Celebrating Community!
Communities are built on the strength of belonging. Each of us desires to feel connected at work, in our communities, and at home. When we feel connected, we are healthier and we contribute time and skill through volunteerism.
The future of our region is built on the energy, skill and passion of our young people. At the Community Foundation, we are fortunate to connect and experience the energy and success of our local youth who have received post secondary student awards, who volunteer for a not for profit or two, and those who support and donate to our organization. Each of these members bring their perspective and commitment to see our community grow strong for them and for future generations. They desire to make change.
We are excited to connect with bold young people who are exploring initiatives to make a difference for our region. Be sure to research the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge. This funding is a perfect opportunity to take an idea or dream to turn it into a reality.
For over twenty three years, we have connected people who desire and dream to make change and a difference for others. We invite you to join us!
Please feel free to contact me at (780) 538-2820 to discuss how you can partner with the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta in building community, connecting people and increasing our collective sense of belonging throughout the region.
Connect people. Build community. For good, and forever.
Warmest wishes,
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Positive role models can make a world of difference in the life of a young person, and that’s exactly the focus of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grande Prairie & Area In-School Mentoring program.
Funded in part by the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta, the program engages adults or high school students as mentors and matches them with elementary school children in a one-to-one mentoring relationship for the duration of a school year.
Referred by their teachers, approximately 26 students in 20 schools in the Grande Prairie area will take part in the 2018/19 school year.
“These are the children that we are unable to reach through traditional means, but they are exactly the children that would benefit most from this program,” says BBBS president Vernon Boyd.
For the students, the impact of being enaged in the program can be huge.
“Most of the feedback we receive centers around school attendance and marks, both of which improve,” says Boyd. “The other major change that parents and teachers see in their kids is the increase in their self esteem. I believe that just having someone in their lives that is there only for them one on one, gives them the sense of security and belonging that may be lacking in their lives due to difficult family circumstances.”
Each set of matched mentors and mentees get together once a week to take part in fun, child/youth-directed and centered activities that promote social, academic and physical development. Matches are provided with an activity bin and activity booklet to structure their visits, and have access to school resources such as the library, playground and staff room kitchen.
For one young student, Jason, the program has had a big impact on his life, says his mom. “Having a Big Brother has made such a difference in his life,” she says. “He has been doing well. He has not been drawing his father’s grave like he had been doing for months. He is able to draw more happy pictures and good memories. He really loves the time he spends with his Big Brother.”
Many of the mentors involved in the program were themselves part of the BBBS in their youth, prompting them to come back to the organization as adults and give back in a leadership role.
“Strong mentoring programs such as this help children and youth to develop the confidence, self-esteem, and skills they need to be successful in school and in life,” says Boyd.
“The continued support of the Community Foundation has been invaluable to our organization,” he adds. “Without the funding we receive, some of our programs like the Big Bunch, would not exist or it would have to be scaled down.”
Strengthening our youth strengthens our community and that is the role of the Community Foundation. Support to Big Brothers Big Sisters is due to generous donors to the Community Impact fund, Logan Family Fund and the GP Auto Group Legacy Foundation Fund.
RBC Future Launch Community Challenge
The Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta is pleased to host the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge, and to make up to $30,000 available to youth-led projects in Northwestern Alberta that will respond to one central question:
What is your boldest idea to respond to an urgent local need?
By applying for a grant and bringing a local project to life, youth will have opportunities to lead, learn new skills, gain experience, and build relationships in their local communities — all things that will help them prepare for the future of work.
There will be an information session about the Future Launch project on July 24, 2019 in the Rotary Room at the Montrose Cultural Centre (Public Library) at 6 p.m. For more information visit the facebook event – http://ow.ly/KWgU50v3mxF – or call the foundation office at (780) 538-2820
Aquatera – Why?
Aquatera chooses to support the Community Foundation because we take great pride in Helping Grow Healthy Communities.
The Community Foundation drives positive change in our community and aligns with leaders in understanding those important community needs. Aquatera recognizes organizations like Community Foundation and the impact and strength in bringing people together to improve the lives of those it reaches.
The Community Foundation provides great value as it inspired by those who live here with inclusivity in all areas of community.
We appreciate how the Community Foundation helps connect and support organizations and charities by allocating funding to projects and programs that are impactful and significant across all of Alberta’s northwestern communities.
Our support increases goodwill through community investment in events and organizations that promote our mission, vision, principles and values in the service region and customers we serve.
Community investment and partnerships where organizations are committed to maximizing participation to achieve a mutually agreed outcome. The goal of these partnerships is to build community capacity to sustain the initiative or benefit after the sponsorship is completed.
We support innovative projects and programs in communities throughout our region and support is available for those in need, improving access to essential services and to many other worthy causes, strengthening the core of our community.
The Community Foundation is proud to partner with Aquatera in many ways. They have been a Smart and Caring Leader since 2009. As well as a fundholder since 2007 supporting environmental and/or community sustainability focusing on stewardship of water or waste reduction.
Applications Now Open!
