Calgary Drop-In Centre names Sandra Clarkson as executive director

Sandra Clarkson has been named as the new executive director of the Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI) following a national search.

"I've known Sandra since she joined the DI in 2017, and am confident that she is the inclusive, committed leader we need to fulfil the DI's aim to be the most effective housing-focused shelter in North America," said board chair Ken Uzeloc in a statement.

Former executive director Debbie Newman stepped down from the position in March amid allegations of workplace bullying, harassment and abuse involving a former senior manager.

• Threats, bullying, harassment: Former staff at Calgary Drop-In Centre describe 'toxic' workplace
• Calgary Drop-In Centre's executive director quits amid allegations of workplace harassment at shelter

A CBCNews report on Feb. 5 revealed a former employee had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, alleging she suffered sexual harassment and psychological abuse at the hands of former director Steve Baldwin.

Other employees then came forward with similar allegations of inappropriate sexual comments, harassment, threats and bullying some dating back more than 10 years.

Newman issued a statement at the time, saying the allegations had become a major distraction, forcing her to resign.

• Province finishes review of 'extremely concerning' allegations by Calgary Drop-In Centre staff

The province completed a review of the situation in June, which found the Drop-In Centre had:

• Implemented new staff training procedures related to harassment awareness and prevention.
• Created a new workplace fairness ombudsman as a resource for staff who have concerns.
• Updated policy to more clearly define scope of harassment, sexual harassment and bullying, and expanded code of conduct guidelines.

The province isa majorfunderof the centre, contributing $13.3 million last year.

"I think this is the beginning of an exciting new era for the DI," said Tim Richter, president and CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, in a statement.

"With awesome staff, a great board, supportive funders and a visionary new leader in Sandra, the Calgary Drop-In Centre could become an engine of ending homelessness in Calgary, and a leader in the movement to end homelessness in Canada."

Clarkson joined the Drop-In Centre in January 2017 as associate executive director, having spent more than 25 years working with vulnerable populations.

Workplace culture

In a Friday interview on the Calgary Eyeopener, Clarksonunveiled some ambitious goalsfor the Drop-In Centre.

"I believe the DI really has the opportunity to end chronic homelessness," she said.

Clarkson also said the shelter is taking big steps to change its workplace culture. These include strengthening policies and procedures to insure best practices in human resources, and instituting a psychological health and safety program through the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

She said they have added a third party ombudspersonas a confidential service for staff to reach out to, and added a trauma counsellor to its staff to help with workplace or personal concerns.

The DI has also launched "respect in the workplace" programming, Clarksonnoted.

"I think there's a real sense of hope," she said of staff morale.

"As we've been transforming it to be a housing-focused shelter moving beyond just meeting immediate basic needs to working on housing plans for people andgetting people housed properly the staff are seeing the impact of that work and I think are really inspired."

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.