Create Change
The flip side of the call to Defund the Police is the imperative to invest in community. This means directing resources like time, effort, and money towards community-based initiatives that build stronger communities – things like housing for all, access to healthy food and clean drinking water, harm reduction strategies, mental health supports, restorative justice, and more. By (re)investing in the well-being of our communities, we can target the root causes of many issues rather than using the police as a solution for every problem. This ever-growing list of groups, organizations, and initiatives are just some of the ways that you can become involved in the fight to end the harm and violence many experience and create safer and more equitable communities.
Here we’ve put together some ideas for ways you can get involved in Edmonton. If you or an organization you work with have an idea to add to our list, contact us at info@savedmonton.com.
Sexual Violence
- Hang/distribute our posters
- Download and distribute our handouts
- Request a workshop: Sexual assault workshops are offered by both the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton and the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre (for those on campus).
- Complete the Alberta Association of Sexual Assault Services "First Responder to Sexual Assault & Abuse" training
- Volunteer: Many centres have volunteer opportunities, including the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, and the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre.
- Donate: The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres has a list of anti-violence centres across Canada, consider donating to and supporting one in your community
- Help challenge rape culture by working with organizations that challenge toxic masculinity and promote healthy male identities, like The Moosehide Campaign and Next Gen Men
- Believe Survivors.
Domestic Violence
- Share The Today Booklet with anyone who might be looking for more information about domestic violence
- Book a training with the Today Centre for your group or workplace
- Read & Share this toolkit for intimate partner violence survivors from a prison abolitionist standpoint & learn about non-carceral responses to domestic violence
- Learn to recognize the signs of domestic violence and serve as a non-judgmental support.
- Believe survivors.
Workers' Rights & Labor Movements
- Know your rights as an employee and help your coworkers learn theirs. The Alberta Federation of Labor is a good place to start learning
- ANSWERS Society offers a "Sex Work is Work" Bias Prevention training - share it with others in your community
Housing
- Become a YIMBY - Yes in My Backyard. Ask your elected leaders what they're doing to support the development of affordable housing in your area, and work with your local community league to build support for affordable, subsidized, and supportive housing in your neighbourhood.
- Volunteer with organizations like Habitat for Humanity
- Talk to your neighbours, housed and unhoused, about ways to build a more inclusive community. Be aware that programs like the City of Edmonton's Encampment Response Team often result in police forcibly removing people and their belongings.
Reconciliation
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and talk with your family, friends, and coworkers about how you can implement the calls in your own communities
Racial Justice
- Follow and support Black Lives Matter Edmonton and Black Lives Matter Canada
- The Centre for Race and Culture offers training and consulting on anti-racism and building inclusive workplaces and communities. Book a session for your organization or workplace.
- The Canadian Anti-Hate Network has a list of actions you can take to counter hate groups
- The Edmonton Shift Lab has a great selection of Active Bystander Resources for how to intervene in hate-related incidents
Food Security
- Volunteer and/or donate to Food Not Bombs Edmonton
- Support Food Resources in your community
- Contact Love Good Food Exchange to set up a free food exchange box in your community
- Support the Edmonton Food Bank and Strathcona Food Bank
- If possible, donate money rather than food as food banks can use it much more effectively
- Set up a food bank plot in your local community garden to donate fresh produce to food banks or directly to your neighbours
Community Safety & Mutual Aid
- Community safety is a collective responsibility and it is up to each of us to reach out and make connections. Get to know your neighbours and make time to connect. This also includes looking out for the safety and well-being of unhoused and vulnerable people in our communities. Think about ways that you and your community can be inclusive and welcoming for diverse groups of people, which could include partnering with and supporting affordable/low-income housing projects and social services in your area.
- Join and/or donate to a community safety organization such as:
- Follow and support Black Lives Matter Edmonton and Black Lives Matter Canada
- You can call the 24/7 Crisis Diversion Team at 211 in the following situations:
- A person is intoxicated or otherwise impaired
- A person is sleeping in a lobby, or unsafe space
- A person is dressed inappropriately for the weather
- A person feels unsafe, but no threat of violence is present
- A person is confused, disoriented, or may be experiencing a mental health crisis
- REACH Edmonton offers free training workshops on topics like supporting through trauma, working with diverse populations, and more.
Mental Health
- Participate in a mental health first aid training program
- Participate in a suicide prevention training program
- You can call the 24/7 Crisis Diversion Team at 211 in the following situations:
- A person is intoxicated or otherwise impaired
- A person is sleeping in a lobby, or unsafe space
- A person is dressed inappropriately for the weather
- A person feels unsafe, but no threat of violence is present
- A person is confused, disoriented, or may be experiencing a mental health crisis
2SLGBTQ+ Rights
- If you are a healthcare provider, encourage everyone in your workplace to take the Trans Wellness Initiative Introduction to Affirming Spaces Training
- Join and/or become a patreon of Shades of Colour
- Book an education session with Edmonton 2 Spirit Society
Police & Prison Abolition
- Sign Black Lives Matter YEG's letter to Edmonton City Council calling for Edmonton Police Service to be defunded
- Send Black Lives Matter YEG's letter calling for an end to the School Resource Officer Program to your city councilor
- While you're at it, explore the Edmonton SRO Research Project and advocate for schools to remain police-free
- Follow the Saskatchewan Manitoba Alberta Abolition Coalition for ways to support prison abolition on the prairies
- Visit choosingrealsafety.com to learn about the intersection between police and prison abolition, and to find prison abolition movements near you
- If you're part of the University of Alberta community, join No Cops on Campus and sign their open letter to end the police liaison program
Poverty Reduction
- Visit End Poverty Edmonton for a list of actions you can take as an individual, organization, or community to end poverty
Climate Justice
Harm Reduction & Drug Use
- Get a Naloxone (Narcan) kit free from your local pharmacy and carry it with you (note that Naloxone should not be left in a cold vehicle or elsewhere outside as it reduces the efficacy)
- A free 10-minute training is available at naloxonetraining.com
- Take the Online Opioid Awareness & Community-Based Naloxone Training Course through the Métis Nation of Alberta for a more extensive understanding of drug poisoning and naloxone use
- Contact your elected representatives to share your support of harm reduction measures and supervised consumption sites
- Support Moms Stop the Harm and their work to change government policies around harm reduction
- Volunteer with StreetWorks or 4B Harm Reduction Society
- If you have lived experience with hard drugs, join AAWEAR