Okotokians are invited to pay kindness forward, connect and share stories of positivity.
The Town of Okotoks has added two new programs to its Okotoks Stronger Together initiatives, which included the Community Champions launch in December.
Community Champions invited residents to receive toolkits from the Town to help them connect with their neighbours in a COVID-friendly way, and Sian Anderson, Okotoks community wellness specialist, said that first initiative has gone well with about 40 households signed up.
“We’re getting steady uptake in it and we’ve had some really great outcomes from it, so it’s going really well,” said Anderson. “We’re very happy with it.”
There were 250 toolkits to start with in order to make the program accessible to as many people as possible, she said.
“We have quite a lot of capacity – we don’t want to turn anyone away from any of these programs,” said Anderson.
To add to the offerings, the Town has launched two additional initiatives: Gift it Forward and Kindness Currency.
Gift it Forward allows anyone in the community to recognize the great things they see happening in Okotoks or reach out to those who may feel isolated due to COVID-19, said Anderson.
Residents can register and receive up to four bags each, and gift them to whomever they choose.
“It could be someone who they’ve seen doing something great in their neighbourhood, it could be someone they think is living alone and could benefit from a reminder that they are not alone, or it could just be someone who they think it would be something that would be really nice for them,” said Anderson.
She said families can do the activity together, but they are also designed to work for individuals, adult or youth groups, young people or seniors.
Pick-up windows for Gift it Forward bags are set up for Friday and Saturday.
“It’s just supposed to be a fun and enjoyable way to connect with people around you,” said Anderson. “It’s just a random act of kindness and helping to spread that message of positivity.”
This is the second time the Kindness Currency program will run. It first took root in the summer of 2020 but will now be open throughout 2021.
Each month, the Town will post videos that highlight kindness and share stories from people in the community as they arise, she said. The videos and stories will focus on how Okotokians are coming together.
“With the pandemic, we’ve really seen some very unique and crazy ways that people have found to support their community, to help one another, and to be kind,” said Anderson.
People can visit the Town of Okotoks website to nominate stories for recognition, she said.
All three programs address the challenge of connecting with people in the community during COVID-19, she said.
“We have seen how important it is to know the people who live around us, and we also know there are people who are experiencing isolation as a result of some of the restrictions that are in place,” said Anderson.
“Everyone should have someone who is there to support them and so we want to make sure that no one feels they are alone and that everyone has access to resources and people who are available to support them.”
She said the programs are funded by Family and Community Support Services budget dollars.
For more information, visit www.okotoks.ca/strongertogether.
