December 10, 2010 | Alberta

Calgary, AB - December 10, 2010 - After a month-long campaign to raise money for Alberta's homeless citizens, students and staff in the Massage Therapy programs at CDI College in Calgary and Edmonton presented cheques to The Mustard Seed. Each campus raised $1,230, enough to cover the costs for 100 provincial ID cards for homeless citizens in each city.

"We are grateful for CDI College's generous contributions," says Steve Griffin, Director of Essential Services and Rehousing at The Mustard Seed in Calgary. "While the $12.30 it will cost to obtain an identification card is not a large sum for most of us, it may well be too much for someone living on the streets or in a shelter."

Earlier this year, the province of Alberta introduced a program that allows men and women with no fixed address to obtain provincial ID cards through shelters, social workers and community service organizations like The Mustard Seed. For the cost of $12.30, homeless men and women can obtain provincial ID that would allow them to vote, receive a social insurance number or open a bank account.

The massage therapy students at the Edmonton North and Calgary North campuses hosted massage clinics to raise funds for this initiative. Clients received an hour-long therapeutic massage at an affordable cost which in turn was donated to The Mustard Seed.

"Providing those less fortunate with the money for these cards will help decrease one of the barriers they face in accessing important services," adds Coby Benoit, Director of Development at The Mustard Seed in Edmonton. "They may use the provincial ID card to secure employment, access additional health care, open a bank account, access the food bank, apply for income support and more. We're very pleased to receive CDI College's support so we can continue our mission of building community, growing hope and supporting change."

Homeless citizens in Calgary and Edmonton can speak with an advocate at The Mustard Seed for more information about obtaining provincial ID cards.

For more information about the Massage Therapy programs at CDI College, fill out the form on your right.