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October 19, 2009
Calgary, AB - An established Western-based program that helps youth deal with the trials and tribulations of growing up is gaining momentum across Canada.
The national expansion of the HEROES™ program, launched today, will give teachers and
students in every Canadian province access to a unique and effective learning program
delivered through an interactive classroom experience - that has been proven to help youth
make better choices. The program also develops healthy behaviours such as self-discipline
and empathy, leading to improved school performance and family communication. It can also
lead to a reduction in crime and property damage, suicides, and drug and alcohol use.
Developed by Alberta-based nonprofit Impact Society, the program is being rolled out across
the country thanks to TransCanada Corporation and other community partners. The program,
which helps teens identify their personal strengths, is the first of its kind to be developed in
Canada and made available nationally.
"Calgary, like most Canadian cities, faces many challenges involving youth and criminal
activity," says Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson. "We've seen first-hand the positive,
preventative effect that Impact Society's HEROES™ program has on Calgary's youth and we
expect that other communities which have access to this program will see the same positive
impact."
"We believe that the HEROES™ expansion will help improve social and youth issues across
Canada," says Sean McMaster, Executive Vice-President of Corporate and General Counsel
at TransCanada, adding that education is a major community investment focus for
TransCanada.
HEROES™ is a 12-hour program that has already helped over 30,000 students in Alberta,
British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The HEROES™ Across Canada initiative will help
certify up to 4,500 new teachers through online instruction available at
www.impactsociety.com - reaching up to 112,500 students per year at completion.
The HEROES™ program was introduced in Calgary in 1994 by Impact Society Founder and
CEO Jack Toth. "Until now," he said, "this kind of resource hasn't been available on a national
scale. We're grateful to our partners for helping us address the increasingly complex social
issues facing Canada's youth."
To complement the HEROES™ Across Canada initiative, Calgary Flames defenseman
Robyn Regehr also announced his own initiative, called "Impact on Ice." For every hit he
makes on the ice during a Calgary Flames game, a donation will be made to Impact Society
and the HEROES™ program. Those donations will be matched by Packers Plus Energy
Services Inc., a Calgary-based oil and gas services technology company. Robyn and his wife
Kristina are also the Honourary Co-Chairs of Impact Society's Fund Development Committee.
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BACKGROUND
Impact Society
- In 1994, Jack and Collette Toth founded Impact Society in Calgary, Alberta. Since then, Impact Society has worked with over 50,000 youth to increase their self-esteem through HEROES™ and related programs.
- Impact Society is fast becoming Canada’s national centre of excellence for strength-based community development. Impact Society offers the first and only nation-wide experiential-learning program that turns teachers, students, parents, even whole companies and other partners into everyday HEROES™.
- A study by psychologist Dr. Wayne Hammond from Calgary-based Resiliency Initiatives showed that students who went through the HEROES™ program had improved empathy, planning and decision-making, self-esteem, resistance skills, restraints and 26 other characteristics that contribute to great resilience in youth. Studies show that kids who measure well in these categories do better in school and life. http://www.impactsociety.com/downloads/Appendix.pdf
- Impact Society has been awarded the Alberta's Promise Red Wagon for investing in the lives of children. Founder and CEO, Jack Toth, has also been presented with the prestigious Queen's Jubilee Award from Canada's Governor General and was also awarded the Western Legacy Award for Sustained Contribution by the Calgary Stampede in 2007.
TransCanada Corporation
- With more than 50 years experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas pipelines, power generation, gas storage facilities, and projects related to oil pipelines. TransCanadas common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. For more information visit: www.transcanada.com
Calgary Police Service
- Along with being supporters of the HEROES™ program, the Calgary Police Service also partners with Impact Society to offer About Face - a workshop designed to offer guidance to youth whose behaviour has brought them into conflict with authority figures such as parents, teachers or police. It is designed to provide youth with the tools to avoid coming into conflict with the law and to make positive contributions to society.
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