E4A Champions connect about the impact of loneliness and polarization

How do we create belonging in our communities?

A powerful evening of connection and hope

Zine Fest: Building Enough for All Futures

Explore events and activities that honour truth and reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Calgary

In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Jaclyn Silbernagel connects with Inam Teja, a local advocate and policy expert working to shape the way we think about housing, homelessness and city-building in Calgary.

Episode 23: Changing the Conversation on Housing

In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Jaclyn Silbernagel connects with Elder Wanda First Rider to talk about Indigenous ways of knowing and being, the importance of ceremony and teachings, and her perspective on poverty and how everything we need is here.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel chats with Meaghon Reid, Executive Director of Vibrant Communities Calgary, about the state of poverty in Calgary, VCC’s Beneath the Surface report,  and what individuals can do in their spheres of influence to affect poverty reduction and build community wellbeing.

Episode 18: Looking Beneath the Surface of Poverty in YYC

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Salimah Kassam, leader of Rise Calgary, to explore what it means to move from a scarcity to strength mindset, the concept of designing systems that create slack for people, and what some of the roadblocks are to shifting perspectives on poverty.

Episode 17: Shifting Mindsets – Scarcity to Strength

In this episode, Meaghon Reid sits down with Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta, to explore what the role of business is in society, how that role is evolving, links between business and a healthy society, and the concept of shared prosperity.

Episode 16: Shared Prosperity – the Role of Business in Society

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with James Stauch, executive director of the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University, to explore social innovation and social purpose, and how systems mapping is a wayfinding tool that helps deepen one’s understanding of a problem.

Episode 15: Social Innovation, Mapping Systems & Building Trust

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Jessica Cope Williams, Co-CEO of Kindred Connections Society, to explore how an organization’s name can act as a barrier to those trying to access services and what it means to be a connection first organization. 

Episode 14: Mental Health and Connection First Strategies

In this episode, VCC’s Meaghon Reid sits down with Steacy Pinney, CEO of Calgary Reads, to explore how Calgary Reads is spreading early literacy across Calgary through the Dandelion strategy, and the importance of literacy and prevention in the early years. 

Episode 13: Literacy & the Dandelion Strategy

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Sarah Sinclair, a Lawyer who leads the Indigenous justice program Sahwoo mohkaak tsi ma taas (Blackfoot for “Before Being Judged”) at Calgary Legal Guidance, to discuss creating equal access to justice for Indigenous people, how Indigenous Law brings healing, and the need for systemic change in the legal system.

Episode 12: Systemic Change – Indigenous People and the Legal System

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Lee Stevens, policy and research specialist with Vibrant Communities Calgary to explore basic income. What a basic income could mean for Canadians and how it could have a positive impact on our social support systems.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Lee Stevens, VCC’s policy and research specialist and this episodes’ co-host alongside Nevena Ivanovic, public policy coordinator with the Women’s Centre of Calgary and Andrea Cox, manager of government relations with YW Calgary. Together they discuss women and the economy, child care in Alberta, and what’s working in regards to policy.

Episode 10: Child Care, Women, and the Economy

In this episode, VCC’s Meaghon Reid sits down with the CEO of The Alex, Joy Bowen-Eyre, to explore what it means to provide dignified services, how food is a convenor and community builder, and how progress comes from investing energy into policy and advocacy. 

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Hagir Sail to explore allyship. 

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Celestina Akinkunmi with the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) to explore settlement and integration services in Calgary.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Vibrant Communities Calgary and EndPovertyEdmonton’s Executive Directors to get their perspectives on poverty reduction and the future of Alberta.

Episode 6: No Battle of Alberta when it comes to Poverty Reduction

In this episode, VCC’s Meaghon Reid sits down with Momentum’s Jeff Loomis to talk about financial empowerment, innovations like the QUBER Savings App, skills training for the growing tech industry and more.

Episode 5: Building Assets Brings Opportunity

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel catches up with Sue Gwynn from Poverty Talks! to chat about the importance of engaging with the voices of lived experience. Hear about why Poverty Talks! challenges perceptions around poverty, how models and systems keep people in poverty, and why poverty is a trap.

In this episode, VCC’s Executive Director Meaghon Reid sits down with Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Mayor Nenshi is one of the original champions of the Enough for All strategy and emphasizes how ‘my neighbour’s strength is my strength.’ Listen to them discuss priorities for Calgary and poverty reduction and their optimism for the future. 

Episode 3: My Neighbour’s Strength is My Strength

In this episode, VCC’s Executive Director Meaghon Reid sits down with Karen Young, president and CEO of the United Way of Calgary and Area, to discuss how community partnerships deliver dividends in the poverty reduction space. The United Way is a leader in developing key partnerships that drive results. Get to know what the United Way has learned from initiatives like Community Hubs, how businesses are evolving around social purpose, and how they’re taking community action on mental health.

Literary specialist Berniece Gowan discusses how improving literacy levels can shift the needle on poverty reduction.

Step into the shoes of those navigating financial barriers and explore the ups and downs of monthly expenses. With every roll of the die, you’ll encounter challenges like unexpected bills (snakes) and opportunities like unexpected income (ladders). This interactive experience is designed to spark reflection, empathy, and conversations about the real financial struggles many Calgarians face—and the importance of creating a community where there is enough for all. 

Are you ready to take the challenge and see where you land? 

30 Day Snakes and Ladders Challenge.pdf

11x8.5 in - Snakes & Ladders Board.pdf

11x17 in - Snakes and Ladders Board.pdf

A4 - Snakes and Ladders Board.pdf

This report summarizes feedback from community participants on their experiences accessing mental health services in Calgary.  

Highlighted in the report is participant feedback on:   

barriers to accessing mental health care: high costs, lack of awareness, and complex navigation systems, particularly impacting marginalized groups 

need for culturally sensitive care: emphasis on trauma-informed, culturally inclusive approaches to build trust and encourage engagement 

continuity in care: participants stressed the importance of maintaining consistent counsellor-client relationships

enhancing culturally inclusive and holistic approaches 

supporting consistent counsellor-client relationships 

improving crisis response and mental health education 

These insights aim to create a more accessible, supportive, and inclusive mental health system for all. 

VCC What We Heard - Mental Health December 2024.pdf

What We Heard: Experiences with counselling and mental health services

Jaclyn Silbernagel

What drives Jaclyn to push for a Calgary where there is Enough for All

Articles & events by this contributor

How do we create belonging in our communities?

Zine Fest: Building Enough for All Futures

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Calgary

Resources by this contributor

30 Day Snakes and Ladders Challenge

What We Heard: Experiences with counselling and mental health services