Fulbright Canada-Maple Leaf Foundation Community Action Program (CAP)

Andriy Tovstiuk

Killam Fellow 2011

2023

Edmonton, AB

Resettlement initiatives for Ukrainian refugees in Alberta

• Purpose

  A significant influx of individuals displaced by the conflict in Ukraine has led to increased resettlement activity in Alberta and across Canada. In response, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC)—a non-governmental organization representing over 375,000 Albertans of Ukrainian heritage—has launched a series of initiatives to support the needs of these newcomers. These efforts focus on short-term housing and living support, as well as programs to enhance English language skills and employment readiness. The goal is to help individuals adapt to life in Canada and access opportunities for greater stability and integration.

  One such initiative is the UCC-APC “Furniture Warehouse”. The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has graciously donated a 23 000 sq/ft warehouse where Edmontonian can donate unwanted furniture for newly arrived Ukrainians to pick up for free. UCC-APC coordinates 25-30 volunteers/week to staff the warehouse, but there are costs associated with managing the inventory, discarding furniture that later is deemed unusable and coordinating pick-ups across the city from donors (U-Haul rentals, fuel costs etc.).

• Impact

  A significant influx of individuals displaced by the conflict in Ukraine has led to increased resettlement activity in Alberta and across Canada. In response, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC)—a non-governmental organization representing over 375,000 Albertans of Ukrainian heritage—has launched a series of initiatives to support the needs of these newcomers. These efforts focus on short-term housing and living support, as well as programs to enhance English language skills and employment readiness. The goal is to help individuals adapt to life in Canada and access opportunities for greater stability and integration.

  One such initiative is the UCC-APC “Furniture Warehouse”. The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has graciously donated a 23 000 sq/ft warehouse where Edmontonian can donate unwanted furniture for newly arrived Ukrainians to pick up for free. UCC-APC coordinates 25-30 volunteers/week to staff the warehouse, but there are costs associated with managing the inventory, discarding furniture that later is deemed unusable and coordinating pick-ups across the city from donors (U-Haul rentals, fuel costs etc.).

• Outcomes & Solutions

  Additionally, new safety protocols have been introduced, including a recommendation to refrain from accepting used mattresses due to health and contamination risks. These practical measures help safeguard donated goods and ensure that newly arrived families receive safe, clean furnishings. Together, these evolving practices aim to improve efficiency, protect recipients, and maintain the long-term viability of the program as the need for support continues to grow.

• Community Partners
  UCC-APC
• External Resources
  • UCC-APC Moving Day
  • UCC-APC Moving Day Part 2
  • Furniture donations needed to support Ukrainian newcomers in Edmonton — CTV News

Kayla Marutani

Killam Fellow

2023

Oahu, HI

MINA Program Volunteering with Exchange Students

• Purpose

  This Community Action Project, led by Killam Fellow and UH Mānoa student Kayla Marutani, brings together international, exchange, and local students to explore environmental stewardship and sustainability practices on Oʻahu through the Mālama I Nā Ahupuaʻa (MINA) program. By participating in hands-on volunteer work at culturally significant sites across the island, students develop a deeper appreciation for Hawai‘i’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and traditional land management practices. The project fosters cross-cultural understanding, encourages responsible interaction with the local environment, and provides meaningful opportunities for connection between students and the community.

• Impact

  Through hands-on service learning at culturally and environmentally significant sites on Oʻahu, this project provided international students with meaningful opportunities to engage with Native Hawaiian land stewardship practices and sustainability principles. Participants not only gained a greater appreciation for local ecosystems and indigenous values but also expressed a lasting shift in their personal attitudes and behaviours around environmental responsibility. From identifying invasive plant species to reducing personal waste, students reported a newfound commitment to sustainability both locally and in their home countries. The project fostered cross-cultural connection, environmental awareness, and community integration, demonstrating how local volunteerism can deepen global understanding.

• Outcomes & Solutions

  To address the logistical challenges of volunteer coordination, the project adapted by scaling transportation plans to match participant turnout, using personal vehicles instead of chartered buses. This adjustment allowed for more efficient use of grant funds while maintaining program delivery. The project also benefited from strong collaboration with the existing Mālama I Nā Ahupuaʻa (MINA) program, integrating international students into ongoing service learning opportunities that already had community momentum. On-site provisions such as gloves and tools further reduced costs. Despite a smaller cohort than anticipated, students were embedded in larger volunteer groups at each site, ensuring a rich and immersive experience. Reflection sessions and peer dialogue added further depth, allowing participants to process and internalize their learning.

Michelle Hurtubise

Fulbright Canada Student Award2022-23

2023

Six Nations and Bear River First Nation

ImagineNATIVE

• Purpose

  This Community Action Project supported the documentation and delivery of imagineNATIVE’s Film + VR Tour in Indigenous communities across Canada. With the support of the Fulbright Canada – Maple Leaf Foundation Community Action Program (CAP), the project leader joined imagineNATIVE staff to assist with event setup, documentation, and participant engagement at tour stops in Six Nations of the Grand River and Bear River First Nation. The purpose of this initiative was to explore how Indigenous communities connect with media created by Indigenous storytellers and to support outreach that increases access to film and virtual reality experiences in remote or underserved communities. The project also contributed to ongoing research on media accessibility, cultural engagement, and community-led storytelling.

• Impact

  This Community Action Project helped increase visibility, access, and documentation of Indigenous-made media in local communities across Canada. By participating directly in the tour, the project fostered cultural exchange, technical skill development, and cross-community connections, while amplifying the voices of participants through recorded reflections. Community members experienced powerful, immersive storytelling through VR and film, while the project leader gained valuable insight into the logistics and community dynamics that shape media engagement at a local level. For organizations like imagineNATIVE, this documentation provided useful materials to support their ongoing mission and deepen relationships with community partners. The experience also enriched the project leader’s broader academic and professional goals by supporting research on how media can be used as a tool for community connection, education, and cultural continuity.

• Outcomes & Solutions

  This project successfully supported two tour locations—Six Nations and Bear River—through active involvement in event logistics, hands-on learning with VR technology, and the capture of visual documentation to support future program development. Despite not attending the final tour stop due to scheduling changes and limited resources, the project delivered hundreds of high-quality photos and video assets to imagineNATIVE for use in evaluation, communications, and planning. In both communities, VR experiences and film screenings were offered free of charge, with local partners hosting and promoting each event. The participant turnout was strong relative to each location’s population size, with dozens of attendees engaging with immersive media for the first time. By helping to collect feedback and document community responses, the project strengthened the tour’s impact and provided meaningful contributions to both academic research and future outreach efforts.

Susan Hrach

Fulbright Canada Distinguished Chair in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning2022-23

2024

Columbus, GA

Seeds of Democracy

• Purpose

  The Seeds of Democracy project sought to promote civic engagement among young adults and low-income residents in Columbus, Georgia—two groups historically underrepresented in voter turnout. With voter participation rates particularly low among those aged 18–29, the project aimed to increase awareness of the importance of voting through peer-to-peer outreach, accessible resources, and community-based distribution of informational materials. The project encouraged individuals to “plant the seeds” of civic participation through small, approachable acts like registering to vote and engaging in their local democratic processes.

• Impact

  By weaving civic messaging into daily life—through artwork, coffee shops, libraries, and classrooms—the Seeds of Democracy project created multiple entry points for individuals to reflect on their role in shaping their communities. Though challenges arose in mobilizing student-led outreach, the project ultimately reached a broad local audience through a mix of direct mail and community-based distribution. Feedback from adults and local partners reflected strong appreciation for the effort, particularly for the creativity and accessibility of the materials. While the full impact of the voter registration campaign may not be immediately measurable, the seeds of awareness have been planted—encouraging future action, conversation, and participation in local civic life.

• Outcomes & Solutions

  With support from the Fulbright Canada – Maple Leaf Foundation Community Action Program and in partnership with Dew Point Farm, the project distributed over 3,000 cards, 250 buttons, and 150 seed packets—each embedded with QR codes linking directly to Georgia’s voter registration portal. Materials were handed out at local businesses, libraries, and university events, and mailed directly to neighbourhoods served by Dew Point Farm. Key goals were met through strategic pivots. When institutional restrictions limited outreach at some public venues, the project team redirected efforts to campus events, class visits, and local gathering spaces to maintain visibility and momentum.

• Community Partners

  Dew Point Farm