It was inspiring. Uplifting. Energizing and I came away, as I so often do after engaging in conversation with ‘the next generation’, I felt reassured. I know the world is in good hands. I know that there are those who care, who want to create the change they want to see in the world. Those who are willing to step out of their comfort zones to see and feel and share and learn.

When I asked one young woman what moves her, what change she wants to see in the world she replied that it’s all about community. What does community mean for you, I asked. And she shared how visiting the agencies who support people in need, the homeless, the disenfranchised, youth at risk, she realized no one can do it alone. Change is a community undertaking.

What a great reminder! You can read Gallagher’s full post here. Also check out her TEDxCalgary talk (Lessons in Love: How Volunteering Saved My Life) if you haven’t already:

How do you see Calgarians making change in their communities? Share your insights below!

(The above photo, Touching Down, is by Carolyn Torhjelm and was taken as part of the 2012 Urban Exposure Project.)

Bitter Seeds Trailer from Micha X. Peled on Vimeo.

Though the film focuses on global issues, Jenny Krabbe, the festival’s creator, says it’s meant to spring Calgarians into action in a local way.

“Our mandate is not just awareness,” Krabbe says. ”We encourage action through conversation by bringing in someone local who can speak to the issue.”

Ken Larsen, the guest speaker for Bitter Seeds, runs a commercial-scale farm in Alberta. As a longtime farm activist he will speak to the global, as well as local effects of farming policies.

This, says Krabbe, is one of the many things that makes the festival so unique. Specialists and professionals engage and take questions from audience members to further engage them and allow for change-making dialogue.

The event aims to harvest the intellect of Calgary’s skilled and aware population and leverage that to make change both at home and abroad.

Bitter Seeds plays at 7 p.m. at the River Park Church tonight (May 14). The event is free.

The Marda Loop Justice Film Film Festival screens films year-round, and holds its annual festival in November with a line-up of thought-provoking and action-driven documentary films that highlight global issues.

—Jodi Egan is a marketing and communications intern at United Way of Calgary and Area.

Two years ago Huff robbed a Calgary Scotiabank during a long battle with depression. He is currently serving jail time on weekends, and has been sharing his story as a way to help others suffering from mental illness.

This is Mental Health Week, and we caught up with Huff to discuss the importance of speaking openly about depression and mental illness:

Huff kicked off Mental Health Week in the best possible way. He finally got to meet the bank teller he held up, and receive her forgiveness in person. Now they plan to tell their story together to help others.

You can hear more from Huff in this segment from The Charles Adler Show:

Do you or someone close to you need help and don’t know where to turn? Call 2-1-1.

This week is Mental Health Week and the Canadian Mental Health Association says that although physical health is important, mental wellbeing is often overlooked because of the stigma attached to it. 27 per cent of Canadians say they are fearful of people diagnosed with a mental illness, even though half of the country says they have suffered from some form it in their life.

CMHA is asking all Canadians to learn, talk and engage with one another about mental illness and its effects on each of us.

Rick Hanson, Calgary’s chief of police, is doing just that. Here’s what he had to say last month at United Way’s AGM.

Mental Health Week in Calgary – Chief Rick Hanson from Calgary United Way on Vimeo.

Do you or someone close to you need help and don’t know where to turn? Call 2-1-1.

—Jodi Egan is a marketing and communications intern at United Way of Calgary and Area.

“For the first time, we’ll have a comprehensive snapshot of how kids are faring in our city,” said Lucy Miller, United Way’s president and CEO. Lucy was interviewed by CBC Radio yesterday about the project:

Every year, UpStart, a collective impact initiative of United Way, will report on the state of Calgary’s kids with an annual report card. Learn more by reading United Way’s announcement, and these articles in the Calgary Herald, Metro and the Calgary Sun. From the Herald:

What makes the report card not only desirable, but doable, is that the agencies around the table are already collecting the data for their own use.

“It will give us the data all in one place, so we can really examine trends,” Miller said.

Examining how children fare earlier in life can help change some of the negative trends showing up later, said Miller, pointing to the approximately 3,000 students who drop out of high school in Calgary every year.

How do you think a report card like this will be valuable to Calgarians? Let us know in the comments below!

What is Why?Race? It is part orienteering, part obstacle course, all fun! Teams of four will race around downtown Calgary completing various challenges aimed at educating participants on social issues in Calgary and demonstrating how United Way and BeCause are taking action to combat those social issues. Why? Race is one of a kind; gathering an energetic group of the 20- to 30-something demographic for a fun day of philanthropy in hopes of empowering Calgary’s future leaders to get more involved in our great city.

Why is Why?Race so awesome you ask? How often do you get to spend a Saturday learning more about the city we live in, checking out the view from the Calgary Tower, giving back while having fun or learning about some of the great services offered by United Way agencies? Did I mention the great prizes? Why?Race is one of BeCause’s most popular events that keeps teams coming back year after year because of the fun atmosphere and the awesome trophy.

I can tell you from experience that there are so many great things about Calgary, including the people that live here. I invite you to come spend a day with our city’s finest on Saturday to learn more about Calgary and how BeCause is taking action to make it a better place for everyone!

Why race? Because Calgary is your city to change. Change starts with Why?Race!

—Lindsay Culbert is Co-Chair of BeCause

Earle is known for writing and singing about social issues. Fans of HBO’s The Wire will also recognize him as Walon, a recovering heroin addict in the series.

True to form, on the first single of his new album, The Low Highway, Earle sings about what it’s like to be invisible to the rest of society. Take a listen.

Invisible by Steve Earle from Jeff Pinilla on Vimeo.

How can we recognize and dignify the ”invisible” people in our midst? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

No one has their finger on the pulse of community like human service agencies and their staff. They operate on the front lines of society with a deep and immediate understanding of the community’s needs. Every day, staff for these agencies work tirelessly to improve social conditions for vulnerable people in our community.

They do their work quietly, out of the limelight, and often for less pay then private sector jobs. They do it because they care, because they believe they can improve society, and because they possess the talent, creativity and  enthusiasm to make change.

It’s important to recognize these efforts. It’s important to say “thank you” and show how we value the dedication and care it takes to do this work.

Yesterday, United Way of Calgary and Area was proud to partner with the Bhayana Family Foundation Awards to recognize extraordinary contributions made by front-line staff in the human services sector. This was the first year for the awards (the list of winners is here).

In total, 22 applicants were nominated by their co-workers. The winners were given an award and cheque by United Way, donor Raksha Bhayana and Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards were made possible by a generous donation from Bhayana and the Bhayana Family Foundation. As a former member of United Way Toronto’s Board of Trustees, Raksha is a dedicated community volunteer and a passionate champion for the recognition of front-line workers who make a difference in the community every day. It is wonderful to partner with someone who is so supportive and appreciative of front-line staff!

For Calgary to be a truly great city for everyone, we need the passion, skill, and commitment of talented individuals such as those nominated this year. United Way is proud of the nominees and winners and their willingness to make change happen.

—Talia Bell is Manager of Evaluation and Operations in United Way’s Community Investments and Collaborations department.

The tagline of National Volunteer Week is “volunteers cast a beautiful shadow,” and nowhere is that more true than here in Calgary!

Here’s a recap of what you accomplished in 2012!

What do you love most about volunteering? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

This is it, in a nutshell: pay attention. He shared this message earlier this week at United Way’s AGM. He wasn’t talking about just paying attention while driving (though that’s important too), or walking home at night.

He was talking about paying attention to what is quietly unfolding in the lives of Calgary youth, and committing resources to support them as early as possible.

See for yourself what Hanson had to say this week.

Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson on tackling social issues from Calgary United Way on Vimeo.

Does Hanson’s message resonate with you? Share this post to help get his message to others who need to hear it!