Episodes

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton. On this episode, we speak with executive producer, Terri Duncan to learn how the organization is reshaping the way supports for kids and families living with Autism are delivered. This includes things like departing from a behavioural compliance approach toward something called the SCERTS model. SCERTS stands for Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support. This approach is designed to foste...

On this episode we’re joined by Tareq Hadhad, Founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate. Born in Damascus, Tareq shares his journey from a Lebanese refugee camp to Antigonish, Nova Scotia. His journey from the Middle East to Canada and its resulting culture shock are the tip of an inspiring iceberg that showcase the compassion and support of Canadians, Nova Scotians and the people of Antigonish. Tareq will present the keynote address at Edmonton Community Foundation’s Annual luncheon on June 20th. ...

Last year, our 10-part podcast series on the historic Vriend v. Alberta Supreme Court ruling received a nomination for a Canadian Online Publishing Award. This series has now been adapted into a feature-length documentary, Pride vs. Prejudice: The Delwin Vriend Story, written and directed by Darrin Hagen. Pride vs. Prejudice tells the compelling story of Delwin Vriend, who was dismissed from a Christian university in Edmonton for being gay, leading him to challenge this discrimination all the w...

In this episode, we conclude Monelle Sturko’s panel discussion that examines the vital role of women in leadership within the non-profit sector. Join Monelle, Michele Okere and Yasmin Jivraj as they delve into effective strategies for making positive change, communicating effectively with Boards and what enables women to bring unique leadership styles to the table. About the Panelists: Monelle Sturko is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Edmonton Community Foundation. As well as the Cha...

In this episode, join us for part one of a dynamic panel discussion that delves deep into the vital role of women in leadership within the non-profit sector. Featuring a round table discussion lead by Monelle Sturko (ECF’s Board Chair), Michele Okere and Yasmin Jivraj bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table, offering insights into the challenges, triumphs, and strategies for success in navigating the non-profit landscape. About the Panelists: Monelle Sturko is the Chair of the B...

Accepting the role as an executor of an estate can be a daunting prospect. Between probate and tax considerations and beneficiaries who may, or may not get along, the process can seem overwhelming. On this episode we sit down with Victoria Jones from the law firm de Villars Jones to discuss the ins and outs of estate administration. Victoria has appeared at all levels of court in Alberta and has appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada. Her practice includes Wills, Estates, Trusts, Estate Litigat...

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we go into our archives to bring you a story about two incredible community builders in our city. Nunu Desalgne and Hayat El-Ossmani were recognized for their community work at the 2022 RISE Awards. The RISE Awards are presented by Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers to recognize immigrant success in Edmonton. Hayat and Nunu received The Community Leadership Award, sponsored by Edmonton Community Foundation. This award recognizes newcomers who demonst...

February 27th is International Polar Bear Day. On this episode, we’re putting on our parkas and heading out to learn about these majestic creatures. We’ll meet Dr. Andrew Derocher, a polar bear biologist from the University of Alberta to see how polar bears are faring in a changing Arctic, and we’ll hear from Dianne Johnstone one of the founders of the Johnstone-Wright Polar Bear Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation. This very special fund supports education, research and conservation efforts...

On this episode, we go back into our archives to present a replay of our look at how bias in data gathering can impact representation of communities. Our guest producer, Emily Rendell-Watson, speaks with three incredible community members with experience in data research, urban planning and activism. This story originally aired in 2022 while ECF explored the history of racism through its annual Vital Signs initiative. Vital Signs is a check-up to see how the community is fairing on various issu...

On this episode, our correspondent, Danielle Paradis introduces us to Kyle Dubé, the executive director at YOUCAN Youth Services. Kyle tells us how being relentless can make a difference. YOUCAN helps young people out of harm’s way, and onto a path of economic independence. They do this through a series of programs that empower healthy decision-making. They also help youth to return to school and enter the work force with training and skill development. Links: Learn more abut YOUCAN Youth Ser...

In February 2023, Betty and George Screpnek created a fund to celebrate their son, Wade, on his 50th birthday. It is the Wade Screpnek Speech Therapy Fund, and it will assist families with the cost of accessing speech therapy. On this episode, we meet Betty Screpnek, donor, and Janet Tryhuba, executive director of Edmonton Down Syndrome Society. They show us how vibrant communities are built when we support and celebrate each other for who we are. Links: Learn more about the Wade Screpnek Spee...

Boyle Street Community Services has been supporting people experiencing homelessness and poverty since 1971. And for many of those years, it was operating out of a dilapidated facility on 101st Street and 105th Avenue. In late 2021, Boyle Street announced it was purchasing a new building a few blocks north of their original location and they were getting set to break ground on okimaw peyesew kamik, which is Cree for The King Thunderbird Centre. But what was supposed to be a rather straight forwa...

On this episode, our correspondent Theodora MacLeod introduces us to the very talented AV (Ann Vriend). We learn about the inner-city has shaped her music, and how one front-porch in the neighbourhood of McCauley has brought people together. AV was a recipient of a 2022 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award. The Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF) is a joint initiative of Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Community Foundation. It invests in the creative community by supporting living and working ...

On this episode, freelance producer Emily Rendell-Watson explores new innovations in local agriculture that could impact the future of food security in Edmonton. Food security is the topic for our 2023 Vital Signs report. Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) and Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) have partnered to create this report, and we’ve learned a lot about food in our city. In our previous episodes, we’ve talked about food security over the past 10 years and where we are today.  We al...

On this episode, we meet Eric Rice, Eric recently created the Edmonton Affordable Housing Maintenance Fund here at ECF, to support people experiencing housing or income insecurity. Eric has been involved in housing and homelessness in various ways over the years. It is a complex and overwhelming issue, and the people experiencing houselessness are often met with stigmatization and judgement. With an issue this big, it’s hard to know how we as individuals can make a difference. That’s one reaso...

On this episode, we learn about how the Canada Cultural Investment Fund (CCIF) matches endowment donations to create a sustainable funding source for arts organizations like Edmonton Opera and Ukrainian Shumka Dancers + Shumka School of Dance. CCIF is a program created by the Government of Canada. Their Endowment Incentives component provides matching funds to endowments that support professional performing arts organizations.  ECF became a partner in this component in 2001. Since then, we’ve p...

On this episode, freelance producer Emily Rendell-Watson, explores the nuances around accessing food and why our goal should be to help people thrive, not just survive. Food security is the topic for our 2023 Vital Signs report. Earlier in August, in our Hunger Happens Here episode, we talked about Edmonton’s food security landscape over the past 10 years. We also looked at some of the day-to-day factors that play into how people can access food. Like cost-of-living increases, affordable housi...

Death eventually comes for all of us. We don’t have a choice in this matter, but we do have a lot of choice when it comes to what happens after we pass. On this episode, Our producer, Lisa Pruden, sits down with Victoria Jones to discuss some wishes that people have for themselves and their pets when they die – and let’s just say some of these get pretty creative and may, or may not involve a homemade cannon. Victoria is a lawyer at De Villars Jones LLP, with a focus on wills and estates. She i...

On this episode, our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, takes us to Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society. Bent Arrow was established in 1994 to support Indigenous children, youth and families. Their mission is to empower Indigenous people to grow spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally. And to see them walk proudly in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Executive Director, Cheryl Whiskeyjack, tells us about the importance of ceremony and access to culture. And talks about s...

On this episode, our correspondent, Scott Lilwall, takes us to the 2nd oldest migration monitoring observatory in Canada: the Beaverhill Bird Observatory (BBO). BBO was established in 1984 and has gathered decades of datasets that help them track changes in bird populations and how they migrate. And they boast several programs to encourage education, research, and community knowledge. Programs like the Young Ornithologists Workshop! BBO is an Important Bird Area. It is an Internationally Signi...

On this episode our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, explores food security in Edmonton. Food security was the subject of ECF’s very first Vital Signs report, published back in 2013. This year, on our 10th anniversary of Vital Signs, we are revisiting that topic and taking a deep dive into Edmonton’s food security landscape to see what has changed over time, for better or worse. For example, the percentage of Albertans experiencing severe food insecurity more than doubled between 2011 and 20...

On this episode our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, learns about the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest (BEAR) initiative and how the philosophy of Ubuntu (meaning: I am because we are) can help us better understand their approach to health equity. BEAR was founded by the Ribbon Rouge Foundation to strengthen health equity in African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities. ECF has been honoured to provide funding to help with the first three years of the initiative. BEAR takes an intersectional...

On this episode, we hear an inspiring conversation about the power of plays and growing up in Edmonton’s scrappy theatre scene with Louise Casemore. Louise is an award-winning playwright and self-described “Prairie Nuisance.” She is a dramaturg, and in 2021 she published a national study on new play development titled “Surveying the Landscape.” Louise also has an interest in human resources. She is an artist advocate and consults with arts organizations around policy creation and organizational...

On this episode, we meet The Melisizwe Brothers. Marc, Seth and Zacary James began training in music as early as ages 4 to 7. Encouraged by their families, and with each other’s support, they have since established themselves on the music scene. The Melisizwe Brothers have performed internationally and have appeared on several television shows including Netflix’s Mowtown Magic, Showtime at the Apollo, the Ellen DeGeneres Show and more! And they are finding ways to give back to the community th...