Communities ChooseWell

Communities ChooseWell Engaging and supporting Alberta communities to help make the healthy choice the easy choice. ✅

Communities ChooseWell is an initiative that supports, empowers and recognizes Alberta communities to promote and foster healthy eating and active living. Communities ChooseWell is managed by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, and funded by Alberta Health and Wellness as a part of the Healthy U campaign. We provide support, empowerment, and recognition for communities, and help them mov

e their initiatives forward. ChooseWell provides information 'toolkits' to registered communities and holds regular webinars, as well as special events, all with the “eat right, be active” goal in mind.

💭Imagine if… you saw a gardening initiative that’s about more than providing fresh produce and food security.On a summer...
05/29/2026

💭Imagine if… you saw a gardening initiative that’s about more than providing fresh produce and food security.

On a summer day in Fort McKay, children and youth gather around cedar garden beds, eagerly pointing out peeks of green poking through the soil.

The prospect of fresh produce is particularly exciting to residents of the rural community in Northern Alberta, where the nearest fresh fruits and vegetables are typically a 45 minute drive away in Fort McMurray.

Read the full story: https://communitieschoosewell.ca/story/planting-healthy-patterns/

The success of any initiative is that the momentum builds and takes over. The story of the ChooseWell program in Lacombe...
05/22/2026

The success of any initiative is that the momentum builds and takes over. The story of the ChooseWell program in Lacombe shows that momentum must be built on the solid base of the 3 Ps – partnership, perseverance and perspective.

Sonya Beauclair has been Recreation and Culture Assistant Lacombe for the past 7 years. She understands the marketing adage of the Rule of Seven, that a prospective buyer has to hear or see a marketing message 7 times before they will buy. Even so, sometimes the desired results take a long time.

Read the full story: https://communitieschoosewell.ca/story/1944/

💭Imagine if… You discovered a love for ballet but witnessed how the ballet space wasn’t always welcoming for diverse fol...
05/15/2026

💭Imagine if… You discovered a love for ballet but witnessed how the ballet space wasn’t always welcoming for diverse folks.

“Growing up in Venezuela, Serenella discovered her love for ballet but as she grew, she witnessed how the ballet space wasn’t always welcoming for diverse folks. So she created Ballet Bodies YYC – a non-profit organization that offers dancers a safe and welcoming space that celebrates diversity.”

Read the full story: https://communitieschoosewell.ca/story/every-body-is-a-ballet-body/

💭Imagine if… You created a charity that makes opportunities for people living with disabilities to experience outdoor re...
05/01/2026

💭Imagine if… You created a charity that makes opportunities for people living with disabilities to experience outdoor recreation.

Adaptable Outdoors, a Pincher Creek-based charity, uses adaptive equipment and volunteer help to provide hiking, paddling and fishing adventures to people with disabilities.

A Communities ChooseWell participant, Adaptable received a Healthy Community Grant to fund a summer program coordinator, helping the non-profit deliver outdoor experiences to more people.

“When people succeed or try something new, whether that be reaching a destination or goal it , builds confidence and helps them try more things; and not be afraid to fail,” says Steve, Adaptable’s executive director. “It can be life-changing.”

Read more:
https://communitieschoosewell.ca/story/theres-always-a-way-adaptable-outdoors-is-carving-the-trail-to-recreation-adventures-for-people-with-disabilities/

💭 Imagine if policies made the healthy choice the easy choice. Policy and strategies are important tools and guides for ...
04/27/2026

💭 Imagine if policies made the healthy choice the easy choice.

Policy and strategies are important tools and guides for action that organizations can use to help shape the settings in which we live, work and grow, as well as sustain promising community practices over time.

Explore the Policy Pillar of our FREE Healthy Communities Framework!

https://communitieschoosewell.ca/healthy-communities-framework/

💭Imagine If... there was a youth program that encourages wellbeing from a physical and mental perspective, but also a sp...
04/24/2026

💭Imagine If... there was a youth program that encourages wellbeing from a physical and mental perspective, but also a spiritual and ceremonial one.

What does it mean to be well? Often, things like fitness, nutritious food and mental health come to mind. And for those who run the Iiyika’kimaat youth program at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary (BGCC), wellness is all of those things...and more.

“As Indigenous people, spirituality is the crux of who we are, and for many years that piece has been denied to us by policy and legislation,” she explains. “So when someone gets to experience that ceremonial and spiritual component, through an outing or learning a new skill, there’s a sense of accomplishment that they can really understand who they are.” - Christy Morgan, director of Indigenous Initiatives with the BGCC

Read full story:
https://communitieschoosewell.ca/story/the-iiyikakimaat-program-a-place-to-be-brave/

The recreation and sport sector has an important role to play in advancing reconciliation.By exploring the history, pres...
04/21/2026

The recreation and sport sector has an important role to play in advancing reconciliation.

By exploring the history, present day experiences, and future opportunities through our new eModule (developed in partnership with ), learners will leave with an understanding of how to be inclusive, equitable, and respectful of Indigenous Peoples within recreation and sport.

Take this new FREE eModule: https://communitieschoosewell.ca/learning-connecting/ecourses/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-ecourse/

💭Imagine if… you saw a need and rolled up your sleeves to bring it to life in your town. Makaylah Rogers – a long time r...
04/17/2026

💭Imagine if… you saw a need and rolled up your sleeves to bring it to life in your town.

Makaylah Rogers – a long time resident of Canmore – felt and saw a strong need for more mental health support and community building for other residents of the Bow Valley.

To address this gap, they started a company with their wife, but the nature of their solution might surprise some. They created Frankie D’s Donuts.

With Communities ChooseWell, communities use the Healthy Communities Framework to plan inclusive spaces, learn from peers, and access funding to make it real.

Read full story: https://communitieschoosewell.ca/story/healing-hearts-and-minds-one-donut-at-a-time/

Meet our most recent ChooseWell Healthy Community Inspiration Award Winners !🎉⭐ These awards celebrate the efforts of co...
04/15/2026

Meet our most recent ChooseWell Healthy Community Inspiration Award Winners !🎉⭐

These awards celebrate the efforts of communities and wellness champions in recreation and parks settings across Alberta in promoting healthy eating and active living.

This year, we had the honour of presenting 6 well-deserving recipients with these awards!

You can learn more about these recipients by watching their award videos on our website. https://communitieschoosewell.ca/celebrating-communities/healthy-community-awards/

Address

11759 Groat Road NW
Edmonton, AB
T5M3K6

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17804151745

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Communities ChooseWell posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Communities ChooseWell:

Shortcuts

Share

Category