Location

Calgary, Alberta

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Areas of Focus

Counselling, Coaching and Community Integration

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Timeline

Starting in 2025

ESAF Global Canada is thrilled to announce an exciting new initiative called “Connect to Wellness” aimed at providing mental health and wellness services to the Calgary community. We are bringing affordable, inclusive, and culturally sensitive mental health support to those who need it most. Our approach combines the expertise of registered clinical counselors, supervised internship students, and volunteers, allowing them to provide high-quality care to diverse communities

Our Vision for Calgary

We believe mental health care is a fundamental right, not a privilege. This initiative aims to create a safe space for individuals, couples, and families to seek support for their mental health and emotional well-being. Whether it’s coping with anxiety, grief, family challenges, or navigating life transitions, this program is designed to meet people where they are on their journey.

What this Means for Our Clients

Affordable Services : Professional counseling and therapy at an affordable cost.
Diverse Expertise : A blend of experienced clinicians and trained volunteers offering tailored support.
Inclusivity : Services that embrace cultural, racial, and economic diversity.
Immediate Access : Reduced wait times for appointments to ensure timely help.
Community Integration : Connect individuals to the community through group sessions.

What this Means for the Interns

You will be getting an internship opportunity to apply evidence-based skills to support our service users in overcoming personal struggles. It will focus on providing accessible counselling and coaching to those in need while enhancing your skills, training, and career development.

What this Means for the Counsellors

An opportunity to serve the community and part of a great mission.

Stay Connected

Women of Wealth (WOW): Home Gardening Project

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Location

Jaffna, Sri Lanka

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Partner

Alliance Development Trust (ADT)

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Timeline

On going from 2023

Project Overview

We are doing this project in partnership with Alliance Development Trust (ADT), Sri Lanka. The Women of Wealth Home Gardening Project aims to empower single-parent households by promoting independent livelihoods, cultivating financial resilience, and nurturing children as future leaders. This initiative is focused on creating conducive living environments that support comprehensive empowerment for women and their families.

Village Background

Ariyalai J90 is a rural village facing post-conflict economic challenges, with residents largely dependent on agriculture, small businesses, and labour for income. Infrastructure is developing but remains limited in key areas such as water supply, health, and education. Development projects needed to focus on uplifting the community through improved agriculture, nutrition programs, and eco-friendly business support.

Program Highlights

In August, the District office approved the project, enabling strong collaboration with local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and the Agriculture Department. A baseline assessment identified 15 beneficiaries from 23 candidates based on need. An orientation session on September 25, 2024, provided information about the project and its objectives, attended by CBO representatives and Development Officers.

Healing Park Project

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Location

Jaffna, Sri Lanka

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Partners

Health Bridge Canada
UN Habitat

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Timeline

On going from 2023

Project Overview

In Jaffna City, emerging from decades of conflict, EGC’s Healing Park Project is addressing a profound need for healing and mental well-being within a population where mental health conditions are more than double those of the general population. For over 30 years, public spaces in Jaffna were largely neglected due to the impacts of conflict, and as a result, the city lacks safe, accessible outdoor spaces that can promote community wellness and social cohesion. The Healing Park Project seeks to transform these neglected areas into spaces of renewal, combining sustainable practices with community involvement to foster both mental and physical healing. Prioritizing nature-based approaches, this project aims to provide not only physical relaxation spaces but also a meaningful symbol of resilience and hope for a city still healing from the wounds of war.

Strategies and Key Activities

Our strategies focus on enhancing social cohesion, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life for Jaffna’s residents through community-based initiatives and nature-focused designs. To ensure the park’s design meets the community’s needs, EGC conducted a public perception survey, gathering insights into preferences and expectations for a healing park. This information, paired with evidence-based design principles that promote healing, has guided the project’s development and layout planning. In support of policy development, EGC has prepared key documents, including fact sheets and policy briefs on healing parks, and conducted one-on-one meetings with policymakers to secure funding and outline comprehensive plans for the project.

Community Engagement

The Healing Park Project is rooted in collaboration with local stakeholders. EGC has fostered partnerships with government bodies, community groups, schools, businesses, churches, institutions, professionals, and non-profits to advocate for and support quality public spaces in Jaffna. To initiate community involvement, EGC organized pilot projects that serve as initial implementations of the healing park concept, allowing residents to engage with the vision and experience its potential impact firsthand.

Through these efforts, the Healing Park Project aims to restore Jaffna’s public spaces, providing residents with safe, beautiful areas that not only support relaxation and recreation but also act as communal symbols of hope, healing, and resilience.

Project Activities

Initiation of Inclusive Reading Space.

Livable Cities

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Location

Jaffna, Sri Lanka

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Partner

Health Bridge Canada

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Timeline

On going from 2022

Project Overview

In the Livable Cities – Sri Lanka project, 2022, we focused on cultivating policies that encourage active, healthy living by improving park access, expanding non-motorized transport options, and enhancing access to nutritious food. Key objectives included fostering social cohesion, reducing morbidity and chronic disease through increased physical activity, and supporting climate action by reducing pollution. A critical part of this work involved enhancing the quality and accessibility of public spaces, integrating informal vendors into these spaces, and maintaining ongoing collaboration with government and NGOs to monitor and drive change.

Project Activities

Open Public Spaces, launched in April 2024 and running through November, is fostering unity and equity by promoting societal knowledge and inclusivity across diverse groups in Jaffna. Held monthly at Subramaniyam Park and the Jaffna Public Library, this initiative creates welcoming spaces for open dialogue and community connection. A key feature of the program is “Music and English for Fun,” which brings together 42 young participants from rural Jaffna. Despite varied backgrounds, they unite on a shared platform to learn Western music and basic English, equipping them with valuable skills for personal and educational growth while promoting harmony and mutual understanding.

To celebrate World Environment Day, ESAF Global Canada (EGC) organized a community cleanup at Gurunagar’s Beach Road Park, revitalizing this important community space within a post-war fishermen’s colony. Enthusiastic local residents, joined by our Community Engagement Program volunteers and DANTV media, worked together to restore the park as a safe, open area for children. Local vendors provided refreshments, supporting a successful day of community-driven renewal and environmental stewardship.

ESAF Global Canada hosted the Play Time & Drug Awareness Program at Gurunagar Public Grounds and Park, drawing nearly 100 participants for a day focused on fitness, teamwork, and drug education. Through outdoor games, relay races, and obstacle courses, attendees engaged in activities that promoted physical well-being and an active lifestyle. The event concluded with a compelling drug awareness drama by Active Theatre Movement, inspiring a commitment to a healthy, drug-free life and raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.

Stay Connected

We are in the early stages of this project, and updates will follow as we finalize programs, and schedules. If you’re interested in learning more or supporting this initiative, contact us at info@esafglobal.ca Together, let’s create a healthier, stronger Calgary!

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Address

PO Box 68152 Crowfoot PO Calgary AB Canada T3G 3N8

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Phone

+1(403)771-9301

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Email

info@esafglobal.ca