Cold Lake Spearheads Unique Pilot Program

Deliberations and discussions among Cold Lake residents took place in three community planning gatherings and many smaller meetings over a one-year period. These discussions indicated that a focus on making resources available to those needing them, and collaboration and communication among Non-profits were top priorities for ACE Cold Lake.

This led to a decision for ACE leaders to support the Lakeland Centre for FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)through a pilot program called SELF (self, energy, life, fulfilling) focussed on helping individuals have a healthy SELF through self-discovery, volunteer, employment and relationship-building opportunities by:

 Removing barriers and opening access for participants to Cold Lake amenities – recreation, parks, arts and culture, heritage and social services
 Working with other Cold Lake non-profits, business and local experts
 Providing child care, food and transportation to enable participation
 Collaborating with the Lakeland employment program and other non-profit organizations in Cold lake
 Creating a model of this program for others to follow.

The Mission of the ACE project is to enhance quality of life in rural Alberta by strengthening community leadership, collaboration and innovation through a community recreation, parks, arts, culture and heritage using a community development framework.

In keeping with this mission this unique and progressive ACE Cold lake initiative will use a community building and asset-focussed approach to open doors and opportunities with the Lake land Centre participants to participate in the many amenities that Cold Lake has to offer its citizens.

Using a participatory approach the initiative will be led by the Lakeland Centre participants, and guided by Lakeland staff, Cold Lake resource experts and the ACE leaders. Participants will each find their connection to the Cold Lake community through a self-discovery of their talents and attributes which will connect them to local volunteer and employment opportunities. The project will start within the Lake land Centre with the Mothers-to-be Mentorship program. Candace Sutterfield, Cold Lake Mentor of the Mothers-to-be, will be the Lead on the project with Ingrid Harvie, Lakeland Centre Employment Coordinator, and Shelley Krook and Michelle Bourdon, ACE leaders, providing a supporting role.