Downtown East Redevelopment

This City of Edmonton initiative seeks to revitalize an 18 block area immediately east of the downtown core.  ESPC’s role is to ensure that existing residents who call the area home are not displaced and to ensure that a mix of housing (including affordable housing) gets built.

Lead: John Kolkman

Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations

Provides leadership and mobilizes the collective resources of Edmonton's voluntary sector.

Lead: Susan Morrissey

Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness

ECOHH is a coalition of community organizations and concerned individuals that informs and advocates on affordable housing and homelessness issues in the Edmonton area.

Lead: John Kolkman & Anette Kinley

Just Food Edmonton

The mandate of Just Food Edmonton is to help organizations in the Capital Region increase food security by:

• Acting as a central resource network;
• Facilitating connections and collaboration;
• Encouraging partnerships and initiatives; and
• Increasing public awareness of hunger and malnutrition.

Lead: Erin Krekoski

Edmonton Homeless Count Steering Committee

In 2008, the ESPC joined the planning committee for the 8th biennial homeless count in Edmonton. The homeless counts, coordinated by Homeward Trust Edmonton, provide information regarding Edmonton's overall homeless population that organizations, agencies, and governments can use to determine best solutions for aiding the homeless and eventually ending homelessness.

Lead: Anette Kinley

Edmonton Homeless Memorial Planning Committee

The ESPC works with ECOHH, Boyle Street Community Services and it’s partners to plan the annual Memorial for Homeless Persons. This event is held to recognize the lives lost due to homelessness in Edmonton. The 2008 memorial service was held Jan 19, 2008 (video below). The 4th annual service was held January 24, 2009. 

Lead: Anette Kinley

Financial Plus Collaborative

This muntisectoral group meets monthly to discuss and share iniatives and programs pertaining to family economic support and financial literacy. 

Lead: Susan Morrissey

Focus Edmonton City Plan

This City of Edmonton initiative is developing a new Municipal Development Plan to guide the City’s growth and development over the next several decades.  The Council’s involvement is to ensure that the needs and concerns of low and modest income Edmontonians are incorporated into the plan.

Lead: John Kolkman

Joint Stakeholders Committee on Children & Poverty

Multi-stakeholder group that meets to discuss issues around children and poverty, and advises the Alberta Teacher's Association.

The committee hosted the "Alberta Youth: Growing Up in the Boom Years" conference held May 1, 2008.  The ESPC was one of 10 organizations to present at the conference.

Lead: Susan Morrissey

Public Interest Alberta (PIA) Living Wage Task Force

This task force lead by Public Interest Alberta is urging governments and the broader public sector to adopt a living wage policy to ensure that employees who work for contracted service providers do not have to live in poverty if they work full-time all year.

Lead: John Kolkman

Strategic Alliance on Low Income Issues

An advisory group made up of community, voluntary sector, private sector and all orders of government whose role is to make recommendations to the Deputy Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry on low-income issues.

Lead: Susan Morrissey

Urban Core Support Network

A group of inner city agencies who meet monthly to discuss and problem solve around issues facing individuals living in poverty.

Lead: Jennifer Hoyer

Vibrant Communities Edmonton - Leadership Council

Part of a national 3-year initiative that links 16 communities across Canada. Together, we are sharing experiences and resources to improve the quality of life for people in Canada.

Lead: Susan Morrissey