Community Blogs

Our Community Blogs share stories from across our work with equity-deserving communities, highlighting AHC programs, partnerships, and community-led initiatives in action. Through reflections, updates, and success stories, we showcase how culturally responsive programming and inclusive service delivery support individuals and groups to strengthen wellbeing and build capacity.

Alongside program insights, you’ll find community success stories and testimonials that reflect the impact of collaboration, participation, and grassroots leadership. Together, these blogs offer a practical and people-first look at how communities are advancing their own wellbeing and prosperity, with AHC walking alongside them as a partner.

All Blogs

Blog search
Blog category

Corn Maze Fieldtrip

On Saturday, October 6th, AHC took its clients and their families on a field trip the the Edmonton Corn Maze. View the images below.

HACK Community BBQ

This July, HACK and EPSB teamed up to provide a  free indigenous cultural summer camp. Children in the program learned about identifying themselves culturally and socially while also practicing and learning new skills in music, crafts, technology, dance, social, emotional and physical health, language and literacy and other types of self-development.In addition, HACK offered nutritious meals, peer support, mentoring, cultural guidance and a fun learning experience. On the last day of camp, HACK hosted a free community BBQ, indigenous dancing and a fiddle performance by the children. View images from the BBQ below!

Celebrating Edmonton's Newest Entrepreneurs | Business Program Graduation

On Saturday, July 21st, the Business Program team held its Graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of the program participants who are enrolled in three different initiatives.  The event was well organized and attended by people from all walks of life including three MLAs,  a city councilor,  representative of various organizations, funders, partners and participants from three groups with their friends and families.

As part of the celebration, entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their business through various booths/displays set up around the venue. Participants have eagerly and persistently dedicated the last 14+ weeks to take their business ideas to fruition, through the guidance of well-known and experienced facilitators, business consultants, and mentors. This event will serve as a celebration of the entrepreneur’s achievements and provide them the opportunity to showcase their products/services to the public.

The event was covered by StarMetro Media and CBC French!

This unique program is held in partnership with Communities United, Somali Canadian Women & Children Association (SCWCA) and numerous cultural communities and organizations, as part of a new initiative to strengthen the financial security and integration of immigrants and Albertans through self-employment.

International Women's Day Event

On Thursday, March 8, AHC joined several other service providers and community members to celebrate International Women's Day at City Hall. The event saw many Edmontonians stop by to learn about various resources and initiatives being offered around the city for women. In addition there were presentations from Mayor Don Iveson, Elder Betty Letendre, Minster Stephanie McLean, among others. The event was a great way to recognize and honour women, including the many within the city who contribute towards many women's initiatives. There was a  Women's Leadership Award presented to Mauriel Stanley Venne. This event was held in partnership with Women's Initiative Edmonton; view images from the event below.

Job Fair March 2018

On Thursday, March 8th AHC held its semi-annual Job Fair event at Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre. Over 250 guests stopped by to visits the booths of the employers and service providers. View images of the event below.

Public Service Workshop

On Saturday March, 31st,  Mr. Ziad Aboultaif, Canadian (Federal) Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Manning joined the Ready to Work program as a guest speaker to talk about Public Service, the focus of this month. The MP shared his story as an immigrant, and what life steps he took to become the community leader he is today.  The event was a success and the I.M.P.A.C.T (Leadership) program took the chance to offer their students certificates in the presence of MP. The MP met youths one by one, and shared with us how he emigrated 28 years ago, only knowing how to say Good Morning to becoming a Member of the Canadian Parliament. The MP also learned more about AHC and gave students insight on how to volunteer and get educated to become a Public Servant. Youths learned that volunteering is key in the community, while there is no singular route of education for governance. It was refreshing to see newcomer girls interested in governance. View images from the event below! 

Women's Symposium 2018

On February 10th, AHC staff and clients attended the 2018 Women’s Symposium event, organized by Women's Initiative Edmonton and sponsored by the City of Edmonton. City Councillor Bev Esslinger and Honourable Stephanie McLean, Minister of the Status of Women joined several guest speakers to share knowledge on how we can impact and influence our society as a women. In addition, the full-day event was packed with several breakout sessions which allowed the women to experience more target sessions led by various female leaders in the community. The event was hosted at the Westin Hotel. View images from the event below.

Law Workshop

On Wednesday, February 14th, Lawyer Janan Jarrah facilitated a legal information session for the Syrian newcomer where she discussed:

  •  Law and regulations applied with Family Violence, consequences of divorce, and spousal support regulations
  • Tenants’ rights and responsibilities
  • Business relations and ethics in the professional work field and community services relations highlighting “bordering sexual harassment”
  • Money loaning and regulations applied to pertaining your rights as well as the law behind child care benefit money
  • Travel regulations aboard with legal rights of Canadian Citizens transporting and money handling

View images of the session below.

Targeting Racism in Sports

CBC, January 2024

|||||

AHC Youth Soccer Game

On Saturday, February 16, AHC's Youth Soccer team had a friendly soccer game with the Ethiopian community soccer team at Commonwealth Stadium. The youth had the opportunity to meet new friends and have a fun time. For more information on AHC's Youth Soccer Club or other Youth Club Activities click here!

Action for Healthy Communities and Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Host Hiring Event at YMCA

On August 28, 2025, Action for Healthy Communities, in partnership with the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA), hosted an exciting Job Shadow and Hiring Event at the YMCA—an incredible opportunity for local youth interested in exploring careers in sports and recreation.

The atmosphere was electric as our youth clients arrived, brimming with enthusiasm and eager to discover their potential future roles in this vibrant field. The day commenced with an engaging presentation from the YMCA staff, who outlined various job openings available, ranging from program leaders to facility operations.

As youth across Canada continue to struggle to find employment, the hiring event painted a vivid picture of the opportunities that await aspiring professionals in the sector.

One of the highlights of the event was the behind-the-scenes tour of the YMCA facility. Youth had the chance to see YMCA professionals in action, giving them a first-hand look at what these rewarding roles entail on a daily basis. This valuable exposure was not only informative but also inspiring, as it showcased the diverse range of positions available within the sports and recreation landscape.

Throughout the day, participants were encouraged to ask questions and interact with the hiring manager, fostering a supportive environment for them to learn more about the application process. Many even took the opportunity to submit job applications on the spot, making the most of this unique event.

For many attendees, the experience was a powerful introduction to the employment possibilities within their community. It opened their eyes to just how varied and accessible these roles are, igniting a fresh sense of possibility and motivation to pursue a career in sports and recreation.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to both the YMCA and the ARPA for their invaluable collaboration in making this event a success. Together, we are equipping our youth with the tools and insights they need to find their path in the world of sports and recreation.

Success Story: Chilean Entrepreneur Brings Flavour to Local Markets

When it comes to entrepreneurship, the key is to put your own authentic flavour on your business, and that's exactly what Rossana Puebla quite literally did.

A newcomer from Chile, Rossana has successfully founded her business Étnica Yeg, which provides the authentic flavours of fresh Chilean nuts, spices, and fruits. Her fragrant products are making significant strides in the local market, thanks in part to the invaluable support from Action for Healthy Communities' Entrepreneurship (AHC) Supports Program.

From the outset, Rossana recognized the importance of honing her skills and expanding her knowledge. She actively participated in various business workshops organized by AHC, where she not only learned the essentials of running a business but also had the opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs. These workshops, combined with one-on-one guidance, have been pivotal in helping Rossana refine her business strategy and sharpen her entrepreneurial skills.

One of the most exciting milestones in her entrepreneurial journey was her participation in the 2025 KDays Pop-Up Market. This event provided Rossana with a platform to showcase her products and gain valuable exposure. It was more than just a market; it was an opportunity to connect with local customers and gain insights into their preferences and needs.

Building on her success during KDays, Rossana has taken another significant step by accepting an invitation to participate in a two-day FarmFair International this November. Considered to be one of Canada's largest agricultural shows, this event promises to expand her market reach even further, allowing her to meet new clients and explore wholesale opportunities.

Rossana’s story is a testament to the power of community support and the impact of dedicated mentorship in the world of entrepreneurship. As she continues to grow Étnica Yeg, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere, reminding us that with determination, support, and the right opportunities, success is within reach.

To learn more about Étnica Yeg, you can visit them online using the links below!

For more information about our program, visit AHC's Entrepreneurship Supports Program.

1 6 7 8 9 10 16

Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Explore More

Land Acknowledgment

As an organization working towards improving peoples’ well being, we acknowledge our presence on Treaty 6 territory and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4, a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place, and travelling route for the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, Ojibway, Anishinaabe, Nakota Sioux, and Inuit, as our responsibility to extend support for healing to our Indigenous Community members during this difficult times. 
We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries and whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community.

As an organization, we commit ourselves to continue to acknowledge, learn, understand, and create opportunities to educate our staff, volunteers, and community members about the lived experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, walking the path of reconciliation.

Action for Healthy Communities Society of Alberta (AHC's) Diversity and Inclusion Statement

AHC is a proud proponent of diversity in the workforce, and we support an inclusive workplace that values the diversity of ideas.

AHC fosters diversity and inclusion at all levels of our organization. It is among the cornerstones of our core values of inclusion, collaboration, participation, personal development, innovation and excellence. We understand that equity deserving individuals and communities possess huge potential for growth and development but facing myriad of challenges which can be addressed through their capacity building by hiring and retaining individuals with an array of competencies, talents, experiences, and ideas to propel the innovation that drives our success. 
A diverse workforce and inclusive culture help us strengthen performance and inspire creative solutions. We believe the attention given to diversity and inclusion makes us more responsive, agile, trustworthy and innovative.

AHC's diversity and inclusion policies aim to foster an inclusive space that encourages more meaningful engagement among all program participants, employees, volunteers and other stakeholders to strengthen our performance.
crossmenu