Envision Innisfail was a project created to engage community members but has now extended its influence far past the Innisfail town limits after receiving a prestigious provincial award last week.
The rippling effects of the 12-month Envision Innisfail initiative are continuing to be felt within the town not only through the creation a more active and engaged community but also by a number of physical additions to Innisfail such as the community gardens and the Dr. Greg-Ritson Bennett Park.
This highly involved community engagement process was what earned Envision Innisfail a Lieutenant Governor’s Award in the Group Spirit Community Leadership category.
Representatives from the Envision Innisfail Advisory Committee were on hand last week in Edmonton to receive the award presented by Donald Ethell, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
The Lieutenant Governor Awards are presented every year to recognize groups and individuals who are leading their communities in strategic change that increases citizen participation in active living, said a press release from the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, for whom the award is presented on behalf of.
“The recognition of the project is just wonderful,” said Shelley Gagnon, director of community services for the Town of Innisfail.
“I think it is great that we can celebrate the work that the (Envision Innisfail) group has done.”
Projects such as the Innisfail Green and Clean, the curbside recycling program, youth drop-in programs, and 55+ trade fair, are all ideas that came to life after the Envision Innisfail community consultations.
These projects are aimed towards making Innisfail a better place for people of all ages to live, work, and play, and the efforts of the committee can be seen within the community.
One young Innisfail leader was also recognized with an award for her community involvement.
Envision Innisfail had encouraged all residents to get involved and take charge of the change they wanted to see in their community. In this process one youth leader stood out and helped take the lead of planning and running a the ACE youth leadership team that helped facilitate youth drop-in programs in Innisfail. This leadership role helped to earn Kelsey Dunham a Lieutenant Governor’s Award as a community leader of tomorrow.
“Young women leaders like Kelsey are worth celebrating because she gives true effort to her aspirations and she inspires others to do more as well,” said Denise Bouw, a program specialist with the Town of Innisfail, adding that Dunham continually worked to challenge apathy amongst her peers.
Dunham also volunteers at the Innisfail Health Centre and is now working to train a new youth leader to take her place when she graduates this year. Her well rounded list of achievements and positive attitude helped her to earn the Lieutenant Governor’s Award.
“I am very thrilled and feel really honoured,” said Dunham about receiving the award. Dunham said that through her experience with Envision Innisfail she was able to meet so many people, which was one of her favourite parts of the experience.
“It is great to meet so many like minded individuals that value hard work and volunteering,” said Dunham.
The town of Penhold also had a showing at the awards ceremony with Recreation Coordinator Leanne Worr receiving an honourable mention in the Professional Leadership Award category.
Worr has worked in recreation with the Town of Penhold for a number of years and has spearheaded projects such as the 21-day challenge and the Choose Well Challenge for which the Tonw of Penhold won a provincial award in 2008.
Several Penhold community members who recognized her ability to help make Penhold a healthier, and more active community nominated Worr. She has recently taken over the responsibility of running the recreation programs for the Penhold Regional Multiplex.
“I felt very honoured to be at awards and to be recognized by my peers,” said Worr, adding that the judging committee commended her for receiving honourable mention as the other candidates had been in recreation for much longer then she had. “This has given me such a renewed energy. I know that I am in the right field and that we are working towards a healthier community.”
