Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Mental Health Partner in Calgary
Woods Homes has been a trusted leader in mental health services since 1914, founded by Reverend George Wood as a place of caring and trust. Our organization provides comprehensive treatment and support for children, young people, adults, and families facing mental health challenges, operating across Alberta with 600+ staff and 100+ volunteers. Accredited by Accreditation Canada with Exemplary Standing four times consecutively, we offer 40+ programs rooted in a family-centred approach, including therapeutic campus care, foster care, community group care, and housing services. Our three Calgary campuses and locations in Lethbridge, Strathmore, Fort McMurray, Cold Lake, Grande Prairie, and Lac La Biche serve over 20,000 individuals annually.We prioritize reducing stigma, promoting mental health, and fostering diversity, inclusivity, and cultural connection. Our research initiatives, including the Woods Homes Research Chair in Children's Mental Health, demonstrate our commitment to innovation. Governed by three boards and led by CEO Bjorn Johansson since 2020, we maintain partnerships with Alberta Health Services, school boards, and community organizations. With a $40M annual budget funded by provincial contracts and community donations, we ensure accessible care through crisis lines, mobile outreach, and fee-for-service models. Our 100-year legacy reflects our unwavering commitment to helping individuals thrive in their communities.
Services
Therapeutic Campus Care
In-Home Counselling
Foster Care Programs
Community Group Care
Housing Services
Crisis Support
Research Initiatives
Employment Training
Cultural Programs
Family Therapy
Details
- Year established: 1914
Highlights and features
- We have over 100 years of experience in children's mental health services.
- We offer 40+ specialized programs tailored to diverse mental health needs.
- Our family-centred approach keeps families together during treatment.
- We maintain Exemplary Standing accreditation from Accreditation Canada.
- Our 24/7 crisis support line serves Alberta communities year-round.
Associations and certifications
- Accreditation Canada
What people say
Life-changing support
Compassionate care
Successful recovery
Family-centered approach
Dedicated staff
Services
Therapeutic Campus Care
Our Therapeutic Campus Care programs provide intensive residential treatment for youth aged 6-18 with complex mental health needs. Located on Calgary campuses in Bowness and Parkdale, these programs address trauma, emotional disturbances, and behavioral challenges through multidisciplinary care. Clients receive personalized treatment plans combining clinical therapy, educational support, and life skills development in a safe, structured environment.
In-Home Counselling
In-Home Counselling services deliver mental health support directly in clients' homes, schools, or community settings. Our mobile outreach teams provide crisis intervention, family therapy, and individual counseling for all ages across Calgary and southern Alberta. This family-centred approach maintains family connections while addressing mental health challenges through evidence-based practices.
Foster Care Programs
Our Foster Care Programs offer family-based placements for children and youth requiring out-of-home care. Therapeutic Foster Care and Parented Group Homes provide culturally sensitive support with trained caregivers across Alberta. These programs focus on maintaining cultural connections, particularly for Indigenous children, while working toward family reunification or long-term stability.
Housing Services
Housing Services support multi-barriered youth up to age 29 through emergency shelters and transitional housing in Calgary, Lethbridge, and Fort McMurray. The Inglewood Opportunity Hub provides comprehensive support including food, clothing, counselling, and employment training. These programs help youth experiencing homelessness build independent living skills and access community resources.
Crisis Support
Crisis Support services operate 24/7 through our Eastside Community Mental Health Services. We provide immediate phone, text, and in-person crisis intervention across Alberta with multilingual counsellors available in 11 languages. Our Community Stabilization Program offers short-term therapeutic crisis housing for youth experiencing family breakdown or homelessness.
People
Bjorn Johansson
Chief Executive Officer
Bjorn Johansson has led Woods Homes as CEO since 2020, bringing over three decades of experience with the organization. He oversees strategic direction and operations across Alberta's mental health programs.
Lisa Fleck
Board Chair
Lisa Fleck serves as Board Chair for Woods Homes, providing governance leadership to this historic Alberta organization. She brings extensive community leadership experience to her role overseeing mental health services.
Dr. Angelique Jenney
Research Chair
Dr. Angelique Jenney holds the Woods Homes Research Chair in Children's Mental Health since 2016. She leads groundbreaking research initiatives in partnership with the University of Calgary's Faculty of Social Work.
Dan Carter
Vice President
Dan Carter serves as Vice President and Director of Risk Consulting at Aon Reed Stenhouse. He contributes risk management expertise to Woods Homes' Board of Directors.
Saima Ikram
Board Director
Saima Ikram contributes to Woods Homes' governance as a Board Director. She brings professional expertise and community leadership to support mental health services across Alberta.
Questions
Who started Woods Homes?
Reverend George Wood founded Woods Homes in 1914 as an orphanage after agreeing to care for two children while their father served overseas.
Where do you operate programs?
We operate programs across Alberta in Calgary (Bowness, Parkdale, Inglewood), Lethbridge, Strathmore, Fort McMurray, Cold Lake, Grande Prairie, and Lac La Biche.
Is Woods Homes accredited?
Yes, we are accredited by Accreditation Canada and have received Exemplary Standing four consecutive times, most recently in June 2023.
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children as young as 6 through young adults up to age 29, with specialized programs for different developmental stages.
Do you offer 24/7 crisis support?
Yes, our Eastside Community Mental Health Services provide 24/7 crisis support through phone, text, and in-person visits across Alberta.
How is Woods Homes funded?
We receive funding through provincial government contracts, community donations, and our foundation supports innovative programs through private fundraising.
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