Community LAMDA Society - Supporting Mental Health

Providing residential accommodation and support services for adults with mental illness. Join us in fostering hope and independence, one home at a time.

a building with a balcony and a balcony with a balcony

Community LAMDA Society

Who We Are

Founded in 1987 by psychiatrist, Dr. Mary Dumka, Community LAMDA Society is a registered charity overseen by volunteer operational Board of Directors. LAMDA provides residential accommodation and support services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Our contribution to the Calgary community is steady and reliable, and we are determined to explore its untapped potential for growth.

As we look into the future LAMDA’s priority is to maintain our effective practices. LAMDA’s supportive housing model is remarkably successful, and we are committed to sustaining our uniqueness and autonomy.

Our Mission

To provide staff-supported, affordable, apartment-style homes as a foundation for stability and wellness for adults in Calgary who experience chronic mental illness, particularly schizophrenia.

Our Vision

To increase the level of independence and self esteem of people living with mental illness by providing services that will strengthen their natural support network, including family and friends.

First Nations Statement

Community LAMDA is located and operates on the traditional territories of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) First Nation tribes of the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations tribes of Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. The city of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.

Operational Structure

LAMDA buildings are provided by Calgary Housing Company who is responsible for building operations and rent. Our services are partially funded by Alberta Health Services.

What we do

Community LAMDA provides staff-supported, affordable, apartment-style homes for adults in Calgary who experience chronic mental illness. The Mission site has 36 single-occupancy apartments and the Killarney site has 16 two-bedroom apartments. Overall, LAMDA serves a total of 62 people.

Tenants receive support from two staff members who are Independent Living Support workers (ILS workers). The support workers are experienced professionals whose role is to help sustain community support for the tenants, make sure their housing is well organized and safe, and ensure that the tenants’ independence is safeguarded and enhanced.

The ILS workers at both locations work Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm, with occasional evenings for activities.

The ILS worker supports the tenants by:

Acting as liaison for tenants’ individual mental health service providers
Offering social, leisure, educational, health promotion and skill development activities
Facilitating various activities to help tenants develop and maintain routine skills such as personal hygiene, meal planning, grocery shopping, household maintenance, money management and transportation
Promoting and facilitating tenant involvement in leisure and community activities. Tenants’ general meetings are held monthly to discuss and suggest activities of interest

Additional Support

Working with tenants families, case managers and support teams from Alberta health services mental health clinics, the programs and hospitals
Assisting tenants’ with completion of AISH and rent review forms as well as filing of income tax returns
Maintaining contact with AISH workers regarding tenants’ financial concerns and AISH review forms
Supporting tenants involvement at Schizophrenia Society, Potential Place, Calgary Association of Self Help and Canadian Mental Health Association
Providing tours of the facilities and presentations of the LAMDA services

How we differ

According to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, nearly 3,000 people in Calgary identify as homeless in January 2018. People with mental illness are among the most vulnerable and often need support to exercise their basic right to have a safe home.

One of the reasons for LAMDA’s exceptional success (as evidenced by low hospital readmission rates and stable tenancy) is the provision of safe and permanent homes rather than a temporary residential treatment facility. We see the role of a person in supportive housing as a tenant, and not a client; the tenant “carries the keys” and is in control of decisions about his or her own lifestyle

Board of Directors

President - Gareth Jones

Vice President - David Barer

Treasurer - Jeff Lutzak

Secretary - Svetlana Shkalorov

Joe Babey

Kaylee Beyene

Eddie Sargent

Karen Davis

Elizabeth Dobrovolsky

Bernadette O'Connor

Natasha Dharshi

Join the Board of Directors

If you care about mental health and want to use your enthusiasm, skills and experience to make a difference, Community LAMDA Society encourages you on our Board of Directors. Right now, we’re seeking Board Members with a background in accounting, law, marketing, human resources, public relations, and fund development.

You can make a difference in the lives of people with a mental illness.

For more information please email admin@mylamda.com

Membership in Community LAMDA

The Board invites you to consider demonstrating your support for LAMDA by purchasing a lifetime Community LAMDA Society Membership with exclusive entitlements and benefits.

For a fee of only $10, you will become a General Member of the society and receive notices regarding special meetings as well as our September Annual General Meeting (AGM).

At these meetings you'll have the right to speak to, and vote on, agenda items – including the election of our Board of Directors and Officers.

As a General Member you are eligible to be nominated for election to the board at our AGM and you'll have the right to review society records, minute book and financial statements which are made available to all members of the AGM. General Members may also request an electronic copy of our Community LAMDA Society bylaws.

Please contact us at admin@mylamda.com and send us an email to learn more about membership into Community LAMDA Society.

Make a Personal Donation Make a one-time individual personal donation to Community LAMDA Society. Corporate Donations Donate on behalf of your corporation and show your organizational commitment to mental health.

A little bit each month, really adds up and can make a difference for our tenents. By donating today, you're only providing food and shelter, but also crucial health, wellness support. Along with this, you will be supporting events, activities, field-trips and Christmas & BBQ dinners for our tenant.

Additional Ways to Donate There are many additional ways to donate to Community LAMDA Society To ensure your donation is accurately reflect for tax purposes, please choose the correct option below. If you have any questions about your donation email admin@mylamda.com . Click here for any in-kind or large gift donations.