On September 22, 2018, AHC's settlement team hosted a family field trip for clients and their families at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. The fun-filled day included a guided tour, a fire lighting tutorial (participants practiced a variety of fire lighting techniques to enable them to start a fire in any weather. Topics include the difference between tinder and kindling, how to collect materials responsibly from the environment and how to build a fire that will provide sufficient warmth and comfort to survive in the bush). Participants learned knot tying, shelter building, and tarp set-up. Concepts of minimal impact camping were emphasized. The focus of this program was a hands-on experience, providing participants with an opportunity to construct their own shelters and identify the purpose behind various methods of shelter building. View images from the field trip below.

Mohamed made many mistakes when he started his cleaning business 10 years ago.  He says he wishes he had the benefit of the Entrepreneur Program that he has just completed two weeks ago.  He feels he would have got the information and tools to set up his own business without the missteps and pitfalls as he struggled to set up on his own.

Mohamed says the business program funded by ECALA is very good and he would recommend it to his family and friend to enroll in it.  He said that since it was the first class, the instructors and staff adapted and fine-tuned the curriculum as they went along.  Nevertheless, the program is extremely helpful and unsurpassed for gathering resources to set up one’s own business.

Mohamed is well known in the Guinean community as a trusted adviser and friend and many newcomers from Guinea seek his advice on learning to live in Edmonton.

On Saturday, June 23rd AHC held its annual Community Action Dash event. More than 120+ people participated in the Dash to fundraise money for AHC's programs. Runners were invited to a high-energy warm-up, courtesy of the Kandela Flow Zumba Group, before taking off for their 5 and 10 k run/walks. Everyone kept in high momentum and enthusiasm and finished their 5 and 10k runs. After the race, participants were awarded medal, and along with guests and volunteers participated in the many festivities of the Health festival which followed. Guests were able to enjoy many diverse cultural performances from AHC's community members, while also partaking in food, fun, games, face painting, henna and more!

On behalf of AHC, I would like to express our sincere thanks to all our partners, sponsors, planning committee members, participants, staff, volunteers, performers as well as our special guests for all your support, efforts and contributions to make this event happen.

View pictures from the event below!

On Friday, August 3rd AHC held a youth summer event. The event was full of fun and entertainment with a good number of youth participants. The youth enjoyed various activities during the event, including a soccer game, painting, among other fun and games, and also has the opportunity to make new friends as well.

View images from the event below.

On Wednesday June 6, 2018. AHC held its 23rd Annual General Meeting, gathering our Board of Directors, members, staff, volunteers, and clients to review our achievements over the last year. AHC was excited to share its exponential growth in all areas including: expanding into an additional floor at our office location (10578 113 Street), adding new programs and expanding existing ones, increasing the program sites offered, increasing our funding, and continued growth in the number of clients and participants engaging with our organization.

Over the last fiscal year AHC was able to serve and engage over 10,000 clients and participants in over 30 programs and services. We opened our recently expanded and enhanced Resource Centre to better serve our community members. W engaged 291 volunteers and students who collectively contributed more that 20,000 hours of their time to serving the organization in a number of program areas, and worked along side over 150 partners, supporters, in addition to over 80 members.

Over the next year we will continue focusing our efforts on the consolidation of existing programs and services by adding required resources to better respond to the needs of our clients. With the ongoing support of our donors, partners, board, staff and volunteers, we are ready for the challenges and achievements ahead in the years to come!

Thanks for making this an awesome year! 

Click here to see Diversity Magazine's coverage of our AGM!

Click here to access the digital version of our Annual Report

Our Social Media Fair leadership training event was held on Saturday, October 27th. The workshop had 70 participants with the workshop split into four sections:

1. Introduction to Social Media  (Community Hall) -  Tracy Folorunsho-Barry, President & CEO, GROW

2. Leadership Training Workshop: Digital & Social Media: Strategy & Tactics in Management- Tracy Folorunsho-Barry, President & CEO, GROW

3. Social Media Learning Workshop  (Computer Labs)- Mohamed Imthiyaz, President,Total Digital Way; Shruti Arora, Market Insights Analyst I, Marketing, Servus Credit Union

4. Social Media Showcase

After the introduction, we had five classes to help our clients learn social media including a leadership training workshop, computer-based social media learning class, mobile social media learning class, Chinese senior computer-based social media learning class, and Chinese senior mobile social media learning class

20 students from the University of Alberta provided one-on-one teaching for our senior participants. Participants enjoyed the training and food. They reported that the workshops and classes are knowledgeable and practical. The training helped them develop some basic knowledge and skills about social media. In particular, our Chinese senior learners (most of them are AHC's Chinese senior English students) were very happy to open their social media accounts and learn social media. In all, participants stated that they learned a lot from our training and expected to have more social media training in the near future. View images from the workshop below.

AHC's Youth Soccer Club met on Thursday, May 31st to a provide an general review of team's achievements from 2016 till now, player Code of Conduct, opportunity for team leadership roles, and 2018 Action Dash Event participation & volunteering opportunities. View images from the meeting below.

On Monday, October 1st - AHC attended the 3rd Annual Canadian Immigrant Fair at the Shaw Conference Center from 10-4pm. This event was hosted by the national online and print publication Canadian Immigrant - who also host similar events in several other Canadian cities. The event brought together over 200 immigrants seeking information on programs, employment information, and immigrant-related services from 17 exhibitors. The event included a resume clinic, a professional headshot photobooth, and a series of professional development sessions facilitated by guest speakers.

AHC promoted its settlement, integration, and employment supports, ECALA classes, LED program, youth club activities for immigrant youth, business development program, and volunteer opportunities. In addition, participants were able to obtain information on our upcoming programs including our upcoming Job Skills information sessions, English for Work - Workforce Participation Program, Social Media - Leadership Training Workshop, and our upcoming free flu shot clinic.

Overall, the event was well planned and attended, with the majority of the immigrants being bussed in from colleges and LINC programs throughout the city. Participants were brought in groups, guided by their instructors through each exhibitors booth. View images from the event below.

Benaiah says the ECALA funded Entrepreneurial Training Program has been a great experience. Read his testimonial below.

“When I attend class, I feel it was designed for me personally. I have learned so much."

As a newcomer from South Sudan 17 years ago, Benaiah felt trapped working many dead ends and tough jobs which left him no control over his time and wages. He was looking to improve his quality of life by having the opportunity to spend more time with his two young children and play soccer. Fortunately, he found the Entrepreneurial Program which gives him hope that he will be able to establish a trucking business as he owns his own one-ton truck. Benaiah is learning how to run his own business, marketing, networking and making a part-time venture into the trucking industry.

“I am looking forward to the time when I can make a complete shift to working for myself full time”, said Benaiah.

On Saturday, July 28th AHC held it's 2nd Annual Community Talent Show. There were 278 attendees with a mosaic of music and cultural colors demonstrated by children, youth, adults and seniors. We had a line up at the Henna art table, the animal balloons table and the delicious food table donated by Safeway/ Sobeys and COBS bread.  Everyone one from staff, volunteers, participants and attendees were dancing and singing along.

The aim of this event was to strengthen integration between communities and show a sense of identity and belonging for people of all ages. Such activities play a very essential role in promoting sustainable social development for future generations that can act as a bridge between cultures and serve as key agents in promoting peace and intercultural understanding.

The following prizes were awarded for this event.

DANCE

Gold  Solo: Neha Bharati   14 years old    $25.00 Safeway gift card with a Misc. gift bag

Silver Solo: Sohona Maiti   9 years old     $20.00 Safeway gift card with a Misc. gift bag

Bronze Solo: Jasmine Chikhani   9 years old  $15.00 Safeway gift card with a Misc. gift bag

SINGING

Gold :  Nishat Das Choudhury 13 years old  $25.00 Cedar Sweets gift card with a Misc gift bag

Silver:  Neelabh Das Choudhury 7 years old $5.00 Tim Hortons with a Misc gift bag

Bronze: Malaz Alalo  10 years old                   Evening Purse with a gift bag

GROUP DANCING with Trophy

First:        Edmonton Qipao Club, Misc. gift bags to each person

Second:  GuruKul Napali, Misc. gift bag to each person

Third:      Persian/ Azzari group, Misc. gift bag to each person

View images from the event below