Community Wellbeing grant program recipients

2025 Community Wellbeing recipients

Calgary

Bikers Are Buddies Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that raises awareness of the impact of bullying on youth through education, community outreach and fundraising.

The foundation will use the grant to purchase materials for its free education programs, which are offered to schools, youth groups, day programs, daycares and community events.

Calgary Outlink is a charitable organization that offers free, peer-based services to 2SLGBTQ+ community members and allies in and around Calgary.

The grant will support its Rainbow Recreation program, which creates opportunities for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals to take part in activities that promote mental, physical and social wellbeing—free of charge. Funding will be used to purchase supplies for the yoga program.

Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families Association is a family-focused community organization that provides support, resources and opportunities for families living with physical disabilities, including cerebral palsy, throughout all stages of life.

The association will use the grant funds to purchase a mobile sensory wagon for its summer camp for children with physical disabilities. The wagon will be equipped with sensory tools and calming resources to help campers self-regulate and fully engage in camp activities.

HSRC supports the health and social needs of vulnerable populations, including seniors and immigrants. Since 2022, they’ve developed programs that reduce social isolation, promote wellbeing and build community.

The grant will support HSRC’s art project, Brushes Across Generations, which will engage 75 participants in guided acrylic painting sessions led by a professional artist. The program promotes social connection and helps seniors maintain fine motor skills.

The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre offers free healing supports for individuals experiencing pregnancy or infant loss, including support groups, a help line, peer mentorship and one-on-one sessions.

The grant funds will help expand their Peer Mentorship Program by training more mentors. The training will focus on grief support, active listening and maintaining healthy boundaries to better support others.

Threads That Thrive provides mental wellness programs and workshops for the 2SLGBTQ+ community that help build confidence in how individuals look and feel.

Grant funding will help them meet the growing demand by more than doubling its workshop capacity, allowing an additional 50 participants to take part this year.

Central Alberta

AFCL is a nonprofit organization that provides home support services to help seniors live in their home of choice for as long as possible.

AFCL plans to use its grant funding to support their cooking classes for seniors who may not have much experience in the kitchen. The classes will focus on creating simple, healthy recipes that support good nutrition. Over the next 10 months, roughly 70 seniors are expected to participate in the program.

ARAS is a volunteer-led organization that offers programs and facilities to help meet community needs and promote agricultural education. The society strives to help people of all ages learn about food, farming and rural living in meaningful and accessible ways.

ARAS will use the grant funds to purchase materials for its Growing Patch program, a community garden initiative that offers free, family-friendly educational events focused on food literacy, gardening skills and agricultural heritage.

The Bruderheim Agricultural Society promotes agriculture while preserving and sharing the history of the town and region. Through community partnerships and collaboration, the society offers events, programs and facilities for residents and visitors.

Working closely with youth and young families, the society has seen growing interest in gardening workshops, covering topics such as food growing, canning, identifying edible wild fruits and container gardening. Grant funding will help cover the costs of hosting these workshops and other activities like coffee talks, garden tours and collaborative projects to create and enhance green spaces.

Connect Wetaskiwin is a community group that brings locals together to discuss shared issues and local happenings and collectively find solutions that meet the needs of those affected.

Connect Wetaskiwin is using the grant to expand its small library by adding 75 new books that better reflect the community and make the collection more inclusive.

EDCLS supports individuals with Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada succeed in their new community by providing citizenship information, finding housing, accessing health care, discovering employment opportunities and more.

The grant will be used to enhance programming by covering the cost of craft and gardening supplies, book club materials and light snacks for participants. It will also help purchase admission to local museums, galleries and recreational facilities as well as equipment rentals for snowshoeing and skiing.

The Elizabeth Métis Settlement Library Board is a community library that promotes literacy and provides various resources, including internet. They also offer an inclusive space that honours, preserves and shares the rich cultures, language and histories of Indigenous people, with a special commitment to celebrating Métis heritage.

The grant funds will be used to purchase programming supplies for a variety of activities, including baking nights, ribbon sweater making, resources for elder storytelling nights and supplies for a community garden.

Friends of the Mayerthorpe Public Library supports literacy, provides access to information and brings the community of Mayerthorpe together. The library offers members the opportunity to borrow books, movies and CDs as well as participate in a variety of events throughout the year.

The grant funds will help purchase materials for the library’s seniors outreach program, including large print books, e-readers, handheld magnifiers and book holders.

The Friends of Strathcona County Library Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Strathcona County Library through fundraising, advocacy and community engagement. The library strives to enhance services, promote literacy and ensure equitable access to educational resources for all community members.

Grant funding will support the library’s Rural Wonderbooks project by helping purchase a large selection of Wonderbooks for the Libraries’ Rural Bookmobile. Wonderbooks are print books with a built-in, ready-to-play audiobook—kids simply press play and read along. The Bookmobile visits 14 rural hamlets and centres across the county, bringing literacy resources directly to rural neighbourhoods. In 2024 alone, it completed 15,632 visits.

The Leduc Arts Foundry Society is a creative hub that educates, advocates for and inspires participation in the arts across the Leduc community. The society offers several free community programs, including a Youth Drop In Program for youth to explore and create art.

Grant funds will be help expand the Youth Drop In Program by hiring skilled guest facilitators from various artistic disciplines, purchasing program materials and hosting more specialized workshops.

CALS is a non-profit organization that offers community-based programs to fill gaps not addressed by health units, social services, child welfare or other early childhood initiatives. These include early intervention programs for children aged 3 to 6 with developmental delays, family literacy programs and a school snack program.

The association will use the grant funds to support its Breakfast Club program, which provides nutritious mid-morning snacks to 650 children in Vegreville, three days a week.

The Mountain Métis Community Association is dedicated to enhancing the cultural, social and economic wellbeing of the Grande Cache community. Through programs like Grande Cache Youth Connections, the association helps local youth build confidence, cultural pride and life skills.

The grant funds will be used to expand and strengthen youth-focused programs in Grande Cache. This includes offering additional workshops, cultural activities, leadership training and wellness initiatives. Funding will also support access to educational resources, mentorship opportunities and community events.

Edmonton

The MFRC is a non-profit organization that supports military families through the unique challenges of military life, including deployments, relocations and transitions due to injury or loss. Each year, MFRC serves approximately 300 clients.

The grant will support the Mental Health and Wellness Team’s Moms Support Group and Parenting Support Group. The MFRC’s Mental Health and Wellness Team provides services such as crisis intervention, counselling and wellness programming. Their support groups help parents attend sessions led by midwives, doulas, nutritionists and more.

Lady Flower Gardens is a not-for-profit that offers experiential learning opportunities to agencies that work with Edmonton’s disadvantaged citizens. Their program uses gardening, nature walks and outdoor activities to support mental health and addiction recovery. They also help participants build social connection, reduce stress and develop healthy leisure skills.

The grant funds will help purchase new gardening supplies, including forks, wheel hoes, a new wheelbarrow and compost supplies.

Spinal Cord Injury Alberta empowers people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to achieve independence. Their peer program connects recently injured individuals or those with life changes with peer mentors.

The grant funds will help expand the Peer Support Program and connect more individuals with spinal cord injuries to valuable mentorship and resources.

Sustainable Food Edmonton promotes food sustainability and community connection through school programs, urban agriculture initiatives, local garden support and a public orchard in downtown Edmonton.

The organization supports more than 80 community gardens in the region by offering practical workshops, which cover topics such as planting, pest management, harvesting, preserving, seed saving, volunteer coordination and budgeting.

With demand for community garden space at an all-time high, grant funding will allow the organization to offer more workshops across the gardens it serves.

Fort McMurray

The Ihkapaskwa Collective is an Indigenous women-led non-profit organization dedicated to providing culturally safe, community-centered reproductive health care for Indigenous families in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Its mission is to blend traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern medical practices to ensure accessible and holistic care for underserved communities.

Grant funds will help expand its Women’s Wellness Lodges and community-based reproductive health programming, which offers Indigenous women access to reproductive health support, mental health counselling and perinatal care.

The Fort McMurray Boys and Girls Club supports vulnerable children, youth and families by creating safe spaces and programs that grow with the community. The club strives to help youth build confidence, develop life skills and thrive. They are continually listening and evolving to meet local needs, with a focus on youth mental health, leadership, skill building and inclusive programming across Wood Buffalo.

With the grant funds, the club will enhance its Limitless Youth program, which provides free programming for youth aged 10 to 15. The program promotes physical, emotional and social wellbeing through confidence-building activities, leadership development and opportunities to build life skills.

Grande Prairie

The City of Grande Prairie is committed to delivering high-quality services, supporting economic development and creating an inclusive and safe community for all 70,385 citizens in the region.

Grant funding will support the city’s GirlZone program, an activity-based event for girls aged 10 to 15. The program encourages participants to try new skills and recreational activities in a non-judgmental setting, while addressing the decline in girls’ participation in sports during adolescence. To keep costs low, the grant will be used to purchase nutritious lunches for all participants.

Mountain Plains Community Services Society of the North is a non-profit organization that supports vulnerable youth and adults with behavioral challenges or developmental disabilities, as well as teenagers experiencing housing instability, early pregnancy or difficulties transitioning into adulthood.

The organization will use the funds to create an 8-month life skills enhancement program designed to strengthen the wellbeing of participants. The program will include health and wellness activities such as group fitness classes, along with art and music sessions to support emotional regulation.

Lethbridge

The Lethbridge Sport Council supports local sport organizations through education, resource sharing and event promotion. Its programs help remove barriers to sport participation and create opportunities for all individuals to experience the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Grant funds will support the Lethbridge Sport Equipment Distribution Centre (LSEDC), a community-led initiative by the Lethbridge Sport Council in collaboration with KidSport Lethbridge & Taber, the City of Lethbridge and local sport organizations. Modelled after Calgary’s Flames Sport Bank, LSEDC reduces financial barriers to sport by providing free or low-cost new and gently used equipment to children, youth and families in Lethbridge and surrounding areas.

Northern Alberta

Beaver Lake Cree Nation is a proud Nehiyaw Nation, guided by the wisdom of Elders and grounded in miyo-wahkohtowin, inherent rights, laws and Treaty. The Nation offers a range of resources to its members, including social assistance, prevention services, education funding and housing. It also provides a variety of activities such as first aid training, ribbon skirt making, maintenance training and post-secondary support.

The grant funds will be used to purchase supplies and food for community regalia-making and powwow dance nights, helping members connect with and celebrate their culture.

Fairview Public Library strives to inspire lifelong learning, foster knowledge and strengthen community connections. Along with a wide selection of books, it offers public access to computer workstations, Wi-Fi, study spaces, exam proctoring and more.

The library plans to use the grant funds to purchase items that support physical wellness and skill building, including bike locks, pedometers, fitness equipment, baking tools and repair kits.

I.F. advocates and supports individuals with disabilities and their families or guardians to ensure they are valued as equal citizens and free from discrimination. I.F. offers a variety of programs, including outreach services, family support, transition planning for youth moving into adulthood, children’s programming and pre-employment and employment services.

Grant funding will support the YOU360 Family Support project, which helps youth aged 12 to 17 build skills, strengthen resilience and support their mental health and wellbeing.

Lac Bellevue and District Recreation and Agriculture Society promotes an inclusive and sustainable community by supporting recreational, agricultural and cultural activities. The society is committed to enriching the lives of residents and visitors through its facilities and events, while advocating for environmental stewardship and supporting wellbeing.

The society will use the grant funds to host a free mental health awareness event for the community. Event activities will include school presentations, training sessions for local leaders and service providers, dinner with a keynote speaker, followed by a social gathering with live music.

The Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre connects community members to the culture, stories and teachings of the local Cree and Métis peoples, while addressing service gaps in the area. The centre offers in-school and after-school programming for youth, mental health and cultural wellness supports, the Waskaysoo Community Food Pantry, Cree language instruction, parenting workshops and employment assistance.

Funding will help cover food costs for the Weaving Wichitowin For Learning program—a weekly, one-hour cultural teaching session for students in grades 7 to 12 at two local schools. It will also provide healthy snacks during these sessions. In addition, the centre will use the grant funds to offer after-school snacks and meals to youth participating in the Indigenous Youth Services Program, held three evenings per week.

The Sexsmith Wellness Coalition (SWC) operates under the Town of Sexsmith and works with a variety of local groups to bring healthy events and programs to the community. The SWC brings together people, groups and organizations who care about building a stronger, healthier community in Sexsmith and the surrounding area.

The grant funds will support the development of a new disc golf course, including the purchase of benches and discs.

The Town of Valleyview is a small northern Alberta municipality that provides recreational programs for residents, such as bootcamps, chair yoga, kickboxing, crochet club, paint nights and cooking classes. The town is committed to keeping all programs low-cost or free to ensure they remain accessible to everyone.

The grant will help the town offer free family programming throughout the summer, keeping families and children active and outdoors.

The Town of Whitecourt is committed to enhancing quality of life and creating a vibrant community with opportunities for all. Guided by this vision, the town launched its Doors Open program in 2021 to provide a safe, inclusive space for youth after school. The program offers free drop-in activities, snacks and accessible transit to help young people connect and stay active.

The town provides most of the program’s funding. Grant support will enhance and expand after-school programming for students in grades 6-12.

Red Deer

The Golden Circle is a community-focused organization and gathering place that provides programs, activities, information, resources and outreach for older adults, their families and caregivers.

The society will use the grant to support its wellness program, Move Your Mood, which offers guided activities led by professionals specializing in movement therapy. Funding will cover facilitator fees, program materials and venue costs to help make the program as impactful and accessible as possible.

The John Howard Society of Red Deer (JHSRD) helps people who are involved in the justice system—now, in the past or at risk of becoming involved. They offer a variety of programs and services, including information, referrals and hands-on support, to help clients work toward positive goals and build stronger connections in the community.

With this grant, the society plans to purchase recreation equipment, games and passes for local facilities. These resources will support participants, their families and children, as well as others in recovery, in becoming more physically, mentally and socially active.

Parkland Community Living and Supports Society is a registered charity that provides a wide range of services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, along with support for their families. The society offers comprehensive care, supporting individuals from infancy through to end-of-life and palliative care.

Grant funds will support current programs by providing adaptive fitness and sports equipment, drawing tablets, writing sessions, musical instruments and craft supplies.

Southern Alberta

The Airdrie Disability Resource and Awareness Centre (ADRAC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides programs, advocacy and resources to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Over the past year, demand for its services has doubled, highlighting the growing need for support.

The grant will go towards ADRAC’s adapted sensory events, including Sensory Christmas, and Sensory Halloween. These events provide a safe environment for neurodiverse individuals who may find traditional celebrations overwhelming. The funding will help cover venue rentals, sensory equipment, adaptive decorations and quiet spaces to ensure a comfortable experience.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Foothills provides safe, supportive spaces where children and youth can try new things, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop life skills.

The funds will be used to purchase food for its youth summer camp programs. Many of the families who rely on the clubs’ services are facing food insecurity. Providing healthy meals during programs ensures that children and youth can participate.

The CWA is a senior citizen organization serving Chestermere and the surrounding area, run entirely by volunteers. They offer opportunities for seniors to stay connected with the community through social events, activities and presentations.

Chestermere is home to people from diverse cultures, and food is a powerful way to build cultural understanding. Building on the success of their well-attended “Spice is Nice” event, which featured speakers, chefs and a themed lunch celebrating East Indian culture—the CWA plans to use the grant to host similar events that highlight the diverse cultures within the community.

Cultivate Cochrane Society is a non-profit organization that empowers people to grow their own food through hands-on education. The society educates the community on how to grow food in challenging climates through school programs, events and workshops.

Grant funding will be used to expand workshop topics such as planting strategies and winter growing tips as well as to purchase additional supplies. It will also allow the society to provide take-home garden kits to all participants.

Enchant Community Library serves the hamlet of Enchant by providing library services, programming and technology for locals. Since Enchant is a small town, the library plays a vital role as a social and information hub. It offers activities like coffee hour and children’s summer programs that bring the community together for learning and fun.

The library plans to use the grant funds to expand its summer programming with more engaging activities, such as indoor mini golf and LEGO kits.

The Howl Experience is a charity based in Canmore on Treaty 7 territory. It offers inclusive, land- and community-based educational experiences that help young people build knowledge and skills in Truth and Reconciliation, climate justice, community leadership and resilience. To date, they have facilitated over 20 multi-day experiential learning programs in the Rockies, engaging more than 400 youth.

Grant funding will support activities, materials, transportation and Indigenous honoraria for Harvesting Spirit, a program focused on Indigenous Food Sovereignty. Participants will complete the final harvest of the Îyârhe Nakoda Food Bank’s garden, prepare food hampers for community members, take part in a Stoney Nakoda culture camp, learn about traditional plants and medicines and more.

The Raymond Public Library promotes literacy and lifelong learning for all, with a focus on serving residents of the Town of Raymond and the County of Warner. In addition to books, the library offers programs and resources that support health and wellbeing.

The grant funds will help grow the library’s Beyond Books collection, which includes health aids like blood pressure and oxygen monitors and recreational equipment such as pickleball sets, frisbee golf kits, snowshoes, skates and life jackets. The collection helps improve community wellness by offering access to items that may be out of reach for some.

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First off let me say thank you for supporting and being instrumental in helping our community obtain this wonderful new facility."