Building a city with enough for all
Dream of a city where there is enough for all.
And then make that dream a reality.
How? By tapping into our collective imagination and creativity, exploring small changes and different ways of approaching the challenges in our communities (sometimes referred to as futures thinking), we can chart new paths toward helping all Calgarians thrive in the city we share.
This fall, in the spirit of innovation and curiosity, we invite you to gather in the Create Space at the Central Library to experience a variety of interactive storytelling experiences that will draw us closer to a fully equitable reality. From the premiere of Sage Cannon’s Making Ends Meet audio play, which immerses listeners in the lived experiences of poverty spoken by over 100 fellow citizens, to the thought-provoking collection of zines that bring us together to envision a Calgary without poverty, the narratives shared here help us imagine a future where there is enough for all.
What social and environmental factors need to be in place to reduce poverty in Calgary? What actions can we take individually and from a systems approach to ensure that no one in our community feels the stifling pressure of poverty? Add your thoughts, raise your voice, spread the word: iih kanii tai staiiwa—in the language the Blackfoot Elders gave us in a 2023 naming ceremony—everything is here. It’s up to all of us to gather our knowledge, creativity and goodwill to use what we have to change how our city works.
Falling into poverty can happen more quickly than most people think. Play the 30-Day Snakes and Ladders Challenge and navigate the ups and downs of monthly expenses. Experience common financial challenges and opportunities, reflecting the real struggles and support that people living in poverty—and all of us—face. It’s eye-opening how quickly life can change. How does playing this game change the way you think about poverty? Come and take the challenge.
From access to medicine and healthcare systems and connection to green space; from sharing resources to creating feelings of safety and belonging; when we come together with our full spectrum of ideas and approaches, we can ensure that there is enough for all. We believe that enough for all cities can help recalibrate the entire world.
Be part of the experience. Join us at the Central Library from October 2 through January 6 and immerse yourself in enough for all storytelling.
Making Ends Meet is a work from creator Sage Cannon. This project was part of Sage’s Master of Fine Arts research at the University of Calgary. Sage had the privilege of working with three young adults who opened themselves up to a creative process and told her their lived experiences of poverty. Sage also includes her own experiences of poverty throughout childhood and adulthood in this project, and the work has been a process of community coming together to share stories. These creations teach us about how people react and talk about poverty and ultimately how we don't talk about it enough. It shines a light on people’s vulnerability and storytelling. As one participant said when asked what they wish others knew about poverty, "It's not always extremes, there is always someone closer to you than you think." The reality of people’s day-to-day experiences is in sharp contrast to the possibilities our futures can hold.
Vibrant Communities Calgary worked closely with Sage to bring these stories to you in different forms. Watch the animation and listen to the entire audio play – a collaboration with over 100 voices that are part of the Calgary community. While you listen, consider what actions you can take to build a future that has enough for everyone.
Zine Fest was a showcase of art for social change. It was an experience that brought together a variety of changemakers in our community to understand and learn from the voices of lived experience. This space was a forum where ideas were exchanged, where we were inspired to act and take moments to reflect. The concept of enough for all futures taps into our collective imagination and helps set us on a path toward the thriving future we want for our city. By having a community of voices together, we’re not just hearing about poverty—we’re learning how to disrupt the systems that create it.
Zines have been a tool to inspire critical thinking about the challenges in our city, and together we create and reflect on a collective vision for a future where poverty is no longer a barrier to a life well-lived. They represent the hope that we can, and will, build a future where everyone has enough—enough resources, enough opportunities, enough dignity, and enough community.
The E4A Community Zine Mural represents the ideas and stories shared by over 160 co-creators and contributors, images from the zines were gathered from participants in our city-wide zine-making workshops held between June and September 2024. The mural stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, shared experiences, and the commitment to building enough for all futures.
Stay up-to-date on Vibrant Communities Calgary and our implementation of the Enough for All community-owned poverty reduction strategy.