Please click here to go to Calgary Launch and Diversity Award 2017.
New Category
Award Title: The Peace and Friendship Awards. (One Individual and one Organization) Background: Canada is a nation that has been built upon the foundation of Peace and Friendship treaties between Indigenous Nations and the Crown of Canada. These living treaties bind our country from sea to sea to sea and have contributed to the very nature of the Canadian identity. The spirit of these treaties is to ensure that Indigenous nations and newcomers endeavour to live peacefully, build and maintain good relations, mutually benefit from the land and her bounty, respect each other, share and learn from each other’s gifts, and to prosper. It¹s all about relationships.
Criteria: This annual award is given by the Indigenous community to a non-Indigenous person and an organization. It recognizes outstanding community work, volunteerism, relationship development, shared programming, and consistent efforts of support to build and maintain good relations with the Indigenous community.
Nominees:
Organizations
Nominee: UNISPHERE GLOBAL CENTRE
Nominated by: City of Medicine Hat Social Development and Seniors Services Department – Ashley Howes
Unisphere is a group we have in Medicine Hat that promotes, highlights, and celebrates diversity in all of its many wonderful forms. They work constantly to create awareness about what is going on in Medicine Hat and the world at large often educating people in whatever way that they can.
The group celebrates inclusivity, learning, and providing opportunities for people in Alberta to have a positive impact. They currently publish a bi-monthly newsletter, sponsor or co-sponsor events that promote diversity, host presentations on development issues, keep an up to date resource centre on materials dealing with international development and social justice. Most recently they have partnered with the City of Medicine Hat and the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism fund to bring a three-day celebration of diversity and inclusion to Medicine Hat on March 20th – 22nd. The work they do makes Medicine Hat an overall better community to live in and promotes inclusivity exponentially.
Nominee: The City of Grand Prairie
Nominated by: Rick Demaray
In 2016, the City of Grande Prairie initiated a formal procedure for all Indigenous Community Groups to hold their ceremonial smudging procedures within City facilities, where they often host meetings and offer cultural programs. A “smudging ceremony” precedes an Indigenous meeting. The process involved getting together with all of the various shareholders of this particular Indigenous procedure, including City employees and members of the community who may be impacted by the ceremonial smoke from this procedure. The Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services was asked to be a partner in this procedure’s development to ensure cultural protocol was followed and provide cultural expertise at each step of the process. An Elder in the local Cree Community, Elder Darlene Cardinal, was instrumental in providing the City of Grande Prairie with leadership and guidance for Indigenous groups to hold the Smudging ceremonies within City of Grande Prairie’s facilities.
We are proud to boast, the City of Grande Prairie is the first Municipality in Western Canada to work with Indigenous groups in developing the smudging procedure. Elder Cardinal shared this good news initiative with the Provincial Deputy Minister of Indigenous Relations informing his office of the process taken to develop this culturally significant procedure. The Smudging procedure was also shared at the December 2016 GM of the Alberta Municipal Health & Safety Association (AMHSA), where it was also well received. We encourage other Municipalities to adopt the procedure if they had similar requirements in their Municipality.
Nominee: Jamaican Canadian Association Alberta
Nominated by: Donnovan Simon
The name Jamaica and it’s brand is world renown, however, the fact that Jamaicans who moved to Calgary formed an association in 1982 which continues to be a recognized community association in 2017 is worthy of recognition. Even more is the consistent contribution that the organization has made in the cultural landscape in Calgary.
The association has been a primary contributor in events that showcase diversity such as Carifest, Reggaefest, Caribbean Heritage Sports Day, Globalfest and Canada Day celebrations. Additionally, through our cultural expo, Taste of Jamaica, for near 25 years Calgary has been treated with a showcase of Jamaican culture through music, arts, dance and food. In many other ways, through visits to schools on their Culture Days, to seniors homes on their Diversity Days and through partnership what many different agencies e.g. the Centre for Newcomers, the JCAA has ensured it has remained relevant and a positive contributor to the social fabric of Calgary. I think the organization would be more than deserving of this award for the contribution it has and continues to make to the diversity of Calgary which we all are proud of.
While individual Jamaicans have selflessly contributed to various volunteer organizations, the JCAA has also mobilized its members to do the same. The Mustard Seed, Samaritans Purse and many others have benefited from the JCAA’s commitment to giving back to the community. We are proud to be a positive contributor in Calgary and even prouder that Jamaica is known for its rich culture that we can share with others in our beloved city.
Nominee: Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation recognizes and supports multicultural awareness and understanding among Canadians. We value education and work to educate Canadians on the various cultures, religions, languages, and diversity of people that make up society in our country. We work to mitigate racism and bring citizens together like the pieces of a mosaic. We are a not-for-profit millennial organization run by committed voluntary human rights supporters. Our organization runs an annual anti-racism festival. The organization created an award winning documentary on Forced Marriages. The organization also created a documentary called YYC Colours – a documentary about racism in Calgary. The documentary has been screened over 100 times across Canada to start a dialogue about racism. The organization also created the #ICameAsARefugee poster campaign that dispels myths about refugees which was seen across Alberta. We have also hosted several vigils in solidarity with various Canadian communities, as well as several events. An important role that the organization has is to create and deliver presentations about racism and multicultural inclusion in Canada. We have done hundreds of presentations for schools and have created content for them to use in their classroom when addressing racism and multiculturalism. This is all voluntary work. Through various media platforms such as film, radio, photographer, animation and more, Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation is helping to improve race relations in Canada. The organization won “Leader in Diversity” award from the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers – Western Chapter in 2016.
Nominee: St. Patrick’s Anglican Church
St. Patrick’s Anglican Church feels that God is calling us to serve as a centre to support newcomers to Canada. Out of this vision, we entered into a relationship with the Welcome Centre for Immigrants (WCI) and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) to offer free English and computer literacy classes for senior newcomers. Our first participants were from India, Pakistan, and Africa. They identified language development and becoming more culturally aware of learning priorities. Working alongside EMCN, our parish hired an instructor and community connector who organised presentations and field trips designed to help the group realize its goals. We covered topics such as Canadian history, aboriginal history, the Olympics, camping, recycling and waste management. They prepared for a visit to the doctor and visited Fort Edmonton Park. The seniors enrolled in the computer literacy class also learned to set-up an email account, save and download files, and navigate the internet using search engines. As the course progressed, there was much laughter and community-building, as language and cultural barriers were broken down. Before this program, many of the seniors in our group felt isolated in their new surroundings. The greatest benefit to them has been reduced apprehension about going out into the community. For church members at St. Patrick’s, it is a great joy to see our prayers for the unemployed and newcomers to Canada being put into action.
Call To Action Connect with agencies that support immigrants. What aspect of their work fits the skills, talents and goals of your faith community? There are many opportunities to help. Consider sponsoring a refugee; or supporting a group already involved in the sponsorship process.
Nominee: The Genesis Centre
Nominated by: Brad Anderson
Opening in 2012 the Genesis Centre has rapidly transformed from a period of infancy and discover to becoming the heart of the most culturally diverse quadrant of the City of Calgary. Not only is it a gathering point for sports and recreation but also for special events, cultural galas and social occasions. 1.5 million visitors passed through the doors in 2015 alone and nearly half of those visits were to celebrate culture and community. The mandate of a facility is to Inspire Community Wellness. Being a not-for-profit, charitable organization, their work every day revolves around making northeast Calgary a better place to work, live and play. Outlined below are but a few highlights of how the Genesis Centre is making a difference in lives of residents, groups, and cultural organizations.
The Genesis Centre’s importance to northeast Calgary and its diverse population cannot be overlooked and underappreciated. It brings together groups of various backgrounds in hopes of building community through dialogue, experiences, and social gatherings. In this profile, we’d like to finish with a quote from a new mother who had immigrated from the middle east.
“The Genesis Centre has been an integral part of our family’s lifestyle. I first visited the Genesis Centre in the fall of 2012 when I began work as a preschool program facilitator in 1000 voices. I lived in the south at the time, and while the commute was very long, I was in love with the concept and culture at the Genesis Centre. I shared my excitement with my husband and we agreed that this was the kind of place we wanted to raise a family. When I became pregnant the next year, we moved to the north of McKnight area. While pregnant, I started attending prenatal fitness classes at the Saddletowne YMCA. After having my daughter, I continued with post-natal classes at the YMCA and attended baby- parent drop-ins through the 1000 voices. As my baby grew, we frequented the library, participating in parent goose and other early literacy programs. We also started going swimming as a family, which was a big deal for us since I wear hijab. it was really encouraging to have a venue where that wasn’t a barrier. The excellent family washroom facilities made it practical for us to take our infant swimming because my husband and I could support each other (it can be quite tricky doing it solo with a young child). As she became a toddler, we frequented toddler time and started attending classes in 1000 voices to further our French. We look forward to exploring the other opportunities the Genesis Centre has to offer. There’s just something about the warm and welcoming environment – it truly allows me to feel like I belong to something bigger. The staff and patrons are friendly (we make a new friend each time we visit) and I love how it is so multipurpose! It’s amazing when you have visited the same facility to do everything from work, work out, play, pray, learn and vote! It has definitely been a highlight of my time in Calgary.”
Friends of Diversity:
Roy Pogorzelski
Roy Pogorzelski is Metis from Northern Saskatchewan and his family comes from the communities of Green Lake and Meadow Lake. Roy convocated from the University of Regina with a BA in Indigenous Studies and a BHJ in Human Justice. In 2009, Roy convocated cum laude from the Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven in Belgium with a MSC in Cultures and Development Studies. Roy has worked on Indigenous Rights & Human Rights at the academic, governmental and non-profit levels. Roy’s international work includes: an internship in 2006 with the University of Vienna with the Legal Anthropology Department on International Indigenous rights; facilitated a Human Rights contract in Geneva Switzerland, volunteered in Belgium with Melpunt Discrimination, facilitated a contract in Vilhelmina Sweden on Indigenous rights and represented UNESCO Canada and the City of Lethbridge at the International Coalition of Cities Against Racism & Discrimination (ICCAR) in Nairobi Kenya. Previously, Roy worked as the Aboriginal Diversity Support Coordinator with the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge from 2009-2011 and currently works as the Inclusion Consultant for the City of Lethbridge. Roy has ran the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism & Discrimination (CMARD) local initiative for the past 4 years and has collaborated nationally on an equity and diversity guide, has worked provincially with a number of municipalities, worked on creating an inclusion policy for the City for Lethbridge and has created innovative approaches to community engagement around inclusion under CMARD. Roy has also provided a number of presentations, workshops sits and chairs numerous committees and lectures at the University of Lethbridge. Roy was awarded the 2016 Human Rights Champion by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and was named a Top 40 under 40 by Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.
Aime Hutton
Aime Hutton is deserving of the award for Friends of Diversity for the Calgary Diversity Awards 2017. She is accepting of all people she meets. Aime is not shy from learning about other people traditions, cultures, or religion. She welcomes all into her circle. There was a time when Aime worked for an aboriginal organization in Calgary. She was the only white woman who worked there. A few of the others who worked at the organization were very surprised that Aime worked there. The comment was made to Aime one day from a co-worker that “You are the first white woman I know who wants to learn about our way of life and our culture. And I thank you for that.”
Being a Friend of Diversity and being accepting of all people were taught to Aime at a young age in her growing up years. She was surrounded by people of all cultures. As well as a young girl Aime Hutton enjoyed learning about different countries and their traditions and ways of life especially around the Christmas holiday time. Aime was amazed at all the different ways different people celebrated Christmas (or other holiday celebration). She continues to this day to learn about different cultures and traditions around the world. Which makes her a perfect award winner for Friends of Diversity.
MLA David Shepherd
David Shepherd is a first-generation Canadian and life-long resident of Edmonton. His mother arrived from the Netherlands in 1948 and his father from Trinidad in 1967.
Prior to being elected as member for Edmonton-Centre, he held positions in municipal, provincial and the federal public service, most recently serving with the City of Edmonton Transit department as a communications officer.
MLA Shepherd’s first love was music and he spent many years as a professional musician and studio engineer. He holds diplomas in music performance and a studio recording from MacEwan University and a BA in professional communications from Royal Rhodes University.
In addition to his work as MLA for Edmonton-Centre, he chairs the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and is a member of the Standing Committee on Families and Communities. He is also supporting Minister Phillips in the implementation of the Climate Leadership Plan.
It may be no surprise to you that David Shepherd is a champion of Edmonton’s arts scene but you may not know that he is also an avid cyclist, a passionate advocate for active transportation, a proponent for housing that is both inclusive and affordable, and continues to engage with the North Edge Business Association, Downtown Business Association, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Vibrancy Task Force.
Through all of his work, David has developed a reputation as a powerful communicator, a thoughtful analyst of public policy, with a keen sense of humour – skills he is putting to good use in his role as the MLA for Edmonton-Centre. Please welcome Mr. David Shepherd!
Dr. Cheryl Currie
Dr. Cheryl Currie is an Associate Professor of Public Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. She holds a Translational Research Chair in Aboriginal Health from Alberta Innovates.
A social epidemiologist by training, Dr. Currie examines how social experiences like racial discrimination get under the skin to influence stress biology, health, and health behaviour. She also works with communities to develop interventions that address health and social inequities.
Jim Gurnett
Seeing diversity as a social strength, and working in support of intercultural and human rights, have been priorities for Jim Gurnett.
While a school principal, he was a member of the executive of the ATA’s Multicultural Education Council for several years, including a term as president, and also on the executive of Alberta Association for Multicultural Education.
For almost a decade, as executive director of Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, he sought to bring people from diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious contexts together to get to know each other and learn from each other. The programs and services of EMCN put a priority on ensuring full participation for everyone, without special status for dominant culture members. He served on the executive (and as president) of Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) over the same period and was a founder and president of Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Council. In more recent years he has done extensive training for staff of immigrant-serving agencies in such areas as intercultural communications.
He has been a director with Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace and more recently helped develop the diversity outreach strategy for the NDP caucus at the Alberta Legislature.
Clients of his consulting business have included John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, ASSIST Community Services, Action for Healthy Communities, Brooks & County Immigration Services, and Grande Prairie Centre for Newcomers, working to enhance community services leading to respect for diversity as a positive value.
He feels gender equity is essential to a healthy diverse community and guided the Daughters Day event for its first three years and worked with groups of marginalized women in writing a book on community action to support this. He serves on the advisory board for Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation and is an active member of Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action.
Jill Maria Robinson
Jill Maria Robinson is a cheerful and helpful woman in Calgary AB, who tries to support everyone around her with her entertainment work. She is a publicist, model, actress, and magazine publisher herself. She helped create a magazine that highlights Alberta Talent and puts them up. She is an actress on the show Go Fish by Zulie Alnahas on Amazon Prime worldwide.
Jill is a friend to many and a friend to Diversity, trying to send them good people to help grow their Calgary base. She met Diversity Mag owner Frankline at the Obsidian Awards where she had been nominated. Jill is in her late 20’s and has been a part of 20 shows as background, an actor, makeup support and a publicist, sometimes all at once in indie productions. She has been on Shaw TV since 2014. Jill is creating her own shows to support local talent and trying to get Diversity to have their own show as well!
Manwar Khan
Manwar Khan is an Alberta based community advocate against bullying and violence. The shocking 2012 video of Edmonton LRT passenger John Hollar being beaten to death on the LRT train reveals that Manwar Khan both protected elderly passengers and mobilise others to help. Disturbed by the passivity of some LRT riders, he started a province-wide grassroots campaign “Do not be a Bystander.
He is leading this movement in Alberta to create awareness against bullying and to encourage people not to be bystanders when they see such type of incidents taking place. His anti-bullying campaign, Do Not Be A Bystander, has hosted 15 rallies in major cities across the Alberta, garnering support from mayors of both Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge. The Edmonton Journal named Manwar as the top newsmaker for 2013.
Recently Manwar Khan has been named among the Top 40 most influential young leaders in Edmonton. His efforts were noticed by Canada’s Governor General, David Johnston, who invited Khan to Ottawa in July of 2014 to receive the Caring Canadian award. Khan says he was honoured to be recognized and is more motivated than ever to continue spreading his message to others that we all have a role to play in eradicating bullying, hate and violence.
Jayde F Crazy
Nominated by : Queen Lual
Jayde is a promoter and supporter, he is well known for few of his hit song, like fake friends, mupenzi, bleed for it to name a few. I have witnessed this individual grow into amazing, intelligent, uplifting, talented, great singer and person he is, he worked to hard to be where he is today with his music, he deserves to be nominated and rewarded for his hard work.
Music change his life in so many ways, here are few of his amazing songs Mupenzi, Fake Friends, I ain’t with the talking and I know.
It’s has been a privilege to know this brilliant and dedicated individual.
2016 Diversity Award
After two years of telling countless stories of Diversity and Inclusion in Alberta, we are pleased to start recognizing and celebrating individuals and organizations that have made the most impact in fostering diversity and inclusion in Alberta.
This first ever Diversity Award appreciated individuals and organizations that have made an impact in diversity and inclusion in Alberta.
Each nominating organization wrote a letter (at most 400 words) to make a case how their organization has foster diversity in Alberta and beyond.
These letters were supported by two testimonials from clients or individuals or organizations that can testify to the impact that the organization has made.
The individual categories were nominated by Albertans.
To nominate, ask questions, get involved, please contact at michelle@diversitymag.ca or 780.289.5134 (cell), 780.709.0965 (Office)
Deadline for submission is May 10, 2017.
Thank you for your submissions!
Diversity Award Categories:
Diversity in Education
M.E. LaZerte School
University of Alberta Community Service-Learning (CSL)
Diversity in Ability
Goodwill Industries of Alberta
Diversity in Arts
The Carrot Cafe
Cultural Diversity in Non Profits
Edmonton Heritage Festival Association
Cultural Diversity in Corporations
Cultural Diversity in Public Sectors
The City of Red Deer
Diversity in Newcomer Settlement and Integration
CCI-LEX – Cultural Connections Institute – The Learning Exchange
Youths for Diversity
Belen Samuel
Diversity Award Winners 2016
Diversity 2016 Individual Award Categories
Friends of Diversity
Debra Kasowski
Appreciated for her work in telling diverse stories, organizing and donating gifts to kids from low income schools, support to charities in Edmonton and sharing of the rich Ukrainian culture
Diversity Award 2016
Friends of Diversity
Samarendra Maiti
Honored for his work in giving multicultural artists from across the world a stage in Edmonton
Diversity Award 2016
Friends of Diversity
Harriet Tinka
Appreciated for her work in supporting charities such as United Way and sharing of the rich and beautiful Ugandan culture with Edmonton
Diversity Award 2016
Friends of Diversity
Henry Fung
Awarded for his role in sharing the rich and beautiful Chinese culture with Edmonton
Diversity Award 2016
Friends of Diversity
Ruben Contreras
Awarded for his role in promoting the beautiful Latin culture in Edmonton
Diversity Award 2016
Friends of Diversity
Christine Zacharko
Appreciated for her role in sharing love and kindness to the needy through her work in Haiti
Diversity Award 2016
Youth for Diversity
Belen Samuel
Awarded for her work in empowering African youth at Africa Centre and connecting them to the Edmonton Police Service to improve relationship
Diversity Award 2016
Friends of Diversity
Dr. Rodel Sicat
Appreciated for his work in connecting Filipino youths back to their community and support in sharing the rich Filipino culture with Edmonton
Diversity Award 2016 Organizations
Diversity in Education
M.E. LaZerte School
M.E. LaZerte School is located in Northeast Edmonton. Our school has 1,900 students and over 130 staff members.
Over the past eight years, M.E. LaZerte School has put forth a concerted effort to be inclusive of our very diverse community. Through the various school-wide initiatives, clubs, and activities, we continue to build a school that is welcoming, caring, and safe for all students and staff.
As a UNESCO Associated School with the International Baccalaureate Programme and the Mandarin Bilingual Program, our school aims to foster global citizenship, promote peace, address world concerns, and eliminate discrimination based on national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation and/or disability. We also have many students with special needs integrated into our regular classes.
We have recently received our most recent high school completion rate which is now over 82% from around 69% in 2008. Our efforts to embrace and celebrate our diversity while supporting the individual needs of our students are important factors in our improvement in the high school completion rate. We are now above the provincial average for high school completion in 3 years.
Through professional development with staff, our school takes the time to educate our community of teachers and learners. Various staff and community members provide information and workshops at staff meetings to address the barriers for various groups of students. Just in the past 10 months, our staff have received training in the following topics: Supporting students who have endured trauma, Aboriginal Liaison & Circle of Courage Program – First Nation, Métis, Inuit presentation, Sexual Minorities presentation, Newcomers & English Language Learner presentation, Racism Awareness presentation.
With over 700 students engaged in leadership, our students are continuously engaged in working together on initiatives for which they are passionate. In 2010, our student body consisted of over 83 cultural backgrounds and over 73 languages spoken. We have held a tradition since 1997 to celebrate our cultural diversity with an annual Taste of LaZerte celebrate. This week-long celebration culminates with a pot-luck lunch for 1,000 people and 2 hours of cultural performances all choreographed by our students. Our school has participated in Orange Shirt Days to remember the impact of residential schools and Pink Shirt Days to address the impact of homophobic language and bullying. This year, our school addressed racial tensions by having students work alongside the Centre for Race & Culture to host round table discussions, survey our students, and provide a group of students an “Anti-Racism Youth Training Day”.
Student voice and engagement continue to be keys in shaping our school culture. Not only to staff and school administration place high importance of being a welcoming and safe school, but so do our students.
Diversity Award 2016
Diversity in Education
University of Alberta Community Service-Learning (CSL)
Since 2004 CSL has been fostering diversity through building relationships with Edmonton community organizations and creating experiential learning opportunities across faculties for students at the University of Alberta. CSL links academic coursework with community-based experiences. Through hands-on learning as CSL students are able to explore relationships between theory and practice and learn more about the root causes of social issues and contribute to social change in their community.
The CSL program works with a diverse community of local non-profit organizations, from small grassroots to large longstanding contributors to community. Our students have the opportunity to learn about food security, homelessness, poverty, seniors, women and children, aboriginal governance, arts and culture, immigration, environment, and more, all from passionate practitioners and leaders doing this important work in our community. Through these experiences, students are able to develop communication and leadership skills and become social innovators and community minded individuals who want to make change.
CSL works across the University of Alberta campus and is integrated into a broad range of courses in areas such as Business, Engineering, Fine Arts, Medicine and Dentistry, Modern Languages and Cultural Studies, Native Studies, Physical Education and Recreation, Political Science, Rural Economy, Science, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies, and many others.
The Community Service-Learning program is proud to promote and foster diversity in the classroom and in the community.
Diversity Award 2016
Diversity in Ability
Goodwill Industries of Alberta
Goodwill Industries of Alberta has been effecting positive change in Alberta for nearly 70 years. It is Goodwill’s mission to connect Albertans with disabilities to meaningful employment and, in doing so, help employers and the Alberta community to recognize a person’s ability regardless of their disability.
Goodwill is the vehicle through which almost 600,000 Albertans each year are able to promote inclusivity and diversity in their community by donating to Goodwill. Through Goodwill, these donors make it possible for hundreds of Albertans with disabilities to access onsite job counseling and career development services to support their search for meaningful employment.
The first step to promoting inclusive hiring is to become an inclusive employer and Goodwill is proud to be one of Alberta’s largest employers of persons with disabilities with over 25% of staff disclosing that they have a disability. It is our mission to connect Albertans with disabilities to meaningful employment and Goodwill accomplishes this by providing jobs and job training to individuals with disabilities.
Goodwill fosters diversity in Alberta by maintaining an inclusive hiring process and connecting participants of our Power of Work program to various organizations within the community. Employment Coordinators assist program participants in finding a placement that is a good fit. By providing this support, the program helps program participants find meaningful employment that promotes diversity and inclusivity both in the community and in the many organizations hiring people with disabilities through our program. Employment Coordinators in Goodwill’s Power of Work program work with program participants to discover the field they would like to work in, and to create an employment plan with the goal of finding employment that the program participant finds meaningful. Once a program participant is successful in finding meaningful employment, Employment Coaches work side-by-side with the participant and the employer to set the tone towards increased diversity and inclusiveness in the employer’s organization.
Goodwill’s successes in creating an inclusive and diverse working environment can be seen through the shining examples of Elaine and Sonja. Elaine has been a Goodwill team member for 40 years. She says that since she first started working at Goodwill, a lot has changed but she still loves her job. Elaine was born with cerebral palsy and she says she appreciates her co-workers at Goodwill because they are very accommodating and understanding of her disability. In fact she says, “My co-workers are my favorite thing about working with Goodwill. They respect me and support me and who I am.”
Sonja is an employee at our Commercial Services division. She has been working with Goodwill for 5 years. Sonja says that “Goodwill for me is not only a job but also my family.” Before coming to work at Goodwill, Sonja was working hard at building her self-confidence and life skills. She grew up feeling left out and not liking herself due to her past experiences; however, now she is confident, independent and happy due to the many opportunities for growth she has been able to achieve at Goodwill. Sonja says she feels empowered in her job at Goodwill, she has grown in many ways and we are lucky to have her as part of our team.
Goodwill is extremely proud of Elaine and Sonja along with the many other team members who have experienced successes because of their employment at Goodwill and the supportive working environment.
Diversity Award
Diversity in Arts
The Carrot Cafe
In 2005, the Morin family was considering moving out of the home they loved in the Alberta (118th) Avenue District in Edmonton. This area had been deteriorating physically, economically, and socially for years, and had become known as “the hood” in Edmonton. They began discussing their ambivalence about staying in the area with friends and colleagues, and discovered a good contingent of residents who were devoted to helping this area shed its negative reputation and achieve its potential as a healthy, vibrant, and desirable place to live. It also happened that the Alberta Ave District was fortunate to have a high contingent of artists living in the area. Thus they decided to make this community into one they wanted to live in, rather than abandon it. So, in 2007, Arts on the Ave Edmonton Society (AOTA) was born.
AOTA created The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse (The Carrot) as its hub and focused on harnessing local talent and creativity and providing space for the arts – and the community – to flourish.
The Carrot is an artistic catalyst within this often neglected community, providing both established and emerging Edmonton artists with a space to meet, work, collaborate, present, sell, inspire, and be inspired. Further, it brings individuals to the arts who might not otherwise experience being in the audience of a poetry slam, taking a workshop on painting or jewelry making, or take in a live band on a Friday night.
Radically multidisciplinary, AOTA is committed to supporting Edmonton area artists of every stripe, in any genre and indeed, we have provided for musicians, writers, actors, performance artists, visual artists and dancers, a creative refuge in the vibrant 118th Ave community. Our organization’s goals are simple; to support Alberta Avenue community members by giving them a place to work, create, connect, produce and perform. The Carrot provides a nexus for the creative community in Edmonton, where individuals are not patrons but partners. Adding to its uniqueness is the fact that, with the exception of a Manager and part-time Assistant Manager, the Carrot is staffed by volunteers; in addition to our board’s volunteer contributions, each week it requires 36 volunteer shifts of four hours each to keep the Carrot operational.
The Carrot is an extraordinary gathering place that allows openness and full self-expression. It reflects the community that it is grounded in. The Carrot is a creative space that welcomes and embraces the human spirit of ALL our community members. Many baristas and patrons have found deep understanding and even healing through the relationships that have been formed and nurtured at the Carrot. Thank you so much for considering this venue that we are so proud of for this award.
Diversity Award 2016
Cultural Diversity in Non Profits
Edmonton Heritage Festival Association
The Servus Heritage Festival is the primary event by the non-profit
Edmonton Heritage Festival Association. The Association’s mission is to promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity. As well, the mission of the Association is to provide education events, programs and projects on a year-round basis.
The Servus Heritage Festival is a celebration of Canada’s multicultural spirit in an atmosphere of tolerance. In spite of events that may be taking place on the international stage, for three days in the idyllic setting of Edmonton’s River Valley, local cultural associations share with visitors, and with each other, arts, crafts, food, entertainment and traditions that make their people unique.
The Edmonton Heritage Festival is specifically designed to be a family-friendly, alcohol-free event, in which each pavilion (representing a unique country or group of countries) is able to independently offer a sampling of their unique foods, entertainment, arts and crafts, and customs.
There is no cost to attend the Festival, but people are asked to bring non-perishable food items when they attend. The 2015 Servus Heritage Festival generated 81,705 kg of food and $125,000 for the Edmonton food bank.
Another focus for the Festival is fundraising for local not for profit and charitable Cultural group. The 2015 Servus Heritage Festival generated over $2.5 Million dollars that was split between Sixty Three local not for profit cultural groups.
The 2016 festival will have Sixty Three Arts, Culture and Food Pavilions, Three Arts and Culture Pavilions and has partnered with the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for newcomers so as to include up to four more countries that may not otherwise have been able to attend. All to maximize the number of nations represented at the festival.
Diversity Award 2016
Diversity in Public Sectors
The City of Red Deer
The City of Red Deer’s Strategic Direction has identified diversity as a priority. As part of its commitment to the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination The City hired a full-time Human Resource Specialist – Diversity and Inclusion on May 19, 2015.
The City of Red Deer is currently working on three areas of focus: increasing employee awareness, conducting an assessment, and endeavouring to be a welcoming and inclusive community. Our Diversity and Inclusion Vision for The City of Red Deer is a vibrant, healthy and diverse organization that supports a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone feels safe and can fully participate in community life. Areas of Focus Increase Employee Awareness of Diversity and Inclusion:
- We have developed a Diversity and Inclusion Framework for the organization. Part of the Framework includes employee training on diversity and inclusion. The Introduction of Diversity and Inclusion module, mandatory for all full time, permanent employees.
- On May 12 and 13, 2016, The City of Red Deer hosted the Fostering Diverse Communities Conference with over 130 participants from 9 municipalities. A report on the Conference will be available soon.
- Last Fall an internal Diversity Team was established to build capacity within the organization. 17 diversity champions representing each of our Divisions meet monthly to discuss current topics and trends, and share information with the rest of the organization. Assess City’s Policies, Procedures & Practices related to Diversity and Inclusion
- The Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, along with members of The City’s Diversity Team, will be assessing the City’s policies, practices and procedures. We will be using the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s Municipal Evaluation Tool and the Ten Common Commitments of The Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination as measurements. Be a Welcoming and Inclusive Community
- The Red Deer Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Network was launched April 21, 2016. It is comprised of over 40 community members representing all aspects of diversity and other stakeholders. The Network meets monthly and will develop an action plan once a needs assessment has been conducted in the community.
- See: http://www.reddeer.ca/about-red-deer/welcoming-and-inclusive-community/
Diversity Awards 2016
Diversity in Newcomer Settlement and Integration
CCI-LEX – Cultural Connections Institute – The Learning Exchange
CCI-LEX
Since the early 1990s, CCI-LEX has provided English language training to thousands of newcomers to Edmonton from more than 100 different countries of origin. For CCI-LEX, diversity means that we exhibit respect for and appreciation of differences in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, education and religion.
We excel at creating a friendly, welcoming, safe environment for adults to learn and practice English with people from all walks of life. It is a place for building friendships, concrete skills, and confidence that leads to personal growth, success and contributions to the greater Edmonton community. When you walk through the front door of our downtown location, diversity is present everywhere. Among the more than 1,400 students enrolled in our programs in 2015-16, you will find diversity in areas such as: Age From 17 to 70+ years Gender About 40 percent male students, 60 per cent women Country of Origin Every corner of the world from, Central and South America, to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Immigration Status A good mix of citizens, permanent residents, refugees, international students and those here to work Abilities & Sexual Orientation Over the years, our students have excelled regardless of various physical disabilities, mental health issues, and a range of sexual orientations and religion.
Many of the world’s major religions including Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism and others. Staff Like our students, our volunteers, teachers and administrative staff also represent a wide range of ages, genders, nationalities, religions and backgrounds. Our volunteer instructors are comprised of a growing number of foreign-trained professionals. We are proud to serve as a springboard for many of them by providing invaluable Canadian experience in a professional setting, as well as a professional reference. In fact, the quality of our program and recognition of the talent we attract is well-known, and a number of Edmonton non-profits often reach out to us to circulate paid ESL teaching positions to our volunteer base. A number of our volunteers have been hired by ASSIST Community Services, CSS, and One World One Centre, just to name a few. Diversity is positively expressed and celebrated in each of our classrooms and throughout the school. An important feature of English language learning at CCILEX is the shared cultural exchange that occurs between students and instructors. This is not just about instructors talking about Canadian customs and cultural traditions but it is also about students sharing their own customs and traditions with their classmates and instructors. We are very excited and honoured about being considered for the diversity award in the Cultural Diversity in Non Profits category. As required, please find documents supporting this nomination from some people who have first-hand experience with our school and its contribution to Edmonton’s cultural diversity.
