North Rocky View Community Links Society is celebrating 40 years of connecting individuals and families to services, support, and resources to inspire hope, healthy development, wellbeing, and resiliency in their communities.
According to the non-profit organization’s website, on average, Community Links provides a link to important programming for 11,000 residents in Airdrie, Beiseker, Crossfield, Irricana, and the surrounding region of north Rocky View County each year.
Programming and support services provided by Community Links include counselling, outreach, community development, and family resources.
Brenda Hume, executive director of Community Links, said this year, the organization is excited to celebrate 40 years servicing the community’s residents, volunteers, donors, partners, and businesses who help them in their vision of fostering strong individuals, families, and communities.
“On behalf of the agency, we are so grateful for the amazing support we have received over the years,” Hume said. “Our success is attributed to everyone who has connected with Community Links.
“We are truly appreciative of your time, guidance, partnerships, relationships, financial support and help to make a positive difference for so many people.”
She added the registered charity has serviced the north Rocky View County region since 1982. In 2007, discussions began regarding the amalgamation of Airdrie Family Services Society and the North Rocky View Community Resource Centre Society into a single organization.
“Since the two agencies shared a common purpose to deliver services and programs to the residents living in similar communities, the Board of Directors and leadership felt this was a good direction,” read a prepared statement from Community Links.
The two organizations soon came together to more effectively and sustainability serve the communities in the area with a collective strategy to unite and define the organizations’ mission and values.
By April 2008, a new agency was formed called North Rocky View Community Links Society (Community Links).
According to Community Links, this strategic move included re-engineering the organizational structure of each group while maximizing the skills and expertise of both agencies’ members.
“It demonstrated a proactive approach that would serve as a mechanism to meet the needs of the rapidly growing communities we continue to serve today,” the statement said.
Community Links’ legacy in the region includes becoming a provincial “Parent Link Centre” in 2005, and partnering with the Village of Beiseker to establish a permanent location in the community for local support.
Thereafter, in 2017, a single location was formed for the agency within Airdrie.
“With an employee base of strong individuals and volunteers, geography of strong communities and a history of strong results, Community Links continues to make a difference for residents across [their] lifespan,” the statement said.
The organization has won various awards over the years including the Advocate Award at the City of Airdrie Volunteer Awards in 2016, and the first Pink Wand Workplace Award through the Airdrie Amazing Women’s Awards in 2020.
“Our continued goals are to facilitate social connection to build capacity and develop [and] strengthen skills,” the statement continued. “And to provide activities that inspire hope and support individuals, families, and communities.”
In 2020, Community Links became a provincial Family Resource Network through funding from Children’s Services, acting as a “hub” and “spoke” for the region.
To learn more about Community Links, visit mycommunitylinks.ca
