It’s almost here – the ESCC’s new monthly newsletter is set to arrive in your inbox in March.  

There is still time to provide feedback on the type of content that will be most relevant to you. Fill out the survey before February 19th.  

If you want to continue to receive our newsletters, there is nothing you need to do. Your email address will be automatically carried over and you will receive our next newsletter when it is sent out in March.  

If you no longer want to receive our newsletters, simply scroll to the bottom of this email and click on “unsubscribe”.  

We look forward to unveiling our new monthly newsletter! 

The provincial government recently announced the Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit for businesses, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations severely impacted by the pandemic and public health restrictions. The grant will be available starting in April. Organizations are eligible to receive up to $10,000 to assist with operating costs.   

This survey is to learn how non-profits are responding to COVID-19. Provide your insights to help propel future action in support of Canadian non-profit organizations.  

This 90-minute interactive SSIR Live! webinar will outline how organizations can use digital technology to more easily conduct randomized experiments to measure impact, and demonstrate why randomized evaluation should become an essential part of every social sector leader’s strategic toolkit. Participants will get exposure to tools that can help them improve their organization’s ability to experiment effectively, and learn how to design adaptive experiments. 

Join this virtual half-day session exploring new ways to plan and design our buildings, neighbourhoods, streets, and communities to promote the health and well-being of the population! The 1st annual Fit Cities Fit Towns Canada Conference is a unique opportunity to learn about the built environment, and how to plan healthier communities.

Tamarack is excited to offer a brand new virtual workshop. Community Innovation 2021: Cultivating Capacity for Transformation is a new single-day virtual workshop. Participants can choose from one of two workshops in March or April. This workshop provides you an opportunity to explore key theories, tools, and approaches in the practice of Community Innovation and equip you with the knowledge you need to ensure that innovation is intentionally incorporated into your community change efforts. Want to learn more about community innovation? Download Tamrack’s Community Innovation Imperative report. 

The folks from Drive Happiness are currently offering door-thru-door transportation services for older Edmontonians who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and don’t have access to reliable transportation. For information, call 780-424-5438, or email [email protected]. You can also visit www.drivehappiness.ca. 

GeriActors is an intergenerational theatre company, ranging in age from early twenties to ninety. The company’s plays are based on true stories, focusing on ageing rather than age, and celebrating our commonalities. This spring, GeriActors will perform their new audio plays over Zoom.

Listen to stories of WWII, farm life in Alberta, growing up in Trinidad and more! With music, videos and photos, plays will be brought to life on your screen. Upcoming performance dates include: 

Additionally, you can book a virtual performance for your organizations. GeriActors would love to perform for your staff, residents, or members. Performances will be held live over Zoom between May 10 and June 13. Visit www.geriactors.ca for more information, purchase tickets or book a performance. 

Keep up your fitness regimen at home with this winter exercise series from Strathcona Place Society. For your safety, classes take place online. Fitness videos are pre-recorded, so you can participate at your convenience for up to 24 hours after they are released. Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming up: 

Call Danielle at 780-433-5807 or view the website registration page for more information, including class pricing.

Boardwalk Ice on Whyte is brightening up winter in Edmonton by adding breathtaking ice sculptures from award-winning artists to winter patios around downtown and Old Strathcona. Safely take yourself on a self-guided ice sculpture tour. Check out this map for sculpture locations. 

Join one of Edmonton's great winter celebrations! The Flying Canoe Volant Festival is a creative and interactive cultural event that celebrates local history and everything that is great about a long winter's night. Extending from the Mill Creek Ravine to La Cité Francophone, this large-scale community offers something for everyone. In the ravine, you’ll step into a magical surrounding as you encounter artistic lighting installations and engage in Métis jigs/reels, bannock making, storytelling, drumming, and conversation. To adhere to COVID-19 restrictions, the festival is asking you pre-register. The festival is also asking participants to arrive within 30 minutes of their registration time and limit their visit to 2 hours in order to reduce crowds.  

Both older LGBTQI2S adults and their caregivers are invited to take part in a research study. Findings from this study will inform how care provision and support in Canada can be improved. Your involvement in this project will include a 30-minute introductory meeting and 2-hour focus group (both conducted on Zoom). As thanks for participating, you will receive a $50 Amazon e-gift card. A diversity of perspectives is important and the study welcomes the perspectives of welcome of people with various social identifications and particularly seek to amplify the perspectives of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) and those who live in rural areas.