Alberta Recreation and Parks Association: ChooseWell Healthy Community Grants

2020 HEALTHY COMMUNITY GRANTS

Applications for the 2020 Healthy Community Grants are now open! Apply by October 31, 2019.

Applicants must be registered with Communities ChooseWell in 2019 to be eligible to receive a grant. Register here!

The goals of the Healthy Community Grant is to enable communities to:

Take action to improve healthy eating and active living in their communities
Address social wellbeing while promoting healthy behaviours
Develop an environment where healthy choices are easier, accessible to everyone, and sustainable
Support collaborative local action to create communities that foster wellness. We value and promote the development of partnerships between different sectors, such as recreation, health, local governments, education, and not-for-profit.

Grants of $2,000.00 will be available to a maximum of one grant per community.

ChooseWell recognizes community members have a range of abilities and we want to make sure your strengths are highlighted through the grant application process. Therefore we are offering three ways to complete your Healthy Community Grant application; through a written, oral, or interview application process. Please complete one of the following:

Written Application Form
Oral Application Form
Interview Application Form
If you need more support with the application process, please review the Application Guide or contact Marissa MacIsaac at mmacisaac@arpaonline.ca or 780-643-1252.

The Communities ChooseWell Healthy Community Grants are administered by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association. Communities ChooseWell is funded by Alberta Health.

2018 FUNDED PROJECTS

Thank you to everyone who applied for a Healthy Community Grant this year. It was a difficult decision because all those who applied for a grant are doing amazing work! The following is the list of grant recipients for 2019.

Calgary – Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary

The BGCC Indigenous liyika’kimaat Youth Program works with Indigenous youth and their families. They will be using their grant to teach low-income families about healthy food preparation while on a budget.

Calgary – Unitarians Calgary

Eating well and staying connected can be a challenge when you are feeling off. The Unitarians Calgary, in partnership with Assertive Community Treatment Calgary, will be expanding their community garden to support healthy eating, social inclusion and a connection to nature among people experiencing mental health issues.

Camrose – Camrose Wellness Coalition

The Camrose Wellness Coalition has worked closely with the Camrose Public Library to develop a collection of winter physical activity equipment that is available for members to borrow. This year they will be expanding the program to increase equipment for use in every season.

Castor – Castor Minor Sports

Castor is creating a healthy eating environment in their arena by ensuring their new concession will provide healthy food options and education for parents on healthy eating for enhanced sport performance.

Chestermere – Synergy Youth and Community Development Society

Synergy Youth and Community Development Society will be hosting a series of events called the Community Culinary Creations Project. They will be providing education and hands on learning opportunities to improve healthy eating among youth in their community.

Cold Lake – Cold Lake Middle School

Cold Lake Middle School will be partnering with the Food Bank and local grocery stores to pilot the Food Recovery in the Cold Lake Community project. This will support a breakfast program in the school, supplies for the cooking class, weekly lunches for people experiencing homelessness, and weekly food packages for families struggling to make ends meet.

Edmonton – Caribbean Women Network Association of Canada for Support and Learning

The Caribbean Women Network will be using the grant to provide both healthy eating and active living opportunities through their Health and Happiness project. They will do this by providing physical activity programming and culturally based cooking classes for their members.

Edmonton – Kids on Track Association of Edmonton

Kids on Track offers recreational activities for low income, new Canadian, ethnically/culturally diverse and marginalized families who may be socially isolated and face barriers to inclusion. They will be using the grant to increase operational capacity to provide more opportunities to the families they work with.

Fishing Lake Metis Settlement – Fishing Lake Metis Settlement

Fishing Lake will be enhancing their youth leadership program by adding a health oriented component to daily programming. This will include education on meal preparation, healthy well balanced diets, and meal planning.

Fort McKay – Fort McKay Wellness Centre

Fort McKay will be creating the Outdoor Community Garden Project to build on the success they’ve seen with their indoor tower garden. This garden will become a community hub and create a sense of community and togetherness for residents and community members.

Hinton – Hinton Friendship Centre

The Hinton Friendship Centre will be building a community garden to support their Youth Group, Family Diversion, and Aboriginal Family Home Visitation programs. Family and community members will be able to engage in the garden as a way of strengthening connections, building social skills, and learning about food.

Horse Lake First Nation – Mawacihitowin Mistatm Sakahikan Society

Horse Lake will run the Physical Literacy Training for Maternal Child Health program. This program will provide education, information, and support and linkages to other services, to encourage active living among families in the community.

Lethbridge – Healthy Communities Association of Lethbridge Area

The Healthy Choices in Recreation Centres: Fueling Young Athletes project will help develop healthy eating practices in recreation facilities across Lethbridge. When healthy food and beverage option are available at these facilities, it will have a strong impact on the health of the community and young athletic performance.

Morley/Stoney Nakoda First Nations – Stoney Health Services

Stoney Health Services has identified Elders and seniors in the community are experiencing social isolation and poor eating practices. To improve their quality of life, they plan to hold a monthly cooking classes with Elders and seniors to share knowledge and healthy recipes.

Pincher Creek – Parks and Recreation Department

The town of Pincher Creek is working with the Pincher Creek Golf Club to create new ski trails in the community. They will be purchasing cross country skis to be loaned out for free to ensure all members of the community are able to access and enjoy the new trails.

Samson Cree First Nation – Samson Youth and Sports Development

Samson Cree will be partnering with a number of community agencies to engage youth in a new health program. Cree Youth Cooking Skills will focus on promoting a healthier lifestyle through an improved understanding of healthy eating, cooking skills, and cultural teachings.

Sexsmith – Sexsmith Wellness Centre

Sexsmith has a lack of after school programs for you ages 11-15. They plan to create 3 new youth after school programs; Girl’s Yoga Circle, Drop-in Gym’n Craft, and Learn to Cook.

Siksika Nation – Siksika N7

The Siksika N7 are a youth led group focused on improving the quality of life for youth in the community. They will be starting the “Why Healthy Food Matters!” project to educate youth on making healthy food choices.

Tsuut’ina Nation – Tsuut’ina Nation Health Centre

The Community Guja Garden project will encourage youth and Elder participation and engagement. This garden will be the vessel for traditional teachings on wellbeing to be passed on to the next generation.

Vermilion – Vermillion Wellness Coalition

The Vermillion Wellness Coalition plans to run several events over 2019 to encourage participants to try new, healthy lifestyle activities that they could incorporate into their everyday lives.

2017 FUNDED PROJECTS
Acadia Valley Recreation Club – Acadia Valley Community Garden Project
Construction of a community garden in the community with goals around sustainable food production and community beautification.

Town of Banff – Try Aquatic Fitness at Sally Borden Pool
Free aquatic fitness programs with the hopes of developing interest in the program and potentially future funding from the Town of Banff.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary Indigenous Initiatives – BGCC – Lessons with Elders on traditional and healthy food for Urban Indigenous Youth
Teaching and learning how to grow traditional foods as well as ceremonial teachings that accompany this, while also alleviating food insecurity.

Chateh, Dene Tha’ First Nation Recreation and Cultural Society – Dene Teens Healthy and Active
A program geared towards Indigneous children and youth to stay active and eat healthy

Chief Napeweaw Comprehensive School – CNCS’s Healthy School Garden
Growing fresh produce to reduce food insecurity and teach sustainable food skills to children.

Village of Delburne – Delburne Community Kitchen – Cooking with Seniors (55+)
A community kitchen with a focus on education about nutrition while aging.

Multicultural Family Resource Society – Edmonton Syrian Newcomers – Community Cooking for Wellness
Community Kitchen for Syrian women to help educate them on how to use local produce in traditional foods.

Jasper Place Wellness Centre, Food4Good – Traveling Food Hub
A traveling food education program to increase community access and knowledge around healthy, affordable foods.

Village of Foremost, Forty Mile Regional FCSS – Foremost Community Garden/Outdoor Classroom
Creating a garden and outdoor learning area in an underused area of the school grounds.

Fort McKay Wellness Center (Fort McKay Women’s Association) – Winter Snowshoe Program
Purchasing snowshoes to reduce financial barriers to participating in the snowshoeing program.

Grande Prairie Get Active Network – Physical Literacy Training for Childcare Staff at a Domestic Violence Shelter in Grande Prairie
Sessions provided by the Be Fit For Life Centre providing education on physical literacy.

Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge – Foodfit Childcare Initiative
Children will participate in activities that encompass healthy eating and physical activity, and adults are able to participate in a cooking workshop where they are able to take meals home.

Lethbridge, BikeBridge Cycling Association – Lethbridge Bike Week
A week of activities focused on encouraging beginner or casual cyclists to feel more welcome within the cycling community, including a bike fixing workshop and family biking events.

North Peace Youth Support Association – Fairview Community Garden
Raised garden and seating area accessible to youths, seniors, and families.

O’Chiese Health Services – O’Chiese Orchard
Increasing the knowledge and access to traditional, healthy foods including berries and fruits.

Siksika Nation – Siksika N7
Empowering and motivating youth through inclusive programming and services, including an after-school traditional cooking program.

Town of Vermilion – Vermilion Active Living Project
Showcasing opportunities available to people living in and around Vermilion to engage in walking and physical activity, including a WalkABLE workshop.

Viking Community Wellness Society – Viking Walking Trail Project
Marketing materials and public forums to gauge community interest and needs with the Viking Walking Trail Project.

2016 FUNDED PROJECTS
Alexander First Nation – ‘Mamaknowaakiy (Mother Earth)’
Promoting culturally sensitive healthy eating practices, increasing food security, and promoting physical activity in order to reduce prevalance of disease.

Boyle McCauley Street Community Services – ‘Women’s Wellness’
Making physical activity, recreation, and artistic expression more accessible for young women that live in the Edmonton inner city.

Edmonton Multicultural Coalition – ‘Building Community Foundations’
Increasing the number of community members using the community gardens by building raised beds and improved community signage.

Fishing Lake Métis Settlement – ‘Community Kitchen’
Addressing the lack of resources and knowledge of healthy cooking practices for local families.

Fort McKay – ‘Indoor Community Gardens’
Providing healthy food choices for those unable to travel to Fort McMurray for fresh produce.

Grande Cache – ‘Parenting in Motion’
Increasing healthy mother-daughter relationships through meaningful land-based interactions, communications activities, storytelling, and outroor activities.

Morley – ‘Stoney Nakoda Community’s Active Partners’
Addressing the lack of recreation opportunities available to you due to the restricted hours of the Youth Centre.

Neutral Hills Community Adult Learning Society – ‘Community ChooseWell Kitchen’
Educating community members on how to prepare healthy meals on a budget.

O’Chiese First Nation – ‘Gardens Re-Shaping O’Chiese (GRO)’
Increasing knowledge of gardening and traditional food, while increasing community access to fresh produce.

Renfrew – ‘Renfrew Community Garden’
Encouraging residents to engage in healthy living practices by creating a more sustainable food source.

Springbrook – ‘Springbrook Community Gardens – Raised Garden Beds’
Adding 32 raised garden beds to the already established community harden to improve access to those with limited mobility, allow for a transfer of knowledge and skills within th ecommunity, and foster community connections.

Sunchild First Nation – ‘Community Garden’
Provide community members with opportunities to grow, maintain, and harvest frest vegetables to nourish their families.

The Steadward Centre – ‘Inclusive Fitness Provider Workshop Series’
Provide education to community fitness professionals regarding inclusive fitness provision and accessibility.

Coaldale – ‘Coaldale Active and Safe Routes to School program and action plan’
Supporting active transportation as a habitual choice for school children by conducting a behavioural and physical investigationof the primary routes children take to and from school.

Fox Creek – ’55+ Swim & Fitness’
Improving the health of local seniors by offering them an opportinity to participate in weekly aquasize and workout classes, free of charge.

2015 FUNDED PROJECTS
Athabasca Native Friendship Centre – ‘Athabasca Community Collective Kitchen’
Received a grant to purchase start-up supplies for a community kitchen to bring the community together and reduce food insecurity, especially during the winter months.

Boyle Street – ‘UpSHIFT!’
Received a grant to purchase start-up supplies for a bike program, where high-risk populations can learn to build, repair and maintain bicycles in a 12-week program, ending with a fully functional bike that they will own.

Cold Lake – ‘Garden Gnomes’
Received a grant to purchase start up supplies for a summer youth gardening program, which taught children ages 6-17 how to plant, nurture, and harvest produce, ending with a ‘Harvest Dinner’ in the fall.

Coronation – ‘Outdoor & Active’
Received a grant to provide education opportunites for community members to learn how to properly use the newly-installed outdoor fitness equipment and walking path.

Crossfield – ‘Roots’
Received funding to support a monthly program bringing women in the community together and provide an opportunity for personal time away from the home and an opportunity to learn new skills in a supportive environment.

East Prairie Métis Settlement – ‘Healthy Start’
Received funding to purchase star-up supplies for a fitness facility to provide community members a safe, indoor space to exercise.

Edmonton Native Healing Centre – ‘Kamamak Community Health Ambassadors’
Received funding to support a physical activity focus duing their weekly Kamamak program, which engages femaie Inidgenous youth, aged 13-18, and promotes cultural teaching, health & wellness, lifeskills, and leadership development.

Kainai – ‘Developing Active First Nations School Environments’
Received funding to create a more interactive school environment that promoted unplanned, unorganized physical activity in students.

Lacombe – ‘Bike Share Program’
Received funding to purchase start-up supplies for a bike-share program in the community, giving community members free access to active transportation.

Langdon – ‘Balanced Fitness for Seniors’
Received a grant to purchase low-impact exercise equipment more suitable for seniors and others with a higher injury risk to allow them to exercise without as much injury concern.

Lougheed – ‘The Lougheed Low German mennonite Health and Nutrition Education Project’
Received funding for start-up costs for an educational healthy cooking program for a population with a lack of foundational knowledge on nutrition.

Manning – `Gardening with Kids 4 Kids`
Received a grant for start-up materials to build raised planter beds for an out-of-school care program for children aged 4-12.

Mirror – `Sharing and Giving Gardens`
Received funding for starting up a community garden open to the whole community, including raised beds.

Paul First Nation – `Agricultural Academy`
Received a grant to build a chicken coop and community garden with fencing to protect them from wild dogs and horses.

Red Deer – `Physical Literacy Back Packs`
Received funding to build back packs that could be rented from their toy lending library that included resources to teach parents and children about physical literacy.

External Grant Opportunities
Click here to view a list of external grant opportunities.
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