CANMORE – A funding boost from RBC will aid two youth-led organizations in creating programs that aim to leave a lasting legacy in the community.
The Banff Canmore Community Foundation announced they will be investing $15,000 in Bow Valley’s youth and future through the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge – awarding $8,000 to the Canmore Young Adult Network’s (CYAN) Connect Project and $7,000 in the Canmore Collegiate High School Green Club’s School Environmental Sustainability Project.
Philip Kimbley-Nicolai, co-president of the Canmore Collegiate High School Green Club, said the group was grateful for the grant.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what we can do this year," Kimbley-Nicolai said. "There are many projects that we hope are going to engage more members of our community and within our school.”
The Green Club brought together a group of more than 30 students dedicated to changing the world.
Its School Environmental Sustainability Project will support initiatives that can help lower Canmore Collegiate High School’s environmental footprint.
“Climate change is an issue that all of us will face in the future," he said. "We want to take action on things that we can continue in our community.”
Kimbley-Nicolai said he believes the most significant impacts will come from a program that will engage with Grades 9 and 10 through hosting a day of climate scientists and other speakers to help raise awareness and educate students. He added the fund has helped generate interest and awareness about the Canmore Collegiate High School Green Club.
“I never thought it would be possible,” Kimbley-Nicolai said with a grin. “We’re here today celebrating – we have a lot of work to do still, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
The Green Club is hoping to introduce new initiatives beginning in early 2020, Kimbley-Nicolai said, after proposed projects are approved by the Canadian Rockies Public School board.
Projects planned by the Green Club include more environmentally sufficient technology, such as cold-air hand dryers, reusable cafeteria materials and compost bins.
The group is also planning on engaging with peers about climate change through presentations and professional speakers, paired with eventually reaching out to the greater Canmore community to improve the public’s understanding of climate change and how it can be addressed by the public.
Kimbley-Nicolai's joy was matched by Canmore Young Adult Network (CYAN) Tara Koeing community development facilitator, who was on hand to accept the grant on behalf of the group.
It was fantastic receiving the grant because CYAN largely operates based on grant funding, Koeing said, adding the group is grateful for the impact these funds will have on the organization.
“As a newer organization, we’re really needing this type of community impact in order to survive and thrive,” she said. “[The first thing we’re doing] is high-fiving the grant-writing committee.”
The group is ready to "hit the ground running" now that they have received the funds for the CYAN Connect program.
Koeing said CYAN is hoping to begin implementing action in spring 2020.
CYAN Connect will play a critical role in helping new people in the Bow Valley, she said, explaining the program was created based on a 2018 survey that showed 81 per cent of 189 surveyed young adults indicated that they were somewhat/less than connected to the community. Koeing added that at the same time, local services indicated that they saw low attendance from young adults, even though these same demographics indicated they need these services to CYAN.
CYAN Connect aims to bridge the gap, bringing together young adults and the services, resources and opportunities they are looking for.
“We see CYAN Connect acting as a program to welcome people to the community as well as reintegrate into the community,” Koeing said. “[It will] ensure young adults in Canmore have a sense of place. We really want to see people treating Canmore as their home.”
The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge is a nationwide initiative that began this summer. The project is designed to support youth leaders between the ages of 15 and 29-years-old to aid in their response to local priorities and prepare for the future.
Bill Fisher executive director of Banff Canmore Community Foundation was on hand to reward the grants to “two wonderful projects.”
Fisher said it was great to see these youth create projects responding to priorities in the Bow Valley community and taking steps to prepare for the future.
“It’s often said that you are our future leaders,” Fisher said. “But in my opinion, from what I’ve seen over the last five to six months of working with youth-led organizations in the Bow Valley – you guys are already leaders. You’re leading the community on social issues and environmental concerns.”
Seeing the community coming together to celebrate two great groups that will help shape the future of the Bow Valley area was an amazing experience, said RBC Canmore branch manager Michelle Dagenais.
“They both touch on demographics that I think are going to make a huge impact on our community ... These programs are all supporting the future of our community.”
She added that she was proud to see local engagement and was grateful for the support provided by RBC.
Dagenais imparted advice to the grant recipients telling them: “Work hard, be the leaders that you are. Thank you for stepping up.”
