A group of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) students were the very first to hold a fundraiser for CASA Mental Health in Calgary.
In a project management class at SAIT’s School of Business, Abby, Alex, Josh, Kay and Tareek partnered for a hands-on learning project. “The way that we’re taught project management is by actually managing a project,” explains Josh. “Our test was to pull off an event. SAIT mandates that their project management events all go towards a charity of our choice, and we chose CASA.”
When researching charities, the group learned about CASA’s services. Calgary is one of CASA’s newest locations, with several CASA Classrooms already in operation. In August 2025, the Calgary Trauma program opened, allowing children and youth to receive complex trauma treatment. CASA also plans to build a CASA House facility in the area by 2027, to serve youth with both day and live-in programming.
“We were amazed hearing the details and the outreach you have in Edmonton. I think it’s great you’re starting to take those steps to have those [services] in our community,” Josh says.
The students organized what CASA calls a ‘community fundraiser.’ This is any kind of fundraising completed by an individual or group, where funds are donated to charity – in this case, CASA.
Each of the five group members had their own, personal reasons for wanting to support child and youth mental health. “Mental health is something I’ve struggled with in the past,” says Josh. “I’m in my mid-twenties now, but I can still acknowledge that it’s an ongoing journey.”
While the group experienced a lot of challenges and ended up organizing an event that was very different from what they originally wanted, their fundraiser was a success and exceeded their goal of raising $500.
“We had a few choices of events,” explains Josh. “We started out wanting to do a rage room, which is trending right now on social media … Then we wanted to do puppy yoga … and then landed on our third choice which was more akin to art therapy … I believe there are studies that show it’s a good way to unclutter your mind and work through emotions.”
“It was super grassroots,” says Josh, speaking about the marketing and fundraising they undertook. “It was a ticketed event. We sold tickets to people, and how we got those sales was very direct – go to the people you know, go to other classes, posters around the campus and around the community.” Not everyone was able to purchase a ticket to attend, due to the date and time, but chose to make a donation instead, helping the group reach their fundraising target.
For the event, the students brought in a professional artist to facilitate the session which was attended by community members, SAIT students, friends and family. With brushes, paper and watercolour paints, attendees followed guided instruction from the facilitator, then did some freestyle painting.
“To anyone who’s planning a fundraiser for the first time, be it for CASA or any cause you’re passionate about, start talking to people from the get-go; connect with those in your community,” Josh says. “Talk to your friends, parents, cousins – people who may not be aware of it – and you can start there. The more time you can spend in the community, the more success you’ll experience.”
Upon reflecting on the experience, Josh adds, “We appreciated having CASA feel more like a partner in this process as opposed to a company that we’re just raising funds for.”
CASA Mental Health has a staff member dedicated to supporting community fundraisers, along with a web page full of information, tools and tips for anyone who wishes to hold a fundraiser like Josh and his teammates.
