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Empowering caregivers with knowledge, tools and resources to build trust and create a sense of safety in the youth they care for. 

If you're caring for a young person affected by the stress and stigma of a parent's substance use, thanks for being here.  Our resources aim to empower you with knowledge through peer-developed and recommended support and caregiver connect sessions.

...I attended your caregiver session through Alberta Health Services and learned so much about how I can support my niece, but also felt so validated in my own childhood experiences. Thank you...

Ways we support family caregivers of impacted youth:

Join one of our free monthly virtual informations sessions

Our caregiver sessions are aimed at supporting caregivers in building a trusting, destigmatizing relationship with impacted youth by providing you with information and resources that helps you understand their experiences, connect in meaningful ways, and build a positive sense of self and identity for youth.

Free Hope Kits


Each year, we proudly distribute 50 complimentary Hope Kits to caregivers in Alberta. These kits, valued at over $100, are meticulously crafted to offer peer-developed healing resources, healing books, and practical tools. They empower caregivers to forge deeper connections with the youth they support, fostering meaningful engagement and lasting impact.

Resources

Our first-of-its-kind resources are used around the world, and are  based on the lived experience of youth who have grown up with the stress and stigma of a parent's substance use. View/ Purchase below.

Book a free 1:1 session with one of our team members to support you as you help the young person in your life 

  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Jun 17
    Jun 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MDT
    Virtual
    For us, the mentorship space isn’t just about support—it’s about empowerment, healing, and growth next to people who get it.
  • Multiple Dates
    Wed, Jun 18
    Jun 18, 2025, 12:10 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. MDT
    Zoom
    A space for adult caregivers who have a young person in their life who is affected by the stress and stigma of a parent's substance use (addiction) to learn about our resources and supports, while asking questions in a small peer community.
  • Jun 19, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
    Calgary, 1627 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0J7, Canada
    The Stories We Grow: Identity and Meaning-Making Beyond Systems of Harm (Agnes Chen - Starlings Community)
  • Jun 22, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. MDT
    Virtual

Starling's Hope Kits

Our Hope Kits are thoughtfully created and packed by peers with lived experience to support connection, validation, reflection, and healing for young people impacted by the stress and stigma of a parent's substance use.

Each kit is grounded in compassion and age-appropriate engagement. They are intended for:

  • Caregivers to use alongside young people aged 6–17 as a way to open up conversations, build trust, and explore emotions together without shame or judgement.

  • Young people aged 18+ to use independently for personal reflection, self-care, and a deeper connection to their community and lived experience.

Hope Kits include a mix of creative activities, wellness tools, and guided reflections, carefully curated to help young people process their experiences, build emotional literacy, and feel less alone. The exact contents vary depending on donations and our amazing community partners.

Free delivery is available within Calgary.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a Hope Kit, reach out to us, we’d love to connect.

Unpack Your Hope Kit with Us

When you receive your hope kit, you will get access to our online space with video introductions for you and the young person in your life. Watch a video introduction from one of our peers on how to introduce and use our Hope Kit with a young person in your life, or, share the video we made for your young person from our peers as an indirect way to connect with someone who 'has been there'. We go through the kit and share tips and tools to support you and your young person. 

Prefer to pack or unpack the hope kit virtually with a peer in real time where you can ask question, share stories, and receive support in system navigation? Book a 1:1 peer or caregiver coaching session in our calendar of events. 

Unpack Your Kit with Us
Hope kit

Hope Kit Order Form

Our Hope Kits are for a Caregiver to use alongide the young person 6-17 in their life or for a young person 18+ to use on their own for self reflection and community. Free delivery in Calgary. Contents on Hope Kits depends on our partners and donors.

Have you attended one of our caregiver sessions?
Yes
No
How do I sign up?

To order our hope kit, we ask that you attend one of our sessions to better understand how to use these kits and see if they are a good fit for you and your family. However, we understand the barriers that can come with attending online group sessions. Find the next session here: https://www.starlings.ca/caregiving-for-a-youth or please email programs@starlings.ca if unable to attend an upcoming session.

Is this for personal or professional use?
personal
professional

These community kits are for our peers and families (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, foster parents etc) not caregivers workking in a professional role, such as educators, peer facilitators, health professionals social service workers etc). Please reach out to programs@starlings.ca for partnership inquiries to distribute our kits.

Age for Hope Kit
To help us cater the Hope Kit to the young person based on our current Hope Kit items, please let us know if you/the young person in your life identifies as: (why? some of our items specifically state the below identities):

Thank you so much. You will receive an email with additional details.

Community Resources

Calgary Legal Guidance
Pre-apprehension Support

Family Advocacy Support Centre

System Navigation for parent with Children Family Services involvement

Children Supports through Office of the child and Youth Advocate

Community Resosurces
Mental health Resources

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