Why We Exist

Calgary is a city of prosperity. Yet unseen and unknown to many Calgarians is the poverty that exists in our community.

• Over 100,000 people in Calgary live in poverty, struggling to make ends meet. That's one in every eight people in our community.
• Over 15,000 families spend more than half of their income on housing.
• Nearly 30,000 Calgarians over the age of 25 are working, yet are not making a living wage.
• Nearly 50% of Calgary's homeless population is working.

The people that participate in our programs and services come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. They include single parents, recent immigrants, people working in low-wage jobs, youth, seniors, women surviving domestic violence, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, and the unemployed.

The side effects of poverty can include poor health, family stress and abuse in the home, a lack of education, low self-esteem, isolation and depression, substance abuse and crime. Poverty affects all of us through increased health care costs, increased government assistance costs, a shortage of skilled workers, a greater need for law and correction systems, and a breakdown in our sense of community.

At Momentum, our ultimate goal is to create contributing community members. We are not trying to alleviate poverty through short-term band-aids. We are working to reduce poverty by helping individuals move from poverty to prosperity in a sustainable way.

More information on Poverty or a Living Wage.