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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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Werner Haag

Bio coming soon.

Steven Balisky

Bio coming soon.

Ben Johnson

Ben is the Lead Pastor at FA. Ben and His wife Heather have served together in Pastoral and Apostolic ministry for over 20 years.

They share a deep spiritual burden for our nation of Canada – specifically for the unchurched and the next generation. They long to see a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our time, and they believe that some of the most exciting days for the Canadian church are ahead.

Together with their four daughters, they count it an incredible honour to be able to serve Jesus and serve the City of Calgary.

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 been a member of the Calgary Dream Centre Board of Directors since March 2022.  Cal and his wife Kerry have been supporters of the Dream Centre for a number of years.

Cal is a Business Advisor with a focus on Coaching and Leadership Development.  He has spent his career in the Agriculture Equipment Industry and was a John Deere Equipment Dealer for 19 years.  He is a Professional Engineer and holds an ICD.D designation with the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Cal and Kerry have been married 34 years and have 3 adult sons.  They volunteer in marriage ministry at Centre Street Church and enjoy spending time cycling, boating, skiing, and travelling. 

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Bob Nash

Retired General Manager It Operations and Signals and Communications for Canadian Pacific  Railway after 34 years of service. Currently the Board Chairman and Project Manager for the Calgary Dream Centre, a position held for the past 18 years.