The Brenda Strafford Foundation Ltd. was established on August 15, 1975 by Dr. Barrie I. Strafford to honour his late wife, Brenda Strafford who tragically passed away in a car accident in 1974. The Foundation was created when Dr. Strafford converted his business, River View Nursing Home Ltd., in Medicine Hat, into a registered Canadian charitable organization. When River View Nursing Home was sold, Bow View Nursing Home (owned by Dr. Strafford since 1963) became The Foundation’s base in Calgary.
The Brenda Strafford Foundation's core business is seniors care, and The Foundation has grown to own and operate five Long Term Care and Assisted Living seniors care facilities in Calgary and Okotoks, Alberta, with over 1,000 beds and approximately 1,200 staff.
As a registered charity, The Foundation is involved in a number of projects for innovation in seniors health and wellness. As well, The Foundation supports local charitable projects to serve women and children who are fleeing domestic violence, families at risk of homelessness, and persons in need of health services abroad in Haiti, Jamaica and Dominica. The Foundation also has a close affiliation with research at the University of Calgary.
In 2016, our Founder and Chairman Dr. Strafford passed away at the age of 87. He was an active member of The Brenda Strafford Foundation until his very last days, leaving a thriving legacy in his wife’s name that is well-positioned to now honour his legacy also. Dr. Strafford loved helping others in need, especially marginalized groups, or populations where circumstances were preventing them from enjoying a quality of life and a level of dignity many of us take for granted every day. That torch has now been passed on to us to carry.
In 2020, The Brenda Strafford Foundation is celebrating 45 years of impact. As we continue to build upon the achievements and successes of our past, looking ahead, The Foundation has a promising future that is full of great potential.
The Brenda Strafford Foundation is grateful for the continued support of the Strafford family, and the Foundation’s commitment to our Mission, Vision and Values remains true to our guiding philosophy...
The Preservation of Dignity and The Pursuit of Happiness.
1975 - The Brenda Strafford Foundation was established as a registered Canadian charity, operating Riverview Nursing Home in Medicine Hat, and Bow View Nursing Home in Calgary. In 1982, Riverview Nursing Home was sold and the proceeds were used to benefit The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s charitable endeavors. Bow View Nursing Home (owned by Dr. Strafford since 1967), now known as Bow View Manor, became The Foundation’s base in Calgary.
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1983 - The Brenda Strafford Foundation established its first international charitable healthcare program, The Institut Brenda Strafford, in Haiti. The Foundation has since expanded to include healthcare services in Jamaica and Dominica.
1987 - The Brenda Strafford Chair in Geriatric Medicine was established at the University of Calgary. The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s support of research on aging at the university now also includes The Brenda Strafford Chair in Alzheimer Research (1997) and The Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging (2011).
1996 - The Brenda Strafford Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence was founded and opened The Brenda Strafford Centre, initially a second-stage shelter for women and children leaving emergency shelters. In 2010, The Centre relocated and expanded to also include progressive housing to further support women and children impacted by domestic violence. The Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence (2007) supports research at the University of Calgary.
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1996 and beyond - From its base at Bow View Manor, The Brenda Strafford Foundation has continued to expand its seniors care operations to now also own and operate Wentworth Manor (1996), Clifton Manor (2010), and Tudor Manor (2012). In 2017, The Foundation announced Cambridge Manor and construction on The Foundation’s newest site broke ground in 2018, scheduled to open in 2020.
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.
