New program aims to support Albertans with brain injuries
July 9, 2025
Published by Daniel Gonzalez (Postmedia), Jun 19, 2025
Since brain injuries can happen to anyone at any time, URSA CEO Pam McGladdery said community-based supports for brain injuries are vital to the recovery process.
The province is committing $5.7 million to support Albertans and their families who have been affected by brain injuries.
At a news conference in the middle of Easy Street — inside the Universal Rehabilitation Service Agency — Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon made the announcement Thursday.
“We’re here today to announce Alberta’s continued commitment to making sure vulnerable Albertans get the support they need, when and where they need it,” Nixon said of the Alberta Brain Injury Initiative, which comprises 12 organizations that support Albertans with brain injuries.
Each year, 5,000 Albertans suffer a brain Injury.
“I’ve experienced first-hand the impact a brain injury can have on an individual and their family, and how critical the right supports are on the road to recovery,” Nixon said. “This investment isn’t just funding — it’s a commitment to Alberta families and to the organizations doing vital work to help them heal. I’m proud to support this work and help ensure it will continue to be there for other families, just as it was for mine.”
URSA CEO Pam McGladdery said the announcement comes during Brain Injury Awareness Month in June.
The Alberta Brain Injury Initiative “provides survivors the opportunity to relearn and strengthen essential life skills that they may have lost after their injury,” McGladdery said. “This includes things like household management, daily living skills, life skills, coping strategies, connections to meaningful resources.”
“The support has been transformative, and I’m so glad that others will benefit thanks to the funding that was announced today.”
While holding a thank-you teddy bear from Tang, Nixon also highlighted the work the government’s partners are doing in social services.
“The reality is, we are a big department, Alberta taxpayers are investing billions of dollars in services that people need, but we can’t be able to deliver those services without great examples like these organizations that you see here today,” he said. “We’re proud to partner with these organizations and we believe our job is to get them the money and resources they need, and help them do their job.”
McGladdery said URSA is a non-profit organization that supports individuals such as Tang who want to maintain their independence in the community.
“It’s light-touch services in the community that really support them,” McGladdery said. “To make sure they’re as independent as possible when they’re out in the community.”
[Left Photo]
L-R: URSA CEO Pam McGladdery, stroke survivor Mimi Tang and Minister Jason Nixon on Easy Street at URSA pose in Calgary on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Nixon announced funding to support the Alberta Brain Injury Initiative. Daniel Gonzalez/Postmedia
[Right Photo]
Stroke survivor Mimi Tang (right) hands Minister Jason Nixon a bear to say thanks for his support and the announcement he made on Thursday, June 19, 2025 in Calgary. Nixon announced funding to support the Alberta Brain Injury Initiative. Daniel Gonzalez/Postmedia
Alberta Government announces new funding for Brain Injury Initiative
July 9, 2025
The province announcing additional support for organizations that support Albertans recovering from brain injuries.
Registration is OPEN for URSA’s Annual “Balls for Brains” Golf Tournament!
April 2, 2025
We are excited to announce that “Balls for Brains Golf Tournament” is back for a 3rd year!!
In support of June being Brain Injury Awareness Month, join us on Tuesday, June 24th from 7:30am until 4:00pm at Fox Hollow Golf Course for the 3rd annual Balls for Brains Golf Tournament Fundraiser!
We are planning for a fun day of golf while raising awareness and funds for URSA programs and services like the Brain Art program.
If you love to GOLF or love having FUN, then REGISTER NOW using the form attached or link below!
URSA’s Balls for Brains Registration 2025
Also, please feel free to share this Registration Invite to your friends, family, and contacts as we hope to see as many teams out as possible at the 3rd annual Balls for Brains Golf Tournament Fundraiser!
We are hosting YogAbilities Classes in Airdrie!
December 3, 2024
A Christmas Letter from Us
November 21, 2024
Dear URSA Families and Supporters,
This holiday season, we invite you to help bring warmth and joy to individuals in our care. Many individuals at URSA are facing the challenges that come with aging, while also seeing their families grow older. Some rely on public guardians—relationships that are important but may not always provide the personal touches that make the holidays feel special. At URSA, we believe everyone deserves to feel remembered and valued during the holiday season.
Our goal is simple yet profound: to ensure that each individual in our care experiences the warmth and comfort of the holidays.
To show you why your support matters, let us tell you about Noah. When Noah first joined URSA, he was confined to a bed and in constant pain and discomfort. With no access to proper mobility equipment or the dental care he desperately needed. With the intervention of hospital staff and social workers, Noah was connected to URSA. We were able to step in to ensure he received the care he needed — addressing his dental health, providing a suitable wheelchair, and giving him a new sense of possibility. Today, Noah enjoys warm, nourishing meals, has reconnected with his family, and is able to take part in community activities that bring him joy.
Noah’s story is just one example of the difference your support can make. Your
donations help us provide essential care, comfort, and opportunities for
individuals like Noah to lead fulfilling lives.
These moments are why we do what we do. The holidays give us a special opportunity to make these moments even more meaningful for individuals like Noah.
Your generosity can help create holiday magic in meaningful ways:
- $50 helps provide comforting winter essentials, like cozy blankets or warm clothing.
- $100 gives an individual a personalized gift that brings them joy on Christmas morning.
- $250 supports a festive holiday meal shared with friends and caregivers.
- $500 funds community activities, equipment, or decorations to brighten
To make a difference this holiday season, please consider donating through our website at https://ursa-rehab.com/about/donate/. You can also support URSA by purchasing gift cards through our Fundscrip program Click Here to order now. Buying gift cards through Fundscrip is a simple way to support URSA while purchasing gifts for your loved ones. Every shared meal, every moment of connection this holiday season is made possible by people like you. Let’s make this holiday season one of warmth and care for those in our community.
Best wishes for a safe and caring Holiday Season,
Pam McGladdery, Chief Executive Officer, URSA
Click Here to View the full version
Registration is OPEN for URSA’s Annual “Balls for Brains” Golf Tournament!
Join us for URSA’s Annual Balls for Brains Golf Tournament Fundraiser on Tuesday, June 18th from 7:30am until 4:00pm at Fox Hollow Golf Course!
In support of Brain Injury Awareness Month in June, we are hoping to have a fun day while raising money for the organization’s programs and services. We would love to have you attend!
You can register as an individual golfer or a team of 4 to play. There will be a complimentary light breakfast before the Texas Scramble Shotgun start at 8:30am with challenge holes along the way. Finish the day with a burger bar buffet, prizes, and a silent auction at the Fox Hollow Clubhouse.
Sign up your team at Balls for Brains Registration
If you would like to sponsor a hole or donate a silent auction item, please contact us at 403 272 7722 ext 205 for more information as we are also looking for support in that area.
We look forward to having you there in support of URSA and the individuals we serve!
URSA’s Balls for Brains Registration 2024
URSA Playground Officially Open
September 16th, 2022
Cub House Media Advisory – September 16, 2022 – updated Nov 25, 2022
Archived News & Events
Message from Pam McGladdery, CEO
Video for Individuals
Video for Staff
2019 Brain Art is almost here!
SAVE THE DATE!
ART & PHOTO SHOW
Festival Hall
1215 10 Avenue SE
Thursday, June 13, 2019
6PM – 9PM
(Cocktails & Appetizers served at event)
This year’s theme is: “Silent Scars; Voiced Though Art”
Clients arts and photos will be for sale at the event.
Brain Art is an initiative started by brain injury survivors in 2014. The purpose is to use art and photography as a way of creating awareness of what it means to live with a brain injury.
The goal is to fundraise money to support URSA’s programs and initiatives.
This is an open event. Please invite your friends and colleagues to support URSA.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ursa-brain-art-2019
Click image for the event flyer
Thrifty Steals Backpack Drive for URSA
URSA is pairing up with Thrifty Steals, an online business owned by two moms, Jenn & Amanda who are on a mission to bring you quality products at a low price. For the month of November, if you donate $20 (or more!), Thrifty Steals will use the donation to fill a backpack with necessities like packaged foods, toiletries, clean clothes and more.
CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES
Jeanine
Jeanine is a brain injury survivor who acquired her brain injury in a horrific motor vehicle accident more than 20 years ago. Jeanine was in a coma as a result of the accident and spent several months recovering in hospital. Jeanine’s accident left her with a brain injury that is characterized by memory challenges and higher order cognitive impairments. She lives independently and has services from URSA to maintain her independence.
Walter
Walter is a 52 year old male who suffered a stroke just two years ago. He was told by the medical team who was caring for him at Foothills Medical Centre that he would be bedridden. He and his family were devastated by the news and were preparing to purchase a hospital bed where he would most likely spend the rest of his life. Walter refused the idea and wanted to live a better life. With determination, Walter was able to independently get in and out of bed which meant no hospital bed required upon discharge. With the same determined attitude, Walter improved physically through intensive physiotherapy. Walter’s brain injury left him with left sided body weakness and cognitive challenges. Since joining the URSA program, he continued to work towards his goal of gaining more mobility as well as gaining back his independence.
Thank you for supporting Brain Art 2018!
Brain Art 2018
Presented by NAVIGATE Financial Group Ltd.
This year URSA hosted Brain Art, our annual fundraiser, on June 8th, at Festival Hall, in Inglewood. The purpose of the event is to use art and photography as a way of creating awareness of what it means to live with a brain injury and raise funds for URSA. Our clients were able to showcase their artistic abilities, instead of focusing on their disability. This year we raised over $20,000 for URSA’s programs and initiatives, including our brain art therapy.
Thank you for supporting Brain Art 2018!
Our feature client, Clifford, has an amazing story about how URSA and art therapy are helping him cope with his brain injury. Watch his video here.
2019 Brain Art is almost here!
SAVE THE DATE!
ART & PHOTO SHOW
Festival Hall
1215 10 Avenue SE
Thursday, June 13, 2019
6PM – 9PM
(Cocktails & Appetizers served at event)
This year’s theme is: “Silent Scars; Voiced Though Art”
Clients arts and photos will be for sale at the event.
Brain Art is an initiative started by brain injury survivors in 2014. The purpose is to use art and photography as a way of creating awareness of what it means to live with a brain injury.
The goal is to fundraise money to support URSA’s programs and initiatives.
This is an open event. Please invite your friends and colleagues to support URSA.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ursa-brain-art-2019
Click image for the event flyer
Thrifty Steals Backpack Drive for URSA
URSA is pairing up with Thrifty Steals, an online business owned by two moms, Jenn & Amanda who are on a mission to bring you quality products at a low price. For the month of November, if you donate $20 (or more!), Thrifty Steals will use the donation to fill a backpack with necessities like packaged foods, toiletries, clean clothes and more.
CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES
Jeanine
Jeanine is a brain injury survivor who acquired her brain injury in a horrific motor vehicle accident more than 20 years ago. Jeanine was in a coma as a result of the accident and spent several months recovering in hospital. Jeanine’s accident left her with a brain injury that is characterized by memory challenges and higher order cognitive impairments. She lives independently and has services from URSA to maintain her independence.
Walter
Walter is a 52 year old male who suffered a stroke just two years ago. He was told by the medical team who was caring for him at Foothills Medical Centre that he would be bedridden. He and his family were devastated by the news and were preparing to purchase a hospital bed where he would most likely spend the rest of his life. Walter refused the idea and wanted to live a better life. With determination, Walter was able to independently get in and out of bed which meant no hospital bed required upon discharge. With the same determined attitude, Walter improved physically through intensive physiotherapy. Walter’s brain injury left him with left sided body weakness and cognitive challenges. Since joining the URSA program, he continued to work towards his goal of gaining more mobility as well as gaining back his independence.
Thank you for supporting Brain Art 2018!
Brain Art 2018
Presented by NAVIGATE Financial Group Ltd.
This year URSA hosted Brain Art, our annual fundraiser, on June 8th, at Festival Hall, in Inglewood. The purpose of the event is to use art and photography as a way of creating awareness of what it means to live with a brain injury and raise funds for URSA. Our clients were able to showcase their artistic abilities, instead of focusing on their disability. This year we raised over $20,000 for URSA’s programs and initiatives, including our brain art therapy.
Thank you for supporting Brain Art 2018!
Our feature client, Clifford, has an amazing story about how URSA and art therapy are helping him cope with his brain injury. Watch his video here.
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