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March 25, 2014
His job is simple – he needs to raise $2 million. Every year. As his organization grows, so will that number. As the organization succeeds (50% is funded by fee-for-service, the balance comes through fundraising), so must its fundraiser-in-chief succeed.
This is more than just his story. Or, rather, this is all about a fresh start . . .
I admit that I started out wanting to write about the organization a bit more than I did about the interviewee – but I wasn’t disappointed, because as much as I asked probing questions to learn more about him, his answers were far more focused on revealing information about the place, organization and program than on revealing as much personal information as I normally try to extract. The result, I think, is a happy balance that gave me what I wanted and giving readers what he wanted – publicity for and information about a very worthy program and cause.
As a recovered alcoholic myself, I have great admiration for those who struggle, for those who fail and fail and fail – because I know how difficult it is to define and to achieve success. The struggle is enormous - not just about quality of life, but life vs. the alternative ....
Yes, they are in the life saving business. Lives, families, community - everyone benefits. How do they do it? They have 25 superb committed staff, with more than 250 years of recovery experience among them.
Interviewing someone who I’ve had no previous contact with is always an interesting adventure for me – a bit like walking into the forest without a compass, hoping my skills will get me through to the other side. I’d heard of Wayne Steer but never met him. I am familiar with Fresh Start Recovery Centre. I was there as a guest for the grand opening of their new facility - a day when City and Provincial officials, social workers and police, residents and alumni came together in celebration there, in that big gymnasium to talk about recovery from addictions but more importantly – recovery of lives. On my recent visit to interview Wayne, one of the most striking sights, in the rafters of the gymnasium hang ‘retired jerseys’ of program graduates. They hang with pride the way pro-sport heroes names and numbers hang in arenas, stadia and field houses across our sport-tainment landscape.
More than 300 people get a fresh start there each year. 85% of them complete the program. Of those 48% remain free of drugs and alcohol a year later. Very impressive stats – even more impressive when you consider those who come into the program are not the easiest to serve and many have come via ultimatums/alternatives from the justice system – the alternatives being grim, dark and unattractive in every way. But, who says addiction to alcohol and drugs is pretty?
The Fresh Start Recovery story is one that needs and deserves to be celebrated. Their cause, their need for resources (it ain’t just money they need) is compelling – and the good they do there is worthy of attention being drawn to it. The connect point, the guy whose handshake lingers just long enough for him to tug on your wallet, and your heart, is a very well connected, influential and committed Calgarian – and you can help. Start by contacting Wayne to ask how you can help. He’ll have an answer.
And now, about Wayne . . .
We have something rare in common – we were both born in Estevan, Saskatchewan. Wayne’s dad worked in the oil patch, had businesses and some moving was involved. At 6 months of age Wayne came to Calgary. Schooling .. graduated Western Canada High, attended U of A where partying was his major, Mount Royal College, then Gonzaga University where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. A career in banking (RBC, Fort McMurray), family businesses in Calgary, jobs in oil & gas took him to Edmonton (met his wife Toni Samaha – she worked for the landlord and they met in the hallway).
He spent some time at Fantasyland Hotel – but he assured me it involved marketing the hotel …and then back to Calgary to aid his ailing father’s business interests. Then at Western Canada Steel Buildings … writing, promotion – and then a series of events took him from volunteer work in fundraising (Canadian Progress Club) in both Calgary and Edmonton - sent his career sailing in a new direction.
He recalls 2003-04 was a crossroads in his life – and since then his involvement with AFP (Association of Fund Raising Professionals .. I believe he is Chair of an International Development Committee) – and a resume that is a list of great causes: ALS Society, Red Cross, Volunteer Calgary and … since Feb. 2010, his current role as Director of Fund Development at Fresh Start Recovery.
The Association of Fund Raising Professionals have a president-elect - he’s Wayne Steer!
There is much more to this man, his job and Fresh Start Recovery than this story tells – so I encourage readers who care to help, to reach out to Wayne with an open hand and possibly an open wallet. His strategy not one of hustling money - but rather, as he puts it, "building relationships based on trust and respect, and creating a richer understanding of the power that recovery has in our community ... that leads to donations in many forms". Most of us don’t have to look very far in our family or our workplaces to see people impacted by drug and alcohol addiction. There is no doubt this cause is worthy and their need critical to so many lives. So help him, please.
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