Weidner Cares lands in Edmonton, AB., to support the KARA Family Resource Centre!

On August 5th, our Edmonton associates came together for their Weidner Cares Day, a company-wide annual program where each of Weidner’s regions spends an entire workday supporting a non-profit in their region as our way of giving back to the communities we operate in.

This year, the team joined forces with the KARA Family Resource Centre, a local organization dedicated to helping families thrive through free parenting programs, early childhood services, and community resources.

This year’s event was extra special because the team worked across two KARA locations, aiding in the closure of their previous office and preparing a brand-new space to welcome staff, programs, and families.

At the previous site, our associates kicked off the move-out process by packing and labeling boxes on all three floors, moving furniture into storage bins, removing wall items, and deep cleaning rooms, walls, and floors to ensure a proper farewell to the space that they called home.

Other team members readied the new building for a warm reception of the KARA staff and families by installing new flooring and lighting, painting everything from walls to doors, building kitchen cabinets and shelving, refreshing bathrooms, and updating electrical wiring. No stone was left unturned!

One building was ready for its next chapter, while another was transformed into a safe, welcoming place where families will connect, learn, and grow.

It was a day filled with teamwork, pride, and the joy of knowing our efforts would have a lasting impact on the Edmonton community.

Thank you for your help, Edmonton! Great work!

The post Weidner Cares Edmonton – Two Sites, One Purpose appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

From convenience to location and amenities, we’ve put together a list outlining five reasons why you’ll love living in Lakewood’s apartment communities in the greater Edmonton area. 

1. Easy Access to Neighboring Areas 

Lakewood is a community 20-minutes south of downtown Edmonton and a few blocks from the budding Mill Woods neighborhood. The location is ideal because it is close to movie theaters, popular restaurants, and exciting nightlife. Lakewood also boasts some great shopping options to make errands a breeze, with stores like Costco, Walmart, IKEA, and Nordstrom Rack nearby.
 

Recreationally, there are some excellent local parks where you can explore the great outdoors. Residents can enjoy embarking on a challenging hike, taking a peaceful dog walk, and kids love playing at the many public playgrounds.  

2. Floor Plans that Grow with You

Maybe you’ll start your apartment living journey by choosing a studio or a one-bedroom home. However, as life happens, you may find yourself making plans to grow your family or add another roommate. Many apartment communities in the Lakewood neighborhood offer open-concept layouts with a high bedroom count that will accommodate your evolving living situation. If you’ve ever moved before, you’ll appreciate the convenience of choosing to live in a community that offers multiple floor plans, so you can move within the property instead of across town. 

3. Amenities that Suit Your Lifestyle

When searching for an apartment, it’s important to ask yourself, “What are the amenities I need to have in my home?” It’s essential to know what matters to you during your apartment hunting process, so you can manage your expectations of what you can afford and what can be considered an “add-on.”  
 

Suppose you have a family and are seeking a space with extra amenities. Then finding a home with a big kitchen, ample storage space, large closets, and a private patio or balcony might be high on your priority list. Or, maybe you often entertain and need a dining room or an extra space to host gatherings. Amenities like walk-in closets, kitchen islands, energy-efficient appliances, and gas ranges are a few upgrades that various Lakewood apartments offer. 
 

Luckily, apartments in the greater Edmonton area provide a plethora of homes that feature a range of finishes and amenities, so you’ll be able to find a space that includes everything you need, and maybe some fun extras too!

4. Exclusive Resident Events

Apartment communities in Lakewood offer resident events and social activities that bring communities together and encourage neighbors to get to know one another. If you’re looking to meet new people or are seeking an opportunity to get out of the house and socialize, these events are the perfect opportunity to do so.
 

With more people working from home than ever before, it’s crucial to prioritize stepping out, turning off the computer, and interacting with people face-to-face on a daily basis. The benefit of attending resident events is simple — you don’t have to drive or go anywhere besides a few steps from your front door! 

5. Affordability 

Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Edmonton averages at around $1,195 per month. In Lakewood, you’ll be able to find apartments that are reasonably priced while being centrally located and offer amenities that meet your needs and lifestyle. With so many other bills and expenses to cover, it’s comforting to know your home is realistically priced.
 

When touring apartments, make sure you’re clear on your price limit and what you’re willing to sacrifice in terms of upgrades and amenities. This will help you get a clear understanding of your priorities to properly budget for a new apartment. Moving can be pricey, and you want all your bases covered during the process to avoid surprise expenses. 

Lakewood Heights Apartment Homes

Lakewood is a close-knit community that offers something for everyone. For anyone looking to find an apartment in Edmonton, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Lakewood Heights Apartment Homes in the Lakewood neighborhood.
 

We offer studios as well as one and two bedroom options to provide all the space you need to live comfortably. Along with a cozy space to call home, we are also a pet-friendly apartment community and welcome your fur babies! We have a dedicated onsite dog park and a special pet play area for you and your beloved pets to stretch their legs and meet new friends.
 

Our knowledgeable, hands-on staff can schedule you a personal virtual or in-person tour to see more of our community and envision what life is like at Lakewood Heights. We would love to help you find your new home in the Lakewood neighborhood in Edmonton, AB!

The post Edmonton, AB Residents: 5 Signs You’ll Love Living in a Lakewood Neighborhood Apartment Community appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

The Weidner Cares team worked with two stellar organizations striving to make a difference in Edmonton, AB, and Saskatoon, SK. It was a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with these amazing people who are so knowledgeable and committed to making the world a better place for children, and for those in need. 

EDMONTON 

In Edmonton, the Weidner Cares team partnered with the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch. This wonderful Canadian charity was founded by Ray LaBonte and Family and “is a long-term treatment center focused solely on helping children who have been sexually abused.” 

The Be Brave Ranch program offers these children a place to heal and increase their chances of growing into healthy adults. Clinical support is offered to children and their families for one full year. Children come to the Be Brave Ranch for over 200 hours of therapy over a one-year period and three additional 14-day stays.

Throughout the year-long program, the multi-modal therapy for children and their families, run by clinical professionals, includes Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Expressive Art Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, Play Assisted Interventions, and Peer Group (cohort) Support. These therapy programs are enriched by a camp-like environment where the kids can have fun and connect with their peers who have had similar experiences.

The facility that helps these kids and their families heal was in need of some care and attention and that's where the Weidner Cares team stepped in. The Be Brave Ranch has several houses where the children reside while they are in treatment, in addition to a main office facility. The team spent the day completely removing and rebuilding three of the large outdoor decks on the houses which were in dire need of repair. They also organized several storage closets, prepped an area around a fire pit for seating, and undertook lots of landscaping. Several large shelving units were built in the garage space to store and sort supply donations.

One team braved the Edmonton woods and some very "attentive" mosquitoes to clean out an old shed full of firewood so they could make room for more outside storage. The time, effort, and commitment of our volunteers proved to be very successful at the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch!

Laurie Szymanski, Executive Director of Little Warriors commented, "As a charitable organization, we rely on volunteers to help us maintain the property and buildings at the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch. When 80 amazing people from the Weidner team arrived at the Ranch to volunteer their time and expertise for a day of work – this was invaluable. It would have taken us many months to complete this work. We are very thankful for their time and effort to help us have a safe place for children to come to receive treatment." 

You're welcome, Laurie. Thank you from Weidner Apartment Homes for all the important work you're doing at the Be Brave Ranch. You are indeed, warriors! 

SASKATOON 

In Saskatoon, the Weidner Cares team partnered with the Saskatoon Food Bank Garden Patch, another great Canadian charity. Three times is a charm! This is our third consecutive year volunteering at the Garden Patch. The team was thrilled to return and get a close-up look at the progress of the Garden Patch and to see how their efforts are paying off.

The Saskatoon Food Bank Garden Patch's mission is “to ensure a food-secure community where all people have access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food." Combining their values of respect, innovation, collaboration, and compassion, the Garden Patch's vision is to "embrace its role as innovative and collaborative leaders in building an engaged, inclusive, healthy and empowered community for all." 

The Weidner team spent the day painting, weeding, harvesting, and building. The most ambitious part of the project was framing, constructing, and painting two large sheds and a fence. Previously, there was a small greenhouse shed made out of plastic and posts that was acting as one of their storage areas. As the Garden Patch continues to grow, their need for storage also increases, so the new sheds ensure continued growth and a safe haven for their supplies for years to come.

Gardens aren't just for food — they can be a happy, peaceful, colorful, and inviting place for the community to enjoy. That's where the Weidner team lent their painting skills and applied a much-needed coat of paint for a fresh, exciting look that encourages visitors to stay a while. Some team members were also taught how to build a willow fence, where willow tree branches are woven between posts to create a small barrier in the garden. Who knew willow trees were such multitaskers?

Both of these Canadian events made such a positive impact on their communities. To all those who participated and volunteered during these two wonderful events, thank you for sharing your time and talents! To the terrific individuals at Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch and the Saskatoon Food Bank Garden Patch, we thank you for the opportunity to assist you in such important work in your communities.

Happy Holidays from Weidner Apartment Homes! 

What Matters to You, Matters to Us!

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