Edmonton Social Planning Council

The Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) is an independent, non-profit, charitable, community organization operating in Edmonton, Alberta.

The ESPC is one of many social planning organizations operating across Canada.

Purpose

The work of the Edmonton Social Planning Council includes social research and policy analysis related to community development and social justice issues, including:

*Affordable housing
*Poverty and low income
*Social and economic inequality
*Social exclusion
*Social determinants of health
*“The working poor” and living wage

The Council focuses its work primarily on the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Capital Region, though some of its projects extend to the provincial and national level.

The ESPC’s stated mission, vision, goals and activities are as follows:

Mission
*To provide leadership to the community and its organizations in addressing social issues and effecting changes to social policy.

Vision
*A healthy, just and inclusive community.

Goals
*To undertake research into the nature and magnitude of social issues in the community.
*To increase public awareness and understanding of current social issues and be an independent voice in the community.
*To encourage public participation in the development of social policies and the implementation of programs.

Activities
*Work in partnership with community members and organizations.
*Conduct community-based research & analysis on social issues impacting Edmonton.
*Provide information on social issues to policy makers, the human services sector, and the public.
*Propose changes to social policies & services based on Edmontonians’ needs.
*Participate in coalitions to address social issues and improve outcomes for all citizens.

Organizational Structure

The Edmonton Social Planning Council is guided by a voluntary board of directors. As of March 1, 2008, the Council had five permanent full-time staff filling the following roles:

*Executive director (1 staff)
*Office administration (1 staff)
*Research, policy analysis and communication (3 staff)

The Council is supported by fee-paying members, and receives its core funding from the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.

History
1939
*The ESPC was founded as the “Edmonton Council of Social Agencies” in response to a survey which revealed increasing public interest in social services.
*The Council had four divisions at this time: Family, Children, Health and Group Work

1940’s
*Helped to form a community chest, now known as the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region (website).
*Conducted research on child welfare services.
*Research studies were added to the Council’s major services.
*Helped to form the John Howard Society (website).

1950’s
*The Council’s name changed to “Edmonton Council of Community Services”.
* Work focused on mental health, aging, social welfare, physical and mental disabilities (services, voting rights, employment and vocational training).
*Helped bring about the Edmonton Mental Health Association.

1960’s
*Research focused on disadvantaged groups: homeless, Aboriginal people, women and youth.
*Became involved in physical planning issues - such as urban renewal, parks planning and co-op housing - as well as child care and unemployment.
*The Council’s name briefly changed to “Edmonton Welfare Council.” It became the “Edmonton Social Planning Council” in 1967.

1970’s
*Increased focus on urban issues, and adopted a research approach emphasizing social action and social change.
*Work focused on: participatory democracy, standard of living, human social controls and urban environment issues.
*Aided in the development of the Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton, Humans on Welfare Society, Disabled Action group, Boyle Street Community Services Co-op.

1980’s
*Increased focus on broader social policy issues.
*Helped form the Edmonton Coalition for Quality Child Care.

1990’s
*Continued focus on educating the public on issues of social justice.
*Research on issues such as family budgeting, food security, quality of life and cost of living.

2000’s
*Focus of work primarily on low income issues, social inclusion and social determinants of health.
*Helped form the Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC).
*Conducted a survey of Edmonton renters in 2008. Results indicate that many tenants in Edmonton feel that they cannot afford their rent.

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