The absence of in person gatherings came to a close for VCC earlier this week as we had the opportunity to connect with stakeholders, our guiding committees, Champions, folks with lived experience and the Indigenous community to celebrate 2021. The theme was Celebrating Reconnection. We have missed these moments of connection and are feeling renewed with this emergence of being together. As poet Erin Dingle shared at the event, “we are all connected. Every breath we offered keeps something else alive. Even when it seems we have nothing left to give, we are giving.” 

We enjoyed sharing some of the lessons learned over the past year. Amidst our remembrance, was reflection of the milestones highlighted in our 2021 Report to Community and some future thinking about where we go next. A few highlights.

Women’s Circle – The Enough for All (E4A) Indigenous Advisory Committee guides the work of E4A. This year, in the tradition of oral storytelling, we invited Indigenous women to participate in a circle where they could reflect on what a future Calgary would look like if Indigenous people were co-creators of Calgary's future without poverty. Here is what they shared.

Voices of Lived Experience – Sue Gwynn, Chair of Poverty Talks! made a speech reflecting on 2021 and the additional challenges they heard during community conversations like increases in the cost of groceries and housing. We had the chance to capture additional reflections from Sue on the importance of lived experience in framing policy discussions around poverty and how we need to reflect on our biases. Hear from Sue in the video below.

Several artists from the Basic Income Arts Collective showed their work at the AGM. The AGM was the first time they displayed the work they developed for their inaugural project Basic Income through the lens of the Disabled, Deaf and Mad.

As we are midway through 2022 and take a look back to 2021, we recognize the more than 40 organizations, collaboratives and Champions working to build a future where there is Enough for All. Our work wouldn’t be possible without our Board, Poverty Talks and the Indigenous Advisory Committee who guide us in implementing the strategy. Much thanks to the City of Calgary, United Way of Calgary and Area and Momentum who provide support and funding for the work we do. And finally, thanks to you – everyone that reads our blog or amplifies our work on social media helps us work towards a future where poverty is history in Calgary.