BONNYVILLE – It took a few months, but the Friends of Education Award finally made its way into the hands of two staff members of a locally operated non-profit, Action for Healthy Communities.
The non-profit was named the recipients of the Zone 2/3 Friends of Education Award presented by the Alberta School Board’s Association in May, after being nominated for the award by the Lakeland Catholic School Division (LCSD) in March.
On Oct. 19, Lakeland Catholic finally had the opportunity to formally present the award to Paola Corbi de Shanks and Oskana Vallee from Action for Healthy Communities during a LCSD regular board meeting.
Action for Healthy Communities’ satellite centre in Cold Lake helps newcomer families and students overcome the challenges and language barriers of settling in the Bonnyville and Cold Lake areas.
The non-profit works in both community and school settings to make sure families new to the area have support whether it relates to language, social or basic needs.
“They are a dynamic and gifted group of individuals who use their talents to work on community capacity building,” LCSD Superintendent Pamela Guilbault told trustee members.
“They work with newcomers of all ages, both inside schools and through other community organizations, as well as in home so that there is bridging with our newcomer families.”
Guilbault said that when a new family arrives, staff from Action for Healthy Communities are often “the first hands that reach out to help,” and have hosted clothing and furniture drives to assist newcomers with necessary items.
“During the pandemic, our newcomer families who had the potential to be forgotten or lost because their voices couldn’t be translated or couldn't be heard, [Action for Healthy Communities] reached out to provide really specialized social and emotional support and counseling for a newcomer families and students,” explained the superintendent.
A game changer
One of the services that the non-profit has provided Lakeland Catholic students is language support.
“They provide translation services in our schools, which has been a game changer at all levels,” said Guilbault.
“We didn't have that before. And so now, especially with our Ukrainian students, being able to have that intake, have those conversations in their own language provides a vast opportunity.”
Action for Healthy Communities also offers a Tagalog youth group for high school students.
“Just different ways for students to develop networks, to develop community, [and] to develop relationships.” Guilbault finished by saying, “We are so blessed to finally be able to present [Action for Healthy Communities] with this award, of which you are so deserving.”
Corbi de Shanks thanked LCSD on behalf of the non-profit, noting the school division helps the group connect with newcomer families through its students.
When the non-profit got off the ground it was at the start of the pandemic, which posed a significant challenge for the organization to get established in the community and start connecting to families.
"We were trying to knock on doors, and it was hard, and it was nobody's fault. But once we had the opportunity to be able to connect with all the families in person... we were able to change so many families’ lives, and we are still doing it,” said Corbi de Shanks.
“We really want to appreciate and thank you guys for letting us have this opportunity. While we are here, we will keep helping newcomers,” she said, holding up the award.
