ONGOING COMMITTEES AND COALITIONS:

COALITION OF MUNICIPALITES AGAINST RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION (CMARD) TEAM
Based on the signing of the Declaration of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination and the Resolution of City Council, the CMARD Team was appointed in 2007.

Purpose:  To develop and promote "Building a Welcoming and Inclusive Community" and to support the Common Commitments, Coalition of Canadian Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD).

The CMARD Team functions as a Steering Committee for this community initiative.  It is a Sub-Committee of the Community and Social Development (CSD) Committee of Council.

The CMARD Team includes representation from the following:

  • Community and Social Development Committee of Council
  • Chief of Police
  • Executive
  • Lethbridge Regional Police Services
  • Director, Persons with Development Disabilities (PDD)
  • Executive Director, Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ)
  • Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge
  • President, Southern Alberta Ethnic Association
  • Community Service Organization
  • Youth Representative
  • Director, Lethbridge Immigrant Services
  • Kainai Chief and Council (Transition Project)
  • University of Lethbridge
  • Community and Social Development Group, City of Lethbridge (ex-officio)

    • Website  CMARD - Terms of Reference

    The First Annual Diversity Conference was held October, 2010, with over 150 community participants engaged in dialogue to create a Community Action Plan for presentation to City Council in January, 2011.

    Diversity Conference Proceedings

    Community Action Plan 2011-2021 - Building Bridges - A Welcoming and Inclusive Community.pdfCommunity Action Plan 2011-2021 - Building Bridges - A Welcoming and Inclusive Community

    COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESPONSE TEAM (CSART)

    CSART is an overarching collaborative community group focused on developing a community voice, community awareness and engagement about substance use (alcohol and illicit substances).  The purpose of this committee is to:

      • Coordinate initiatives and resources to reduce the harm caused by substance abuse and addictions
      • Educate all sectors and the community
      • Prevent illicit use of substances through education and awareness
      • Create community support systems for users, families and service providers
      • Create a community voice to advocate for prevention, treatment and harm reduction
      • Coordinate activities in the community.

The membership of this committee includes representation from:

          • The Community at large
          • Justice – Crown Prosecutor
          • City of Lethbridge
          • City of Lethbridge - YAC
          • Harm Reduction Network
          • AHS – Addiction and Mental Health
          • AHS – Population Health
          • Addiction programs on the Reserves
          • TRAC Youth Outreach
          • Woods Home
          • McMan            
         • Mental Health
          • Southwest Alberta Child Family & Services Authority
          • School Districts
          • University of Lethbridge
          • Family Centre
          • YWCA Lethbridge & District
          • South Country Treatment Guide
          • Lethbridge Family Services
          • Foothills Detox Centre
          • Lethbridge HIV Connection
          • Lethbridge Regional Police Service

This committee also reports to City Council through Community and Social Development Committee of Council. 

VIBRANT LETHBRIDGE - POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY
"Vibrant Lethbridge" - all people in Lethbridge will be able to participate in a Vibrant Community Life. 

This is the cornerstone of the Poverty Reduction Strategy launched by the Community and Social Development Committee of Council.  16% of Lethbridge's population lives with a low income and experiences the impact of poverty in day-to-day life.  

Poverty not only impacts the socio-economic health of the community but also the individual health and well-being of children and families.

The Social Policy identifies poverty as a priority within all groups in Lethbridge and compromises peoples' ability to fully participate in community life.

As a new initiative for the City and in communities across Alberta, community involvement, education and planning will occur over the next year. 

 

Watch for opportunities and events that will contribute to the vibrancy of Lethbridge and well-being of people in our community.

 

Contact Information:
Phone: (403) 320-3051
SocialPolicy 2009-2011.pdfSocial Policy 2009-2011

SENIORS COMMUNITY FORUM
Lethbridge is experiencing an aging population.  In 1999, the impact of this resulted in the formation of the Seniors Community Forum (SCF) which is a collaboration of community stakeholders  working together to create a preferred future for the older adult population within Lethbridge.  The purpose of this committee is to:

  • Share information and identify current issues impacting seniors, their families & other stakeholders
  • Work together to prevent fragmentation of services and supports and increase collaboration, cooperation and partnering opportunities.
  • Initiate projects and serves that support a healthy and age friendly community
  • Increase awareness and education and advocate on issues impacting seniors in Lethbridge.

In 2012, the Seniors Community Forum will host the Provincial Senior's Conference in Lethbridge.  More information to follow.

Contact Information:
Community and Social Development, City of Lethbridge
910 - 4th Avenue
Lethbridge AB  T1J 0P6
Telephone: (403) 320-3051
EMAIL

SCF - Terms of Reference.pdfSeniors Community Forum - Terms of Reference 

The 40 DEVELOPMENT ASSETS

Do you ever wonder why some kids seem to grow up with ease while others struggle?

Are you surprised that some kids thrive in spite of difficult circumstances?

 

Through studies involving hundreds of thousands of young people across North America,  Search Institute of Minnesota has found 40 factors that are essential to young people’s success. They call these 40 factors Developmental Assets.

  • These Assets are not financial
  • They are traits such as skills, relationships, values, and self-perceptions
  • External categories are relationships and opportunities that young people experience in their families, schools and communities (things that other people provide for youth):Youth Jumping.JPG
    • Support
    • Empowerment
    • Boundaries & Expectations
    • Constructive Use of Time
  • Internal categories are skills and values that youth develop within themselves to guide behaviours and choices:
    • Commitment to Learning
    • Positive Values
    • Social Competencies
    • Positive Identity

The more Developmental Assets young people have, the more successful they become.  They have more school and relationship success, live healthier lifestyles and make better choices. 

Search Institute has found that the young people they surveyed average only 19 of the 40 Developmental Assets. 

The City of Lethbridge has committed resources to a Developmental Assets Community initiative.  We have partnered with Boys and Girls Club, both Holy Spirit and Lethbridge School Division #51 School Districts and other youth serving organizations. 

In 2011 watch for workshops, information and projects designed to increase Developmental Assets in Lethbridge's younger citizens.