ABCD in Action 2025 Western Tour

October 14, 20 and 31, 2025

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM  | In-Person Workshops

About the ABCD in Action 2025 Western Tour

The ABCD in Action 2025 Tour is a dynamic, in-person learning experience designed to reignite how we work with communities—not for them. Across the country, local leaders are saying the same thing: the traditional ways of doing community development aren’t working anymore. We need to re-centre our work on what’s strong, not just what’s wrong.

This tour isn’t just about workshops—it’s about building momentum, deepening relationships, and creating a sense of belonging in communities that are often overlooked or under-celebrated. Each stop is an invitation to reconnect with local wisdom, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and imagine new ways to work together for change.

Tour Cities and Dates

City of Edmonton

October 31, 2025

We wrap up our journey in Edmonton with the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues—an organization rooted in neighbourhood life. This practical, in-person ABCD workshop is focused on building stronger, more connected neighbourhoods. This session will show how ABCD can activate local leadership, support grassroots action, and make community-building easier for both residents and organizations to work together to create change.

 

City of Wetaskiwin

October 14, 2025

Join us in Wetaskiwin for a hands-on, heart-forward ABCD 101 workshop rooted in the power of local connection and pride.

Hosted by Connect Wetaskiwin, a community-led movement dedicated to bringing people together and sparking local action, this session is your chance to learn how to build change with community—not for it.

City of Victoria

October 20, 2025

Join us for an energizing, in-person ABCD 101 workshop where you’ll discover how Asset-Based Community Development can turn plans into action by uncovering and mobilizing the strengths, relationships, and leadership already present in our  neighbourhoods. Whether you’re a grassroots organizer, service provider, or city staff member, this session will show you how to implement strategies that centre people and place, support resident-led action aligned with broader goals, and build strong, connected communities that drive long-term change.

why ABCd?

If you’re passionate about creating real, lasting change in your community, learning Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) is a game-changer. These workshops are designed for grassroots leaders, community organizations, service providers, municipal staff, and anyone eager to work together at the local level. ABCD helps groups to:

  • Work more effectively across systems and sectors,

  • Clarify roles and responsibilities between institutions and communities, and

  • Build bridges that meet in the middle—because that’s where true, lasting change happens.

Register now to gain practical tools and fresh perspectives that will empower you to strengthen connections, uncover local strengths, and lead community-driven action. Together, we can shift from doing "for" community  to doing "with"—and build communities that thrive from the inside out.

resources on asset-based community development

The ABCD in Canada website is a space dedicated to illuminating and deepening ways to apply the principles and practices of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and other strengths-based approaches to community change.  

meet the workshop facilitator

lattice-pattern
Heather headshot 3 july 2021

Heather Keam

Heather Keam is the Consulting Director of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and Belonging Strategy at the Tamarack Institute, with over 22 years of experience in community development and collaborative change. A Steward of the ABCD Institute, Heather works with governments, organizations, and community groups to design strategies that centre local assets, build belonging, and strengthen civic participation. She brings deep expertise in Asset-Based Community Development, Results-Based Accountability (RBA), and Collective Impact, helping teams move from vision to action through practical tools and measurable outcomes.

Known for her ability to design and facilitate inclusive, effective meetings, Heather supports groups in building strong, sustainable collaborations rooted in trust and shared leadership. She is a skilled trainer, coach, and speaker who regularly contributes to Tamarack’s learning resources on ABCD, community engagement, and social capital. A passionate community volunteer herself, Heather believes in the power of local leadership to drive meaningful change and create more connected, resilient communities.

Learn more about Heather

pricing & logistics

Registration is limited—secure your spot today!

Can’t attend the workshop, but love the content? Get in touch with Stephanie to learn more about how you can bring a custom version of this workshop to your organization or collaborative.

 

single registration

$199

 

group registration

$149

 

tamarack member

$149

jagged-line-pattern
Celebration-1

Want to bring this event to your city in 2026?

The ABCD in Action Tour is only the beginning. We’re looking for communities that wish to host future workshops and bring the principles of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) to life.

Please fill out this short form to let us know of your interest in bringing the ABCD to your city in 2026.

 

Bring ABCD to your City

For questions about the event, please reach out to Stephanie

For questions about invoicing and paument, please react out to Maranatha.

© 2026 Tamarack Institute

Tamarack is a Canadian charity dedicated to ending poverty for good. We support real people and invest in real communities for long-term change.

Copyright © 2026 Tamarack Institute. All rights reserved.