About Us

The Aspen Foundation is dedicated to providing
citizens with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that empower them to contribute fully to a healthy, just, and democratic workplace,​ community, and society through participation in
labour and social justice initiatives.​

What We Do - Our Mission and Objectives - Learning Outcomes 

The goal of the Aspen Foundation is to enhance the study of work and social justice issues by:

​Our Mission
and 
​Objectives
  • Auditing the school curricula to identify places that work and social justice issues can be introduced.
  • Participating in curriculum development where it promotes the study of these issues.
  • Participating in the development of new resources that fit the school curricula.
  • Identifying and distributing existing resources to schools.
  • Providing a web site with links to resources and other information.
  • Providing expert speakers, upon request, to schools to assist with learning about these issues.
  • Initiating conferences, seminars, and inservices for educators, trustees, parents, and others regarding work and other social justice issues of interest to youth.
  • Conducting and promoting research on work and other issues affecting Alberta youth.      
  • Investigating other opportunities, as they arise, to educate youth in schools, post-secondary institutions, and society regarding work and other social justice issues

In order for youth to fully participate in their workplace, community, and society,
they must have knowledge, skills, and attitudes that encourage them to become engaged citizens.  Accordingly, youth should know:

Learning Outcomes
  • Historically, working people, social justice organizations, and labour organizations have played important roles in developing our communities and society.
  • Workers, labour organizations, and social justice organizations continue to make important contributions to our communities and society.
  • There are many organizations and a diversity of perspectives in organized labour and social justice communities.
  • Many social, economic, and technological issues affect working people.
  • Unions work to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions and develop processes to resolve workplace issues and injustices.
  • Unions have democratic structures and processes in their organizations that encourage member participation and leadership development.
  • Alberta has laws that regulate work, workers, and labour organizations.
  • Alberta has laws that govern working conditions and rates of pay for youth.
  • Workers and labour organizations are artistically portrayed in many aspects of our culture.
  • Unions promote cooperation and solidarity in communities and society.

​Youth should develop Skills in
  • critical thinking and analyzing issues of injustice;
  • synthesizing a position from diverse perspectives;
  • communicating beliefs and opinions;
  • negotiating a resolution to disputes;
  • cooperating and building solidarity;
  • democratic involvement and leadership;
  • social action and engagement.

Youth should develop Values
​and Attitudes
​that include Appreciating and Respecting
  • the dignity and worth of the individual;
  • the value of work;
  • the freedom to express beliefs and opinions;
  • diversity in society;
  • equality, social justice, and fairness;
  • individual and group circumstances requiring compassion;
  • a quality lifestyle and a healthy, just, and democratic workplace;
  • cooperation;
  • the right to take collective action to protect the economic interests of working families;
  • the right to bargain collectively;
  • engaged citizenry.

​Board of Directors
Tony Clark
Scott Crichton
C. Deborah Dobbins
Amanda Freistadt
Gary Hansen
Jason Heistad
Paula Kirman
​
​Gregory Mady
Margie Patrick
Siobhan Vipond
Craig Wallace
​Cameron Westhead
​Quintin Yardley

Staff
Laura Collison, Director of Operations
Brandon Sonnenberg, Outreach Coordinator ​