The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) is a community full of love, caring, and support. In this and future articles, we will inform readers of the non-profit organizations operating in the EIC facility in order to bring light to their many good deeds.

The Edmonton Multicultural Coalition Association (EMCA) is a proud member tenant of the Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC). EMCA is a non-profit organization established in 2007 and granted charitable status in 2021. The organization supports ethnocultural communities and equity-deserving communities and newcomers, helping them achieve their full potential as they settle in Edmonton.

The EMCA works to foster multiculturalism and socio-economic integration, building a community strengthened by equity and inclusion. Acknowledging the Indigenous peoples of Treaty 6, including Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Métis, and Inuit, the EMCA connects Edmonton’s diverse communities through community engagement, capacity-building workshops, and outreach programs.

EMCA’s key focus is advocating for racial equity with initiatives such as “A Thousand Steps: Anti-Racism and Cross-Cultural Awareness” that addresses barriers faced by newcomers and equity-deserving communities in areas like employment, health care, and the criminal justice system. The EMCA has organized several anti-racism workshops such as “Breaking Racial Barriers” and “Together We Stand” to combat systemic racism.

Looking ahead, the EMCA is excited to announce the Spring 2025 Construction Jobs Information Session and Career Fair on May 15th. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s career fair will aim to engage 300 participants, including newcomers and individuals from ethnocultural and equity-deserving communities in Edmonton. 

Beyond workforce integration, the EMCA fosters cultural diversity through events like the Labour Day Youth Soccer Tournament held every August. The tournament unites youth from various backgrounds, celebrates sportsmanship, and promotes intercultural connections, demonstrating how sports can help combat discrimination and unite diverse communities. The EMCA is also dedicated to youth development through programs like the McCauley Youth Basketball and Life Skills Training Program, launched in February 2025. The program runs every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. until May 31 at the Edmonton Intercultural Centre.

With a commitment to diversity, racial equity, and inclusive opportunities, the EMCA is working to create a future where these values are celebrated. Their ongoing programs, funded by the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Community Foundation, United Way, Government of Alberta, and Government of Canada, continue to break barriers and strengthen Edmonton’s multicultural community.

For more information: www.emcoalition.ca

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre, which is located at 9538 107th Avenue.