Get Involved
Ending poverty requires evidence. Poverty reduction policies and practices are most effective when informed by sound evidence that is connected to practice.
Ending poverty requires leaders. Effective poverty reduction requires trained leaders, workers and community members who understand poverty and those struggling with it.
Ending poverty requires new ideas. Albert Einstein said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
Recommendations
A Time for Urgent Action: the 2024 report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty made six recommendations under three main themes:
- Meeting vital needs to thrive: this includes measures to address the higher costs of living, decrease core housing needs and increase food security.
- Improving access to benefits and service delivery: this includes the need for low-barrier and equitable measures to facilitate access to benefits and services and additional supports to systems navigation initiatives and the non-profit sector.
- Building strong communities and enabling equity: this includes a plan to address poverty inequality to decrease the poverty rate in marginalized groups.
Taking Action
You can take action to prevent and alleviate poverty by:
- Supporting social organizations with your time and/or resources.
- Joining a local awareness and advocacy coalition/group in your area.
- Becoming a living wage employer.
- Journeying in someone else's shoes with the Make the Month Activity.
- Supporting affordable, non-market and transitional housing projects in your community.
- Learn about demystifying community housing by listening to this podcast series
- Read about affordable housing myth-busting by visiting rightathomehousing.ca
- Learning more about poverty in St. Albert by downloading the following information:
Request a Presentation
To request a presentation from FCSS on poverty in St. Albert for your organization or community group please contact:
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
The Poverty Studies Summer Institute
The Poverty Studies Summer Institute is a unique study opportunity that brings together practitioners, students and community members into an intimate learning community to explore the causes and impacts of poverty and best practices in how to reduce and end it.
Workshops and courses are conducted in person at the Ambrose University campus in Calgary. Residence accommodation available for those from out of town who wish to attend. A livestream is available for those not able to attend in person.
The theme of this year's program is "Creating Hope Together". Hope is the greatest resource. Hope can strengthen us to endure almost anything, while the lack of hope is the greatest poverty of all. Join us this coming May as we explore ways to create hope in various dimensions of our community life.
This year's workshops and courses include:
· Poverty 101 - May 4th - 1:00 – 4:15
· The ART of Hope: Nurturing Abundance, Resilience and Trust - May 5th 9:00 – 12:00
· Hope for Our Community: Building Social Belonging - May 6th 9:00 – 4:00
· Hope for Our Neighbourhoods: Affordable Living = Housing + Transportation + Food - May 7th 9:00 – 12:00
· Hope for Our Economy: Enterprise as a Model for Community and Organizational Sustainability - May 8th 9:00 – 4:00
· Hope for Our Environment: Building Inclusive Resilience - May 12th 9:00 – 12:00
· Hope for Reconciliation: Debwewin “My Truth” Indigenous Cultural Competency and Safety Training May 13th 9:00 – 4:00
· Poverty in Western Society (BHS350): Academic Credit Course - May 4th – 15th
The Summer Institute runs from May 4 - 15th. Register online at www.povertyinstitute.ca/si26reg.
For more information visit: www.povertyinstitute.ca/knowpovertyRelated Pages
Last edited: April 7, 2026