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Alex’s Transformation Story

Having my daughter in my life this Father’s Day means the world to me.​

I started dabbling with drugs and alcohol when I was 14 years old. If I could go back and tell teenage Alex about the damage this would do later in life, I would. I just thought experimenting and partying were normal. Everyone around me did, too. My addiction just grew from there.

My addiction would get better and worse over the years. Selling drugs was a regular activity in my circle and I did that for a while but quit when I met my partner, and we had our daughter. I wasn’t in active addiction when we had her.

My daughter’s mother and I split when she was four months old. We shared custody for a while, but I eventually cared for her full-time. I took pride and ownership of my role as a single father. I changed my daughter’s diapers and taught her the alphabet and numbers. I’m so grateful I could be present for those early years.

After several years of being her sole caregiver, I lost my job. I had no income to support her, and the only way I knew to make quick money was to sell drugs. I went back into dealing to provide for her until I could find a new job, but I ended up falling back into my addiction. After some time, I realized I needed help and asked my father if he would take my daughter so I could go into treatment.

I moved to Calgary and entered into addiction recovery treatment. My first Father’s Day away was really hard. I was going through withdrawal and was in such rough shape I didn’t even get to speak to my daughter. After my second time in treatment, I applied to the Calgary Dream Centre’s housing program.

Coming to the Calgary Dream Centre was what I needed to do to set myself up for success. It’s one of the best things I could have done after treatment. Being here gave me a sense of comfort, security, and accountability. What I learned has helped me in my journey of regaining custody of my daughter.

Where I’m at today is a complete 180 from where I was in addiction. I’ve since moved on from the CDC so I can live close to my daughter, and I am working on transitioning to having her back with me full-time. I have a job and dream of owning my own house again soon.

Having my daughter in my life this Father’s Day means the world to me. She’s my little girl, after all! Being around her makes me feel like a Dad again. I’m grateful for how I’ve been able to earn her trust back.

We can’t do it without you.

Together we can remind the people of Calgary that no one is beyond hope.

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Bio coming soon.

Steven Balisky

Steve Balisky is an intrapreneur with over 15 years of experience driving data-driven transformation within national companies Suncor and Mark’s. He has also been providing leadership consulting to nonprofits for the last 10 years and has served on the CDC board since 2019. Steve holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management and an MBA in Strategy. He is a husband and father of two, and has his own faith-filled recovery story, which inspires him to support others on their path to recovery.

Ben Johnson

Ben has been the Lead Pastor of First Assembly Church in Calgary since 2014, bringing over 30 years of ministry and leadership experience to the non-profit sector. He’s also an executive leadership coach, helping leaders thrive across various sectors since 2012. His experience includes serving on national and regional boards within his denomination, as well as supporting Vancouver’s homeless through his past involvement with Operation Compassion. Ben has served on the CDC board in Calgary for the past decade and believes the Church plays a vital role in creating lasting community impact.

Craig Hill

Craig Hill has been involved with the Calgary Dream Centre (CDC) since its inception. Starting with trips to the LA Dream Centre where seeds were planted in him that were never forgotten. After years of working in business, real estate, and church ministry, Craig returned to the CDC to step in as the CEO. Craig has a deep appreciation for the life change that happens here, the incredible team, and seeing the redemptive work that God is doing. Outside of work, Craig is a family man who loves nothing more than being with his wife and kids at the lake.

David Taylor

David grew up in northern Canada and attended the University of Alberta where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He worked as an engineer for about seven years before moving into project management and then business management, primarily focused in the oil and gas production and refining industry.

David stepped into the COO role of a business that was in trouble due to the 2008 financial crisis. After turning that business around, he took an international role leading project managers who managed a portfolio of $1.5B of projects around the globe.

Since then, David has consulted for businesses and organizations in medicine, engineering, homelessness, and addiction recovery, and serves on various not-for-profit boards.

David is currently running another business in California that was also in need of a dramatic turnaround and now scaling this business for further profitable growth.

Cal Johnson

Cal has spent 35 years in the agricultural industry and brings domestic and international executive leadership experience in strategy development, operations, business development, and M&A in a rapid growth environment.  He is a Professional Engineer, Certified Post Merger Integration Specialist, and is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D).

Throughout his life, Cal has volunteered in his community in sport and programs that focus on relational, emotional, and spiritual health.  He has served on non-profit boards in both governance and advisory capacities.  Cal truly believes no one is beyond hope and counts it a privilege to serve at the Calgary Dream Centre.

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Bob Nash

Bob Nash is a dedicated and service focused professional Electrical Engineer volunteering as Board Chair and Project Manager for the Calgary Dream Centre (CDC). Bob’s involvement with the CDC extends to its earliest days.  His faith, and his sincere passion for helping people overcome addiction and restoring their lives, have motivated his service. Using his 35 years of senior management experience at Canadian Pacific Railway, Bob has effectively used his leadership, management, strategic planning, project management skills and philanthropic support to help propel the Calgary Dream Centre to where it is today. Bob and his wife of 44 years have two children and six grandchildren.