Impact Stories

On May 24th, 2024, the Erin Woods Community Association celebrated as community members gathered to unveil a powerful new Indigenous art mural. This project, led by Planet Youth Clagary in collaboration with Indigenous artist Flora Johnson, was more than just a creative endeavor, it was a meaningful journey of connection, learning, and reconciliation.

With the support of the Greater Forest Lawn and the Indigenous Parallel community coalition members, Planet Youth Calgary, and partners like the City of Calgary, Calgary Arts Development, and the Ward 9 Office, five youth artists committed over 600 hours of their time outside of school to bring this large-scale mural to life. Under Flora’s guidance, they not only learned the techniques of mural painting, but also deepened their understanding of Indigenous culture and history through storytelling and mentorship.

Over three months, what began as a project among strangers became a tight-knit team of young artists who learned to rely on one another, communicate, and support each other through every brushstroke. As they painted, curious community members often stopped by to engage, ask questions, and learn about the mural’s significance, transforming the wall into a living space of conversation and connection.

The unveiling event brought together more than 60 attendees, including youth, families, Indigenous Elders, and local leaders. The artists were celebrated with certificates, and each prepared a personal artist bio to share their experience. They named the mural themselves and composed a poem explaining its meaning, now permanently mounted on a plaque beside the mural, along with their names, leaving a legacy in Erin Woods.

This initiative represents more than art, it’s a reflection of upstream, preventative work that fosters youth leadership, skill-building, peer connection, and cultural understanding. The mural is now a permanent gathering place, a vibrant testament to youth creativity and a shared commitment to reconciliation and learning.

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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.