We are one of the largest disability service organizations in the Edmonton area. For 40 years we have provided individualized support services to people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the communities in which they live. Our work is complex but our goal is simple: help people with disabilities live safe, dignified and meaningful lives…

Hi I’m Carmen Norris and I’ve been a member of the Skills Society board for 5 years. In more recent years, I’ve been part of the fund development committee where we’ve been working to move the needle on Skills Society’s strategic priority to increase financial resiliency. As you might remember from last year’s fund development report, we have been exploring and seeking to better understand the difference between fundraising and fund development

In preparation for writing this piece, members of the Skills Society leadership team came together in reflective conversation. We shared experiences and insights that surfaced for us as we reflected on our work in striving to support people with disabilities to lead good lives. We then looked at our collective reflections and pulled out themes - patterns that showed up across our stories.

In writing this piece we grappled with a tricky tension - trying to strike a balance between sharing big and lofty ideas and offering practical examples and tangible ways those ideas show up in all our everyday lives. This is a tension we are continuously exploring as we strive to honour our commitment to bridging the gap between ‘theory’ and ‘practice’…

Something that is important to us at Skills Society is continually exploring ways of more intentionally weaving meaningful Indigenous inclusion throughout our organization. This is important work in our individual and collective journey towards reconciliation…

For many of us, citizenship is something we take for granted. It can be defined in many ways, but at its core citizenship is our sense of value and belonging. This sense of citizenship doesn’t always extend to people with disabilities. That’s why Skills Society was formed - to provide people with disabilities with the same opportunities and choices, the same ability to share their gifts and talents, and the same sense of belonging that we all enjoy…

“When Do We Get A Raise?” This is a question employees in disability services across the province and all of us have all been asking since our last funding/pay increase from the Government of Alberta in 2014. To bring clarity and help dispel myths, and misinformation we wanted to share…

For the second straight year, people supported by the Skills Society, their families, allies and the Skills Society team (employees and board) lived and worked within the evolving context of the COVID pandemic. Vaccines were introduced, public health restrictions and measures were implemented, later relaxed, then reinstated as hospitalizations…

Good enough isn’t enough: never settling - striving for the ‘good life’

On behalf of the Skills Society team, I’m pleased to share our 41st Annual AGM Report with you. As we reflect on the incredible history of this organization, I think it’s fair to say the last few years have been some of our most tumultuous.

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. A day to recognize and honor Indigenous cultures and celebrate the many contributions of Indigenous peoples in our communities and throughout time.

You are invited to our 2022 Virtual Annual General Meeting taking place on Monday, June 27th via Zoom from 6:00-8:00pm.

We’re proud to have the Future of Home Lab, an initiative out of Skills Society Action Lab, featured by CMHC and the National Housing Strategy. In the feature story, self advocate Levi Lawton (pictured above) shares his experiences seeking housing that is…

To: People we Support, Families, Guardians, and Skills Society Employees RE: “Essential but Forgotten” Campaign in support of Community Disability Service Workers From: Skills Society Senior Leadership March 7, 2022 Message from ADWA “Alberta’s Community…

Skills Society’s Vision is a community where all individuals are valued citizens deserving respect, dignity, and rights. In working towards this Vision we support the people we serve to thrive in five pillars of everyday life: home life, relationships, employment…

To: People we Support, Families, Guardians, and Skills Society Employees RE: Learning About & Celebrating Black History Month From: Skills Society Leadership February 18, 2022 A Message from Skills Society Executive Director, Ben Weinlick

Memo to: People we Support, Families, Guardians and Skills Society Employees Re: Prevention and Preparedness Regarding the Novel-Corona Virus (COVID-19) From: Senior Leadership of Skills Society January 11, 2022 Current COVID-19 Cases in Alberta and at Skills Society…

The Government of Alberta wants to hear from Albertans as it plans budget 2022. You can give your input by filling in the survey online at Budget 2022 Survey or through a telephone town hall with Finance Minister Travis Toews (participation details to be announced in…

Memo to: People we Support, Families, Guardians, and Skill Society Employees Re: Stay Safe and Best Wishes for the Holidays From: Executive Director and Senior Leadership of Skills Society December 21, 2021 Message from Executive Director, Ben Weinlick

Disability Without Poverty has initiated a new petition to the Government of Canada to keep the Canada Disability Benefit as a national priority. Petition Details: Petition to the Government of Canada Whereas: Poverty is exhausting and intrudes on all aspects of your…

Hello Friends of Skills Society! This year Skills Society is participating in Giving Tuesday – a global day of giving that marks the ‘unofficial’ start of giving season across Canada. On Tuesday, November 30th we’re asking you to consider a Giving Tuesday