Impact Stories

United Way of Calgary and Area and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation are proud to collaborate in support of Planet Youth Calgary.

Grounded in a successful model from Iceland, Planet Youth Calgary unites schools, parents, caregivers, youth, service providers and researchers to collaboratively create local strategies aimed at preventing substance misuse and fostering mental well-being. United Way is leading the initiative, with Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation committing to fund research through the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education at the University of Calgary.

Thanks to the support from the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, the reach of this initiative can be expanded, laying the groundwork for a healthier future for all youth in our city.

Read more in our recent blog featured on the United Way of Calgary and Area site: Working Together to Support Youth Mental Health in Calgary.

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In Thorncliffe/Huntington Hills, Planet Youth Calgary focused on creating spaces where youth — especially young women — could feel empowered, supported, and connected to peers and the wider community. One highlight of 2024 was the All-Girls Sports Event at John G. Diefenbaker High School, held in collaboration with the YMCA.

This initiative provided a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for young women to engage in physical activities and sports. It went beyond fitness, promoting mental wellness, personal empowerment, and a strong sense of community connection (Peer Group and Community/School Environment domains). Participants also benefited from mentorship opportunities, fostering confidence, leadership, and skill development (School and Peer Group domains).

The program addressed notable gender disparities in physical activity: research shows girls are consistently less involved in sports and structured physical activities than boys. By offering a targeted opportunity for young women to participate fully, Planet Youth Calgary promoted equitable access to recreational and social opportunities (Leisure and Recreation domain).

Participation in sports also contributes to resilience, reduces stress and anxiety, and supports positive social networks. For these young women, the All-Girls Sports event provided a platform to build peer connections, develop leadership, and make positive choices — supporting Planet Youth’s upstream, preventative approach to youth wellbeing.

This initiative demonstrates the impact of youth-focused, inclusive programming that strengthens protective factors across domains, empowering young women to thrive both personally and socially.

In December 2024, the Thorncliffe/Huntington Hills community coalitions marked the one-year anniversary of Youthful Saturdays — a milestone for an initiative that has grown into a weekly tradition. What began as a simple idea to bring youth together has evolved into a vibrant, safe space where young people build friendships (Peer Group), explore new activities (Leisure and Recreation), and learn from one another (School/Youth Engagement).

Over the past year, Youthful Saturdays have fostered connection and belonging within the community (Community Environment), supporting youth wellbeing, resilience, and social development. This popular program will continue into 2025, with an addition of Youthful Fridays, offering ongoing opportunities for youth to strengthen protective factors, deepen peer and community connections, and engage in positive, structured activities throughout the year.

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The Indigenous Parallel is a collaboration between Miskanawah and Planet Youth, designed to support young urban Indigenous peoples in Calgary. The Parallel focuses on mental health and wellness initiatives, reconnecting urban Indigenous individuals to community and resources, and amplifying the voices of Indigenous youth. Youth Elders visit schools and organizations across Calgary, serving as role models and advocating for their community. The Parallel also provides equitable resources and opportunities for Indigenous youth, ensuring that they have the support of a community along every step of their journeys.

Planet Youth Calgary is United Way’s most ambitious signature initiative-to-date. Planet Youth Calgary is the largest implementation in Canada and the largest urban implementation in North America. It is working to create stronger connections between young people and their families, caregivers, peers, schools and communities, policy makers and researchers. Planet Youth Calgary aims to improve the social environment for youth by creating opportunities for participation in activities and recreation that promote wellbeing, access to basic needs and safe spaces, and promoting upstream preventative solutions to the challenges our young people face.

Learn more about Planet Youth Calgary.

To learn more about the Planet Youth Indigenous Parallel Youth Wellbeing Circles and how they empower Indigenous young people while building meaningful connections, tune in to Episode 9 of the Social Impact Lab's Responsible Disruption podcast.

This year’s pipe ceremony brought together a diverse group of people — Elders, youth, adults and stakeholders from various walks of life. Creating space for Indigenous peoples to practice ceremony, which was once prohibited, is an act of reconciliation. These ceremonies also provide non-Indigenous participants with opportunities to engage, learn and bridge gaps to create understanding. During the ceremony, Planet Youth leaders, and Youth Elders shared their experiences, struggles and triumphs over the past year with the assembled witnesses.

By integrating ceremonial practices into organizational frameworks, Planet Youth demonstrates the importance of reconciliation in action. Their commitment to honouring traditional systems, decolonizing spaces and paving the road for future generations of young professionals, advocates and community leaders is an important addition to this relationship. Reflecting on the positive impact of these ceremonies, it is evident that Planet Youth is committed to fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities under the Indigenous Parallel, allowing the pipe to lead us all in a good way.

Planet Youth has hosted four ceremonies in the last two years, including two naming ceremonies, a tea ceremony and the annual pipe ceremony. Each ceremony is a step toward decolonizing spaces and rebuilding relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

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.