History

1960

The Welfare Information Service is born aimed at maintaining accurate listings of community service agencies in Edmonton

1964

Welfare Information Service publishes the first Directory of Community Services.

1975

The organization has a new name, AID Service of Edmonton . A 24-hour Distress Line is added to meet the needs of people in distress with nowhere else to turn after hours.

1976

The Edmonton Personal Development Centre is established to meet community needs for preventive education and life enrichment programs.

1980's

A government report by the "Task Force on Suicide" discusses the magnitude of the problem of suicide in Alberta and a suicide prevention and suicide bereavement program are developed

1988

The name changes from AID Service of Edmonton to Community Connections. Distress Line reach is expanded to include rural areas and northern Alberta communities.

1993

*Community Connections merges with the Personal Development Centre to form The Support Network

The Mobile Mental Health Crisis Intervention Program is established. This program grows to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1997

A Walk-In Counseling program is developed with no-fee, solution-focused counseling for people in distress on a walk-in basis.

1999

The Mobile Crisis Team is relocated and operated by Alberta Mental Health

The Support Network delivers Industry Canada 's VolNet Program for two years, connecting 300 voluntary organizations to the Internet and providing hardware, training and support.

2000

The Walk-In Counseling Program wins the Duncan and Craig Laurel Award for program innovation and creativity

Youthone is integrated into The Support Network as a program for youth via the internet. Youthone provides a forum for youth expression and involvement in the community with peer support and crisis chat

2002

The Directory of Community Services goes online for universal access of community information at informedmonton.com

2003

The Support Network launches a Capital Campaign to stabilize funding and secure programs.

2004

The Support Network Launches 211, expanding on the current Information and Refferal Line.

The Support Network Foundation is formed to steward the endowment fund.

2007

Caregiver Support program is funded by Capital Health

Volunteer Edmonton becomes a program of The Support Network.

Last updated: January 6, 2009