Engage Edmonton - Service Learning Program
Engage Edmonton is a service learning program for students who live in residence.
Engage Edmonton events occur throughout the academic year. Residence Services offers service learning opportunities at least once a month. You’ll also be invited to various educational social justice events throughout the year through partnerships with various initiatives both on campus and in the greater Edmonton community.
Some issues explored in Engage Edmonton include houselessness, poverty, food insecurity, Indigenous-Canada relations, climate justice, human rights and more.
Sign Up
To sign up for an Engage Edmonton event, visit the Engage Edmonton sign up page.
For questions or to organize a service learning opportunity, please contact the Diversity, Inclusion and Service Learning Intern at slintern@ualberta.ca.
Service learning
Service learning is an approach to learning that emerges from active engagement with the community, with the ultimate goal of working towards positive social change. Although volunteering and service learning both involve community service, service learning has a stronger focus on the intentional learning outcomes associated with that community service. A key aspect of service learning is reciprocity, which emphasizes that service placements should be mutually beneficial for students and U of A’s campus and community partners.
Examples of past service learning activities include sorting clothing donations, serving meals, packing food hampers and other activities at various local not-for-profit organizations. Past virtual service learning activities include hosting an afterschool program for youths living in poverty and creating holiday cards for houseless seniors.
Social activism
Engage Edmonton’s social activism programming is geared towards those passionate about tackling local and global issues through raising awareness, increasing engagement, and facilitating education; this program is designed for individuals who want to create real social change in the world around them.
Social activism programs and events might include documentary screenings, panel discussions, attending protests, and participating in letter-writing campaigns for various social justice causes.
Engage Edmonton program
The Engage Edmonton program is unique because it is a low-commitment program that boasts a high diversity of service learning opportunities.
Students do not have to sign up to participate in every program offered throughout the year. Instead, they are able to sign up for as many —or as few! — events they are interested in and able to attend.
Engage Edmonton also works with dozens of local not-for-profit organizations to provide a variety of service learning opportunities throughout the year.
Alternative Reading Week
The Alternative Reading Week programs are week-long, immersive service-learning opportunities that take place each semester during reading week.
- Fall 2023 Alternative Reading Week will span Tuesday, November 14 - Friday, November 17, 2023.
- Winter 2024 Alternative Reading Week will span Tuesday, February 20 - Friday, February 23, 2024.
Throughout the program, students will participate in service learning opportunities, classroom lessons and reflection activities centered around a different theme each semester. The theme for Fall 2023 Alternative Reading Week is Urban Poverty, and the theme for Winter 2024 Alternative Reading Week is Youth Empowerment.
By participating in Alternative Reading Week, students will:
- Evaluate their identities, values and roles in relation to social issues and social justice in the Edmonton community
- Analyze stereotypes and stigma as it occurs on both an individual level and a societal level in relation to the theme
- Apply leadership skills such as teamwork and values-based action to connect with their peers and others in the community
- Develop a sense of citizenship and recognize the role that individuals have in creating positive social change in their communities
Alternative Reading Week is a competitive program, and only ten students are selected each semester.
Applications open in late September/early October for Fall Alternative Reading Week, and early/mid-January for Winter Alternative Reading Week.
View an example of a past Alternative Reading Week schedule: Winter 2020 Alternative Reading Week Schedule.
Getting involved
Check out the Engage Edmonton website for the most up-to-date information on our Engage Edmonton program and Alternative Reading Week! This website is also where you can find all the sign-up sheets for upcoming Engage Edmonton programs and application forms for Alternative Reading Week.
NOTE: This website is updated as program details are finalized. Please check back periodically for updates!
Residents can also keep an eye on Expedition: Connect on eClass for announcements on upcoming Engage Edmonton programs and Alternative Reading Week.
Interested in learning more?
The Engage Edmonton program is facilitated through the support of Residence Life’s Diversity, Inclusion and Service Learning Intern.
The Diversity, Inclusion and Service Learning Intern coordinates and leads the Engage Edmonton programs, and Alternative Reading Week. The Service Learning Intern also serves as an excellent resource for students seeking to organize service learning opportunities or social activism events for their communities.
If you have any questions about Engage Edmonton or Alternative Reading Week, or to organize a service learning opportunity, please contact the Diversity, Inclusion & Service Learning Intern at slintern@ualberta.ca.
