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Empowering Leadership in Youth
Through Community Action (ELYCA)

Want better for your community? You have the power to make an impact!

Do you find yourself wishing for more social connection, greater awareness of your community’s history and challenges, or real policy change?
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to wait.

Turn your ideas into action by launching a Youth-Led Community Project through ELYCA!

Empowering Leadership in Youth through Community Action (ELYCA) is designed for youth ages 15 to 30 who are ready to lead change. Through this program, small groups (3–5 participants) collaborate to design and deliver meaningful community initiatives that reflect the needs and strengths of their communities.

Participants receive:

  • Tailored mentorship and guidance throughout ideation, planning, and implementation
  • Access to tools, resources, and learning opportunities
  • A microgrant (seed funding) to bring their initiative to life

AHC walks alongside youth every step of the way—supporting leadership, amplifying voices, and investing in grassroots solutions led by youth, for community.

Know More
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Program Highlights

ELYCA Guideline

Check out some Youth Community Initiative's in action!

Creating Access for Newcomers

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Check out some Youth Community Initiative's in action!

Youth Ready to Work

Helping youth build the skills and confidence they need to get a job and succeed at work.

Anti Racism Narratives

A safe space to share experiences and perspectives on racism, diversity, and inclusion, fostering understanding and community growth.

Youth Sports & Recreation

We foster belonging and confidence in equity-deserving youth through soccer, multi-sport, dance, and try-it sports programs.

Events
Blogs
Resources
AHC_Youth
A4HC Youtube

How to Join Getting involved with ELYCA is simple. Apply through our website or reach out to us for more details. Watch the video and read the ELYCA Guidelines to understand the whole process. Don’t miss this opportunity to be

Join us today and start your journey toward impactful leadership with ELYCA!

Creating an initiative doesn't have to be confusing or intimidating!

Register Now

How It Works

01. Who is eligible?

To join ELYCA, participants must:

  • Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Be 15 to 30 years old at the time of application
  • Have a community project idea for positive social changes in local Canadian communities
  • Can contribute 3-5 hours per week to ELYCA
  • We encourage youth from the equity-deserving groups, which include, but are not limited to: BIPOC, newcomers, persons with a low-income household, persons with disabilities, women/girls, and 2SLGBTQIA
  • Not have previously participated in ELYCA

02. What counts as community impact?

ELYCA defines community as any group of people connected by shared background, experiences, or causes. Every community carries unique strengths, cultures, and challenges—there’s no single path to empowerment. Instead, community action is grounded in diverse, interwoven pillars that contribute to collective well-being. These include:

  • Social Connection and Support
    Meaningful relationships and opportunities for individuals to feel heard and valued build emotional, mental, and social resilience
  • Cultural and Historical Preservation
    Honouring a community’s traditions, stories, and identities strengthens pride, belonging, and cultural continuity.
  • Education, Resource Development, and Local Initiatives
    Accessible learning and practical tools empower individuals to take informed action for personal and community growth.
  • Community Engagement and Policy Advocacy Involving communities in research, advocacy, and decision-making ensures that those most affected help shape the systems that impact them

03. Collective Action Forum – Voices of Youth

Before implementing their initiatives, youth groups participate in a one-day Collective Action Forum—an engaging event focused on civic engagement and community leadership. Through keynotes, panels, and table discussions, participants explore the impact of youth-led action.

The forum serves two key goals:

  • Providing a platform for youth to share their perspectives and lived experiences
  • Inspiring youth to design community projects that promote inclusion and resilience

04. Supports Provided

ELYCA staff are here to walk alongside you—from refining your ideas and shaping your action plan to defining team roles and accessing resources and funding.

In addition to personalized mentorship, participants will benefit from:

  • Microgrants of up to $4,000 to bring their Youth Community Initiative to life
  • Networking opportunities with other driven, community-minded youth
  • Leadership development workshops and access to tailored learning resources
  • Project visibility through AHC’s communication channels and community networks

With the right tools and guidance, your ideas can spark real, lasting change.

05. Micro Grants

AHC’s ELYCA provides grants up to $4,000 to implement community initiative.

06. Important Dates
  • December 2024 – February 2025
    Applications open for the 2025–2026 ELYCA cycle.
  • March – April 2025
    Youth present their project proposals to the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC).
  • May – December 2025
    Project implementation phase.
  • January – February 2026
    Reporting period and community Impact Sharing event.
Our Impact
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Testimonials

I wanted to introduce myself to the environment of my peers who are passionate about making the world a better place and seeing the problems in our communities and trying to make a tangible difference. I wanted to make the weights someone has to bare in their day-to-day life easier to manage.

Handrika

ELYCA leader

I love this community; it is very vibrant. They are very engaging. They treat me as a little brother... the way that they always call me to play, the way they involve me not only to play soccer but volunteering as well. I am also a junior coach, part of teaching younger kids. They just really connected me with my community and really made me feel that I belong here.

Pradhyotan

ELYCA participant

I really enjoyed getting to see everybody more often. That’s something that has been great! The grant really brings us together and really to be come together as community and spend time together. And also not only for my personal fulfillment, but also for the fulfillment of the community such as career workshop, cultural workshop and etc. Activities we do happen influence going something beyond yourself and hopefully inspiring other people and other generations to also consider things such as post-secondary education or maybe taking into account diversity” and inclusivity.

Yousra

ELYCA leader

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Connect with us!

Visit our Contact Us page or leave us a message through the form — we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Contact Us

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.
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