top of page

About Us

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

EL Shama CARES Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free and subsidized community-based programs, mentorship, newcomer support, and life skills workshops for BIPOC youth and families in Edmonton. We primarily serve those who are low-income, marginalized, living in underserved communities, or facing systemic barriers that place them at a social or economic disadvantage.

​

.At EL SHAMA C.A.R.E.S, our commitment is to empower youth by providing innovative social services and fostering community engagement. We believe in the potential of every young person, and through dedicated efforts, we strive to create brighter futures all. We invite you to join us in our mission inspire and uplift the next generation, as we work hand in hand to create lasting change in their lives and our communities.

​

We work alongside youth, newcomers, families, and individuals who are low-income, marginalized, living in underserved communities, or experiencing systemic and economic barriers that limit their ability to thrive. Our work extends beyond traditional social services because we recognize that poverty is interconnected. Housing instability, mental health, educational disruption, unemployment, limited skills, and social isolation can reinforce one another and make it difficult for individuals and families to move forward.

​

Through our programs and partnerships, we provide housing stabilization and supportive housing pathways, newcomer support, mental health access, education and second-entry opportunities, employment and upskilling programs, mentorship, life-skills development, leadership, and community engagement.

​

Our approach is intentionally tailored to each person's circumstances. We believe meaningful change begins with listening, understanding, and building trust. Rather than asking, "What's wrong with you?" we ask, "Help me understand what happened to you." This allows us to meet people with dignity and develop practical pathways toward stability, opportunity, and independence.

​

Our Christian foundation guides how we serve, while our doors remain open to everyone. We serve without discrimination, pressure, or an expectation that individuals adopt our beliefs.

At EL Shama Cares, we believe every person has potential. Our role is to help remove the barriers standing in the way of that potential and walk alongside individuals as they build stronger, healthier, and more independent lives.

​

From Stability to Opportunity. From Opportunity to Independence.

Together, we are building pathways out of poverty and toward a future where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

Our Story

At EL Shama C.A.R.E.S, our organization is profoundly dedicated to transforming lives through a approach on mentorship and self-development. Our mission centers around empowering youth to not only improve school attendance but also to significantly reduce dropout rates and increase high graduation rates. Additionally, we aim to boost college admissions and elevate the social status of Black families through our targeted initiatives. We a wide array of culturally responsive programs that encompass skills development, community engagement, and volunteer opportunities, all meticulously designed to offer both immediate support and facilitate long-term personal and professional growth. Together, we are committed to helping young individuals unlock their full potential and become engaged, proactive contributors to an inclusive society.

Mission Statement:

At EL Shama Cares Foundation, our mission is to alleviate poverty within BIPOC communities through mental health, self-development, and intentionally tailored wrap-around supports that remove barriers to stability, opportunity, and independence.

We support youth, newcomers, families, and individuals experiencing social and economic disadvantage by connecting them to the resources and pathways they need, including housing and housing stabilization, mental health services, education and second-entry opportunities, employment and skills development, mentorship, settlement support, and leadership development.

 

Vision Statement:

Our vision is a future where every person, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to the housing, mental wellness, education, skills, and opportunities necessary to build a stable, self-determined, and meaningful life.

We envision communities where systemic and economic barriers no longer determine a person's future; where individuals are supported not only to overcome immediate challenges, but to develop the confidence, capacity, and opportunities to thrive, contribute, and achieve lasting independence.

Service Eligibility Criteria for El Shama CARES

To ensure our services reach those most in need, El Shama CARES Foundation prioritizes support for individuals and families who meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Low-Income Status

  • Household income falls below the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) or local poverty threshold

  • Receives government income supports (e.g. AISH, Alberta Works, CERB, etc.)

​

2. Marginalized or Underserved Communities

  • Lives in priority or underserved neighbourhoods (e.g., Edmonton areas with limited access to social services)

  • Experiences barriers related to race, gender identity, disability, or immigration status

​

3. BIPOC Youth and Families

  • Identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour

  • Seeking culturally responsive programming that reflects lived experience

​

4. Newcomer or Refugee Status

  • Recently arrived in Canada or navigating the settlement process

  • Lacking access to traditional support systems or community networks

​

5. At-Risk Youth

  • Youth aged 12–29 experiencing or at risk of:

    • Mental health challenges

    • School disengagement or exclusion

    • Justice system involvement

    • Family instability or trauma exposure

​

6. Situational Disadvantage

  • Temporary crisis or life transition (e.g. housing instability, domestic violence, bereavement, or displacement)

  • Lacking access to traditional support services due to systemic or personal barriers

​

​

We believe in meeting people where they are. If you're unsure whether you qualify, please reach out , our intake team is here to help.

​

Land Acknowledgement

El Shama Cares Foundation acknowledges with deep respect that we live, work, and serve on Treaty 6 Territory, the traditional and ancestral lands of many First Nations, including the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Blackfoot, and Dene peoples, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta. 

We honour the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples on this land, past, present, and future, and we recognize their ongoing contributions to our communities and our collective well-being.

As an organization dedicated to healing, empowerment, and care, we acknowledge that true reconciliation begins with listening, learning, and building authentic relationships rooted in respect and understanding.

We commit ourselves to walking alongside Indigenous communities in the spirit of partnership, fostering pathways of equity, healing, and shared responsibility for the generations to come.

bottom of page