On February 22nd, 2025, the ELYCA (Empowering Leadership in Youth through Community Action) Program of Action for Healthy Communities had an amazing opportunity to host its Youth Action Forum and Impact Sharing event at the Santa Marie Goretti Centre in Edmonton.

The event was attended by a diverse group of community members and youth from equity-deserving groups across the city. Through thought-provoking discussions, group sessions, and a dynamic panel, participants explored topics like cultural identity and diversity, and social issues & systems. Our participants also learned about project sustainability and partnership, and how to apply these concepts in their community projects.

We want to extend our sincere thanks to all who attended, engaged, and shared in meaningful conversations. All our youth participants displayed incredible passion and determination to be active participants and changemakers in our society.

The ELYCA Program is dedicated to providing young people with a platform to turn their ideas into action, empowering them to help build a more inclusive Canada and strengthen youth resilience.

Read more about this event from CityNews

Last year a newcomer came through our doors at Action for Healthy Communities as a last resort to seek help accessing the Canada Child Benefit for his family. This is the experience the newcomer shared in his own words, how our team were able to assist him and his family to access the benefits after facing some challenges in their prior attempts.

"My name is H.B , and I am a father of seven children, all under the age of 14. My wife, children, and I immigrated to Canada in May 2023. Upon arriving, we encountered numerous challenges, one of which was applying for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). A case worker had assisted us in completing the CCB application forms for our family. However, due to the language barrier, we were not fully aware of how the application was submitted or what had been done.

After waiting nearly 14 months without a response from the CRA, we finally received a letter on the 15th month requesting numerous supporting documents. Unfortunately, we did not understand why these documents were required or how to obtain them. We sought assistance from multiple offices in Edmonton, but they simply advised us to wait for the CRA’s response. This left us feeling helpless and uncertain about the process.

Eventually, my wife and I gave up on pursuing the CCB benefits, despite relying on them financially. We had already borrowed a significant amount of money from friends and were overwhelmed by the confusion surrounding our application. At that point, we felt it was not worth the struggle to follow up further.

However, in September 2024, when I started school, one of my classmates referred me to Mina from Action for Healthy Communities (AHC). He assured me that if I needed someone who could persistently follow up on my case and provide support with important applications, Mina was the right person. Taking his advice, I visited the AHC office as a walk-in client. Although I did not meet Mina on my first visit, I completed an intake form, and she called me two days later to schedule an urgent appointment.

Mina provided unwavering support throughout the entire process. She guided us step by step, contacted the CRA office on our behalf, waited over two hours on hold, and provided interpretation services during crucial calls. With her assistance, we clarified our situation with the CRA agent, who then extended our deadline and reassured us that our application would not be declined as long as we submitted the necessary documents.

Mina’s support went beyond phone calls — she helped interpret at doctor’s offices for each child, obtained school letters, coordinated with various agencies, and even drafted a separate letter explaining our barriers. Thanks to her dedication, we managed to gather all the required documents and mail them before the deadline.

Fortunately, we recently received a final letter from the CRA confirming that our benefits would be issued retroactively from the date we arrived in Canada. We have now received over $40,000, which has been a tremendous relief for our family, as we were facing significant financial hardship.

Words cannot fully express my gratitude to Mina and the AHC office. Their consistent support, compassion, and kindness have made an immeasurable difference in our lives. I am incredibly thankful that I took my classmate’s advice and sought their help. I sincerely pray for Mina and the entire AHC team everytime I remember their kindness.

The Community Development Unit (CDU) is excited to share our continued commitment to community capacity building, and to make 2025 a year of growth and impactful engagement, building upon the strong foundations AHC has established with diverse grassroot groups and ethno-cultural communities across Edmonton and beyond.

Over the past several years, the AHC CDU has fostered meaningful relationships with new immigrant community members from diverse communities from Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Central America. Our dedicated team, though small, has achieved remarkable success in connecting with and supporting a growing number of Alberta based grassroot groups, including members of community associations of Tajikistan, Belarussian, Senegalese, Japanese, and Ugandan communities in the Greater Edmonton area, among others.

This year, we are expanding our outreach, providing vital support such as resource connection, mentorship in proposal writing, and assistance with activity planning. We are thrilled that several community groups will be prepared to apply for the AHC Seed Grant in March in a meeting with the AHC Community Development Review Committee (CDAC). The CDAC plays a crucial role in reviewing and approving proposals for community-led initiatives.

2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the AHC CDU and the communities we serve. We have planned a lineup of engaging events like Communities of Practice (CoPs), Building Inclusive Community – 4th Annual Forum, and AHC's CDAC Meetings, along with continued efforts to build new connections and provide support to more equity-deserving community-based grassroot groups. Our definitive goal remains to build a healthier, vibrant, and inclusive community for all societies across Alberta.

In the coming months, we will be sharing inspiring stories of success, highlighting challenges mitigated through community capacity building initiatives, and showcasing innovative initiatives led by committed community leaders. These stories will demonstrate the positive change happening within their respective communities and the power of collaborative action.

As we enter a new year, the AHC Community Development Unit (CDU) is excited to share our continued commitment to community capacity building, to make 2025 a year of growth and impactful engagement, building upon the strong foundations AHC has established with diverse grassroots groups and ethno-cultural communities across Alberta.

Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) has a long history in Edmonton—a tradition of service and capacity-building we are reflecting on for our 30th anniversary year. The needs and hopes of communities within Edmonton have formed the basis of our mission for decades, but it doesn’t end there. Beginning in 2020, AHC officially expanded beyond Edmonton with the launch of the agency's Small Centres program.

Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to serve the needs of newcomers to Canada settling outside of the country’s biggest cities, AHC became a part of the national network of settlement providers in rural and smaller communities across Canada. Since then, AHC's Small Centres program has established three offices — Leduc, Bonnyville, and Camrose — serving more than twenty-five communities throughout Central and Eastern Alberta.

The AHC Small Centres program team has only seven staff members, serving the needs of newcomers to Canada in an area larger than Switzerland. We often describe ourselves as “small but mighty,” and that reputation is well-earned. Establishing services has been a challenge, but as any of our Small Centres team members or clients will tell you, the growing pains have been worth it.

Life in a Small Community

In 1936, Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King said, “ome countries have too much history. This country has too much geography.” Nearly a century later, it is easier to travel, but Canada is just as vast and geography remains the key to understanding Small Centres.

According to Statistics Canada, more than 70% of immigrants choose to settle in Vancouver or Toronto. An additional 25% settle in one of Canada’s Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) larger cities, and the suburbs surrounding them. For roughly 5% of newcomers who start in Canada in a rural community, immigration can look quite different to the city.

Getting around is difficult; many newcomers to Canada rely on public transportation, which typically doesn’t exist in small towns. Until you get a driver’s license and a car, that means walking everywhere (to work, to school, to the store), no matter the weather. Canada is known to be cold, but even the most seasoned Canadian shudders at the thought of walking 5km in -30 to pick up groceries.

For children and youth in K-12 schools, ESL classes typically aren’t available — which means starting in Grade 8 with all the other kids, even if you’ve never studied English before. Imagine arriving in Canada and being expected to write an essay in a language you do not know how to speak!

Of course, there are advantages to life in small communities, like significantly cheaper housing costs, community safety, and employment opportunities in certain sectors. For newcomers who build their homes in small communities, many cannot imagine living anywhere else.

Needs Arise and AHC Answers the Call

Before our formal Small Centres program, AHC staff would receive requests for support from communities elsewhere in Alberta. Requests for settlement support, assistance with citizenship and documentation, and support for children and youth enrolled in schools would arrive and be supported by AHC’s Edmonton staff. These occasional or “itinerant” supports began in the 2010s and occurred on an ongoing basis, particularly from the Settlement Team.

In these early days, AHC’s Edmonton team would pay several visits to Small Centres, learning more about the needs of newcomers in the community and how AHC could best support them. These early visits sought to build connections with leaders in the communities, including mayors, school administrators, and social services providers. It was an opportunity to learn about what was out there, beyond the requests that occasionally landed in AHC inboxes.

As CFP 2019 approached, AHC looked to establish a formal Small Centres program, expanding these requests into a structured program outside of the city. After receiving funding from IRCC, this program began with the Camrose and Cold Lake/Bonnyville in 2020.

Camrose, a small city of about 25,000 people, is located 100km southeast of Edmonton and is home to the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus. Bonnyville is a town of 6,000 people roughly 250km northeast of Edmonton, and Cold Lake is a city of 20,000 roughly 300km northeast of Edmonton, at the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.

A Tough Beginning – and Making the Best of Things

Officially, the Small Centres program launched in April 2020, during the deepest period of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many of us would like to forget those difficult days, they are a key part of the Small Centres story.

In those first months of the program, staff couldn't gather in person, visit schools, undertake community visits, or do the type of outreach and networking that makes new connections possible. While children around the world were beginning to attend virtual school, many Small Centres clients did not have internet access or computers in their homes.

As restrictions began to lift in 2021, things improved, and the pandemic lockdowns brought some unanticipated advantages. The normalization of virtual meetings made it much easier for the team to meet, and other AHC staff, no matter where they were in the province.

Now, in 2025, it is common for the AHC Small Centres program team to have 20 hours of virtual meetings a week, ensuring connection and collaboration, even hundreds of kilometres away. A Ukrainian-speaking team member in Bonnyville supports interpretation for a team member visiting a school in Drayton Valley; a Camrose-based staff member hosts a conversation with staff of the Edmonton-based Settlement team to solve a complex problem.

Growing Onward

In April 2021, Small Centres was approved to launch a third site in Leduc and Beaumont. Leduc is a growing city of 50,000 just south of Edmonton. Unlike most of the Small Centres, nearly everyone in Edmonton has visited Leduc, as it is home to the Edmonton International Airport. The lessons learned from the first year made it easier to connect with a growing newcomer community. Since then, we have sought to expand into even more communities throughout the province and offer occasional services to hamlets, villages, and towns throughout Central and Eastern Alberta.

Beyond Small Centres’ growth as a program, rural Alberta has had newcomer waves of its own in the last five years. Driven by post-pandemic labour shortages, small communities saw huge arrivals of temporary foreign workers in 2022 and 2023. While not considered “eligible clients,” these arrivals are a core cohort of the Small Centres’ services and outreach in Rural Alberta. There was also significant settlement of Ukrainians through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. The CUAET arrivals often chose to settle in historic Ukrainian communities in Eastern Alberta, where Ukrainians had first landed at the turn of the 20th century. These historic patterns continue to influence immigration, even in the 2020s.

What Comes Next?

In 2025, the AHC Small Centres will be adding one additional centre in Parkland County, west of Edmonton. With the benefit of experience and the team’s reputation throughout Alberta, we believe this new addition will be able to seamlessly join our services throughout the province. Heading into this new period, our team is still small but more than ready to provide our services to newcomers looking to make rural Alberta home.

Action for Healthy Communities has supported immigrants settling in rural Alberta since 2020 through our Small Centres program. We are proud to be part of a long tradition of helping immigrants come to our province and making it their home. Rural Alberta has been home to immigrants from around the world for more than 100 years. Stories of immigrants from Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine, are well-known, but the Ukrainians were not the only immigrants settling in the Prairies at the turn of the 20th century. Rural Alberta is home to a unique piece of Canada’s Black History: Amber Valley.

The Homesteaders

In 1872, much of Western Canada was very sparsely populated. Settlements were rare, small, and far away from each other. Canada’s government in Ottawa was anxious that the “wild west” of the United States—with gunslingers and cowboys, cattle theft, and limited ability to enforce the law—would come north and disrupt Canada’s growing economy and nationhood.

In 1872, much of Western Canada was very sparsely populated. Settlements were rare, small, and far away from each other. Canada’s government in Ottawa was anxious that the “wild west” of the United States—with gunslingers and cowboys, cattle theft, and limited ability to enforce the law—would come north and disrupt Canada’s growing economy and nationhood.

To solve the problem, the Government of Canada signed the Dominion Lands Act. Under the Act, families, companies, religious communities, and other organizations could claim a “homestead” in rural Western Canada. These homesteads were small parcels of land which could be used for living and farming.

The Government of Canada advertised the homestead lands far and wide: in the United Kingdom, in Europe, and in the United States. These advertisements reached a population of Black Americans living in the Southern United States, which began a movement of Black immigration to Alberta.

The Journey North

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Black Americans were living under racist policies of segregation and the Jim Crow system. Racist violence, including targeted lynchings and riots, was common. Canada’s promise of available land, safety, and prosperity was attractive to potential immigrants.

While Canada’s homesteading policy provided opportunities for landownership unavailable to Black people in the southern United States, it was also plagued by racism. Potential Black immigrants were targeted to prove their literacy and financial stability above and beyond what was required for immigrants arriving from Europe. Relatively few Black immigrants were permitted to participate in the program.

From 1909-1911, approximately 1,000 Black Americans from Oklahoma and Texas made the trek to Alberta. Consistent with the homesteading policy, they were able to secure land parcels in rural communities.

In 1910, 300 Black Americans established Pine Creek (renamed Amber Valley in 1931). Located about 160km north of Edmonton, Amber Valley was built from land that had been abandoned by earlier European homesteaders. It required years of labour to be useful for agriculture.

Growth of Amber Valley

From 1911 until the 1940s, Amber Valley was a significant rural community in Northern Alberta. It had a school, educating students from Kindergarten to Grade 8, a post office, and other businesses.

Communication between settlements was very limited, so most Albertans were unaware of the all-Black community near Edmonton. However, a few years after its founding, Amber Valley established a baseball team. The Amber Valley team had only Black players, who would compete against the White players from other rural communities. This was groundbreaking for the time—there were very few Black people in Canada west of Nova Scotia, and in the United States, baseball was legally segregated by race until 1947.

An annual Canada Day baseball tournament would be held in Lac La Biche, about 80 km away. The Amber Valley players were a staple of the event.

An End of Amber Valley

By the 1940s, many homesteaders throughout the Prairies had given up rural life and had chosen to move to larger towns and cities. Amber Valley was no exception. With increasing opportunities available for Black Canadians, most of Amber Valley’s residents moved elsewhere in Canada. In the 1960s, the population significantly decreased, and currently, Amber Valley is considered a ghost town.

The history of Amber Valley still has impacts in Alberta. Some former Amber Valley residents established Shiloh Baptist Church in Edmonton, which remains one of Western Canada’s largest Black churches. It is also located in Queen Mary Park, just a few minutes walk from the Action for Healthy Communities downtown office.

Teaching the History

Amber Valley may be gone, but it is not forgotten.

To celebrate Amber Valley as part of Black History in Canada, Canada Post issued a commemorative stamp in 2021. A replica of the Amber Valley schoolhouse stands in the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. One of the original cabins built by the earliest settlers is still standing in the community, and visitors can visit the site off Highway 55. While Amber Valley has vanished into history, its legacy and impact it has on Alberta can still be felt today.

Continuing the Legacy

Since the first European settlement in Alberta in 1788, the province has continued to be a place where newcomers come to find opportunities and a new home. Many migrant communities of all cultures and ethnicities have since settled into rural Alberta, an echo of the Amber Valley settlers who came before. For the past 5 years, our Rural Small Centres teams have continued this proud tradition, helping newcomers settle into rural Alberta. While we still have a long way to go, we are grateful for those who came before and helped settle and build Alberta to become the diverse and vibrant province that it is today.

This month, the Children and Family Empowerment Program resumed its exciting activities in Elementary and Junior High schools, including STEM Club Sessions and NYEI Sessions, after the holiday break.

“My son loves STEM Club so much. Every time after the program ends, he would teach us what he learned and recreate the experiment,” said a parent of AHC's STEM Club participant.  

One of the key spotlights was the end-of-cohort celebration for the STEM Club 2024-2025’s first group of participants. The event brought students together to celebrate their hard work and learning achievements in STEM. The celebration featured a fun-filled pizza party, where students played STEM-related trivia games designed to reinforce their knowledge in an interactive and enjoyable way. These games not only tested their STEM skills but also fostered teamwork, collaboration, and boosted the students' confidence in these subjects.

The celebration served as a reminder of the students’ dedication and accomplishments, leaving them feeling motivated and excited to continue exploring STEM fields. As a token of recognition, each student received a certificate for their commitment and enthusiasm toward STEM. By making learning both educational and fun, the program aims to inspire students to keep pursuing their interests in science, technology, engineering, and math while building lasting friendships with peers who share similar passions.

"Thank you for making so much memories and letting us learn! Some of the lessons really helped with my assignments and helped me succeed,” said a student.

STEM Club continues at Thorncliff, Belmead, Alex Janvier, Brightview, St. Catherine Catholic, Inglewood, and Althone school.

This February, we at Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) are honoured to celebrate the Black-led communities we partnered with during this Black History Month.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to honor the amazing legacy of Black communities and empower the leaders of tomorrow. With engaging storytelling, fun educational activities, and community-led events, we’ll focus on this year’s theme: "Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations."

Black History Month is all about recognizing the incredible resilience, contributions, and leadership of Black communities—both in Canada and around the world. It’s a time for us to reflect on the past, celebrate our present achievements, and inspire future generations to strive for a more fair and inclusive society.

At AHC, our Community Development Unit (CDU) is wholeheartedly dedicated to supporting Black-led groups and organizations in the Greater Edmonton area. We’re all about collaboration, building leadership, and creating sustainable solutions that make a real difference for Black individuals and organizations.

"Action for Healthy Communities provided us with the required technical support and funding to get us off the ground with community gatherings space, which provided opportunities to learn from each other how to overcome family problems and promote personal, physical, and mental health in a new country,” said a CDU participant.

Together with a variety of fantastic Black-led organizations, CDU helps amplify voices, strengthen grassroots efforts, and drive positive change. Groups like the Eritrean Canadian Multicultural Association, Young Learners from South Sudan, Congo Canadian Youth Association, Edmonton Women Sewing Program, Bashi Community, Guinean Community, Tunisian Community, Burundian Community, Sierra Leone Community, and Ivory Coast Community have received our support as they roll out programs that tackle important social, economic, and cultural challenges.

Our initiatives have been key in:

• Supporting youth leadership through fun mentorship and skill-building programs that spark enthusiasm and growth.
• Helping newcomers feel welcome with culturally responsive services and resources that make integration smoother.
• Promoting economic inclusion by lifting up entrepreneurship and workforce opportunities that empower individuals and families.
• Advocating for mental health and well-being through community support networks that foster connection and understanding.
• Celebrating cultural heritage with vibrant storytelling and events, highlighting our shared identities and belonging.

As we celebrate Black History Month, CDU is thrilled to reaffirm its commitment to equity, social justice, and the progress of Black communities. We believe that together, through solidarity and collective action, we can make a meaningful impact and recognize the contributions of Black individuals who enrich our lives in so many ways.

“Working with community leaders has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s allowed me to form meaningful friendships and deepened my appreciation for other cultures. Joining the Cultural Group team is about embracing collaboration—where diverse voices unite to build healthier, more resilient communities through shared culture, mutual understanding, and collective action.”

Let’s come together to celebrate, reflect, and take action—because a brighter, more inclusive future starts with the communities we build today!

Starting over in Canada as a newcomer has many challenges—finding a new place to live, adapting to the language and culture, and of course, finding employment.

To help newcomers learn a variety of skills, and prepare for different careers, the Employment Team offers Workforce Participation Programs (WPPs). During the last week of April, the Employment Team debuted its WPP for Ironwork, in collaboration with A&H Steel.

Ironwork is one of Alberta’s Red Seal Trades—a physically demanding and technically challenging process of building structures using rebar (iron rods) to support construction. As a core construction trade, Alberta desperately needs Ironworkers to build homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. For the last several years, fewer people have registered to become Ironwork Apprentices, leading to a shortage of workers.

This is where AHC and A&H worked together: connecting newcomers looking for a career, and an industry seeking out new approaches to finding workers. For five days, the Ironwork WPP students participated in a mix of classroom training, simulation exercises with rebar and tools, interviews, and a field trip to an A&H job site to watch real Ironworkers in action. At the end of this process, some of the WPP students were selected for a paid, two-week job opportunity, with an aim to full-time apprenticeship and work in the field.

“It’s an honour to be there,” said one of the students who was selected for the job opportunity. “I’m looking forward to working in this field.”

The Issue: Barriers to Accessing Canada Child Benefits for Newcomers

For many newcomer families in Canada, accessing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a critical step toward achieving financial stability. The CCB provides eligible families with tax-free monthly payments to help cover the costs of raising children. However, many newcomers face significant challenges when trying to apply for and access this benefit.

Language barriers, unfamiliarity with the tax system, and lack of access to accurate information often prevent newcomer families from applying or cause delays in receiving their benefits. Additionally, families with complex immigration statuses, such as refugee claimants, or those awaiting permanent residency, frequently encounter confusion about their eligibility. These barriers leave many struggling to meet their children’s basic needs without the financial support they are entitled to.

AHC’s Response: Bridging the Gap with Tailored Support

Recognizing this gap, Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) stepped in to provide dedicated support services to help newcomer families navigate the CCB application process. Through a combination of one-on-one assistance, group information sessions, and tax clinics, AHC ensures that families understand their eligibility, complete the necessary forms accurately, and avoid common pitfalls that can lead to delays or denials.

AHC’s multilingual staff and volunteers play a vital role in delivering these services, offering support in languages such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Somali, Oromo and Amharic, Spanish and more. This cultural and linguistic accessibility is instrumental in helping break down communication barriers, ensuring that clients clearly understand the process and their entitlements.

Overcoming Obstacles: Tailored Assistance for Complex Cases

In addition to standard applications, AHC also provides specialized support for families with unique cases. For instance, some newcomers may struggle with incomplete immigration documentation or lack a Canadian bank account, making it difficult to meet CRA’s verification requirements. AHC works collaboratively with these clients to gather the necessary documents, liaise with government agencies when needed, and advocate on their behalf to resolve issues. Moreover, AHC’s tax clinics offer direct assistance with tax filing, which is a crucial prerequisite for receiving CCB payments. By helping low-income families file their taxes on time, AHC reduces the risk of delays or missed payments and even poor outcomes during to financial instability or families lacking financial resources.

The Impact: Improving Financial Stability and Well-being

Through its initiatives, Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) has empowered hundreds of newcomer families to successfully access the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). This financial support plays a transformative role in helping families cover essential expenses such as childcare, school supplies, and food security, reducing the risk of financial instability and its associated hardships.

Client Testimony

An Afghan father of seven children, who moved to Canada in May 2023, shared his family’s struggles with applying for the CCB.

“Despite seeking help from a friend, a language barrier left us unclear about the CCB application steps. After waiting 14 months, we received a request from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for extensive documentation, which caused further confusion.”

Feeling disheartened by the complexity and lack of support, the family gave up on pursuing the CCB and instead resorted to borrowing money from friends to meet their basic needs—further straining their already fragile financial situation.

In September 2024, while attending NorQuest College, the client was referred to Action for Healthy Communities (AHC), where Mina connected with them to assess their needs. The client received step-by-step guidance, starting with a clear explanation of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and its role in supporting families. Mina helped the client contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), interpret their conversation, and clarify their situation.

Thanks to Mina’s timely and consistent support, the CRA extended their deadline and assured the family that their application would not be declined if they submitted the required documents.

Beyond CCB support, Mina continued to assist the family by interpreting at medical appointments, drafting letters to the children’s school, and connecting them with other organizations to address their challenges. Her dedication and advocacy provided the family with much-needed stability and access to essential resources.

While Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) has successfully supported many newcomer families in accessing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), there is still much work to be done. The recent changes , in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policies have reduced agency capacity to meet the growing demand for client support and case management services. With fewer resources available, providing individualized assistance has become increasingly challenging, making it harder for vulnerable families to navigate the complex application processes for benefits like the CCB.

In response, AHC remains committed to expanding its financial literacy opportunities through informational conversation circles to empower newcomers with the knowledge and tools needed to independently manage their tax obligations and access government benefits. Through tailored workshops, multilingual resources, and ongoing support, AHC aims to enhance clients’ financial independence, reducing their reliance on case management services.

Additionally, AHC will continue to advocate for equitable access to financial support by collaborating with policymakers and community partners. By highlighting the barriers faced by newcomers and the impact of reduced funding. Additionally, Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) will continue to advocate for equitable access to financial support by collaborating with policymakers, community partners, and sector organizations. Through active participation in policy discussions, roundtables, and advocacy campaigns, AHC aims to raise awareness about the systemic challenges faced by newcomers, particularly in accessing benefits like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

By highlighting the barriers newcomers encounter—such as language difficulties, complex documentation requirements, and limited digital literacy—AHC will push for policy adjustments that simplify application processes and enhance accessibility. Furthermore, AHC will emphasize the far-reaching impact of reduced funding on service delivery, showcasing how resource limitations hinder the agency’s ability to provide vital case management support and meet the rising demand for services.

Through ongoing collaboration with settlement networks, government representatives, and advocacy groups, AHC will strive to influence policy reforms that promote fairer access to financial benefits, ensuring that vulnerable newcomer families are not left behind.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Financial Literacy and Advocacy amid Policy Changes

While Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) has successfully supported many newcomer families in accessing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), there is still much work to be done. The recent changes , in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policies have reduced agency capacity to meet the growing demand for client support and case management services. With fewer resources available, providing individualized assistance has become increasingly challenging, making it harder for vulnerable families to navigate the complex application processes for benefits like the CCB.

In response, AHC remains committed to expanding its financial literacy opportunities through informational conversation circles to empower newcomers with the knowledge and tools needed to independently manage their tax obligations and access government benefits. Through tailored workshops, multilingual resources, and ongoing support, AHC aims to enhance clients’ financial independence, reducing their reliance on case management services.

Additionally, AHC will continue to advocate for equitable access to financial support by collaborating with policymakers and community partners. By highlighting the barriers faced by newcomers and the impact of reduced funding. Additionally, Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) will continue to advocate for equitable access to financial support by collaborating with policymakers, community partners, and sector organizations. Through active participation in policy discussions, roundtables, and advocacy campaigns, AHC aims to raise awareness about the systemic challenges faced by newcomers, particularly in accessing benefits like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

By highlighting the barriers newcomers encounter—such as language difficulties, complex documentation requirements, and limited digital literacy—AHC pushes for policy adjustments that simplify application processes and enhance accessibility. Furthermore, AHC will emphasize the far-reaching impact of reduced funding on service delivery, showcasing how resource limitations hinder the agency’s ability to provide vital case management support and meet the rising demand for services.

Through ongoing collaboration with settlement networks, government representatives, and advocacy groups, AHC will strive to influence policy reforms that promote fairer access to financial benefits, ensuring that vulnerable newcomer families are not left behind.

Despite the growing challenges, AHC remains steadfast in its mission to promote the long-term financial stability and well-being of newcomer families, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) continues to play a transformative role in helping newcomer families access the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and achieve greater financial stability. By leveraging its unique advantages, AHC effectively reduces language and financial literacy barriers, guiding clients through complex application processes and preventing vulnerable families from missing out on essential benefits.

The client testimony highlights the importance of culturally responsive and hands-on support, exemplified by AHC staff dedicated assistance. Walking Clients through a step-by-step process that included education, capacity building and development around CCB eligibility, to advocating with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), enabled the family to overcome bureaucratic challenges and successfully secure their benefits.

Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) Settlement and Integration program hosted its annual FREE Tax Clinic for individuals and families with low income, from March 3 to May 16, 2025. To better assist the community, the tax clinic at AHC’s main office in Edmonton will continue until May 16, operating Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

"Filing taxes is more than a legal requirement in Canada—it’s a key step in accessing government benefits and community services," said Settlement and Integration Program Manager Suraj Khatiwada. "Through this initiative, AHC ensures that all low-income Canadian residents have the support they need to take advantage of these important opportunities."

Our team has assisted individuals across Edmonton at AHC's main office, the c5 Hub, and Mill Woods Seniors Association. This volunteer-driven program has already supported over 2,500 clients in March and April, thanks to the dedication of more than 55 trained volunteers. Volunteers not only provide essential support by helping clients file their taxes but also gain valuable professional experience and expand their networks.

"I am very grateful for the guidance and support of my supervisors and the AHC staff in general, which has made this journey both meaningful and rewarding," said Fatima Nazir. "I have gained practical tax knowledge, administrative and client service experience, honed my skills, and helped others, all while preparing myself for future job opportunities, got the hands-on experience of Canadian work environment."

For clients, the clinic offers access to crucial government benefits and credits, tax refunds, and Notices of Assessment, which are often required for services such as housing, childcare, or student aid.

“I am thrilled with help I have got from Action . The volunteers help me a lot to understand the tax system while filing my taxes. I got efficient appointment booking and am happy with the help.” said client Peter Tut.

The following is a breakdown of average refund amounts per return:

• 70% from the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
• 14% from the Climate Action Incentive (Carbon Tax)
• 9% from the GST/HST credit
• 7% from other income tax refunds

This initiative continues to make a meaningful impact in the community—improving financial well-being and supporting long-term settlement and stability for low-income residents.

“I am happy that Action provided a nice service and friendly and comfortable environment to file my tax. Thank you,” said another tax clinic client.

Learn more about our 2025 Tax Clinc

Our Community Initiative (CI) leaders shared their unique and informative perspective on community-building at our first Community of Practice (CoP) mini gathering of 2025, held on April 26, 2025.

The energy in the room was uplifting as 11 ethno-cultural CI groups came together for an afternoon of learning, dialogue, and community-building.

This quarterly event provided a meaningful platform for community leaders to connect, exchange experiences, and strengthen their collective capacity to serve their communities. Whether long-standing partners or new to the initiative, all participants contributed to a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere.

"For over three decades, Action for Healthy Communities has been dedicated to supporting grassroots groups and organizations," said Community Capacity Strategy Lead Javaid Hayat. "Many of the groups we have worked with have since grown into fully operational organizations, thanks to consistent capacity-building and mentorship support. This is the power of investing in communities."

Participating community groups included the following:

• Tajik Society of Alberta
• Himalay-Rocky Sports Club
• Guineans Association of Alberta
• Senegalese Association of Alberta
• WMEN Foundation Edmonton
• Belarussian Alliance – Alberta Chapter
• Equity Alliance
• Telegu Women Community
• Eritrean Segeneyti Subzone
• Africa Caribbean Alliance
• Life Changers

These groups—supported by AHC with or without a Seed Grant—have been actively involved with our initiatives since 2023. Each brings unique cultural insights, grassroots leadership, and a shared commitment to building more inclusive communities.

Roundtable Reflections: Resource Mapping & Community Challenges

To foster peer-to-peer learning, participants were divided into two groups for focused roundtable discussions on Resource Mapping and Community Challenges. These discussions were facilitated by CI group members and guided by thoughtful prompts such as:

• What challenges are you currently facing within your community initiatives?
• What resources can your group contribute toward addressing those challenges and bringing positive change in the community?

The conversations were dynamic and solution-focused, revealing both shared struggles and opportunities for collective action. Each group concluded with a representative summarizing their discussion, capturing insights on collaboration, sustainability, and the value of mutual support.

Learning & Capacity Building for New Seed Grant Recipients

This event also marked an important learning moment for our new Seed Grant recipients. Bazibuhe and Pravatika from the Community Development Unit (CDU) led an engaging and interactive session on:

• Best practices for initiative implementation
• Defining success and measuring impact
• Monthly and final reporting expectations
• Financial accountability and reporting procedures

Their clear guidance and real-life examples helped new community leaders better understand the project cycle and build confidence as they move forward with their initiatives.

Looking Ahead

Participants left the gathering feeling energized, inspired, and better connected—ready to put ideas into action and continue strengthening their communities. Events like these reaffirm the importance of shared learning, mutual support, and the collective strength of diverse community leaders. A sincere thank you to everyone who made this event a success. We look forward to seeing the momentum grow—and can’t wait to reconnect at the next Community of Practice!