CANAVUA (Canadian Volunteers United in Action)

Project Name: Adaptive Capacity Building based on The New Normal Calgary, AB

Canadian Volunteers United in Action Society (L’Association des Volontaires unis dans l’action au Canada), or CANAVUA, is currently Alberta’s only Francophone volunteer organization with a mandate to promote volunteerism in Alberta, especially among the Francophone community.

CANAVUA works to connect volunteers with community organizations in need of assistance, including training and placement of exemplary volunteers with the right community group. With over 500 volunteers, the work done by CANVUA helps to service the overlooked needs of the Francophone community. The groups they support offer a range of programs, including three times weekly Francophone community food banks, community foodtrucks, mobile refrigerated trailers, and complimentary grocery giveaways three days per week. They also support seniors programs and community integration, such as driver courses for newcomers.

Using SBCCI funds, the organization aimed to improve the current community delivery service system, revamp the approach to funding and revenue, leadership training, strategic assessments along with hosting community workshops. Thus far, CANAVUA has invested in various levels of activity on community engagement, along with developing and implementing a community engagement strategy.