Working with Diverse Communities in East Calgary,Alberta

Abstract

• Summary: This article draws on the findings of diversity audit study done at the East Area Office of the City of Calgary, in Canada. It identifies existing strengths and gaps in addressing diversity and social inclusion within the office staff and in the program planning, design and delivery to the diverse communities in the east of Calgary.

• Findings: Although staff of the area office feel a strong sense of belong in the workplace and work collaboratively with each other in different streams, it was identified that more collaboration needs to be established between the community social workers and community recreation coordinators. It was also found that almost all staff in the area office have no knowledge for procedures to report discrimination in the work place. On the other hand, the community consultations have identified that East Area Office needs to develop close relationship with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities, which at the time of the study were not specifically targeted with programs by the office.

• Application: Building from the disconnect between program planning, design and delivery on the one hand, and the inclusion of all the diverse communities on the other hand, the authors present opportunities for dialogue and partnership development to enhance collaborative work between the communities and the East Area Office. Through this collaboration, programs will be planned, designed and delivered with appropriate cultural sensitivity. As well, the authors emphasize the need to strengthen collaborative work between the community social workers (CSWs) and the community recreation coordinators (CRCs), which are the two staff streams working in East Area Office so that their efforts can complement each other.