History

Bowwest was established in 1999 as a collaborative community initiative to support communities in delivering programs that focused on Crime Prevention through Social Development (CPSD) in order to address local crime concerns. Through the efforts of the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Rockyview Child and Family Services, The City of Calgary, Boys and Girls Club, Wood’s Homes and two local churches (St. Edmund’s Anglican Church, Foothills United Church) a community resource centre located in the Bowness Community Centre opened its doors to area residents. The resource centre serves as a “one stop centre” to provide support to individuals and families by connecting them to various community and city wide resources. Since its establishment, Bowwest has become a recognized and valued organization serving the Bowness and Montgomery communities. In the fall of 2004, Bowwest was selected as the Community Resource Centre (CRC) for Northwest Calgary by Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority. This decision makes BowWest the only CRC active in NW Calgary servicing the communities of Bowness, Montgomery, Ranchlands, Dalhousie, Greenwood Village, Varsity and Silver Springs. BowWest was originally operated as an interagency project by staff from community and social service agencies. It is now an independent society led by an elected board of directors comprised of community members and agency representatives.