OST Edmonton is a brand that focuses on providing resiliency through quality and widely accessible out-of-school time programs. They are part of the Out of School Time Collaborative (OST), which is a partnership of community groups, leaders, service delivery agencies, local institutions, and Edmonton citizens. The collaborative was established in 2008 in response to concerns raised by immigrant and refugee families.

Since then, it has expanded its focus to include all children and youth experiencing social vulnerability. OST Edmonton offers a range of services and supports, including out-of-school time programs and resources for immigrant and refugee children, youth, and their families. They work closely with partner organizations to provide coordination, backbone support, and training opportunities.

Their annual OST Conference in June is a key event for networking and professional development within the OST community. The brand also collaborates with various community groups and local institutions to address capacity building, funding mobilization, and collaboration through the OST Gathering. They develop annual reports to track their work, including program descriptions, youth participation, funding allocation, and community feedback.

For more information on the impacts of OST Edmonton and the services they provide, you can reach out to Sofia Alani, the OST Project Coordinator, at Sofia. Alani@REACHEdmonton. ca