by Diana Festejo | Mar 17, 2023 | Community Updates, News & Events
Battle for the Badges 2023 Charity Hockey Game – Supporting First Responders’ Mental Health
Event Overview
The 2nd Annual Battle for the Badges 2023 Charity Hockey Game will take place in Spruce Grove on March 22, 2023. The U18AA PAC Saints will face off against a team of Parkland RCMP officers and Spruce Grove Fire Department (SGFD) firefighters. This event aims to raise both funds and awareness for mental health support for first responders.
Mental Health: A Growing Concern
Mental health has become a rising concern, especially in recent years. Miles Valiquette, a local RCMP officer and event organizer, shared his thoughts on the matter. “First responders typically put on this hat and seem like we have it all together. We go out, face the fire, and help others, while dealing with our own daily challenges. We all struggle in our own ways, and we all know people who struggle. I love the program that Legacy Place Society has in place. If this event can help raise awareness for the struggles that first responders face, while supporting an organization that assists them, then I consider it an overall win.”
A Personal Statement from Miles Valiquette
“Mental health is no joke,” Miles added. “I hope people see that we’re all in this together. I’ve lost friends to mental health problems, and I see others battling it every day. Together, we can shed light on a dark issue and create change.”
Legacy Place Society: Supporting First Responders
All proceeds from the event will benefit Legacy Place Society, an Alberta-based organization that provides confidential peer support and accessible resources to first responders and military personnel. Legacy Place Society works to build family resiliency and support individuals facing the unique challenges of law enforcement, emergency medical/fire services, 911 dispatchers, veterans, and military personnel. The demanding nature of these professions can create emotional and physical challenges. PTSD, operational stress injuries, and other stressors can severely affect both the individual and their family.
Building Resiliency for Families and First Responders
Legacy Place Society is a registered charity that promotes a shared responsibility approach. This approach helps individuals and their families navigate adversity, reframe the difficult realities of their professions, and engage in healthy behaviors. The goal is to encourage behaviors that allow first responders and their families to recharge and reconnect. Legacy Place Society bridges the gap between individuals, their workplaces, and their families.
For more information on Legacy Place Society, visit www.legacyplacesociety.com or contact Executive Director, Diana Festejo, at diana.festejo@legacyplacesociety.com or (403) 201-9945.
Event Details
Date: March 22, 2023
Location: Grant Fuhr Arena
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Puck Drop: 6:00 PM
This is a free event, though donations are welcome at the door. A 50/50 (AGLC# 635320), raffle (AGLC# 635589), and a draw for a Gift of Flight with WestJet (AGLC# 637220) will help raise funds for this important cause. Come out and fill the stands in support of first responders’ mental health. Everyone is invited to attend!
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you are interested in supporting this initiative through sponsorship, please contact Andrea Hunter at akhunter003@gmail.com or (780) 995-2447. You can also connect with the organizers via the Battle for the Badges Facebook page. Financial donations are tax-receipted, including possible gift-in-kind donations.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, please contact:
Miles Valiquette – Mvaliquette9@gmail.com | (780) 686-1693
Legacy Place Society Contact
For more details about Legacy Place Society, please reach out to:
Diana Festejo – diana.festejo@legacyplacesociety.com
by Diana Festejo | Mar 10, 2023 | News & Events, Programs
For your calendar purposes note we will be hosting an ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop in Calgary on APRIL 17 & 18, 2023. Location is Chapelhow Legion 606 338th Ave NE, Calgary. We have fully funded the $250 registration cost for this class. It will be open to the Legacy Place Family of Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical/Fire Services, 911 Dispatch, Veterans and Military Personnel. Email us directly to register. info@legacyplacesociety.com
Together, we can prevent suicide. The vast majority of people who attempt suicide and receive a caring intervention do not re-attempt. This class teaches you how to skillfully respond to people considering suicide.
Attending this two-day course will train you to intervene with an individual who is thinking about suicide.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop—anyone 18 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.
Focusing upon the role of ASIST caregivers in a suicide-safer community, the goal of ASIST is to train caregivers who are willing, ready and able to provide life-assisting, suicide first aid. Studies show that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings and is a cost-effective way to help address the problem of suicide.
All participants who complete the course (14 hours of instruction time) will receive a certificate of participation.
ASIST is recognized by Canadian Accreditation Council Of Human Services (CACOHS) and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Participants who have current ASIST certificate can obtain 14 hours of Category A professional development credits. If you do not belong to ASWB, please check with your professional association to see if you qualify for credits.
“I’ve been to 5 coworkers funerals due to suicide, plus many others that I didn’t personally know. If all first responders had this course along with it’s practical teaching on resilience, those numbers would be a lot less. This course allowed me to be confident in understanding the bigger picture as I see others struggle. It gave me tools to also save my own life. Thank you Legacy Place Society”…JK
A shout out of thanks to Justin Havre & Associates RE/MAX First for assisting in sponsorship for your attandance to this class and also EMS Foundation for provision of coffee and muffins.
by Diana Festejo | Mar 2, 2023 | News & Events
DOUGHNATION DAY 2023 – JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
The 3rd Annual Doughnation Day campaign is back! This year, we’re fundraising for over 100 charities across Canada. From March 1 to April 1, visit a participating bakery or donate online to support local causes in your community. It’s a simple way to give back this spring.
Support Mental Health for First Responders
On Doughnation Day, Saturday, April 1, purchase hot cross buns to support your local charity. $2 from every 6-pack of hot cross buns sold will go to the charity your bakery has partnered with. It’s a delicious way to help others and raise awareness about mental health struggles.
COBS Bread – Supporting Legacy Place Society
In Calgary, COBS Bread at 210-20 Longview Common has chosen Legacy Place Society as their charity of choice for Doughnation Day. By purchasing hot cross buns at COBS Bread, you are directly contributing to the mental health and wellness of first responders and military personnel in Alberta.
About Legacy Place Society
Legacy Place Society is an Alberta-based charity that helps first responders, veterans, and military personnel. They offer peer support and mental health resources to individuals and their families, helping them cope with the emotional and psychological demands of their professions. The charity’s mission is to strengthen family resilience and support individuals facing challenges in their everyday work.
Learn more about Legacy Place Society and their work: Legacy Place Society Website
Donate directly to Legacy Place Society: Donate Now
How You Can Help
- Visit Participating COBS Bread Locations: Between March 1 and April 1, purchase your favorite freshly baked goods, especially the hot cross buns.
- Spread the Word: Use the hashtag #DoughnationDay on social media to raise awareness and encourage others to support this cause.
- Donate Online: If you cannot visit a bakery, make a donation directly on COBS Bread’s website.
Join the Cause – Make a Difference
Together, we can raise awareness and provide support for those who serve and protect our communities. Your participation will help make a meaningful impact.
For more details about the event, visit the Doughnation Day Website here.
by Diana Festejo | Feb 7, 2023 | News & Events, Programs
For your calendar purposes note we will be hosting an ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop in Lethbridge March 16 & 17, 2023. Location is 2825 5th Ave North in Lethbridge – #4 Firehall Training Centre. We have fully funded the $250 registration cost for this class. It will be open to the Legacy Place Family of Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical/Fire Services, 911 Dispatch, Veterans and Military Personnel. Email us directly to register. info@legacyplacesociety.com
Together, we can prevent suicide. The vast majority of people who attempt suicide and receive a caring intervention do not re-attempt. This class teaches you how to skillfully respond to people considering suicide.
Attending this two-day course will train you to intervene with an individual who is thinking about suicide.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop—anyone 18 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.
Focusing upon the role of ASIST caregivers in a suicide-safer community, the goal of ASIST is to train caregivers who are willing, ready and able to provide life-assisting, suicide first aid. Studies show that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings and is a cost-effective way to help address the problem of suicide.
All participants who complete the course (14 hours of instruction time) will receive a certificate of participation.
ASIST is recognized by Canadian Accreditation Council Of Human Services (CACOHS) and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Participants who have current ASIST certificate can obtain 14 hours of Category A professional development credits. If you do not belong to ASWB, please check with your professional association to see if you qualify for credits.
“Even though I’ve attended a number of suicides/attempts and felt more or less able to handle them, I’ve left this class with the relief I’m much more prepared with knowledge and different tactics to use. I’m “used” to responding in a professional setting, but I feel I’m better equipped to deal with a suicidal situation in a more all-round sense now. Thank you Legacy Place for putting this course on. To be honest, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into but so glad I attended. I will be highly recommending this course to my CISM team as well as for my co-workers to attend. A very, very valuable workshop”…Jocelyn
by Diana Festejo | Jan 16, 2023 | News & Events, Programs
For your calendar purposes note we will be hosting an ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop in Calgary on February 9&10, 2023. Location is Calgary Police Service Headquarters 5111 47th St NE Calgary. We have fully funded the $250 registration cost for this class. It will be open to the Legacy Place Family of Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical/Fire Services, 911 Dispatch, Veterans and Military Personnel. Email us directly to register. info@legacyplacesociety.com
Together, we can prevent suicide. The vast majority of people who attempt suicide and receive a caring intervention do not re-attempt. This class teaches you how to skillfully respond to people considering suicide.
Attending this two-day course will train you to intervene with an individual who is thinking about suicide.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop—anyone 18 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.
Focusing upon the role of ASIST caregivers in a suicide-safer community, the goal of ASIST is to train caregivers who are willing, ready and able to provide life-assisting, suicide first aid. Studies show that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings and is a cost-effective way to help address the problem of suicide.
All participants who complete the course (14 hours of instruction time) will receive a certificate of participation.
ASIST is recognized by Canadian Accreditation Council Of Human Services (CACOHS) and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Participants who have current ASIST certificate can obtain 14 hours of Category A professional development credits. If you do not belong to ASWB, please check with your professional association to see if you qualify for credits.
“I’ve been to 5 coworkers funerals due to suicide, plus many others that I didn’t personally know. If all first responders had this course along with it’s practical teaching on resilience, those numbers would be a lot less. This course allowed me to be confident in understanding the bigger picture as I see others struggle. It gave me tools to also save my own life. Thank you Legacy Place Society”…JK
