2024: A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Lasting Impact

As the holiday season wraps us in its warmth and invites moments of reflection, we want to take a moment to share our heartfelt gratitude. To our supporters, funders, partners, and donors: thank you for making 2024 a year of transformation and growth.

This year, your generosity and dedication allowed us to forge innovative partnerships, strengthen community capacity, and deliver impactful literacy and essential skills programs to individuals, families, and communities across Canada. Together, we’ve helped empower learners to build the foundational skills they need for lasting, positive change.

From newcomers starting fresh in a new country to individuals rebuilding their lives, finding their voice, or creating a brighter future for their children, we’ve had the privilege of walking alongside learners at pivotal moments in their journeys.

As we look back on 2024, a year of growth, gratitude, and lasting impact, we’re thrilled to share some key highlights that showcase the incredible progress we’ve achieved—together.

Bringing Literacy and Family Programs to the Manchester Community

This year, thanks to our incredible partners in the Manchester community, we brought a variety of fun and interactive programs to children and families, providing meaningful support and opportunities to connect right in their neighbourhood.

We kicked off a bi-weekly Parent-Child Mother Goose/Literacy and Parenting Skills program, where parents and kids came together to build literacy skills, strengthen their bond, and connect with others in the community. Our Homework Club remained a warm and welcoming space for children after school, and it was so popular that we expanded it to two more locations in Calgary!

In the summer, we launched Kids Club for school-aged children to dive into literacy-based activities, crafts, games, and, of course, make new friends. These programs didn’t just bring families together—they helped create a strong foundation for learning and a sense of belonging in the community.

Supporting Newcomers

Calgary is one of Canada’s top destinations for newcomers, and we’re so lucky to have such a vibrant and diverse immigrant community right here in our city. With the growing need for essential services—especially language and employment support—we teamed up with our amazing partners to expand our programs. Together, we’ve helped newcomers get off long waitlists, build key workplace skills, and feel more at home in their new communities.

Our ESL Reading and Writing Circles now run year-round at multiple locations across Calgary, ensuring consistent access to language learning opportunities. In 2024, we also launched Employment Preparation programs with new partners and expanded to online platforms, making these vital resources more accessible than ever.

Now I have become part of a wonderful community, I don’t feel lonely in a new country. I have become more confident in speaking English and now every ride in the elevator of my building goes with a small talk with my neighbours! - ESL Reading and Writing Circles Participant

Celebrating Families and Learning

We love using events to bring families and the community together in fun and interactive ways, creating meaningful experiences for everyone—and this year was no exception!

In partnership with the Nepalese Community Society of Calgary (NCSC), we celebrated World Children’s Day at the Genesis Centre with two engaging sessions tailored to younger and older children. The sessions included important discussions about children’s rights, featuring a guest speaker from NCSC. For the older children, we also incorporated financial education in line with Financial Literacy Month, exploring topics like needs vs. wants and saving money through fun games and crafts.

For Family Literacy Day, we created a magical learning experience at Mount Royal University’s Child Care Centre. The children had a blast with story time, songs, and dancing. Inspired by a story about hot air balloons, they even got to decorate their own colorful paper plate balloons.

We also co-hosted a special Mother’s Day event with the Manchester Community Impact Center that included arts and crafts, story time, and singing. Families came together to celebrate moms in a lively, welcoming space filled with themed decorations, music, snacks, roses, and thoughtful gifts.

Building Confidence and Pathways to Success with Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles

The Stoney Nakoda Job Resource Centre (SNJRC) has been a long-time and valued partner of FESA and the Pathways Project, working together to deliver Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles (IWLC). This program helps Indigenous youth build essential workplace skills, boost their confidence, and prepare for job placements, trades, or further education.

This year, we focused on creating opportunities for youth to step into leadership roles. Former IWLC participants were mentored to become facilitators, and three emerging leaders from the SNJRC team began taking on key responsibilities. From leading activities to organizing sessions, these young leaders are now shaping the future of the program in inspiring ways.

The Pathways team and its three new co-facilitators even launched a summer IWLC program, supporting 46 high school students as they built the skills and confidence needed to succeed in their summer jobs.

When I started IWLC as a participant I was less engaged, hiding from the icebreakers but now as a facilitator there’s no way I can do that! Now I remind everyone there’s no wrong or right answer, all opinions are honoured and help those that are more reserved to participate and not be shy. I tell them shyness isn’t going to get you anywhere, and that I understand, it’s something I still struggle with but I’m throwing myself out there. - Jovanna, IWLC Participant and Facilitator

Youth Leadership and Governance in Saugeen First Nation

This year, we proudly launched the ‘Introduction to First Nation Governance for Youth’ program in Saugeen First Nation, in collaboration with Elders, community members, youth, and the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University. Rooted in partnerships and a journey that began in 2018, this program engages youth in governance and leadership, empowering them to build skills, confidence, and a stronger connection to their community.

More than 14 youth, 9 community leaders, and 3 Elders joined the three-day pilot program, which focused on the foundations of governance, leadership, and mentorship through the lens of Indigenous traditions. The program celebrated community stories and collective wisdom, creating a truly collaborative learning experience.

Anthony and Leigha, two youth leaders instrumental in planning and recruiting for the program, have continued to make an impact as youth advisors to the band and mentors to their peers. Leigha also serves on the National Advisory Committee guiding Pathways, while Anthony is an honorary member. Recently, with Elder Ningwakwe George and FESA they visited the Senate to share their inspiring work in community leadership!

Originally, when I was reached out to do this I was in a place where I didn’t know where I fit in in the community. I knew I was an active leader just on my own terms, but I didn’t know where I fit in. I feel like I’ve really found my grounding and my footing, and it’s brought me to places like this, and networking with people like you and I feel like my repertoire is growing as I’m meeting all these amazing people and I’m able to bring that back to my community, which is a very important part because I’m an asset to my community. - Anthony, Pathways Youth Advisor

As we wrap up 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for the partnerships, supporters, communities, and individuals who made this year so impactful. Together, we’ve strengthened connections, empowered learners, and built pathways to brighter futures. Here’s to continuing this incredible journey in 2025—creating lasting change, one step at a time.