On September 20, Wood’s Homes invites Calgarians to say YES to hope, healing and home at the Never Give Up Gala, presented by PrairieSky Royalty Ltd., and held at the BMO Centre. Now in its 25th year, this iconic event is more than a celebration; it’s a catalyst for change.

With a glamorous 1960s Palm Springs-inspired oasis as its backdrop, the gala blends vintage flair with powerful purpose. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner, immersive décor, vintage photo activations, a silent auction and raffle, and a live art performance by acclaimed local artist and former Wood’s Homes client Harvey Nichol, whose one-of-a-kind painting will be auctioned to support life-changing programs.

More Than a Night, It’s a Movement

The Never Give Up Gala fuels critical funding that powers innovation, launches new programs and sustains free and accessible mental health care across Alberta. It also marks the unofficial launch of the holiday giving campaign, where Wood’s Homes unveils an annual video and invites the community to take action.

Proceeds support:

• Strategic initiatives that transform lives.
• Innovative programs that meet emerging needs.
• Community generosity during the holidays.
• A stronger, more connected network of changemakers.

A Gateway to Deeper Engagement

The gala opens doors for new board and committee members and invites guests to become long-term advocates through monthly giving, sponsorship and leadership. It’s a chance to build meaningful relationships with corporate partners, community leaders and passionate donors.

The Heart of the Mission: Hope, Healing and Home 

These three words will be brought to life through powerful personal testimony, showcasing opportunities tied to each theme:

• Hope: Wraparound support for those who feel hopeless.
• Healing: Mental health care and safe community spaces.
• Home: Housing, employment and a safe place of care.

Renee Hopfner, Wood’s Homes Foundation chair, will share why we must Never Give Up on the children Wood’s Homes serves and how it remains a place where people always find hope.

Real Stories. Real Impact.

Last year, gifts from the gala helped:

• Provide services at no cost to 11,000+ visits to the Eastside Community Mental Health & Hub Services.
• Deliver 851 hours of job coaching.
• Capital funding that allowed Wood’s Homes to complete North America’s first purpose-built 24/7 therapeutic mental health care centre for children, which opened earlier this year.

“Our history isn’t just written in milestones — it’s written in moments when someone said yes. Yes, to vulnerable kids. Yes, to youth in trouble. Yes, to families in crisis. Every ‘yes’ has helped us build a foundation of good mental health and well-being that continues to grow stronger with every life we touch,” says Bryan Goehringer, director of the Wood’s Homes Foundation.

A Legacy of Never Giving Up

The gala’s name traces back to a defining moment in Wood’s Homes’ 111-year history — a campfire conversation in the 1980s where staff made a promise: ‘We will never give up on a young person.’ Today, across 40+ programs serving 20,000+ children, youth and families annually, that promise lives on.

“We’re not just responding to crisis,” says Bjorn Johansson, CEO of Wood’s Homes. “We’re building systems of care that prevent it. Say YES to being part of that evolution.”

Wood’s Homes has evolved from a crisis intervention centre to a comprehensive mental health organization focused on prevention, innovation, research and integrated support. Guests are invited to shape the future of mental health care in Alberta through advocacy, sponsorship, monthly giving and leadership.

Say YES to an unforgettable evening and to a future where every young person gets the support they deserve.

Register or sponsor at nevergiveupgala.ca/calgary or consider setting up a monthly gift at woodshomes.ca.

The post Inside Wood’s Homes’ Never Give Up Gala: Calgary’s Retro-Chic Night That Sparks Change appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

The post Calgary’s Best Dressed 2025 appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

How would you describe your personal style?

My style is classic with a twist, with a bit of bohemian thrown in. I mix high with low. Because I am petite, I gravitate to matching sets and suits. Great footwear is a big emphasis when I go out.

What is your favourite piece of clothing?

The gold brocade jacket from Smythe [shown above] is one of my favourite pieces. I also have a green long-haired coat that I bought on a whim at Blu’s in Edmonton. I tend to buy oversized when purchasing outerwear.

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What is your favourite Calgary event of the year?

Hands down, my favourite event of the year has to be the Calgary Stampede! I am a huge fan of country music, cowboy boots and the Calgary Stampede Powwow, which is a popular event celebrating our Indigenous culture and roots. Not to mention the Elbow River Camp, which has teepees set up sharing Indigenous storytelling, authentic songs and local pop-up shops from Indigenous artisans.

Why is expressing your personal style important to you?

Expressing your personal style is a powerful way to show who you are without having to speak. It reflects your identity, values and personality, allowing you to move through the world with authenticity and confidence. For many, style is more than fashion, it’s a daily act of empowerment and a creative outlet that evolves with you. Through your style, you not only express yourself, but also create connections with others who see and feel your energy, presence and story.

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How would you describe your personal style?

My style exists in the tension between instinct and intention — grounded in stylish basics and layered with pieces I’ve made, designs from my friends, and finds from favourite shops or from my travels. It’s often wearable art, built through bold accessories and reimagined garments. If I can’t find what I’m looking for, I create it. I don’t follow trends; I construct looks.

Why is expressing your personal style important to you?

Expressing my personal style matters to me because it’s how I engage with art — through what I wear. Fashion, for me, is wearable art and a form of communication. It’s a way to show what draws me in, what fascinates me, and how my artistic taste shifts over time. I also want it to say something louder: that it’s okay to experiment, to try something different, to let your look evolve without needing permission.

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Why is expressing your personal style important to you?

Personal style should be important to everyone. Think about it this way: What makes you feel good when you wake up in the morning? Some say coffee, breakfast, a good doughnut! [For me, it’s] a sharp shirt and pants that make me feel good. Because, when I look good, I feel good. And, when I feel good, I’m the happiest. Personal style isn’t about what you have or how much you spent — it’s how you wear it and the confidence that comes with it. I couldn’t tell you how many times I got something for less than $20, and the way I styled it and the confidence walking into the room is what changed everything.

What do you want your style choices to say about you?

That it is okay to step outside of the box. Not just think outside. Step outside. My style choice reflects my growth over time. Progression and years of hard work and a niche of being different and owning it. I’ve made so many style choices that I’ve been like, ‘Wow, this was not the right choice,’ and I’ve also made some that I’ve been extremely eager to share.

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What do you want your style choices to say about you?

I want my style choices to say that I choose to wear what I truly love, and that I value buying quality second-hand and slow-made pieces from small and handmade fashion brands over fast fashion.

Why is expressing your personal style important to you?

As a self-employed artist, I feel as though my personal style often reflects the pieces I create, and the pieces I create also mirror my personal style. These two things have almost always felt as one, and I don’t know who I would be without my style, as it’s something I truly take pride in and have so much fun with.

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What do you want your style choices to say about you?

I wear what I feel before I consider what’s expected. Some days that means dressing for joy. Other days it’s armour. Always, it’s homage: to mentors, stage legends and my late mom — who unknowingly shaped the silhouette of my spirit. Style, to me, is a language we speak before we say hello. And, in my 50s, I’m here to tell you — there’s no rulebook for legs like mine. Trailblazer? I’ll take it.

What is your favourite Calgary event of the year?

The Grandstand Show at the Calgary Stampede. And yes, I’m a little biased — I’ve composed the score for over 30 years. But the real thrill is watching people show up with fresh takes on Western glam. I say, “Make it a ritual never to repeat an outfit.” Fashion should stampede, too.

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What is your favourite piece of clothing?

I have a black wool coat that I bought on my honeymoon in Paris that I will love forever. I spent more on it than I probably should have at the time, but all these years later I still have it and love it. A bonus of living in Calgary means you’ve plenty of opportunities to wear a great coat.

What is your favourite designer or place to shop in Calgary?

My favourite designer is my friend, Paige Callaway. She creates the most beautiful and well-fitting Western heritage shirts under her brands, Pursue Victory and Paige 1912. My favourite places to shop in town are Holt Renfrew, Vespucci, Chinook Optical — and Smithbilt for a great hat.

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What do you want your style choices to say about you?

I want my style to say that I’m confident, creative and never afraid to take up space. That I know quality but don’t take myself too seriously. That I can spot a diamond in the rough — just like in my career as a model scout — and make it shine. My choices reflect a personality that’s bold, flexible and unafraid to evolve. I dress to express and impress, and every outfit tells a story, usually with a little twist.

What piece or item that you own is your favourite?

A vintage black leather army jacket I scored in Paris in the ’90s at the Clignancourt [flea] market [shown above]. It’s worn, weathered and completely iconic — like it’s lived a few lives before finding its way to me. That jacket sums up my style: rooted in history, a little rebellious and totally one of a kind. I love pieces that have a story, and I wear them like armour — with attitude.

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