Stride Advocacy began in 2016 as a collaboration between the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC), Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) and the Alberta Somali Community Centre (ASCC). Its initial goal was clear and essential: to equip community members with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities.

As the project grew, it became evident that practical support was needed to navigate complex human rights systems. Stride evolved into a volunteer-driven, community-based advocacy model, supporting people experiencing human rights violations in amiskwacîy (Edmonton), on Treaty 6 Territory. Although Stride is no longer a formal program of the JHC, the spirit of its work continues to live in the enduring relationships cultivated during its journey.

This grassroots, capacity-building approach—focused on empowering the community to use human rights as a tool for advocacy—has sparked numerous small initiatives, communities of care, and a national collaboration model. This has notably increased Canadian, and especially Prairies, engagement in national and UN human rights processes. In Edmonton, the Stride model also resulted in a "hub" where agencies supported clients collectively, guided by principles of dignity, justice, and community empowerment. This collaboration ultimately led to the formation of the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights, which achieved charitable status in 2024.

We are grateful to the City of Edmonton, Government of Alberta, Government of Canada, the Edmonton Community Foundation, and the McConnell Foundation for their crucial support in developing this work and achieving its significant impacts.

Important Notice

JHC is a human rights education organization, not a legal organization, and we do not provide legal advice or take on individual human rights cases.

Our core focus is to build community capacity for self-advocacy and to educate policy makers, decision makers, and elected officials on their human rights obligations, using information gathered from the community.

We are no longer accepting individual advocacy cases through Stride Advocacy. All active files will be supported and closed with care.