Edmonton Social Planning Council

Author: Web Administrator

  • 2018 Award of Merit for Advocacy of Social Justice

    2018 Award of Merit for Advocacy of Social Justice

    The Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) is an organization committed to undertaking social research for the benefit of the entire community. We recognize many individuals and groups in our community also work tirelessly to advocate for programs in parallel to the ESPC vision of a just and inclusive community. The ESPC’s annual Award of Merit recognizes an individual, or group, we believe has demonstrated a dedication and achievement in the pursuit of social policies for the benefit of Edmontonians, particularly those who are the most vulnerable.

    (more…)

  • Lunch and Learn: Social Isolation

    Elizabeth Ley, RSW, Community Navigator at SAGE (Senior’s Association of Greater Edmonton) joins us to talk about Social Isolation and seniors.

    Join us in the Program Room at the temporary location of the Stanley Milner Library at Enterprise Square, March 23, noon.

    10212 Jasper Avenue
    Edmonton AB T5J 5A3

    RSVP at Facebook or Eventbrite!

    Bring your lunch. Feed your mind.

  • fACT Sheet—From the Ground Up: Building Love that Lasts

    A lunch and learn companion fACT Sheet

    There are many reasons that cause romantic relationships may work or may fail. However, psychologists have identified communication as one of the main causes for successes or break downs in relationships. This fACT Sheet explores research by Dr. John Gottman.

    Download the fACT Sheet today!

  • 2017 February fACT Sheet From the Ground Up: Building Love that Lasts

    A lunch and learn companion fACT Sheet

    There are many reasons that cause romantic relationships may work or may fail. However, psychologists have identified communication as one of the main causes for successes or break downs in relationships. This fACT Sheet explores research by Dr. John Gottman.

    ESPC Documents/Fact Sheets/Fact Sheet Feb-Gottman.pdf

  • New benefits called ‘game changers’ for ending child poverty

    'Non-taxable child benefits are the most effective way to reduce poverty,' new report says

    CBC News Posted: Feb 09, 2017 4:39 PM MT Last Updated: Feb 09, 2017 4:39 PM MT

    New child tax benefits from the provincial and federal governments are cited as a "game changers" for ending child poverty in a new report released Thursday by the Edmonton Social Planning Council.

    A Profile of Poverty in Edmonton suggests the Alberta Child Benefit and the Canada Child Benefit will have a direct impact on families.

    "Non-taxable child benefits are the most effective way to reduce poverty because they put money directly into the pockets of low-income families," the report states.

    The report says that in 2014, 17.8 per cent of children in Edmonton — 34,220 kids ages 0 to 17 — lived in low-income families.

    A family with two children making $30,000 a year will receive an additional $4,300 a year from the Canada Child Benefit and the Alberta Child Benefit.

    The Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit also helps, the report says. The credit is given to low-income working families. The maximum benefit for a working family with two children is $1,457 a year.

    The benefits mean the living wage calculated by the Edmonton Social Planning Council is lower for lone- and two-parent families in 2016 compared to the previous year.

    Read the rest of the article on CBC!

  • UPDATE: ‘More than just a hope, it’s a certainty that we are moving on this.’ ‘EndPovertyEdmonton holds first event to get started on anti-poverty work.

    By: Metro Staff Published on Thu Feb 09 2017

    Three years after the creation of the first task force and three months after getting a multi-million dollar investment from city council EndPovertyEdmonton held its first event to release new information on poverty in the city Thursday.

    The new anti-poverty organization has set itself the ambitious goal of lifting 10,000 Edmontonians out of poverty in the next five years, and co-chair Bishop Jane Alexander said the data shows a coordinated approach will be needed. 

    “All these people saying this is our bit, we can do this and make a difference,” Alexander said, looking around the event that drew representatives from two levels of government and organizations from around the city. “Now it’s more than just a hope, it’s a certainty that we are moving on this.”

    Still, the numbers, compiled by the Edmonton Social Planning Council, paint a picture of poverty as a persistent issue in the city that hasn’t been helped by a changing economic climate. 

    Read the rest of the article!