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.
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
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:
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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.
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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.
