Rural Development Network - Canada

🌾 RDN is hiring a Manager, Homelessness Research & Engagement!
We’re looking for a skilled leader to advance homelessness research, guide community engagement, and support rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Canada. This hands-on role leads HSNEs, PiT Counts, and complex community-based projects that strengthen local systems.

If this sounds of interest to you, or someone in your network please share.

🔗 View the full posting:https://ow.ly/3wjo50ZKqfy

Throwback to when our team members Sydney Stenekes and Mary McGuire, had the wonderful opportunity to present at the Stronger Together Library Conference in Edmonton, a gathering celebrating learning, connection, and community across Alberta’s library network.

We were grateful to share how rural libraries are not only spaces for connection and learning, but also places of care and support for newcomers and community members who may be experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness.

A big thank-you to the organizers and everyone who joined the session!

This year, Reaching Home funded 35 rural, remote and Indigenous communities across Alberta - supporting everything from community navigator roles to transition and recovery beds, renovations for Indigenous‑led supportive housing, and operational costs for temporary emergency mat programs and shelters.

As the Community Entity for Rural and Remote Alberta, RDN is honoured to distribute the Government of Canada's Reaching Home program funding to organizations working hard to address homelessness in their communities, including First Nations and Métis Communities and Settlements.

Of the 35 projects funded this year, 14 are Indigenous‑led - the highest number to date. This reflects our Regional Advisory's Board ongoing commitment to reconciliation through the Reaching Home program!

🔗 You can learn more about the Reaching Home Program here:
https://ruraldevelopment.ca/project/reaching-home-active

Over the summer, we've welcomed four new team members to RDN! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to:

Aleesha Cabay — Program Specialist
Aleesha joined us as our new Program Specialist, bringing 7 years of experience in social work and 5 years in community development. She's looking forward to being a part of the Rural Development Network team and working with communities across Alberta as they work towards becoming more Age-Friendly. Welcome, Aleesha!

Jacob Taves — Community Engagement Coordinator
Jacob stepped into the role of Community Engagement Coordinator for the Veterans Homelessness in Rural, Remote, and Indigenous Communities project, where he'll be working to build relationships with service providers and people with lived experience in Ontario and Nova Scotia for upcoming engagement sessions, as well as connecting with and continuing to foster relationships with RDN's partners and community members in Alberta. Welcome, Jacob!

Toyin Ajibade — Project Lead, Community Research & Implementation
Toyin joined us as Project Lead for Community Research & Implementation, bringing expertise in community-engaged research, rural development economics, program evaluation, and inclusive community development. She's excited to work on the Building Rural Inclusion, Diversity, Growth, and Engagement in Northern Alberta Communities (BRIDGE-ing Northern Alberta). She's looking forward to collaborating with rural communities and partners to better understand local priorities, amplify diverse voices, and help translate shared learning into meaningful action. Welcome, Toyin!

Kevin Rodriguez Palacio — Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Kevin joined the team as our Marketing & Communications Coordinator. He is a third-year International Business student at MacEwan University and brings internship experience in Nonprofit marketing and communications. In his role, Kevin leads our social media and outreach efforts, with a focus on increasing engagement across our platforms and helping RDN better communicate our impact and the difference it makes in the communities we serve. Welcome, Kevin!

We're thrilled to have Aleesha, Jacob, Toyin, and Kevin on board!

🎤 Meet Drewe Rowbotham, Housing Coordinator at Autism Edmonton!

We’re excited to welcome Drewe as a panelist at National Housing Day 2026.
With over 16 years of experience in housing, Drewe hosts Neuro-Inclusive Housing Navigation and works to improve access to and the quality of housing for autistic and neurodivergent individuals across Alberta.

Drewe will bring his perspective to the Housing Needs of Priority Groups panel, exploring the housing experiences, priorities, and aspirations of neurodivergent individuals and their families, and how we can create more inclusive and accessible housing systems.
Join us on November 25 to hear from Drewe and the other panelists.

🔗 Register today - early bird pricing available until September 1st: [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/national-housing-day-2026-tickets-1993923643292]

We're proud to recognize Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF) as a sponsor of National Housing Day 2026.

Through AREF's generous support, 10 FREE student registrations are available for this year's conference.

If you're a student interested in areas such as housing, planning, real estate, community development, public policy, or related fields, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from industry leaders, explore innovative housing solutions, and build knowledge and connections that can support your future career

Thank you again to AREF for helping make learning and professional development more accessible for the next generation of housing professionals!

🔗 Apply for student registration here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLkZXr3EpiQmt9hlCM95DDslbMcbRjOkddtHAN71qR_Gd48g/viewform
🔗 Learn all about National Housing Day 2026: [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/national-housing-day-2026-tickets-1993923643292]