When Animator Coralee McIntosh and the Chestermere Mental Health Coalition set out to build stronger supports for youth, they leaned on what their community had already told them. Surveys and focus groups in earlier years showed a clear need: young people wanted more trusted adults to turn to.
With this in mind, Coralee and her team shaped their most recent project around two key goals:
- Sharing community voices – Presenting the survey and focus group results to decision-makers like Chestermere City Council, Rocky View County Council, and local school boards.
- Creating networks of support – Hosting a series of workshops to equip adults with the confidence and skills to support youth.
The presentations sparked real momentum. Instead of simply receiving the report, Chestermere City Council invited the coalition back for a full-day workshop on how to act on the recommendations. That follow-through, Coralee noted, was one of the most impactful outcomes of the project.
The workshops also evolved in unexpected ways. Originally planned as “mentorship training,” they grew into support network training—a broader approach that recognized mentorship looks different to everyone. Local facilitators, including psychologists, RCMP members, and youth-serving organizations, guided the sessions. Role-playing exercises gave participants the chance to practice real-life scenarios, helping reduce the fear of “saying the wrong thing.”
The response was remarkable. Youth, parents, seniors, coaches, first responders, and other community members all took part. Coralee was especially proud that people kept coming back, building relationships and learning together across generations.
“It’s amazing what happens when you give people a safe space to practice,” she shared. “They leave feeling more confident to support youth—not just in times of crisis, but in everyday life.”
For other Animators, Coralee’s advice is simple: start with your community’s voice, invite others to the table, and don’t be afraid to aim big.
“What began as a small idea grew into something larger than we imagined,” she reflected. “Shoot for the moon. You’ll be surprised by the people and skills already around you.”
Watch the video below to learn more about Chestermere’s project.
To learn about all of Chestermere's projects visit Chestermere.
October 15, 2025 - Emily Wilkes