Inside Wood’s Homes’ Never Give Up Gala: Calgary’s Retro-Chic Night That Sparks Change

On September 20, Wood’s Homes invites Calgarians to say YES to hope, healing and home at the Never Give Up Gala, presented by PrairieSky Royalty Ltd., and held at the BMO Centre. Now in its 25th year, this iconic event is more than a celebration; it’s a catalyst for change.

With a glamorous 1960s Palm Springs-inspired oasis as its backdrop, the gala blends vintage flair with powerful purpose. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner, immersive décor, vintage photo activations, a silent auction and raffle, and a live art performance by acclaimed local artist and former Wood’s Homes client Harvey Nichol, whose one-of-a-kind painting will be auctioned to support life-changing programs.

More Than a Night, It’s a Movement

The Never Give Up Gala fuels critical funding that powers innovation, launches new programs and sustains free and accessible mental health care across Alberta. It also marks the unofficial launch of the holiday giving campaign, where Wood’s Homes unveils an annual video and invites the community to take action.

Proceeds support:

• Strategic initiatives that transform lives.
• Innovative programs that meet emerging needs.
• Community generosity during the holidays.
• A stronger, more connected network of changemakers.

A Gateway to Deeper Engagement

The gala opens doors for new board and committee members and invites guests to become long-term advocates through monthly giving, sponsorship and leadership. It’s a chance to build meaningful relationships with corporate partners, community leaders and passionate donors.

The Heart of the Mission: Hope, Healing and Home 

These three words will be brought to life through powerful personal testimony, showcasing opportunities tied to each theme:

• Hope: Wraparound support for those who feel hopeless.
• Healing: Mental health care and safe community spaces.
• Home: Housing, employment and a safe place of care.

Renee Hopfner, Wood’s Homes Foundation chair, will share why we must Never Give Up on the children Wood’s Homes serves and how it remains a place where people always find hope.

Real Stories. Real Impact.

Last year, gifts from the gala helped:

• Provide services at no cost to 11,000+ visits to the Eastside Community Mental Health & Hub Services.
• Deliver 851 hours of job coaching.
• Capital funding that allowed Wood’s Homes to complete North America’s first purpose-built 24/7 therapeutic mental health care centre for children, which opened earlier this year.

“Our history isn’t just written in milestones — it’s written in moments when someone said yes. Yes, to vulnerable kids. Yes, to youth in trouble. Yes, to families in crisis. Every ‘yes’ has helped us build a foundation of good mental health and well-being that continues to grow stronger with every life we touch,” says Bryan Goehringer, director of the Wood’s Homes Foundation.

A Legacy of Never Giving Up

The gala’s name traces back to a defining moment in Wood’s Homes’ 111-year history — a campfire conversation in the 1980s where staff made a promise: ‘We will never give up on a young person.’ Today, across 40+ programs serving 20,000+ children, youth and families annually, that promise lives on.

“We’re not just responding to crisis,” says Bjorn Johansson, CEO of Wood’s Homes. “We’re building systems of care that prevent it. Say YES to being part of that evolution.”

Wood’s Homes has evolved from a crisis intervention centre to a comprehensive mental health organization focused on prevention, innovation, research and integrated support. Guests are invited to shape the future of mental health care in Alberta through advocacy, sponsorship, monthly giving and leadership.

Say YES to an unforgettable evening and to a future where every young person gets the support they deserve.

Register or sponsor at nevergiveupgala.ca/calgary or consider setting up a monthly gift at woodshomes.ca.

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