Welcoming the Building Connected Communities Project Community Partners!
The Building Connected Communities (BCC) team is excited to announce the partner community organizations that will be hosting Community Connectors from March 2025 to December 2026!
These organizations will play a vital role in the BCC project as collaborators and contributors to the success of this ambitious initiative that strives to strengthen community connections and enhance learning around Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Community Partners Hosting a Community Connector:
The Calgary Climate Hub is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization that unites a diverse group of Calgarians committed to working together to support meaningful local action on climate change. They represent a variety of communities, industries, cultures and causes. They believe that a broad and diverse range of Calgarians and organizations need to be engaged on the climate crisis to develop impactful solutions that fit our unique political and economic circumstances.
Calgary Interfaith Council The Calgary Interfaith Council is made up of individual and congregational members. We seek to build a more just and respectful Calgary through deepening relationships across faith traditions, celebrating diversity and by learning from and about each other.
Cameroonian Canadian Association of Calgary is a non-profit organization established in 2007, with a mission to support and integrate newcomers from Cameroon into the vibrant community of Calgary. The CCAC plays a crucial role in helping individuals and families settle smoothly by offering a wide range of services.
Capitol Hill Community Association is an established community in northwest Calgary. Its community association (CHCA) is a volunteer-run organization committed to fostering a sense of belonging by engaging and connecting residents through programs and events. A huge driver with CHCA is supporting a neighbourhood where people know one another and feel they can contribute to their community. Additionally, we steward a well-used facility and park space at 1531 21 Avenue NW.
St. Andrews Heights Community Association St. Andrews Heights is a community in NW Calgary. The St.Andrews Heights Community Association is volunteer-run organization, with a mission of contributing to a St. Andrews Heights that is a safe and friendly community where people are valued and are happy to live. Our values are:
We value community involvement and will work collaboratively to support the needs of our residents;
we engage and communicate with our community in a transparent, open and fair manner to bring the community together; we value mutual respect;
We value being an inclusive community that encourages participation and supports the interests of all age groups;
We believe in facilitating our community’s growth and development in an equal, fair and non-partisan manner;
We will demonstrate integrity as we advocate on behalf of the residents of St. Andrews Heights;
We are strategic when making decisions for a safe, sustainable and environmentally conscientious association.
End of the Rainbow Foundation hosts the Calgary LGBTQI+ Refugee Centre and the Calgary LGBTQI+ Private Sponsorship Program settling SOGIESC refugees from outside Canada. The foundation also hosts a variety of volunteer-run support groups and mentor services, as well as education and research, particularly at the intersection of LGBTQI+ Migration. We are dedicated to all people of any sexual orientation and gender identity, whether they are longtime citizens, new Canadian refugees, or immigrants.
Land of Dreams is a 30-acre multicultural community farm in southeast Calgary, dedicated to regenerative agriculture, Indigenous relationship building, and providing access to land for newcomers to grow culturally relevant food. Guided by Blackfoot elder Herman Many Guns and supported by diverse ethnic communities, it fosters connection, healing, and ecological stewardship through farming, cultural exchange, and land restoration.
The Centro Latino serves as Calgary's hub for Latin American socio-economic advancement and cultural celebration. We connect our growing Latino community to essential resources, create pathways to opportunity, and advocate for meaningful inclusion in Calgary's civic and economic life. Through targeted programs and strategic partnerships, we help community members build skills, access services, and preserve their rich cultural heritage while fostering integration. The Centro Latino envisions a Calgary where Latin American contributions are recognized and valued, strengthening the city's social fabric and economic vitality through authentic cultural exchange and community empowerment.
Otipemisiwak Metis Government (OMG) District 5
The Calgary Elbow Métis District is a vibrant area celebrating Métis culture and history in Calgary, Alberta. It highlights the Métis people’s unique blend of Indigenous and European influences through community events, festivals, and cultural programs. The district plays a key role in promoting Métis heritage, language, and traditions, while advocating for Métis rights and visibility. In recent years, there has been a strong push for Métis identity revitalization and reconciliation in urban spaces, offering resources and support to Métis families and strengthening community ties.
Shawnee-Evergreen Community Association (SECA) is committed to strengthening neighbourhood connections and fostering a sense of belonging in Shawnee Slopes, Shawnee Park, and Evergreen Estates. Through placemaking initiatives, community events, and collaborative projects, SECA transforms public spaces into vibrant hubs where residents can gather, engage, and shape the future of their community. By bringing neighbours together and amplifying local voices, SECA fosters meaningful relationships that contribute to a thriving and connected community.
Wings of Hope for Africa is a registered charity dedicated to empowering low-income families, newcomers, and vulnerable communities in Canada, Burundi and Rwanda through education, food security, skills development, and community support. Founded in 2011, we are committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that every individual has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
The inclusion of these incredible community groups is foundational to the BCC project and its objective of creating a deeper sense of belonging within Calgary communities.
The project received an overwhelmingly positive response in the expression of interest phase and the BCC team was positively overwhelmed by the many grassroots groups who shared their passion for community building. Although there were limitations in project scope to include a maximum of 11 community organizations, the BCC team has invited all who applied to participate in capacity building opportunities through the project and CDLI network resources, gatherings and peer connections in community development. The BCC team hopes to find ways to weave community passion with the existing network of assets and to extend support to those who were interested in participating as a community host organization.
The next phase of the project will be hiring and onboarding the Community Connectors in collaboration with the partner organizations! This exciting next step will build the foundation for connectors to; develop their ABCD practice, build trust and relationships within the participating communities and contribute their social skills to the project. The BCC team can’t wait to see what the Community Connectors will do!