Citizenship Highlights 2025 AGM Report
Below we’re sharing stories of engaged citizenship that were featured in this year’s annual report.
What do we mean by citizenship?
For many of us, citizenship is something we take for granted. It can be defined in many ways, but at its core citizenship is our sense of value and belonging. This sense of citizenship doesn’t always extend to people with disabilities. That’s why Skills Society was formed - to provide people with disabilities with the same opportunities and choices, the same ability to share their gifts and talents, and the same sense of belonging that we all enjoy. Citizenship is what we strive for every day - and it encompasses the following:
Everyone in our Skills community has a role to play in shaping our imagined future - a community where all individuals are valued citizens.
Stories of engaged citizenship:
An important part of citizenship is participation - contributing your gifts and sharing them with others. Kind, warm-hearted, and generous with her time and talents, Sam brings a sense of connection to everything she does - “I’m chatty. I like talking to people”, she shares. Whether it’s her three guinea pigs she cares for, or the countless plants she tends to, those who know her best share that her nurturing nature is one of her many gifts.
Sam’s love for plants was sparked in high school during a horticulture class, and she has continued to learn and grow her green thumb ever since - propagating spider plants, experimenting with seedlings from mature cuttings, and researching plant feeds and techniques. Laughing, she shared, “it was like a nursery at one point”, describing the number of plants in her home. Recently, Sam has transformed this passion into a budding business, selling spider plants to those in her community through word of mouth. Sam has also tapped into her creativity, decorating the plants with colorful birds and ribbons to sell as gifts for Mother’s Day. Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her business, and explore other plant varieties.
Sam’s gifts and contributions extend beyond horticulture. For the past three years, she has been a dedicated Community Builder with the CommuniTEA Infusion initiative - serving iced tea, facilitating activities like yard games and button making, and most importantly, connecting with people. Whether cheering on runners at a local race or asking community members for feedback to improve Tea Van, Sam makes others feel seen and valued. These contributions have not gone unnoticed, and this year Sam is taking on a new role as Lead Community Builder. When asked what she hopes to bring to this leadership role, she shared ensuring that everyone has a turn, a way to contribute.
Sam brings this same spirit to her work with Action Lab, where she’s been a host for over seven years and takes great pride in her role -
“I like helping out. I feel happy when I do my job well.”
Reflecting on what makes a good life, one rich with belonging, Sam shared about the importance of contribution - opportunities to care for others, to be relied upon, and to rely on others in turn. This sense of mutuality is at the heart of her story. Through her creativity and care, Sam is growing belonging, building relationships, and demonstrating what engaged citizenship looks like in action.
Sam’s guinea pigs Mickey, Ginger, and Penny
One of Sam’s spider plants
Belonging is something that is created between people, formed out of shared experiences with others. It also involves people’s authentic selves being welcome and celebrated - being truly seen for who you are and what you offer.
Tyler is a metalhead through and through. He’s a thrill seeker who loves screamo music, biker culture, and all things loud. Whether it’s watching Sons of Anarchy, playing zombie-themed video games, or cheering for the Oilers, Tyler brings energy and humor into every space he’s in. Like many in the punk and metal scenes, he finds belonging not by blending in, but by showing up fully as himself.
Tyler shares his love of metal with Juanita, one of his longtime support staff. “Juan is a metalhead like me, so any chance she gets she takes me to concerts,” he says. One of those shows was Amon Amarth in Calgary. “It was very loud,” Tyler laughs. “The crowd surfed me all the way to the front. The singer looked at me and said, ‘You’re effing awesome.’ That really made my night.”
More recently, he went to see 3 Inches of Blood live in concert. “I’d never seen them before. Juan showed me a song and I really liked it. That made me want to go.”
For Tyler, concerts are more than just shows. They’re spaces where he feels connected to something bigger. “I like the family aspect,” he explains.
“It’s a tribe-based thing. Everyone has the same interests. It’s where I fit in.”
That feeling of belonging was also tied to a custom battle vest he used to wear. In the metal and punk community, vests are a big deal. They’re usually covered in patches, studs, and personal touches that reflect your identity and the bands or people you care about. “It said I’m a metalhead,” Tyler shared. “It was something I got in Calgary with Juanita. It was really cool. I miss it.”
Tyler’s vest was stolen and hasn’t been recovered, but he’s already thinking about how to rebuild it. He wants to start fresh with new patches, including one with his video gamer handle. He’s also exploring streaming his gaming online and turning that passion into something more.
Tyler’s story is about more than music. It’s about finding your people, expressing who you are in your own way, and lifting and being lifted up by your community (both figuratively, and in Tyler’s experience crowd surfing, literally). It’s a reminder that belonging can look like band shirts, loud music, and shared moments that stay with you.
Tyler at the 3 Inches of Blood concert
Juan and Tyler at the 3 Inches of Blood concert
M.T. is a super creative person who brings this gift to life through playing video games, creating short films - particularly horror - and, more recently, experimenting with music. Now, they’re taking the next steps by applying to MacEwan University to pursue content creation. M.T. shared that they were inspired in part by actor Bella Ramsey’s work in the Last of Us - “I thought, maybe I’ll take another stab at this.” As a member of the LGBTQ and disability community, M.T. deeply understands the importance and power of representation: “everyone being who they are, happy in their own skin, not feeling ashamed of who they are.”
Early in life, M.T. was separated from their peers in school and placed in ‘specialized’ classrooms. “I witnessed the damage that is done by secluding and congregating people”, they shared. “It not only made me feel alone, but it made other people feel like they would never be able to understand me, because I was ‘different’.” For M.T., categorizing people into restrictive settings has always felt deeply isolating, and their journey has fueled a passion and commitment to inclusion and rights: “I want to be someone who can advocate for people who feel not included across a spectrum of areas, LGBTQ and disability.”
For over a decade, M.T. has been a Community Builder with CommuniTEA Infusion, a grassroots initiative that brings people together, fostering connection and community. They enjoy the opportunity to connect with others, and have played a key role in making the Tea Van - a mobile gathering space - more inclusive. One of their ideas was to introduce pronoun pins, where Community Builders and community members could make pins for their preferred pronouns; “I want to give people that option”. Pride flags were also added so that “trans and people in the LGBTQ community coming to Tea Van feel heard and they feel accepted.”
M.T. has a strong desire to be a spokesperson for people, especially around identity and inclusion; “people need to be heard”. They’ve seen firsthand the dehumanizing ways people are sometimes treated, and are committed to advocating for dignity and respect for all. There continue to be a lot of harmful misconceptions about the LGBTQ community, they explained; “it’s about people being true to who they are”. As a member of the Unitarian Church, M.T. has been exploring leading a session focused on inclusion and disability rights - bringing their lived experience and voice to a broader audience.
Their journey hasn’t been without challenges, but it has also been one of growth and clarity. “It was like a giant weight had been lifted off my shoulders”, they reflected, describing what it felt like to be affirmed in who they are. “I didn’t have to hide anymore”. What helped most was having trusted people they could talk to - supports, family, and friends. When asked how others can be better allies, M.T. offers:
“Just be there for someone. Sometimes just being present is enough. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, it can be something as very simple as just being there.”
What gives M.T. hope for the future? “That people learn to accept everybody”. They advocate for people to take time to learn, reminding us that language matters, and to treat others how you would want to be treated.
The opportunity to share one's passions, skills, and knowledge with others helps build meaningful connections and a sense of community. When people are supported to express what they love and contribute what they know, it opens up space for relationships to form and for communities to reflect the people within them.
Georgy is a friendly, outgoing person who enjoys exploring the city, especially on foot. He has a particular love for spending time outdoors and taking photos of buildings. He’s taken several of the legislature building, noting how different it looks at night.
In September of last year George moved into a new apartment building. Around the same time, he got into astronomy and began studying the stars and planets. “I was observing the sky, and noticing how each night is different”, he shared. This curiosity led him to buy a telescope and start learning more.
George mentioned this new interest with the Community Animator - a person who works in the building to foster relationships and a sense of community using asset based community development principles. The Animator supported George in organizing a stargazing night for residents. “This was a good opportunity to get everyone together”, George shared. Even though the weather didn’t fully cooperate, residents enjoyed the evening, connecting over astronomy and hot chocolate. “It was great,” George said, adding that he hopes to do it again.
Since moving in, George has become an engaged member of the community. He’s joined resident-led initiatives like the book club, crafting circle, and community garden, participated in various events, and contributes to the resident communication group.
“I was interested in the social aspect, getting to talk to people.”
Through these activities, he met his immediate neighbour and has continued to build new relationships.
George has even more ideas to share with the Animator - like cooking classes and a model building club - highlighting how shared interests, a willingness to share them with others, and an openness to connection all contribute to building community.
Neighbours stargazing with George
Love and companionship are not privileges, they are rights. People with disabilities continue to affirm their right to love and be loved: the right to build meaningful relationships, to experience intimacy, and to share your life with someone. Margaret and Dale’s story is a beautiful and everyday affirmation of this right.
Their relationship spans five decades. They first met in school where they took pottery and cooking classes together. Margaret, at 17, had just moved to Edmonton. Quite shy, she shared how she’d kept to herself. “And so she found one person”, Dale said enthusiastically, looking at her fondly. Their friendship helped Margaret feel at ease. They had started talking to each other, and “then I felt a bit better. He always tells me I’m safe here.” The memories of that time are cherished by them both. Dale still keeps photos of Margaret from their school days, and Margret, smiling, admitted she had a crush on him.
After graduating, Margaret and Dale lost touch. But, in 2018, Maragert moved into a seniors supportive living apartment - and to her surprise and delight - Dale was her neighbour, living on the same apartment floor. They quickly rekindled their friendship and their connection deepened. Over time, their friendship grew into something more. “It didn’t take much” Dale shared with a laugh. In the past year, they began dating - something that brings them both joy, pride, and a sense of belonging.
Margaret and Dale spend most of their days together. They enjoy going to dances, listening to music on cassettes and CDs, and going out for lunch. “We spend 24/7 together. That’s part of it. We try and give each other a break from each other once and awhile though”. Their relationship is grounded in mutual respect and reciprocity. “Sometimes when I get upset she calms me down, and I calm her down”, Dale shared. Margaret grinned and added
“He’s very handsome, I know that.”
When Dale’s mother passed away, he gave Margaret two of her rings as promise rings. Margaret wears them with pride - a daily reminder of their commitment. Dale’s family, another important relationship in his life, have welcomed Margaret. When his mother and sister first met her, it really reaffirmed his feelings for her: “I thought, it’s gonna be good, cause my family likes her”.
Dale and Margaret
Photos of Margaret that Dale kept from their school days
Part of citizenship is relationships - having people to share your life with and help find and nurture passions and gifts within each other.
For John, food is more than just nourishment; it’s connection and one of the many ways he carries his loved ones with him.
Warm-hearted and friendly to everyone he meets, John enjoys travel, watching sports, and loves animals, in particular his sweet cat, Jenna. Born and raised in Edmonton, John is one of nine children. John cares deeply about his family, and he remains connected with his siblings and family. One person in particular holds a special place in John’s life, his late mother. “My mom was a genius,” he shared with pride. “I couldn’t believe what she would make. Hers were always way better than store bought.” Known for her cooking and generosity, making homemade pizza dough for the milkman and hosting big family BBQs that brought everyone together, John recalled fond childhood memories of food, cooking, and helping tend to their three vegetable gardens. Laughing he shared “My mom loved soup. It’d be 80 degrees outside and she’d still want soup!”.
These memories of food and family have stayed with John. More recently, he began exploring cooking more deeply, reconnecting with the joy it brings him, and this past year he wrote a cookbook in honor of his mother. Many of the recipes are inspired by her, one of his favorites being the banana bread recipe. “My mom always used to make it for us," John recalled. Many of the recipes are recreated from memory. “My mom didn’t really write them down.” When asked how he thinks his mom would feel about the cookbook, he smiled and said, “She’d be happy with me.” John hopes to make more copies and share them with family.
John’s story is a reminder of the meaning of relationships - the unique and beautiful ways we carry others with us, how they shape who we are, and the importance of sharing those stories with others.
John and his cookbook
John’s dedication in his cookbook
A look inside the cookbook