Who We Are

Simon House provides an innovative 12 Step based addiction treatment and recovery program for adult males. Working to accomplish our mission of guiding and empowering men to achieve long-term recovery from addiction and all of its effects, Simon House looks to increase its impact and service delivery within the surrounding community. In order to accomplish this mission and provide services that meet the needs of our community Simon House relies on the generosity of individuals, community organizations and corporations for crucial funding support. Primarily funded through donor support, Simon House receives no annual funding from government and solely relies on donor generated funding. Without this generous support, we wouldn’t be able to serve those in the community who rely on our life-saving and transformative services.

Our Story

Founded in 1982 by Doreen Baker, Sheila Cameron and Franciscan Brother, Bernard Barry, who named Simon House after Bible character Simon of Cyrene, who was a bystander during Jesus' crucifixion. When Jesus became too weary to carry his cross, the Roman soldiers compelled Simon to carry it for him.

Simon House began its work in a Bowness duplex that still serves men in need today, 37 years later. Simon House has been, and will always be a beacon of hope and refuge for men who have found themselves in the grip of addiction. Humble beginnings saw Brother Bernie and Doreen work tirelessly with integral volunteers and original employees, to grow and develop Simon House into the program and facility it is today. In 1983, the duplex immediately next door to its original location was generously donated to expand Simon House services and support. In 2006, through the generosity of donors, Simon House built a 30 bed building with a full commercial kitchen, board room, and office space.

Today, Simon House operates 4 buildings and 66 beds, which provide 3 distinct phases of addiction treatment and recovery to assist men in moving from a residential program to transitional housing, and onto independent living with supports and counselling. Through committed staff, board members, donors, and community partners, Simon House has become a highly respected, valued, integral, and successful addiction recovery centre in the Calgary community, serving men from all across North America.

The staff and volunteers of Simon House are still inspired by our founders and how we got our name. It's our call to action, and hopefully yours, the one reading this message right now. Are you compelled to help carry your brother's cross? Help bear his burden?