ENDS December 31, 2012!

To place your order, visit www.calgarysexualhealth.ca/resource_centre.html  

Painted Woodies: See what everyone's been talking about!

It’s the art project that has everyone talking. A few weeks ago, we called on local personalities and international celebrities to “Paint a Woody”.

 

Mike Morrison, Carly Myers and Fraser Tuff show off
their masterpieces at our Woody Painting Party

We weren’t really sure how people would respond to our odd request, but we’ve been surprised and thrilled with the support we’ve received.

As part of our year-long 40^th anniversary celebrations, we invited a select group of "featured artists" to raise their brushes to creatively paint a "woody" - a wooden demonstration tool that our sexuality educators use to teach youth how to use a condom and practice safe sex. 
 
Woody Painting Kits were sent far and wide, with many beloved local personalities and revered celebrities taking on the challenge. 

Here's just a few of the names we'll drop:

     ► Rick Mercer, political humourist

     ► Sue Johanson, sex educator

     ► W. Brett Wilson, entrepreneur and philanthropist

     ► Mike Morrison, blogger at Mike's Bloggity Blog

     ► Carly Myers and Fraser Tuff, X92.9 FM

     ► Julie Van Rosendaal, food afficienado
 
     ► Jon Montgomery, Olympic gold medalist

     ► Jill Belland, BT morning show

     ► Mandy Stobo, Bad Portrait Project artist

     ► Sarah Crosbie, Q107 FM



The woodies will be auctioned at our 40th anniversary gala celebration on October 25, 2012 in Calgary at Belgo.



Rick Mercer's woodie is true to his political stylings!

To celebrate four decades of service in Calgary - and to look forward to many more - we will bring together long-time supporters and new friends for a playful and thought-provoking celebration.

With the theme of "A Revolutionary Retrospective", our guests will enjoy a playful exposé of how society's views on gender, sexual orientation and reproductive health has shifted over the past four decades, and how CSHC has responded.

The sexual revolution will be played out - and mirrored by the cocktails, music and legends of the times. Then we'll toast our future as we dance the night away at our after-party.



W. Brett Wilson's woodie makes us proud!

You can also get in on the bidding early with our online auction for the woodies at: http://auction.calgarysexualhealth.org

We will continue to add more Woodies to the online auction over the days ahead - so be sure to check back often!
 

Want to know more? Check out this great article by Avenue Magazine about our Woodies and our 40th anniversary.

To stay connected with the latest pics and buzz about our Paint a Woody artists, follow us on Twitter at @YYCSexualHealth!