Peace Out Poverty United Way GenNEXT - Alberta Capital Region

In this episode we get to know Make Your Mark, an initiative of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region that teaches students from kindergarten to Grade 12 about social issues in their own communities, the role of non-profit organizations, and how they can make a real impact. We interview Sarah Chan about what drives her involvement with Make Your Mark as United Way works to grow the program to more local school projects. We also talk to Michelle Sabourin, a high school teacher at M.E. LaZerte and a champion of the program who participates annually with her students. And we hear from students Jessica and Drew, who are actively participating in Make Your Mark and share how this program has a direct impact on students.
Join us as we examine who is readying the next generation of changemakers in the Alberta Capital Region, and how are they doing it. United Way’s Make Your Mark is presented by Dentons.
Learn More: Stats Canada on Low Volunteerism Get Involved: Make Your MarkSupport: United Way Alberta Capital Region
The GenNEXT podcast team is Alex Bedard, Adam Tymko, Annie Weishaar, Brett Eigner, Sydney Reid, Feven Woerde, and Samantha Baxter. GenNEXT is a volunteer committee of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. If you’d like to learn more or find out how you can help ensure no one in our community is left behind, visit MyUnitedWay.ca.

The complex needs of Albertans living with disabilities are being supported in part by organizations like the YWCA. In this episode we are joined by Chandra MacLeod, who is the director of external relations for the YWCA and has an extensive history of working with people living with a disability. Also, Donna Bedard, who lives with a physical disability called dystonia. Donna and Chandra share their insights on how as a society we can work to support the community of people living with disabilities. 
 
Learn: Home - YWCA (ywcaofedmonton.org) 
 
Learn: Welcome to Dystonia Medical Research Foundation of Canada | Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada (dystoniacanada.org) 
 
Learn: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/ 
 
Get Involved: https://www.volunteerconnector.org/edmonton/volunteeralberta 
 
Support: United Way of the Alberta Capital Region 
 
The GenNEXT podcast team is Alex Bedard, Adam Tymko, Annie Weishaar, Brett Eigner, Sydney Reid, Feven Worede, and Samantha Baxter. GenNEXT is a volunteer committee of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. If you’d like to learn more or find out how you can help ensure no one in our community is left behind, visit MyUnitedWay.ca. 

The growing and complex needs of Albertans are being supported in part by an interconnected network called 211. We examine the beginnings and evolution of the 211 network, what it does, and how it is impacting local communities. This episode, we are joined by Stephanie Wright, the 211 Alberta manager, and Danae Dobko, a community resource specialist for 211. Together, we dive into the ins and outs of how 211 works to find Albertans help in increasingly trying times. 
 
Support: United Way of the Alberta Capital Region 
Connect: 211 Alberta
Learn: https://alberta.cmha.ca/mental-illness-in-canada/ 
Learn: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75f0002m/75f0002m2023004-eng.htm  
Get Involved: https://www.volunteerconnector.org/edmonton/volunteeralberta 
 
Access 211 support today: 
You can reach 211 anytime 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. 
Over the phone: Dial 2-1-1 Text INFO to 211 Live chat You can also reach 211 24/7 using one of these toll-free numbers: 
1-888-482-4696 (Edmonton & Northern Alberta) 1-855-266-1605 (Calgary, Central & Southern Alberta)  
The GenNEXT podcast team is Alex Bedard, Adam Tymko, Annie Weishaar, Brett Eigner, David Odumade, Sydney Reid, Fever Worede, and Samantha Baxter. GenNEXT is a volunteer committee of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. If you’d like to learn more or find out how you can be a part of the plan to end poverty, visit MyUnitedWay.ca.

We’re back for Season 3! Subscribe to this feed and tune into our first episode of the season next week.
GenNEXT is a volunteer committee of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. This trailer was produced by Castria. If you’d like to learn more or find out how you can be a part of the plan to end poverty, visit MyUnitedWay.ca. 

Moving to a new country can be daunting, especially if you don’t have proper access to resources that can set you up for success. This is the reality for many women immigrating to Canada, and there some organizations out there looking to help bridge that gap. In this episode, we take a look at the resources available and some of the challenges associated with women immigrating to the Alberta Capital Region. This episode, we were joined by Marion Mendoza of the EMCN, Maritza Velasco-Valencia and Cheryl Whitelaw from Women United to discuss the issues they face and to share some impact stories of some of the positive outcomes from programs supported by United Way. 
 
Support: United Way of the Alberta Capital Region 
Support: Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers 
Learn: Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) 
Learn: EMCN – I-WIN Program 
Learn: United Way – Maritza's Story 
Learn: United Way – Women United 
Connect: United Way of the Alberta Capital Region  
 
The GenNEXT podcast team is Alex Bedard, Renée Chan, Andrew Mason, David Odumade, Stephen Ryan, and Feven Worede. GenNEXT is a volunteer committee of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. If you’d like to learn more or find out how you can be a part of the plan to end poverty, visit MyUnitedWay.ca. 

Lack of education and the likelihood of a life in poverty are directly linked. People with higher levels of education are more likely to have better jobs, live in safer home and report better physical and mental health. Things which are good for the whole community. In this episode, we dive into the benefits of post-secondary education and some of the challenges associated with entering and having success there. This episode, we were joined by Amanda Harry of BCGBIGS, Michaela Mann from the University of Alberta U School, and Elaine Tran from the Students’ Association of MacEwan University to discuss the issues they face and to highlight the great work their organizations are doing in our community. 
 
Support: United Way of the Alberta Capital Region 
Support: Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters 
Support: University of Alberta U School 
Learn: Students’ Association of MacEwan University   
Learn: United Way – All in For Youth Program 
Learn: High School to Post Secondary Transition Rates   
Connect: United Way of the Alberta Capital Region  
 
The GenNEXT podcast team is Alex Bedard, Renée Chan, Andrew Mason, David Odumade, Stephen Ryan, and Feven Worede. GenNEXT is a volunteer committee of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. If you’d like to learn more or find out how you can be a part of the plan to end poverty, visit MyUnitedWay.ca.