Why We Exist
A group of passionate individuals came together in March 2014 to discuss opportunities to unite francophone services in Calgary, not only for the francophone community but also for Calgarians wanting to experience French.
Together, and in engaging existing community service leaders and Calgarians, they dreamed of creating a francophone community destination. A facility that would:
• have a holistic focus: bringing together existing services as well as enhancing them with a focus on education, health, recreation, culture, housing, and multi-generational access;
• create synergies, foster networking and innovation amongst Calgary francophone communities;
• be a gathering place for current and future Calgary francophone residents;
• promote the visibility of francophone culture in Calgary;
• offer Calgarians a rich cultural experience of Canada’s second official language.
Espace Franco was founded by four organizations:
• ACFA Régionale de Calgary: promoting francophone culture and connecting francophones to community organizations
• CDEA (Francophone Chamber of Commerce): assisting small businesses and a driving force behind the expansion of the francophone community in Calgary;
• Le Conseil scolaire FrancoSud (Francophone School Board): with 6 schools in the Calgary area and 13 in southern Alberta, FrancoSud develops francophone pride and provides a safe and welcoming learning environment for students (K-12);
• La Société Franco-Canadienne de Calgary (SFCC): which oversees le Village Jean-Toupin, affordable housing for seniors as well as the Park Beauchemin, a recreation park.