The "Community Wellbeing & Safety Strategy (CWSS) for Lethbridge" outlines a comprehensive approach to address social challenges, enhance safety, and improve community wellbeing through coordinated action and strategic integration across sectors. Developed by the City of Lethbridge Community Social Development department in collaboration with local stakeholders, this strategic framework prioritizes collective impact, integrated systems planning, social inclusion, safety, and meeting basic community needs.
Key elements of the strategy include:
Systems Planning & Integration:
- Establishing integrated systems to coordinate over 400 local programs and services, maximizing effectiveness and resource use.
- Developing a collaborative governance model involving key stakeholders to oversee strategy implementation and ongoing integration.
- Utilizing real-time data tools like HelpSeeker for asset mapping and coordinated service delivery.
Safe & Resilient Communities:
- Addressing community safety through balanced enforcement, restorative justice, and proactive preventive measures.
- Strengthening mental health and substance use services, particularly addressing the opioid crisis, domestic violence, and related traumas.
- Ensuring culturally competent services for Indigenous peoples and other vulnerable populations.
Basic Needs:
- Improving access to essential resources like housing, food, transportation, employment, and education.
- Implementing innovative solutions for homelessness, affordable housing, and food security.
- Advocating for financial sustainability, accessibility, and equity in resource distribution.
Social Inclusion:
- Promoting community belonging, reducing stigma, and fostering social cohesion.
- Engaging residents in community-building initiatives, including seniors, youth, newcomers, and Indigenous communities.
- Enhancing awareness and utilization of community supports through technology and inclusive outreach initiatives.
Foundational Values:
- Prioritizing prevention over crisis intervention, person-centered approaches over system-focused models, and community-led rather than purely government-driven efforts.
- Embracing agility, sustainability, integration, and strengths-based methodologies to foster a resilient community.
The strategy emphasizes the critical role of the City of Lethbridge as a convener and backbone organization, coordinating efforts, aligning funding, and supporting continuous community engagement and collaboration. The City’s proposed role includes strategic alignment of internal initiatives, partnership building, enhancing frontline capacity through training, and leading public awareness campaigns to foster community cohesion and resilience.
Ultimately, the CWSS provides a detailed roadmap for a unified community response to complex social issues, aimed at creating a Lethbridge where everyone feels safe, included, and empowered to thrive.
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