Closer to Home Community Services

What Closer to Home Community Services does

Closer to Home Community Services Society is a Calgary-based registered charitable organization founded in 1995 that delivers a portfolio of community-based programs for children, youth, and families across Calgary, Airdrie, Banff, Canmore, and Southern Alberta. Its service platform spans foster care and group care (seven Community Group Care programs province-wide), in-home family support (Healthy Families, Family Matters, Home Again), the North Central Family Resource Network, Indigenous healing programs through the Ee-Des-Spoom-Ooh-Soop hub, newcomer support, crisis intervention, parenting programs, and the Adopt-a-Family holiday campaign. Programs are delivered free of charge to participants, accessed through self-referral or referral via Alberta Children Services, Calgary Homeless Foundation's Coordinated Access system, and 75+ community partners.

The organization's core operating technology is the Teaching Family Model (TFM), an evidence-based, trauma-informed, fully integrated system of care that weaves cognitive-behavioural and person-centred interventions into daily interactions between youth and skilled staff. CTH has been an Accredited TFA Sponsor Site since 1999, holds a proprietary Evaluation and Outcome Framework aligned to the National Child Welfare Outcomes Indicators Matrix, and uses this position to deliver fee-based agency training, accreditation, and consulting services to child-serving organizations in the United States and New Zealand.

The revenue model blends government core funding (Calgary and Area Child and Family Services, City of Calgary FCSS, United Way of Calgary, Airdrie FCSS, CMHC), corporate and individual fundraising (Adopt-a-Family, Community Fund, monthly giving, planned giving, gifts-in-kind, ATB Cares matching, Rogers Birdies for Kids), and professional services fees from international TFA consulting. Foster parents receive a non-taxable daily per diem of $50-$57 per child. The organization holds triple accreditation from Imagine Canada, the Teaching Family Association, and CARF International, and operates under Charitable Registration # 89823 5759 RR0001.

Name

Closer to Home Community Services

Legal name

Closer to Home Community Services Society

Website

https://closertohome.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Closer to Home Community Services is a Calgary-based charitable non-profit founded in 1995 that delivers trauma-informed, evidence-based foster care, group care, in-home family support, Indigenous healing, and housing programs to children, youth, and families across Alberta.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit social services for children, youth, and families

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Home Visiting & Parent Coaching Programs (EDACALAC), Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK)

Keywords

• Family support services
• Foster care programs
• Community group care
• Indigenous healing programs
• Family resource networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Core Funding: Core funding from Calgary and Area Child and Family Services, the City of Calgary's Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), United Way of Calgary for Indigenous programs, and Airdrie Family and Community Support Services for youth mental health programming.
2. Corporate & Individual Fundraising: Donations, Adopt-a-Family sponsorships, Community Fund contributions, monthly giving, planned giving, gifts of securities, in-kind donations, vehicle donations through Donate-a-Car Canada, real estate commission contributions through Agents of Change, and ATB Cares matching donations.
3. Agency Training Services Revenue: Fees for on-site organizational assessments, training, consultation, and TFM accreditation support services provided to other child and family serving organizations internationally. Fees are individually negotiated based on organization size and complexity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Closer to Home Community Services is a Calgary-based charitable non-profit that delivers a portfolio of community-based programs for children, youth, and families. Its core offerings include foster care and seven Community Group Care programs across Alberta, in-home family support (Healthy Families, Family Matters), housing stabilization (Home Again), Indigenous healing (Ee-Des-Spoom-Ooh-Soop), the North Central Family Resource Network, and newcomer and crisis support. The organization is an accredited Teaching Family Model Sponsor Site and also provides paid TFM training and accreditation services to other agencies internationally.

Product overview

Closer to Home Community Services operates as a social services organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs designed to support children, youth, and families. The organization functions as a platform of community-based services rather than a single product, with core programs including foster care and group care, home-based family support (Healthy Families, Family Matters), housing assistance (Home Again), and community resource networks. Specialized offerings include Indigenous healing programs (Ee-Des-Spoom-Ooh-Soop), newcomer support, crisis intervention, and holiday giving (Adopt-a-Family). The organization also provides agency training consulting services for organizations seeking to implement evidence-based care models. All services are provided free of charge, with some programs requiring community referrals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Foster Care & Group Care Temporary care services for children including foster parent support, seven community group homes across Alberta, and family reunification support, providing safe, nurturing environments while families work through challenges; accessed via referral from Alberta Children Services.
• Healthy Families Home visitation program providing support to parents with newborns and children aged 0-6 in at-risk circumstances; visits 1-3 times per week for up to one year.
• Family Matters 8-12 weeks of specialized in-home support for families experiencing crisis, building new skills to manage future stress with the goal of preserving family units and ensuring children have a safe, stable place to call home.
• Home Again Housing support program in collaboration with Calgary Homeless Foundation, providing financial assistance and individualized supports to quickly house and stabilize families experiencing homelessness.
• North Central Family Resource Network Coordinated service delivery of programs with partner organizations (Kindred Connections Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Trellis) promoting healthy child and youth development and strengthening parent/caregiver capacity across north central Calgary.
• Adopt-a-Family Holiday giving program matching donors with families in need, providing gift cards so families can choose their own gifts with dignity; supported by Lexus of Calgary as Presenting Sponsor since 2016.
• Indigenous Programs (Ee-Des-Spoom-Ooh-Soop) Culturally-based Indigenous healing program providing teaching and healing circles, elder support, men's drumming circles, and family support services grounded in Blackfoot traditions, including dedicated Cultural Healing practice and programs addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
• Child & Youth Programs Programs for children and youth including summer camps, afterschool programs, skills development, counselling, and social activities.
• Crisis Support Immediate support services for families facing crisis situations requiring urgent intervention, delivered through in-home and community-based channels.
• You, me and ADHD Skills development program helping families learn tips for building executive functioning skills, sharing strategies, and receiving professional advice.
• Newcomer Programs Support services for newcomer families settling in Calgary, helping with integration and community connection.
• Summer in the City Summer day camp program providing children opportunities to learn, play, make friends, and experience new activities.
• Agency Training Services (Teaching Family Model accreditation support) Paid training and consulting services for organizations implementing the Teaching Family Model, including organizational assessments, on-site training, and ongoing support through the TFA accreditation process; delivered to agencies in the USA and New Zealand with fees individually negotiated based on organization size and complexity.
• All My Relations Healing Powwow Annual Indigenous cultural gathering celebrating culture, community, and healing with traditional drumming, dancing, and community connection; free and open to the public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,073 kids, youth, and parents/caregivers supported in 2024/2025, a 12% increase over the previous year
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Sysco CanadaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 April 2026Sysco Canada, the global leader in foodservice distribution serving approximately 730,000 customer locations, joined as the first-ever Title Sponsor of CTH's 4th Annual All My Relations Healing Powwow. Sysco is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous communities and shares CTH's values of care, inclusion, and community support. Andrew Harris, Sysco Canada's Indigenous Relations Manager, leads the partnership. Sysco has a goal to give back $750 million in food, funds, and volunteer hours globally by 2030.
• Fresh Routes / Calgary DollarsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025A new partnership introduced in 2024/2025 with Fresh Routes (community food program) and Calgary Dollars (local currency/volunteer incentive) encourages NCFRN participants to give back to the community by volunteering at specific programs.
• Chambers Plan Prairie RegioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Chambers Plan Prairie Region, a non-profit group benefits program serving Alberta and Saskatchewan, named CTH its Charity of Choice in 2023. They support Adopt-a-Family, volunteer at Summer in the City day camp (teaching dance classes), and spread awareness of CTH's mission. Team members Ken Willoughby, Danielle Willoughby, and Laura Knauff are active supporters.
• Barn Burner PodcastcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Barn Burner, a Calgary sports podcast founded by three former radio hosts (Rhett, Ryan, and Dean), partnered with CTH for Adopt-a-Family, raising $21,000 through an online auction in 2022. Their audience engagement and trust-driven community approach amplified Adopt-a-Family donations significantly. The partnership continues annually.
• Tower ChryslercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Tower Chrysler, a Calgary car dealership, has run a year-round Adopt-a-Family fundraiser since 2020, raising over $25,500 and supporting 25 families over three years. Driven by Nikky Haert, the entire dealership team and customers participate. The initiative began with an internal 50/50 draw and grew into a major community campaign.
• Lexus of CalgaryflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Lexus of Calgary, a locally owned family-operated dealership serving Calgary since 1990, has been the Presenting Sponsor of CTH's Adopt-a-Family program since 2016 — nearly a decade of partnership. Their generosity has helped thousands of families experience holiday joy and dignity. The partnership provides families with gift cards that allow parents and caregivers to choose what their families truly need, preserving dignity while delivering meaningful support.
• HomeSpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeSpace partnered with CTH to develop Norris House — 45 affordable stacked-family townhouses in Calgary's Seton neighbourhood. HomeSpace owns and operates the property while CTH provides social supports for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This is a core partnership enabling CTH to address family homelessness as part of its housing continuum.
• Brookfield Residential and Albi HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrookfield Residential (led by philanthropist Alan Norris) and Albi Homes were the home builders behind the RESOLVE campaign that raised $75 million and built 22 buildings housing 2,100+ vulnerable families and individuals, including Norris House. These builders collaborated with HomeSpace and CTH to deliver affordable housing with social supports.
• Calgary Homeless FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHF is the partner organization for the Home Again program, providing housing support to families experiencing homelessness through the Coordinated Access and Assessment program. CHF refers families to CTH for individualized supports including financial assistance, stabilization services, and connections to community resources.
• Kindred Connections Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and TrelliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTH coordinates the North Central Family Resource Network in partnership with Kindred Connections Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Trellis. Together these organizations deliver programs promoting healthy child/youth development, strengthening parent/caregiver capacity, and building strong community connections.
• Southbow EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 4th Annual All My Relations Healing Powwow in 2026, supporting CTH's Indigenous healing and cultural celebration event.
• Calgary Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalgary Food Bank partners with CTH through the North Central Family Resource Network, with volunteers needed for Calgary Food Bank drop-off coordination.
• Imagine CanadaminorOthersCTH holds Imagine Canada accreditation, conforming to its Standards Program for excellence in board governance, financial accountability, and fundraising practices.
• Teaching Family Association (TFA)coreOthersTFA is the accrediting body for the Teaching Family Model. CTH has been a TFA Accredited Sponsor Site since 1999 and currently provides services to organizations in Alaska and Missouri, USA. CTH supports agencies globally in achieving TFA accreditation.
• CARF InternationalcoreOthersCARF International is an accrediting body for rehabilitation and social service organizations. CTH holds CARF accreditation, demonstrating quality and accountability across its programs.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Trellis (formerly Boys & Girls Community Services): Active CTH partner within the North Central Family Resource Network delivering community-based programs for children, youth, and families in Calgary. Operates in the same family-support service category.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area: Active CTH partner through the North Central Family Resource Network; delivers mentoring and youth development programs to Calgary children and youth facing adversity. Comparable mission in the same geography and referral ecosystem.
• Wood's Homes: Calgary-based charitable organization providing a continuum of mental health services for children, youth, and families, including residential treatment, community-based programs, and family support — directly comparable to CTH's group care and family preservation mandate in the same geography.
• HomeSpace Society: Calgary-based affordable housing non-profit and active CTH partner that owns and operates Norris House while CTH delivers social supports. Comparable housing-plus-supports model for vulnerable families.
• Hull Services: Calgary-based accredited non-profit delivering residential, community, and mental health services for children, youth, and families facing complex challenges. Operates group homes, day treatment, and family services in the same Alberta catchment as CTH.
• Calgary Homeless Foundation: Active CTH partner funding the Home Again program through the Coordinated Access system. Operates the citywide housing-first intake infrastructure that refers families into CTH's homelessness stabilization services.
• Kindred Connections Society: Active CTH partner within the North Central Family Resource Network delivering family connections and support services in Calgary. Comparable family-focused community service model and shared referral pathways.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA Calgary: Calgary-based charitable organization providing child care, day camps, youth programs, and community services. Overlaps with CTH's summer camp, child/youth, and family programming in the same regional market.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: National youth-serving organization operating community-based clubs that deliver after-school, summer camp, and youth development programming. Overlaps with CTH's child/youth programs and summer camp offerings, but operates at much broader national scale.
• Children's Aid Foundation of Canada: National charity funding programs that support children and youth involved with the child welfare system across Canada, including in Alberta. Comparable mission around child welfare outcomes, though operating as a grant-making foundation rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/closer-to-home-community-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Closer to Home Community Services