“Mom sold me to a religious cult when I was 2 and I started smoking pot at 11”
About Us.
At "My Friend Dave," we are a dedicated community of individuals committed to amplifying the voices of the marginalized & vulnerable through creative expression.
Co-founded by Jenn Seniuk ATR, RCAT, an experienced Art Therapist in Calgary, Alberta and her best friend David Lanza. The MFD project provides a safe & supportive environment where men can share their stories through community connection, writing, film, & art.
We believe in the transformative power of storytelling & aim to foster understanding, empathy, & empowerment for those whose voices are often overlooked.
The Vision.
The vision of the "My Friend Dave" project extends far beyond our current achievements. In the short term, we plan to host an annual Art Show where participants can share their stories, showcase their art, or present their video footage, creating a platform for their voices to be heard & celebrated.
Looking ahead, we aspire to transform this initiative into a sustainable model that can be delivered, trained, & implemented in communities across Canada. By fostering safe spaces for vulnerable stories to be told, we aim to eradicate shame & replace it with dignity, understanding, & connection.
Through this expansion, we hope to inspire a nationwide movement that values and uplifts every individual's narrative.
The Mission.
Our mission for the "My Friend Dave" project is twofold. Firstly, we aim to create safe spaces for marginalized men, whether they are houseless, struggling with addiction, incarcerated, or in any form of recovery, to tell their stories. Through writing, art making, music, or documentary storytelling, we empower these individuals to reclaim their narratives. By choosing what & how to share, they can exercise autonomy & build confidence in their voices.
Secondly, we strive to challenge the stigmas & stereotypes held by those of us with privilege towards these marginalized men. By listening to their stories & understanding their backgrounds, we open ourselves to learning and growth. Through this process, we hope to foster empathy, break down barriers, & build a more inclusive & compassionate community.
What Happens On A Monday!?
10:00am- 2:00pm
Sunalta
Mondays we currently meet at Sunalta Park- you can find us in the park behind the Sunalta Community Centre.
We have soup, sandwiches, coffee and any clothing, hygiene and snack donations we have received.
Our Mondays are not about a quick eat and run, but about being in community.
We smudge, we make art, and we hangout. Everyone is encouraged to stay as long as they need. They can nap safely while we watch their belongings, or connect more deeply with new friends.
Mondays are about community and creativity.
What Happens on Alternating Fridays?!
2:00-5:00pm
James House Art Hive
We are at the James House on Alternating Fridays.
This is an indoor art studio space, located 2 blocks north of the Chicken On The Way in Kensington.
We provide coffee, tea, snacks and all of the art supplies you could dream of!
The first hour we teach everyone a new artistic skill, whether that is collage, paint, sculpting, or drawing. The rest of the studio time folks can work on an art piece that will be shown in our annual art show: June 13th, 2026.
Folks will have tons of support in this process, and will be able to build and stretch their own canvas.
The art piece is an opportunity to tell their story through creative expression.
Folks are also allowed to just come hangout in this space without the expectation of being in our art show.
What does My Friend Dave do?
We meet for 9 months in one park every Monday 10:00-200. The location changes each year.
This builds safety, routine and familiarity with our new friends.
Monday Programming: Mid September- Mid June
Our Weekly Outreach is currently on pause.
A few volunteers once a week will take out wagons, sandwiches and coffee. They connect with folks around the Westbrook neighbourhood.
Community Outreach: PAUSED
We host an annual art show called: My Story
Where folks can share their personal stories through creative expression.
These pieces are worked on for 6 months at the James House Art Hive.
Art Show: Mid June.
City Wide Outreach or as we call it: Taking Kindness To The Streets.
Once a month we are calling on 1000 Calgarians to come join us in outreach across the city!
We want to focus on quality connections and get to know our street friends.
CityWide Outreach: Once a month.
We host an annual documentary screening.
Our documentary is another platform for men to tell their story. This documentary is not only added to our My Friend Dave library, but is premiered at High Park every year.
Documentary Screening: End of May.
We are at the Drop In Centre on the Recovery Unit every second Friday.
This is a closed offering to folks who are currently residing on the 5th floor.
These folks are welcome to come join us in our other programming.
DI Programming: Alternating Fridays