PEACE POWER CORPORATION COMMUNITY FUND

Purpose: Community Impact Fund

THE FUND SUPPORTS

To support the Community Impact group of funds that address community priorities and emerging issues at the Foundation’s Board of Director’s discretion.

FROM THE DONOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Founded in Grande Prairie in 2012 by Chad Mielke, Peace Power has become not only a trusted household name for energy and natural gas needs but knows the importance of giving back to the communities they do business in.

Having lived in Grande Prairie and now raising a family in Edmonton, he and his wife Lorraine are passionate about ensuring that the communities they have lived in flourish.

Their website says it all, “Service with us allows residents and businesses to save money on their utility bills and give back to the local community at the same time through our commitment of donating 20% of yearly profits to local community initiatives.”

Chad created the Peace Power Corporation Community Fund in 2015, with the intent for it to be a part of the Community Impact group of funds that support the charitable activities and charitable organizations with their ever-changing needs within our region. He believes in the connection the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta has with the organizations we serve and wanted to empower the Foundation to continue to do this good work.

On The Ground

Having celebrated their 25th Anniversary on May 26, 2022 we caught up with Dale Tiedemann, CAREERS Regional Manager on the work they are doing in the Northwest region.

CAREERS works with schools to connect students with employers for paid internships and apprenticeship opportunities in a variety of in-demand fields, including: Skilled Trades, Forestry, Agriculture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Healthcare, and more.

The Alberta based non-profit organization recruits local employers looking to invest in developing their workforce strategy. This is done in-part by engaging youth and providing meaningful paid internships to students. These employers range from small service businesses to global companies. CAREERS then works with school Off-campus Coordinators to match suitable students to available mentorship opportunities. Students gain valuable employability skills and on-the-job training, in a safe working environment. The benefits don’t stop there. Youth interns are compensated with a fair wage (minimum wage or greater), earn high school credits towards their diploma, and when registered with Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training, receive provincially recognized hours toward their chosen apprenticeship.

CAREERS aims to create a diverse skilled workforce by engaging youth, including Indigenous youth and young women in professional development strategies. Their efforts help to build stronger communities by attracting and retaining young people to in-demand career pathways and invigorates local capacity where youth succeed in Northwest Alberta.

With a territory that expands from High Level in the North to Grande Cache in the West and Mayerthorpe in the South, CAREERS efforts in the Northwest Region of Alberta are supported by three full-time Program Coordinators – located in Grande Prairie, Peace River, and Whitecourt.