Impact Stories

This August, Planet Youth Calgary teamed up with United Way of Calgary and Area and collaborated with Fluor Corporation, to spread a little extra back-to-school joy. Together, in Thorncliffe/Huntington Hills (one of Planet Youth Calgary's priority communities), we packed and distributed 300 backpacks filled with school supplies to children returning to class.

While we had originally planned for about 300 people, we were blown away to see over 750 in attendance. The turnout showed just how meaningful this support is for families in our community. Thanks to MLA Tejada for additional support and supplies, the Calgary Food Bank for providing snacks and the many community members and volunteers who came together. With all the help and support, we were able to meet the need and make this event a success.

For many families, these backpacks mean more than pencils and notebooks—they represent confidence, readiness, and the excitement of starting a new school year on the right foot.

At Planet Youth Calgary, we believe that investing in our future begins with supporting children today. By creating opportunities like this, we’re helping youth feel prepared, supported, and empowered to thrive.

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On May 24, 2024, the Erin Woods Community Association came together to celebrate the unveiling of a powerful new Indigenous art mural — a project that blended creativity, culture, and community connection. Led by Planet Youth Calgary in collaboration with Indigenous artist Flora Johnson, this initiative was more than an artistic endeavor; it was a meaningful journey of learning, reconciliation, and belonging.

With support from the Greater Forest Lawn and Indigenous Parallel Community Coalitions, along with partners including the City of Calgary, Calgary Arts Development, and the Ward 9 Office, 5 youth artists devoted over 600 hours outside of school to bring the mural to life. Guided by Flora, the youth learned the techniques of large-scale mural painting while deepening their understanding of Indigenous culture and history through storytelling, mentorship, and reflection.

Over 3 months, what began as a project among strangers became a close-knit group of young artists who embodied key Planet Youth domains in action. The experience strengthened peer connections and offered a positive leisure and recreation opportunity outside of school hours. It fostered skill development and leadership, encouraged family and community engagement, and created a supportive environment that promoted connection, respect, and shared learning.

As the mural took shape, curious community members stopped to ask questions and learn about its meaning, transforming the worksite into a living classroom of culture and conversation.

The unveiling event brought together more than 60 attendees — including youth, families, Indigenous Elders, and local leaders — to celebrate the artists’ achievements. Each youth was recognized with a certificate and shared a personal artist bio. They chose the mural’s name and wrote a poem to accompany it, now displayed on a plaque beside their work, leaving a lasting mark on the Erin Woods community.

This mural stands as a vibrant symbol of youth creativity, reconciliation, and community pride — and a reflection of how Planet Youth’s prevention-focused approach fosters leadership, connection, and wellbeing for young people across all domains of life.

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Read more in the blog by Calgary Arts Development: Community mural transforms conflict into shared story

The youth employment fair held in February 2024 partnered with Trellis, Community Hubs, Genesis Centre, Calgary Public Library, and YMCA to provide a platform for youth to connect with employment resources, network with organizations, and voice their challenges with finding work. Many international students, in particular, shared difficulties in finding work and expressed the need for practical skills training and support.

One international student reached out to a Planet Youth Manager directly, sharing how difficult it is to secure work in today’s environment. This student highlighted the importance of their existing community chat group and expressed a desire to host more events for youth to connect. This moment underscored the fact that small gestures can have a significant impact, highlighting the need to continue building positive connections for youth in this community.

Many high school students also shared the intense pressure they feel when making critical life decisions around education and employment. One student described the overwhelming expectations to excel academically, build a strong resume, secure a job, and make their parents proud. These pressures can negatively impact mental health, sometimes leading to situations youth struggle to overcome alone.

A lot of youth expressed gratitude for the supportive space and community connection. Feedback emphasized the need for ongoing support with employment and mental health resources.

The event specifically revealed a strong desire for first aid training to improve employment opportunities. Planet Youth Calgary responded by offering first aid training for youth aged 16–20, providing them with valuable skills to improve their employment prospects.

This event demonstrated the importance of listening to youth, understanding their challenges, and offering practical support. Planet Youth Calgary aims to use future survey results to better understand the dynamics affecting youth well-being and to develop primary prevention efforts that address these needs.