What is Restoring Dignity?

Restoring Dignity is a province-wide initiative exploring the experiences of mutual aid and outreach workers across Alberta—people who show up every day to support unhoused neighbours, people who use substances, and others living with systemic barriers. Their work is often unpaid, underfunded, and rooted in care, solidarity, and collective responsibility.

This project aims to honour these workers, understand the landscape they operate within, and identify what is needed to ensure their safety, well-being, and continued ability to support their communities. It also seeks to:

• Recognize and honour the essential role mutual aid workers play

• Deepen public understanding of the realities of frontline community care

• Support more compassionate and informed public dialogue

• Inspire policy and community responses rooted in dignity, justice, and human rights

We are grateful to the CSMARI Anti-Hate Program with the Department of Canadian Heritage for their support of this important work.

Why does this work matter?

Across Alberta, mutual aid workers play an essential role in community well-being. They provide food, water, supplies, harm reduction, advocacy, crisis response, and compassionate presence in moments where formal systems often fall short. Yet while their work addresses some of the most urgent needs in our province, their experiences are largely undocumented, misunderstood, or overlooked. 

Restoring Dignity was created to shine a light on this work, to amplify community voices, and to help inform policy, education, and collaborative approaches rooted in dignity and human rights.

The research

From February to September 2025, the research team engaged mutual aid workers across Alberta through:

• A province-wide, comprehensive rights-based survey completed by 39 participants

• 12 in-depth interviews offering rich narrative insights into the survey results

• Urban and rural participation across a range of outreach and advocacy contexts

This mixed-methods approach allowed mutual aid workers to share their experiences in their own words—capturing what they see, navigate, and carry in their everyday work.

The project is grounded in ethical research practices, confidentiality, healing-centered, trauma-informed approaches, and a commitment to centering lived experience.

What will be released

The full results of the research will be shared publicly on January 19, 2026, including:

1. Restoring Dignity — Full Research Report

A comprehensive report documenting the experiences, challenges, insights, and recommendations shared by mutual aid workers across the province.

2. Frontlines of Care — Podcast Series

A multi-episode podcast amplifying the voices and stories of mutual aid workers in their own words.

3. Public Learning & Dialogue

An online community conversation to explore the themes of the report and discuss pathways toward safety, dignity, and stronger community support.