Vulnerable women in Grande Prairie benefit from exceptional front-line service

GRANDE PRAIRIE — For more than two years, Almas Choudhry has been a guiding light for vulnerable women battling addiction and mental health issues, offering not just counselling but compassion and unwavering support.

Her dedication was recently recognized by the community as Choudhry, an addictions counsellor and coordinator for Recovery Alberta’s Enhanced Services for Women in Grande Prairie, was presented with the Passionate Heart Exceptional Service Award.

Choudhry is one of five individuals recognized with this award for 2024. Sponsored by the Family Community Support Services (FCSS) in the City of Grande Prairie and County of Grande Prairie, as well as the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, the Passionate Heart Awards annually recognize outstanding contributions in social services across the region.

Recovery Alberta addictions counsellor Almas Choudhry has been honoured with the Passionate Heart Exceptional Service Award in Grande Prairie. She works with women in their childbearing years struggling with addiction and mental health concerns.

“I wasn’t expecting it, all the nominees are very experienced in their own fields,” says Choudhry, who’s  being recognized for demonstrating exceptional front-line service to her community.

As an addiction counsellor, Choudhry works with women in their childbearing years struggling with addiction and mental health concerns. 

“It could be they are pregnant, parenting or they’re involved with Child and Family Services. I provide addictions counselling, mental health support for anxiety, depression, post-partum depression and help them connect with community resources.”

Choudhry, who works out of the Aberdeen Centre in Grande Prairie, collaborates with other agencies to help her clients make connections in the community. She also gives community presentations on addictions and pregnancy, showcasing the resources available through Recovery Alberta and Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Choudhry says much of the passion for her work stems from her own experience as an immigrant coming to Canada from Pakistan in 2013.

“I noticed that women back home, there are a lot of mental health issues, but it’s not talked about. I think that is one of the main reasons that I wanted to work especially with women,” she adds. “If I can support them with anything, (I will) … there’s still a lot of stigma about mental health.”

Beyond her work with Recovery Alberta, Choudhry is involved with several other community organizations, including Grande Prairie Women Connect and Swan City Rotary.

“Last year I collaborated with Grande Prairie Lifelong Learning Society, which had a group called Newcomers Connect,” she says. “We would meet to talk about available resources for newcomers for addiction and mental health. Many of them don’t know that we offer free counselling support for any addiction and mental health concerns,” she explains.

Although Choudhry, unfortunately, couldn’t attend the ceremony for the Passionate Heart Awards, a friend attended on her behalf. “I didn’t believe her when she called me and told me I won,” she says.

This year, 32 individuals, businesses and organizations garnered nominations for the Passionate Heart Awards.

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton attended the event and praised recipients: “These awards recognize the incredible impact of those who uplift and support others, making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”