Neighbours make community connections

Next round of Community Small Grant Funding will be in 2018

A Strathcona County initiative to encourage residents to come together is seeing great success, with more neighbours than ever ready to hold events that help them get to know each other, enhancing community connectedness. 

This past June, the County distributed $50,000 to 58 community initiatives as part of the Community Small Grant program’s goal of nurturing community connections.

Family and Community Services received 70 grant applications, seeking a total of $94,186 (more than doubling the amount of applications received in the first year)!

Due to the huge uptake in this community building program, the Family and Community Services Advisory Committee determined that all the funds ($50,000) would be dispersed at this time, rather than opening a second round of applications this fall.

Details on 2018 grant funding will be shared following a review of the grant, including consideration of alignment with the recently approved Social Framework. In the meantime, there are many no- or low-cost opportunities for citizens of Strathcona County to nurture and maintain connections with neighbours year-round as we each participate in creating a supported, safe and connected community.  

The advisory committee, which is made up of county resident representatives, reviewed all spring applications. The 58 community initiatives were selected to receive funding on the basis of set criteria and eligibility, as well as socio economic factors and overall reinforcement of the outcomes of the Social Framework.

The majority of successful applicants hosted block party type gatherings that invited relationship-building between different generations. One neighbourhood gathered to plan and discuss what would go into their neighbourhood playground. A few hamlets planned community-wide events to bring in the summer and provide opportunities for connections. Two of the senior centres hosted an open house and barbecue to introduce residents to their club and activities, in order to enhance social connections.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of refining in Western Canada. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595