Hope is essential. 

That might sound like a bad bumper sticker - a platitude for all the change and uncertainty we’ve been through over the past few years. But it’s true. Hope drives us forward. In Strathcona County, hope leads to action.  

In 2021, Strathcona County began work on a new strategy: Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB). This strategy is about finding solutions to the root cause of social challenges while promoting the well-being of community members. It started with listening. Over five months, we met with over 300 individuals from 66 different groups and organizations. What we learned from those conversations became the Community Safety and Well-being What We Heard Report. 

What We Heard Report

CSWB What We Heard Report (18.6 MB)

The CSWB What We Heard Report summarizes the community conversations and highlights the lived experiences of our community members. Through the community conversations, five interconnected priorities emerged that reflect the shared experiences and challenges in our community. 

1. Community safety
2. Complexity
3. Mental health and addictions
4. Basic needs
5. Connection

This report shares a future vision for Strathcona County, emerging from the voices of our community members: a vision of an inclusive community.

Community Safety and Well-being Vision

To build a community where everyone feels safe, respected and heard, where differences are seen and celebrated, where we all know we belong, and where we all can thrive. And to work together across sectors in new and innovative ways to help individual organizations succeed in their mandates and to find ways to better support belonging, safety and well-being in our community.

Taking action with our partners

We did a lot of listening and now it is time to work together, taking action to build a safe, supported and connected community for everyone. Strathcona County has created the Community Safety and Well-being Stewardship Committee, a group of community partners across sectors who have come together to address the key priorities identified in the What We Heard Report. 

Together, the members of the CSWB Stewardship Committee are finding innovative ways to collaborate and work towards achieving the goals outlined in the Community Safety and Well-being Strategy. 

Action Reports

• February 2024 Action Report (807.4 KB)

Community Safety and Well-being Action Reports showcase initiatives and programs that make important contributions to community safety and well-being in Strathcona County. Each story shared highlights how we are working together to address the strategic priorities outlined in Strathcona County’s Community Safety and Well-being Strategy. Reports will be shared twice a year. 

Community Safety and Well-being Strategy

CSWB Strategy (13.4 MB)

Addressing Community Safety and Well-being priorities in Strathcona County is an important and complex job. After reading the CSWB Strategy, you will better understand our aspirations and the key components of the common agenda we are building together, with our community partners, towards safety and well-being in the County. The Community Safety and Well-being strategy is the next step in the journey already laid out by the Social Framework. 
 

Community partners: working together to make a difference

A Safe Place	Big Brothers Big Sisters	BGC Strathcona County	Brittany Lane Housing Co-op
Elk Island Catholic Schools	Elk Island Public Schools	Habitat for Humanity	Heartland Alliance Church
Heartland Housing Foundation	Linking Generations Society of Alberta	Masjiid in the Park	Next Gen
Northern Alberta Cooperative Housing Association	Parents Empowering Parents	Sherwood Park - Strathcona County Primary Care Network	RCMP
Robin Hood Association	Saffron Centre	Sherwood Care	Sherwood Park and District Chamber of Commerce
Sherwood Park Alliance Church	Strathcona Community Hospital Foundation	Strathcona County Library	Strathcona Food Bank
Volunteer Strathcona	WE Seniors	Winder Inclusive Communities Service	Sherwood Park Alliance Church