On October 6, 2022, Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) hosted a community forum at Santa Maria Goretti Centre, where community members and leaders gathered together and had a chance to network and learn from each other. The day’s theme was “Building Inclusive Communities: A Common Vision.” The event aimed to amplify the voices of the local grassroots communities, discuss community issues, learn about their interests and initiatives, and identify potential shared paths forward.
Approximately 93 participants attended the event, comprising members of the different community groups in Edmonton, Government officials, AHC partners, and stakeholders. Ten community booths were showcased during the event, with additional presentations from five grassroots community groups. The ongoing community efforts highlighted in the presentations include mental health support, youth empowerment, senior activities, cultural arts workshops, women’s empowerment, and digital literacy.
The event was closed with an activity gathering the participants’ recommendations for the path forward in three areas: grassroots community level, agency level and policy/government/funding level.
Among the many aspirations expressed by the attendees was the necessity for community-based capacity-building initiatives to be heard, increased funding opportunities, and relationship-building.
The AHC Community Development Unit will continually connect and work with the grassroots communities in providing guidance and support in implementing their initiatives and plans. If you would like to work with AHC on a community development initiative in your community, please email: communitydevelopment@a4hc.ca.
Indeed, there is oneness and inclusivity in a community where collaboration and knowledge sharing are its core.
View images from the event below.
