The Neighbourhood Associations of Medicine Hat and Area – $25,000

With funding from the 2024 Community Impact Award, The Neighbourhood Association established five active Neighbourhood Associations, with five to six more in development as of December 2025. In collaboration with the City of Medicine Hat, they launched the Shape Your City page, purchased and wrapped a community trailer, and created a lending library for neighbourhood events. Additionally, they developed standardized templates, a Neighbourhood Associations Planning Toolkit, and “50 New Ways to Connect with Your Neighbours.”

Through community walks, Clean Up & Connection, Good Neighbour Day, and various mentoring and educational events, they have engaged with 4,650 residents since receiving the grant. The project strengthened local connections and increased residents’ capacity to organize their own events and initiatives.

“We are so grateful to the Community Foundation of Southeast Alberta for the opportunity to grow neighbourhood connections throughout our region. When residents connect, they not only get to know each other, but also get to understand the needs of their neighbours and the issues facing their community.  This builds a sense of belonging and creates a bond of common interests that leads to a vibrant community.”

– Shantel Ottenbreit, Chair of the Neighbourhood Association

Farmers’ Market Food Money – $25,000

With support from this grant, the Brooks Farmers’ Market launched its Market FOOD Money voucher program, an initiative designed to address food insecurity while strengthening local farms and building community connection. The Market has served over 2000 individuals and their families with 43 participating market vendors since 2023.

The program has been transformational. It put nutritious food directly into the hands of vulnerable families, and one partner agency shared that it had the best uptake of any program they had ever participated in. The Market also navigated language barriers with patience and collaboration, creating a more inclusive environment for newcomer residents and long-standing vendors alike. Two years after its launch, the success of Market FOOD Money has inspired other farmers’ markets to explore adopting the program—a remarkable ripple effect for the region.

“Having extra to buy fresh produce has been amazing. Being able to walk confidently to the tables at the Farmers’ Market and be warmly greeted by the vendors, even though they know that you are using the Market FOOD Money, has been amazing. I always attempt to provide nutritious meals at home; however, having extra cash for the market has made this so much more manageable. Thank you for taking the initiative to start this program — it has helped my family.”

– Local individual supported through the program

Saamis Immigration Services Association – $30,000

Saamis Immigration Services Association’s Circles of Care project developed a coordinated approach to networking volunteers, community members, and service providers, where newcomer populations can draw and contribute to a range of necessary supports and assets.

“Regular outreach from Circles of Care established long-term relationships. These relationships and personal contact are most important to newcomers, especially after COVID and in the digital age, so thank you for making me feel welcome.” 

– Newcomer to Medicine Hat

They have successfully connected and supported individuals in the community who are passionate about aiding newcomers. This pilot project facilitated five separate Sharing Circles in 2022, engaging over 50 community members. Saamis became a source of connection between service providers, volunteers, hosts, educators, politicians, and newcomers themselves, which contributed to the research and production of the Newcomer Community Resource Guide. The project focuses on building mutually beneficial relationships for a strong community.

“The Sharing Circle was helpful as I was seeing roadblocks for Ukrainians and feeling worried. These allowed me to voice my concerns. The project was flexible and responsive to the community’s needs. The Newcomer Resource Guide will be a safety net for people coming from Ukraine.”

– Service Provider

 Our Collective Journey (OCJ) – $25,000

Our Collective Journey is an addiction recovery organization dedicated to strengthening the community through the power of shared experience. OCJ is also committed to eliminating the stigma surrounding challenges that prevent individuals from seeking help and instead normalizing these issues by sharing and discussing their experiences.

“Since being chosen as recipients of the 2021 Community Impact Award, we have been able to begin providing select individuals with the appropriate professional training to become OCJ Recovery Coaches. OCJ Recovery Coaches listen, normalize feelings, and provide a strengths-based approach for a more fulfilling future. This award will continue to assist us in getting more individuals trained as OCJ Recovery Coaches, helping us meet the ever-increasing community need for addiction recovery support!” 

– Ryan Oscar, Director of Programming

Bike Medicine Hat & Cypress View Foundation – $25,000

Bike Medicine Hat is an organization that fosters a community where cyclists of all ages and abilities can cycle safely, efficiently, and comfortably. Bike Medicine Hat has established a chapter of Cycling Without Age, which provides seniors or those with mobility challenges the opportunity to go for rides on a specially designed trishaw bike operated by a volunteer pilot.

“We knew that Cycling Without Age is a wonderful program and that there had been a few different people inquire about bringing it to Medicine Hat, but the upfront costs made it a challenge. With funding from CFSEA, we were able to order two bikes and all necessary materials to begin operating in spring 2022. We are grateful for this opportunity to allow seniors to reconnect with their community.” 

– Carter Gramlich, Board Chair

Southeast Alberta Search and Rescue Association (SEASAR) & HALO Air Ambulance – $25,000

SEASAR is an association dedicated to finding lost persons in Medicine Hat and the surrounding regions. HALO offers the only dedicated medevac helicopter for Southern Alberta and Southwest Saskatchewan. This grant will allow SEASAR to purchase proper protective gear, such as personal helmets with integrated communication, image-stabilizing binoculars, eye protection, and specific radios for aviation.

Due to the speed the helicopter can travel and the remoteness of the region, SEASAR will also purchase an InReach Satellite Communicator, ensuring teams deployed by helicopter have a reliable way of contacting their team. The remaining funds will be provided to HALO.

“In the past, HALO has covered the cost of the use of their helicopter to train SEASAR’s volunteers. With this grant, we hope to secure three years of our comprehensive training with them and help offset the costs related. It’s a great partnership, and one that we are thankful that CFSEA has recognized.”

– Paul Carolan, President of SEASAR Board of Directors