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For Family Caregivers

This space is for family members supporting young people aged 5-28 who have been impacted by the stress and stigma of a parent’s substance use to access resources, supports, and tools.

We bring a peer-informed perspective. Starlings’ caregiver supports are shaped by youth voice, lived experience, and years of community-based learning. We focus on reducing stigma, building shared language, and supporting caregivers to show up with care, without shame, fear, or blame.

How we support caregivers

Free Intro Hope Kits (Alberta Families)

A gentle first step. These kits offer youth-centred resources and conversation starters, and can be picked up or packed together with a mentor if you choose.
Our letter writing companions provide personalised letters to the young person in your life so they know they aren't alone.

Support for Your Youth With You

1:1 or Monthly Groups

1:1 or Group Sessions virtual or in person in Calgary for caregivers (and their young person)

Purchase resources to use with your youth

Our resources are built from lived experience and proven approaches to help you connect with and support your young person.
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Pen Pal Program

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Sign your kiddo up to our Pen Pal program where they can mail us their questions, pictures, and thoughts and our peer mentors we will mail them back letters, resources, and tools. 

How to register for our Pen Pal system

Wait for your mail

Repeat

How to register for our FWH program as a organization or professional

Hope kits foryouth who have been imoacted by the stress and stigma of a paremts subdtanc u

Who This Is For / Who It’s Not

This support is for you if you are:
– A parent, kinship caregiver, foster parent, or chosen family member
– Supporting a young person impacted by a parent’s substance use
– Looking for non-judgmental, youth-centred support

This is not:
– A crisis service
– A clinical or diagnostic program
– A setting where caregivers are evaluated or judged.

The Caregiver Help Desk is not crisis intervention or therapy.

It’s a peer-informed space to ask questions, build understanding, and feel less alone while navigating support.

How to Get Started

I care for a youth aged 5-12

I care for a youth aged 12+

I'm a professional

    1:1 with Emilee
    1:1 with Emilee
    Multiple Dates
    Tue, Apr 28
    Zoom
    1: 1 Mentorship with Emilee C available for young adults 16+ who have grown up with parental substance use challenges, or caregivers supporting a young or young adult
    DROP IN Grief and Glue for 16-30 year olds
    DROP IN Grief and Glue for 16-30 year olds
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Apr 30
    Virtual
    Grief and Glue (virtual edition) is a FREE drop in art based program for 16-30 year olds who have experienced grief related to parental substance use. NOTE: Some sessions comes with supplies so we request your address with registration and require early registration.
    1:1 with Ashley (Parenting in Repair)
    1:1 with Ashley (Parenting in Repair)
    Multiple Dates
    Fri, May 01
    virtual
    1:1 support sessions for caregivers a part of our Parenting in Repair program.
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