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 a meaningful platform for community leaders to connect, exchange experiences, and strengthen their collective capacity to serve their communities. Whether long-standing partners or new to the initiative, all participants contributed to a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere.
“For over three decades, Action for Healthy Communities has been dedicated to supporting grassroots groups and organizations,” said Community Capacity Strategy Lead Javaid Hayat. “Many of the groups we have worked with have since grown into fully operational organizations, thanks to consistent capacity-building and mentorship support. This is the power of investing in communities.”
Participating community groups included the following:
- Tajik Society of Alberta
- Himalay-Rocky Sports Club
- Guineans Association of Alberta
- Senegalese Association of Alberta
- WMEN Foundation Edmonton
- Belarussian Alliance – Alberta Chapter
- Equity Alliance
- Telegu Women Community
- Eritrean Segeneyti Subzone
- Africa Caribbean Alliance
- Life Changers
These groups—supported by AHC with or without a Seed Grant—have been actively involved with our initiatives since 2023. Each brings unique cultural insights, grassroots leadership, and a shared commitment to building more inclusive communities.
Roundtable Reflections: Resource Mapping & Community Challenges
To foster peer-to-peer learning, participants were divided into two groups for focused roundtable discussions on Resource Mapping and Community Challenges. These discussions were facilitated by CI group members and guided by thoughtful prompts such as:
- What challenges are you currently facing within your community initiatives?
- What resources can your group contribute toward addressing those challenges and bringing positive change in the community?
The conversations were dynamic and solution-focused, revealing both shared struggles and opportunities for collective action. Each group concluded with a representative summarizing their discussion, capturing insights on collaboration, sustainability, and the value of mutual support.
Learning & Capacity Building for New Seed Grant Recipients
This event also marked an important learning moment for our new Seed Grant recipients. Bazibuhe and Pravatika from the Community Development Unit (CDU) led an engaging and interactive session on:
- Best practices for initiative implementation
- Defining success and measuring impact
- Monthly and final reporting expectations
- Financial accountability and reporting procedures
Their clear guidance and real-life examples helped new community leaders better understand the project cycle and build confidence as they move forward with their initiatives.
Looking Ahead
Participants left the gathering feeling energized, inspired, and better connected—ready to put ideas into action and continue strengthening their communities. Events like these reaffirm the importance of shared learning, mutual support, and the collective strength of diverse community leaders. A sincere thank you to everyone who made this event a success. We look forward to seeing the momentum grow—and can’t wait to reconnect at the next Community of Practice!
