Blog

What better way to connect your mental wellness with the great outdoors than with a wellness walk! Read more about Wellness Walks and the Strathcona County Child and Youth Coalition.

“For some people the pandemic was harder, for others it was easier. But we experienced this event together. It’s about connection, understanding and common humanity.”

“Having good mental health doesn't mean we are happy all the time. Having good mental health means we can navigate the ups and downs of life.” 

A new friend, a new connection, and the comfort of a shared laugh is much more important than we often realize, and we are never too young, or too old, to appreciate this. Linking Generations is driving this idea forward, making a positive impact of the health and well-being for both seniors and youth.

It takes all of us to build a strong community, and what better way to celebrate than during National AccessAbility Week. It’s a time when accessibility and inclusion are promoted across communities and workplaces and a chance to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities, visible or invisible.

Sofia Rathjen is a community champion by no stretch of the imagination. At 13 years old, Sofia is an advocate for inclusion and representation in books. As a successful Community Change Grant applicant in 2019, she was able to use the grant funds for over 130 school library books to represent diverse stories and lives. The following is an excerpt from her English “class passion project” essay, titled “Technicolour Bookshelves”.  

In a year of isolation, upheaval and fear, volunteers are the superheroes coming to save the day. And while they may not have a proton pack or wear spandex, they will show up on your doorstep with a friendly smile and groceries in hand. As part of National Volunteer Week, the Social Action team connected with Volunteer Strathcona to learn more about the important role community volunteers have played during the pandemic.

The Gilmore Park Community League has been bringing residents closer together for over a decade. This year, they created a Glen Allan History Walk in partnership with the Strathcona County Museum & Archives to encourage connection and share the history of their neighbourhood.

Sometimes you just have to dance it out, and no one knows that better than Isaac Shabbits, the 13 year old leader behind the Boys Dance Too initiative. Read how Isaac is challenging stereotypes to encourage and support boys in dance. 

Strathcona County Art Gallery@501 is celebrating 10 years of inclusive arts and culture opportunities and is now hosting a virtual exhibition experience, "Walking Gently: Spirit Stories and the 13 Moons", featuring two Métis artists. We had the opportunity to ask the artists what it meant to them to share cultural knowledge and connection through their paintings.