Living in neighbourhoods with high levels of poverty and isolation can negatively impact life expectancy, physical and mental health, early childhood development, high school completion rates, and overall quality of life. Our ongoing commitment to the Community Hubs Initiative is a result of a partnership between The City of Calgary and United Way of Calgary and Area, with Rotary Clubs of Calgary as a founding partner. Community Hubs are welcoming and inclusive spaces where residents build connections, access supports and services, and work together to identify and respond to community needs, all of which contribute to stronger neighbourhoods.

Key features of Community Hubs

A house with people inside holding hands.

Welcoming
and inclusive
gathering spaces

Three people holding hands.

Connections to
each other and
the community

Two hands shake, forming a heart.

Easy access to
supports, services,
and resources

A stack of coins.

Platforms to
spark community
economic outcomes

What are Community Hubs?

Community Hubs are welcoming and inclusive spaces where residents go to make friends, pursue common interests, and find support when they need it. It’s a place that’s welcoming, inclusive and connecting. There is no one single model or right way of creating a community hub. They can be formal or informal, loose, or structured. A communal garden, a group of grandparents who knit scarves for kids, a drop-in workshop where people learn how to write a resume, access the Internet, or play with their children—these can all be community hubs. A hub may start out simply as a place for people to get together and later add programs and other functions that serve the community. Community hubs provide a different mix of resources that address area-specific needs.  In this way, hubs reflect and strengthen the communities that create them. In keeping with the Enough for All poverty reduction strategy, everyone should have at least three people to call on in a time of need, and hubs forge these vitally important social connections.

A Hub is a space that…

• Meets many needs
• Is open to everyone who is part of the community
• Is created by the community, for the community
• Has more than one purpose
• Helps those who use it improve their community

What happens at Community Hubs?

Locations of our Community Hubs

Highlights from each Community Hub site

Since the initiative launched in 2017, it has engaged 156,676 individuals. The Hubs exist in five neighbourhoods across Calgary, each tailored to meet unique community needs. Below is a snapshot of the variety of programs, activities, and services residents can access through their local Hubs:

Hub site: Bowness Community Association

Neighbourhoods served: Bowness, Greenwood Village, and Montgomery

Highlights:

  • Community building events
  • Seniors’ activities
  • The Landing: gathering space for community
  • Food security resources and opportunity

Co-located agencies and partners:

  • carya
  • RISE Calgary Resource Centre
  • Little Oaks Early Education

Contact:

Tess Van Den Bosch, Hub Site Lead
E: tvandenbosch@mybowness.com

Nicola Youle, City of Calgary Social Worker
E: nicola.youle@calgary.ca

More information:

Address: 7904 43rd Ave NW
Website: mybowness.com

Hub site: The Alex Community Food Centre and Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre Centre

Neighbourhoods served: Albert Park, Dover, Radisson Heights, Southview, Forest Lawn, Erin Woods, Forest Heights, and Penbrooke

Highlights:

  • Food and well-being programs
  • Sacred Medicinal Garden
  • Community Neighbourhood Grants
  • Skill building opportunities

Contact:

Natasha Brubaker, Hub Site Lead
E: nbrubaker@thealex.ca

Tara Selinger, City of Calgary Social Worker
E: tara.selinger@calgary.ca

More information:

The Alex Community Food Centre

Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre

Hub site: North of McKnight Community Hub at The Genesis Centre

Neighbourhoods served: Taradale, Saddleridge, Martindale, Castleridge, Falconridge, Coral Springs, Savanna, Cityscape, Skyview Ranch, Redstone, and Cornerstone

Highlights:

  • Newcomer & youth programs
  • Free tax clinics
  • Accessible space for community groups

Co-located agencies and partners:

  • The Genesis Centre
  • Trellis (1000 Voices)
  • Saddletowne YMCA
  • Saddletowne Library

Contact:

Shelina Bata, Hub Site Lead
E: sbata@growwithtrellis.ca

Kiima Bailey, City of Calgary Social Worker
E: kiima.bailey@calgary.ca

More information:

Address: 7555 Falconridge Blvd NE
Website: genesis-centre.ca

Hub site: Sunalta Community Association

Neighbourhoods served: Sunalta

Highlights:

  • Toy and games lending library
  • Community gardens
  • Community activities and programs

Contact:

Grace Donner, Hub Site Lead
E: grace@sunalta.net

Tamara Baldwin, City of Calgary Social Worker
E: tamara.baldwin@calgary.ca

More information:

Address: 1627 10th Ave SW
Website: sunalta.net

Hub site: Village Square Leisure Centre

Neighbourhoods served: Whitehorn, Temple, Rundle, and Pineridge

Highlights:

  • Resident-led skill building initiatives
  • Community living room
  • Community-made art projects and murals

Co-located agencies and partners:

  • Centre for Newcomers
  • Village Square Library
  • Calgary Transit Fair Entry
  • Alberta Health Services

Contact:

Jenna Pothier, City of Calgary Social Worker
E: jenna.pothier@calgary.ca

More information:

Address: 2623 56th Street NE
Website: calgary.ca/csps/recreation/leisure-centres/village-square.html

Frequently Asked Questions

Partners and Supporters, 2017-2022

We would like to thank all the generous individuals who have supported the Community Hubs initiative. Special thanks to philanthropists Mike and Sue Rose for their early investment in the project.

Legacy Circle ($1 Million and over):

Shell Canada Limited

Pillars of Philanthropy ($500,000 to $1 Million):

Pembina Pipeline Corporation

Innovator’s Circle ($350,000 to $500,000):

ENMAX Corporation

Champion’s Circle ($200,000 to $350,000):

Repsol
CIBC

Corporate Partner ($50,000 to $200,000):

BMO Financial Group
Mawer Investment Management Ltd.
NOVA Chemicals

Individual Philanthropists ($100,000 or more):

The Ark Foundation
Jim Dinning & Evelyn Main
Bob Jones & Kristie Smith
Kanovsky Family Foundation
Eric & Christie Le Dain
Barry & Val Munro & Family
Mike & Sue Rose
Donald & Eleanor Seaman
Shaw Family Foundation
Bill & Sharon Siebens

Contact

For more information on the Community Hubs Initiative or to explore partnership opportunities, please contact:

Wendy Mendes
Manager,
Community Hubs Initiative
United Way of Calgary and Area
Email: wendy.mendes@calgaryunitedway.org

Maria Topolnyski
Liaison,
Community Hubs Initiative
United Way of Calgary and Area
Email: maria.topolnyski@calgaryunitedway.org

Janneth Mayorga
Liaison,
Community Hubs Initiative
United Way of Calgary and Area
Email: janneth.mayorga@calgaryunitedway.org

United Way of Calgary and AreaCommunity Hubs