Community Social Work

Kingsland-Acadia Community Social Worker

Viviana Reinberg

403-651-1629
viviana.reinberg@calgary.ca

Community Social Work Program

The community social work program is composed of approximately 25 community social workers located in specific geographic areas who focus on community development at the local/neighbourhood level. Funding for the program comes from Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) which is a funding partnership between the Government of Alberta and municipal sources.

Community Social Work Programs & Events

  • The Neighbourhood Grant Program

    If you have a great idea for Kingsland or Acadia, you can apply and get $ 1,000.

    The Community Social Work program offers grants of up to $1,000 to Kingsland and Acadia residents wanting to do neighbourhood based projects.

    Projects can be small or large and meet one of the following criteria:

    • Build Inclusive Neighbourhoods

    • Foster Truth & Reconciliation

    • Increase Economic Participation

    Examples of Projects/Activities:

    Documentary & conversation about local issues, celebrating an international day, a book club to get to know your neighbours, sports equipment lending library, resume & interview peer support group, Indigenous storytelling, healing circles.

    For more information about the grant program and to apply for the grant committee, contact:

    Viviana Reinberg
    Community Social Worker
    403-651-1629
    viviana.reinberg@calgary.ca

  • Dental Clinics for Low-Income Individuals & Families

    The Chumir Dental Clinic at the Sheldon Chumir Centre provides reduced-fee dental treatment services to eligible families living on low incomes.

    Qualified dentists provide reduced-fee dental treatment services to eligible low-income individuals or families who are without access to dental insurance.

    This service provides:

    • reduced-fee dental treatment services by qualified dentists to families in financial need and without access to dental insurance

    • check-ups, X-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, fillings, front tooth root canals, extractions, etc

    • priority to emergency based treatments

    Location:

    Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre
    Dental Clinic, 6th floor
    1213 4 Street SW
    403-955-6888

  • Retail Training Program

    Program Details

    • 11 weeks of in-class training

    • 4 weeks of combined work experience and training

    • Training in retail vocabulary, customer service and numeracy

    • Certificates in Basic Food Safety and WHMIS

    • Computer training and equipment use

    • Canadian workplace preparation

    • Employment skills training

    Eligibility

    The project is available to immigrant women who are permanent residents, have no more than 12 years of schooling, have Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 and require support in obtaining meaningful employment.

    Work experience is offered in collaboration with retail businesses. Students are reimbursed for childcare and transportation costs.

    For more information please email:
    workplaceservices@ciwa-online.com

  • New Friends and Neighbourhood Groups (NFNG)

    This program offers workshops for immigrant women to practice and improve their English conversation skills, learn about resources available to them, and share experiences with other immigrant women. This is a safe and supportive environment for immigrant women to form meaningful relationships.

    Each group is led by a team of 2-3 volunteer facilitators. They plan and lead activities based on the interests and needs of participants within their group. Some examples of workshops include budgeting, grammar / vocabulary, holidays, recreation, local events / activities, vital resources that are available to Calgarians, and many more! In addition, guest speakers come to the groups to deliver meaningful presentations or guide conversations with the groups.

    • Virtual 2-hour drop-in weekly Monday to Friday at different times

    • Free, onsite child care (at select locations) for children or grandchildren

    • No advance registration is necessary

    • No requirement for English speaking level, skill level

    • No restriction on immigration status.

    For information and to register, contact:

    Onyinye (Oh-ing) Odih
    403-263-4414 ext. 156
    onyinyeo@ciwa-online.com

    www.ciwa-online.com

    This is a program from Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA)

What does a Community Social Worker do?

To a community social worker, HOW projects are done is just as important (if not more so) as getting them started.

 

Connect residents and local groups with one another to increase social inclusion and create a sense of belonging for everyone

Help residents, local groups, and partners to identify social issues that impact their neighborhood and assist with actions to address those issues

Create opportunities for networking, conversation, and skill building

Support residents to become leaders within their neighbourhood

Community Social Work Guiding Principles

 

Everyone has the ability to make a difference in their neighbourhood

Each person has gifts and talents that can benefit others and their neighbourhood

Those affected by an issue need to be part of decisions meant to address those issues. The living experience of folks affected by an issue is as important as other types of knowledge

Social inclusion, participation and involvement of diverse groups are important for the wellbeing of the neighbourhood

No one knows everything, but together we know a lot