For the past 25 years, as a founding partner, BSF has proudly supported The Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence as a seperate registered charity in it’s vision for ‘a community free from family violence.’ We look forward to continuing to work together in this new capacity, operating within BSF as Heart Home Network, further supporting this important work to improve the lives of at risk people who have experienced family violence to live safely and successfully in the community.
BSF was established in 1975 by Dr. Barrie I. Strafford to honour his late wife, Brenda Strafford, who passed away in a car accident in 1974. Dr. Strafford created a charitable Foundation by converting his private business operating seniors’ care homes into a registered Canadian charity. Headquartered at Bow View Manor, BSF's core operations have remained in seniors’ care, growing to own and operate five Long Term Care and Supportive/Assisted Living seniors’ care sites throughout Calgary and Okotoks serving over 1,000 residents and employing approximately 1,200 staff. As a registered charity, BSF is also involved in a number of projects supporting aging research and innovation in seniors’ care, health and wellness.
In addition, The Foundation also also grown over the past 45 years to support and operate various charitable initiatives, both locally and internationally, with the common purpose of serving vulnerable populations with unmet needs, guided by the philosophy – The preservation of dignity and the pursuit of happiness.
It is this philosophy that led to Dr. Strafford to establish The Brenda Strafford Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence in 1996, as a separate registered charity dedicated to addressing the need for long term accommodation and support for women and children that have experienced family violence as they exit emergency shelters in Calgary.
The relationship between The Foundation and The Society has continured to evolve. Through the current merging of these two previously separate legal entities, now uniting within BSF as Heart Home Network, together we will continue to evolve as we explore new opportunities and streamline our operations to allow for further growth and impact. The day-to-day operations of The Society will not be impacted; we will continue to provide shelter, housing and supports for women and children impacted by domestic violence – supported by the ‘BSF Cares’ strategy for charitable initiatives and social service delivery separate from BSF’s seniors’ care operations.
Along with our united status, The Society will also be known by a new name that better reflects our scope of services and positions us for future growth. We are now known as The Brenda Strafford Foundation – Heart Home Network. We are looking forward to a public launch of our new name and brand later this year.
Guided by the values of The Foundation and our philosophy ‘The preservation of dignity and the pursuit of happiness,’ we will ensure we continue to provide the highest standard of services for clients and honour the important roles and contributions of Heart Home Network and its highly valued people and stakeholders. Together we are BSF Strong!
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In the spirit of respect, reconciliation and gratitude, we honour and acknowledge that our services are provided on the traditional territories of Treaty 7, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy comprising the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nation including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Good Stoney Bands. These territories are also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3. We are grateful for the many First Nations who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We acknowledge that we have ongoing responsibilities to protect, honour and celebrate all of life within our shared communities.
