With a strong background in grassroots organizing, Haley has long been committed to building spaces where young people and communities can gather, learn, and mobilize. But like many organizers, the challenges of COVID-19 created a pause; one that left her questioning her confidence and ability to continue the work she loved. The Youth Harbour, a program of FES, provided the support that ignited the spark she needed to re-enter climate spaces, deepen her networks, and sustain community hubs making change possible in Edmonton and beyond.
Haley works with Climate Justice Edmonton, a collective committed to empowering individuals and communities to take action on climate change, support Indigenous resistance, and challenge harmful corporate and political practices.
Haley connected with FES through Climate Justice Edmonton’s work and was encouraged to attend a migrant justice event. Soon after, she applied for and received an Access Grant to attend the International Migrant Alliance (IMA) conference.
“I had an opportunity to go speak at a migrants panel and make some connections in Montreal with the International Migrants Alliance, so I was actually able to get a grant on my behalf with The Youth Harbour. That was really awesome,” she reflected.
That first grant created ripple effects for both Haley and Climate Justice Edmonton, deepening connections and opening opportunities that continue for the organization today. Attending the IMA conference helped Haley build lasting relationships, both with international delegates and with youth organizers across Canada. These connections evolved into a strong network of peers she still keeps in touch with, and many of them remain involved as delegates or collaborators today.
“FES was my first funder. What I liked about it is it’s pretty low barrier. There was a really big element of trust, and it was a really accessible grant,” Haley reflected.
That accessibility and trust came at a pivotal moment. After years of pandemic disruption, Haley had found it difficult to re-engage with community work.
“I had been kind of disenfranchised from doing community work and organizing for a few years during COVID. This [grant] was a really good push for me to see that there are opportunities and support.”
Additionally, FES supported Climate Justice Edmonton with the launch of new initiatives that strengthened both their programming and their community presence. The Youth Harbour Assembly Grant funded Climate Camp, which brought together 200 young people and students from across Alberta. The grant helped remove barriers by covering travel and participation costs, allowing new voices to show up and be part of the movement.
An Action Grant also enabled Climate Justice Edmonton to sustain its Community Hub, a space that has since become a cornerstone of the city’s climate justice ecosystem. More than just a venue, the hub has created an environment for coalition-building, youth leadership, and cross-movement collaboration.
“You’ve helped us build our space that we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise,” Haley shared.
Equally important was the ongoing relationship with FES. Haley described it as a form of mentorship, knowing there was someone she could reach out to for guidance, resources, or encouragement. In the early days, Climate Justice Edmonton accessed support from FES staff to navigate the unfamiliar territory of grant writing, budgeting, and governance. For an organization emerging from grassroots beginnings, this support was invaluable. It gave Haley and her peers not just the confidence to keep going, but the skills to imagine a stronger, more sustainable future.
Haley emphasizes how these grants were essential: Climate Camp brought in new members and strengthened ties across the province, while the Community Hub continues to thrive as a gathering place for collaboration, activism, and youth leadership.
What began as an experiment in creating accessible space has evolved into a trusted ecosystem where movements overlap, whether it’s climate, migrant justice, or solidarity work. Informal networks that once existed on the margins are becoming formalized partnerships, opening the door for more sustained organizing.
“We still have the space, which is pretty awesome considering how short-lived a lot of these things are in Edmonton. It’s really created a very specific ecosystem in Edmonton.”
While the hub has anchored their work locally, Climate Justice Edmonton has also continued to deepen its ties globally. The organization’s ties to the International Migrants Alliance remain strong, with new members stepping into delegate roles and contributing to panels that connect their efforts in Edmonton to broader international movements. These connections ensure that young people in the city are not only part of local campaigns but also linked into global conversations on justice and solidarity.
Haley also reflected on the cultural shifts underway. While community engagement dipped during the pandemic, she sees signs of renewed energy.
“People are starting to talk to each other again,” she noted.
The Community Hub and Climate Camp have helped bring that spark back, proving that when resources are accessible, people will show up, connect, and lead.
On a personal level, Haley’s journey has also evolved. Once uncertain, she now works more actively in community outreach and municipal projects. The support she received through FES was not just about building an organization, but about helping her rediscover her confidence and voice as a changemaker.
Haley’s story is a testament to the power of trust-based, youth-focused funding. By removing barriers and creating accessible opportunities, FES helped catalyze both personal and organizational growth–building skills, networks, and ecosystems that sustain climate justice work far beyond a single event.
Every grant is more than funding; it’s an investment in resilience, collaboration, and leadership.
“Because of your accessibility and your mentorship process, you’ve really helped me and many other Edmontonians gain some of that hope and faith and future vision that we might not otherwise have had access to. So I’m very grateful,” Haley shared.
Supporting youth organizers like Haley ensures that communities across Canada can continue to build hope, confidence, and lasting change in the fight for climate justice.
Donate today to help us support youth leaders like Haley – $100 a month gets early career youth access to transformative events and critical network building opportunities.