Residents are invited to join the Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance (CAPRA) for a facilitated conversation about creating a poverty reduction strategy for Red Deer.
On March 18th, CAPRA will host ‘Prosperity for all: preparing Red Deer for poverty reduction by creating a Vibrant Community.’ It runs from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. (lunch will be provided) at the Black Knight Inn.
“The main goal of this event is for Red Deerians to assist CAPRA in creating a poverty reduction plan for Red Deer. Our group is looking for input from all citizens: faith groups, businesses, seniors, school districts, charities, parenting groups, volunteers, professionals and citizens,” said Tricia Haggarty-Roberts, assistant executive director for the Safe Harbour Society and co-chair of CAPRA.
“While the plan will be specific to Red Deer, regional partners are also more than welcome to attend and are encouraged to bring a cohort along with them to learn from Red Deer’s community planning process.”
Haggarty-Roberts also said that in some communities, poverty reduction plans have included such varied aspects as access to recreation or affordable transportation.
“Down east in the Maritimes when they started this a few years back, employment was their big thing so it was really business-driven,” she said. “It’s really dependent on the communities and the needs.”
Guest speaker Liz Weaver, vice president of the Tamarack Institute and lead for Vibrant Communities Canada, will present on poverty reduction. The event will also feature Leann Wagner and Lindsey Graham of Alberta’s Social Policy Framework project team.
“She brings a wealth of resources in terms of not only how to dig a little deeper, to find practical solution-focused topics. That’s what Liz brings.
“It’s not a one-hit formula that works everywhere,” added Haggarty-Roberts, adding that Weaver is skilled at helping communities build grassroots strategies.
Meanwhile, those interested in attending are urged to RSVP to Capra@redddeer.ca or call 403-342-8102 as soon as possible.
“CAPRA has done a significant amount of research and planning for poverty reduction for Central Alberta. This event gives residents an opportunity to find out about the work that has been done on poverty reduction, to learn about best practices, and to get involved in making Red Deer a Vibrant Community,” said Amanda Ens, community facilitator for the City of Red Deer and coordinator for CAPRA. “We are eager to get Central Albertans involved in making our communities vibrant and accessible for all citizens.”
Residents unable to attend the event are encouraged to visit us CAPRA on Facebook at facebook.com/CentralAlbertaPovertyReductionAlliance or Twitter @CAPoverty to offer their feedback and to learn more about what poverty looks like in Red Deer, Alberta, and Canada.
If you want to attend the event and cannot use regular transportation, Red Deer Transit’s Action Bus offers transportation services to citizens of Red Deer with special needs. For more information, or to register for this service, please phone 403-309-8400.
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