Creating lasting change in communities is beyond the strength of any one group or individual. It requires the voice of many. Over the last two years, the challenge of social isolation offered us a collective opportunity to build more resilient communities that not only survive through crisis, but also thrive after it.

Working with and listening to the community is key to ensuring people feel empowered and valued. During the pandemic, Trellis’ Community Development team heard a number of stories from residents of Northeast Calgary who were feeling secluded. One solution that came up in conversations was engaging residents in different activities they could do from home.

Residents were excited to learn something new while connecting with others. As more people began attending, they also opened up about their own interests that they could share with each other. This began our popular Share Your Skill series where every month residents led their own activities ranging from yoga classes to cooking.

Community Development Worker Shalini Handa says these virtual programs were initially focused on serving Northeast Calgary communities but through word of mouth, their reach expanded. People began joining in from every corner of the city. Some even attended from across Canada or while they were traveling in countries like India and Pakistan.

“That was the beauty of virtual programming. Everybody could access it easily,” Shalini says.

Building Up Leaders

Individual gifts become powerful when they’re connected together. This was true for Veena Bagai, who was able to grow while also building capacity for others.

Shalini first met Veena, a resident in Northeast Calgary, when she attended drop-in programs at the Genesis Centre. The two formed a deeper connection when the Community Development team began hosting virtual sessions.

In 2021-22, residents contributed 2,368 volunteer hours

Veena had many skills that could support residents in different ways, so Shalini encouraged her to start her own program sessions. Veena was a bit hesitant as she had never facilitated anything by herself but with Shalini’s help, Veena began leading regular sessions for residents to come and learn skills like baking, jewelry-making, and knitting.

During this time, Shalini says Veena was able to grow as a leader and a mentor. She was initially uncomfortable with using a computer for the virtual sessions, but Shalini took time to sit down with Veena and teach her how to use digital platforms like Zoom and WhatsApp.

As Veena’s confidence grew, she took opportunities to share what she learned with other residents. She jumped in whenever someone needed help with their computers. She even visited their homes to teach them how to set up Zoom so they could attend programs.

Veena easily connected with everyone, especially the younger residents from our Building Youth Connections program. One youth even took what she learned from Veena’s jewelry-making sessions to make bracelets for a fundraiser.

“She was able to share her own experience with others and say ‘This is what I have learned. I can do it so you can do it as well.’ Developing that confidence level in other people was something she did very well,” Shalini says.

Supporting Each Other in Community

Many difficulties were brought on by the pandemic, but it was through people and relationships that the Northeast Calgary community was able to pull together.

“Our residents have shown me their resilience. We have also learned from their openness to share what they have experienced in their lives,” Shalini says.

“There were so many negative impacts of COVID, but I also see these positive effects coming out.”

Veena became well-connected with the people attending her classes and often asked Shalini about Trellis’ programs and resources she could share with them. She says there weren’t a lot of resources available for newcomers when she came to Canada 31 years ago, but now she sees more places like Trellis where people can find support. They just need to be pointed in the right direction.

“Sometimes new people come, and they don’t even know where to go or what to do. I just try to connect them. If I can help them I’m more than happy to do it,” Veena says.

Because of Veena advocating on behalf of her community, we were able to connect with residents who needed support for their basic needs, utility bills, or even a device to stay in touch with friends and relatives. Shalini says connecting with people through ongoing community programs and supports has also provided a space where they can be open about their personal lives without the fear of being judged.

“One of our residents was going through domestic violence, and she was able to come forward to ask for support,” Shalini says. “That happened because we had built a relationship where she could trust us.”

The networks of natural supports residents formed through the pandemic have carried on and continue to grow beyond scheduled Trellis programs.

A new mom who had recently returned to work and was struggling to balance connected with another resident who offered to babysit during the week.

When one resident became ill, the community banded together to bring meals and help with household chores.

A senior looking to improve their financial situation got help from a fellow resident who found them a part-time job cooking for a family.

These moments of connection and support show us that a community grows best when the people within it grow together.

“Once [residents] come out, they really love it here,” Veena says. “They connect with each other. They’re more than happy because when they build friendships, their life is more comfortable.”

Volunteers like Veena are weaving a strong and vibrant future for Northeast Calgary and beyond, and we know that momentum will continue to build.

You can learn more about Trellis’ Community Development work and how you can get involved here.

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