Back in the summer of 2016, a simple conversation between Taekwondo instructor Raju Gadtaula and community volunteer Homan Gautam sparked the beginning of a transformative journey for many immigrant children. They noticed that numerous kids from immigrant backgrounds often felt isolated and struggled to find their place in the community. Fueled by a desire to…
At the heart of every thriving community are its elders—quietly resilient, deeply wise, and the living memory of culture, tradition, and history. For the Eritrean Canadian Multicultural Association (ECMA), this truth has always been a guiding force. Building on the success of its youth and family initiative in 2023, ECMA has launched a second major…
In May 2025, Action for Healthy Communities proudly participated in the Black Child and Youth Wellness Conference in Calgary—an inspiring national gathering under the theme “Transforming the Lives of Black Children and Youth Across Canada” championed by Dr. Bukola Salami from the University of Calgary. This pivotal conference brought together practitioners, community leaders, educators, and…
Starting over in Canada as a newcomer has many challenges—finding a new place to live, adapting to the language and culture, and of course, finding employment. To help newcomers learn a variety of skills, and prepare for different careers, the Employment Team offers Workforce Participation Programs (WPPs). During the last week of April, the Employment…
The Issue: Barriers to Accessing Canada Child Benefits for Newcomers For many newcomer families in Canada, accessing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a critical step toward achieving financial stability. The CCB provides eligible families with tax-free monthly payments to help cover the costs of raising children. However, many newcomers face significant challenges when trying…
Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) Settlement and Integration program hosted its annual FREE Tax Clinic for individuals and families with low income, from March 3 to May 16, 2025. To better assist the community, the tax clinic at AHC’s main office in Edmonton will continue until May 16, operating Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM…
Our Community Initiative (CI) leaders shared their unique and informative perspective on community-building at our first Community of Practice (CoP) mini gathering of 2025, held on April 26, 2025. The energy in the room was uplifting as 11 ethno-cultural CI groups came together for an afternoon of learning, dialogue, and community-building. This quarterly event provided…
We at Action for Healthy Communities are deeply saddened by the tragic incident during Lapu-Lapu Day in Vancouver earlier this week. We extend our condolences to the victims, their families, the Filipino community across Canada, and all others in the City of Vancouver who were affected by this tragedy.
The March 15, 2025, Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) review meeting was a successful forum for Community Initiative Groups to present their impactful ideas for community well-being. Initiatives ranged from promoting physical and mental wellness to fostering connection through language, culture, and traditions. Representatives presented to four CDAC members, who offered valuable feedback to ensure…
On March 7, 2025, Action for Healthy Communities organized and hosted an enriching Entrepreneurship Grant Writing Bootcamp, which was specifically aimed at equipping participants with the essential knowledge and practical tools they need to successfully secure financial grants for their businesses. “I attended private grant workshops before, but this one far surpassed anything I learned…