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

The Neighbourhood Associations of Medicine Hat and Area aligned strongly with all evaluation criteria and promises to support and connect neighbours to create a sense of belonging, where everyone feels welcome. The group is planning an official launch event during the weekend of October 4-6, 2024. During this event, Neighbourhood Walks will be hosted throughout Medicine Hat, providing an opportunity for residents to get to know their neighbours, learn about the community, and hear unique stories about the neighbourhood from the past and present. The Neighbourhood Associations group will also be working this summer to develop a Block Party trailer for neighbourhoods to borrow when hosting events. Additionally, a registry is available for neighbourhoods that want to start or already have a Neighbourhood Association.

“The Neighbourhoood Associations of Medicine Hat and Area is so grateful to the Community Foundation of Southeast Alberta for the opportunity to grow neighbourhood connections throughout our region.  When residents join together to connect, they not only get to know each other, they get to know the needs of the 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, Neighbourhood Associations Committee Member

Farmers’ Market Food Money – $25,000

The Brooks Farmers’ Market received The Community Impact Award for their innovative and creative project called, “Brooks Farmers’ Market Money”. The Brooks Farmers’ Market collaborated with community organizations to identify individuals and families in need of financial assistance to purchase food. The Market Food Money was distributed monthly, enabling participants to choose what they would like to purchase. When given this freedom to choose, approximately 75% of the money was spent on fruits, vegetables, eggs, and protein. This freedom to choose provided a profound sense of dignity for those using the Market Food Money.

Saamis Immigration Services Association – $30,000

The Circles of Care project is developing a coordinated approach to networking volunteers, community members, and service providers from which newcomer populations can draw and contribute to a range of necessary supports and assets. We’ve been able to connect and support people in the community who are passionate about supporting newcomers, but new to the experience.  We have learnt from successes and defined gaps in service provision, where our Circles of Care might support newcomers in becoming and feeling like a part of our community. This pilot project facilitated so far 5 separate Sharing Circles and engaged 45 community members in them. They became a source of connection between service providers, volunteers, hosts, educators, politicians, and newcomers themselves which contributed to the research and production of the 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 gave me an opportunity to voice my concerns. The project was flexible and responsive to the needs of the community. The Resource Guide will be a safety net for people coming from Ukraine.” – Service Provider

“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

Our Collective Journey- $25,000

Our Collective Journey is an addiction recovery organization dedicated to “strengthening our community through the power of shared experience.” OCJ is also committed to eliminating the stigma surrounding particular issues that keeps 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 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

Cypress View Foundation in partnership with Bike Medicine Hat- $25,000

Bike Medicine Hat is an organization aimed at creating a community where cyclists of all ages and abilities can cycle safely, efficiently, and comfortably to their destination. 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 2 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 in collaboration with HALO- $25,000

SEASAR (Southeast Alberta Search and Rescue) is an association dedicated to finding lost persons in Medicine Hat Alberta 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 helments 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 3 years of our comprehensive training with them and to help off-set the costs related to it. It is a great partnership, and one that we are thankful the CFSEA has recognized.” – Paul Carolan, President of SEASAR Board of Directors