November is Edmonton Housing Month – an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of safe, quality housing in the Capital Region and a time to reflect on what “home” truly means. Throughout the month, Homeward Trust Edmonton, in partnership with local organizations, will host a series of webinars featuring housing solutions and supportive programs across the city.
With a 90% client satisfaction rate, GEF is proud to contribute to these efforts by helping seniors find that sense of home through affordable housing and support that enables them to live with dignity and thrive in their communities.
For 66-year-old Ted W., moving into GEF Strathcona Place earlier this year finally gave him the security and comfort he’d been searching for.
A Fresh Start
Ted had lived in many places over the years, but none ever felt like home. Shared accommodations were inconvenient and uncomfortable, and a short-lived apartment in St. Paul turned out to be unsafe and expensive.
“A friend had told me to look into affordable housing options for seniors, but there was a stigma for me. I hated to admit that I needed help, but I realized that living the way I was wasn’t working anymore. It was very difficult.”
~ Ted W., Strathcona Place
After years of unstable housing, Ted finally has a place where he feels safe, settled, and connected.
“I love living here! The building is clean, ideally situated for walks, and there’s always someone to talk to. I haven’t been able to truly call a place home in 15 years, so it’s a really good feeling. Nicole at GEF was very helpful and made the process seamless.”
~ Ted W., Strathcona Place
Supporting Seniors
Nicole Davis, Ted’s GEF Housing Placement Coordinator, sees firsthand the growing demand for more affordable housing options for older adults. With over 1,300 seniors currently on GEF’s waitlist, the housing application system prioritizes need.
“Every human deserves to feel safely housed. When people feel safe, they can thrive. GEF uses the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation (SHAR) scoring system to determine placement and priority. The waitlist is based on need. We serve our communities’ most vulnerable first.”
This year, GEF expanded its Housing and Outreach teams to better support seniors – from applying for housing, to the move-in transition, and connecting them with the resources they need to thrive.
With that support, Ted has settled in and now enjoys the simple pleasures of cooking, meeting neighbours, and decorating his space one piece at a time.
“I feel like I can actually have a life! You know the term nesting? That’s what I’m doing now. Getting to slowly buy things, bring them back here, and decorate my place – it feels like home to me.”
~ Ted W., Strathcona Place
Recently, Ted sent a heartfelt note to Nicole to share just how much this move has meant to him:
Home and Community
This Housing Month, we’re highlighting Ted’s story – a reminder of why home, stability, and community matter. We’re grateful for the trust our residents and tenants place in us. Their feedback inspires us to keep listening, learning, and finding new ways to strengthen our communities for the seniors who call GEF home.
The courtyard at GEF Strathcona Place has become a bright, welcoming space thanks to a series of upgrades over the past few years. New benches, picnic tables with umbrellas, swing chairs, fresh sod, and rebuilt flower beds have all enhanced the landscape. For the 228 seniors who live in the nine-storey building, the courtyard is now a favourite spot to visit with neighbours, enjoy fresh air, and build friendships.
These improvements go beyond repairs – they create a space that supports well-being and community. With funding from the Government of Alberta, and as one of several buildings owned by the Alberta Social Housing Corporation, the refreshed courtyard adds lasting value while enriching seniors’ daily lives.
“More people are participating and gathering outside now. A group of us come out here in the evenings and chat. One night someone even brought out an accordion and played music and we started dancing.”
– Laurie N., Strathcona Place
“When seniors have a beautiful, safe environment to gather, it encourages social connection, physical activity, and a sense of belonging, which are all vital to quality of life. Our Facilities team takes great pride in knowing that the work we do directly impacts people’s daily experiences. My hope is that every improvement we make helps clients feel at home and reinforces that they are valued members of the GEF community.”
The infrastructure upgrades also inspired tenants to take on a creative project of their own: repainting the courtyard pond. Brenda, a tenant known for her love of painting, imagined turning the pond into a colourful mural featuring a mermaid, octopus, dolphins, a turtle, and fish.
“I wanted the pond to be colourful…beautiful from all angles of the building whether you were looking at it from the side, or from the top.”
– Brenda B., Strathcona Place
Teamwork in Action
Brenda started the outlines, and soon others joined in. The Housekeeping department even pitched in on breaks.
“It was nice to get to know the tenants one on one in this way. I’d never painted before and found it to be relaxing. Other tenants would bring us coffee and snacks, and visit with us while we worked on the pond. I’m happy that I could help out where I could.”
– Sami H., Housekeeping Aide, Strathcona Place
“I love how a lot of people who didn’t think they had the painting talent, joined the project and found it to be fun and therapeutic! I saw how the project brought them joy, and that brought me joy!”
— Brenda B., Strathcona Place
Six more neighbours picked up brushes, and soon the pond project was full of laughter and storytelling.
“I loved working on the pond with Brenda and everyone involved. We shared so many laughs and funny stories. In fact, the pond’s name is ‘Henrietta (the mermaid) and the Mystical Storytellers’ after the many stories we all shared while working on it together.”
– Linda S., Strathcona Place
Pride in Community
The pond now adds colour and character, but more importantly, it reflects the pride tenants feel in their home.
“This whole project, from the pond to the courtyard, is a great example of a community coming together to beautify and individualize it for the betterment of all. From one tenant diligently watering the new sod to ensure it thrives, to another tenant gardener who carefully removed and replanted the flowers and plants during the garden bed repairs – the pride of ownership at this community is remarkable.”
— Peggy Caine, Portfolio Manager, Strathcona Place
A Lasting Legacy
What began as a courtyard revitalization grew into something bigger: an opportunity for tenants and staff to create something meaningful together.
Thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life. Whether it’s lending a hand, sharing your skills, or just joining in, get involved in your own community! You never know what lasting memories and legacies you might help create.
Summer BBQs bring our apartment communities together. This past month, the BBQ fun continued, with new faces and an extra reason to celebrate. Two new communities officially joined the GEF family!
Burgers, BBQS, and New Neighbours
Tenants from both Tegler Manor and Tegler Terrace enjoyed their first GEF Summer BBQ where seniors and staff had the opportunity to get to know each other better. There was good food, laughter, prizes, and plenty of connections made. It was a great way to welcome everyone into this new chapter together.
Tegler Manor BBQ
“I’ve lived at Tegler Manor for 14 years. It’s a nice, quiet building, and close to everything. We often see each other in the halls as we come and go and say ‘hello’, but I enjoyed today’s GEF BBQ because we were able to sit down with each other, have fun, and socialize.”
— Lucita C., Tegler Manor
Tegler Terrace BBQ
“I’ve been at Tegler Terrace for 4 years and have met many wonderful people. Most tenants are over 85 with a few of us in our early 70’s known as ‘the kids’! This was the first of many events with GEF, and it was nice to see what they do compared to what we do as a social committee. The best part is always visiting with one another and the laughter. You know it’s a good time when the volume in the room keeps going up!”
— Joanne E., Tegler Terrace
Two Buildings, One Warm Welcome
Tegler Manor and Tegler Terrace have been home to Edmonton seniors for decades, and now they’ll continue that tradition as part of GEF. With their addition, we can now provide nearly 4,000 low-to-moderate income seniors with access to affordable housing and services in 43 building locations across Edmonton.
Tegler Manor is a 14-story building with 101 units, right in downtown Edmonton at 9943–110 Street.
Tegler Terrace is a five-story building with 83 units and takes up a full city block at 9918–149 Street. Both offer two-bedroom apartments and are already full of friendly faces.
Looking Ahead
With the addition of these two new communities, GEF is taking an exciting step toward our strategic goalof growing by 1,000 units over five years. The transition to GEF ensures the Tegler buildings remain designated as affordable housing for seniors in Edmonton. But with nearly 1,300 seniors on our waitlist for housing, we need and want to do more. Donations to the Building for Life Fund enable us to increase the number of housing units we own or operate.
Welcome to everyone at Tegler Manor and Tegler Terrace! We’re so happy to have you join the GEF family.
At GEF, we believe in more than just providing a place to live – we believe in building vibrant, welcoming communities. One of the opportunities we provide for people to come together is the annual summer BBQs in our apartment buildings.
BBQs, Burgers & Belonging
Staff, tenants, and community partners come together for tasty food, live music, fun prizes, and lots of smiles. It’s an afternoon of laughs, full plates, and memorable moments.
“I look forward to these get-togethers! I recommend everyone try to come out to more of these community events.”
Debbie G., Avenwood Corner
“We see people that we don’t often see. It’s a nice way to connect and socialize.”
Johanna F., Avenwood Corner
The music, the dancing, and the friendly faces all add up to something really special. Press ▶️ PLAY to see the toe-tapping tunes at GEF Groat House Apartments.
Tenants at GEF Trinity Lutheran had a great time singing and dancing at their sunny Summer BBQ. Press ▶️ PLAY.
Even those who prefer their own space find joy in seeing their neighbours having fun.
“I typically like to be more solitary. I enjoy doing my own thing. But what I like about the BBQs is seeing everyone having fun, seeing how everyone’s doing, and seeing the new faces!”
Holly K., Bateman Manor
Community Partners and Staff get in the Spirit
“We’re such a person-centred organization. We love the interaction between staff and residents, which is so important for building relationships.”
Peggy Caine, Manager, Portfolio 8
“It’s the food, the music, the mingling – what’s not to love? You can’t help but feel good when you’re surrounded by so much positive energy and fun!”
Theresa Fielden, SAGE Seniors Association Edmonton
Share Your Story!
As the Summer BBQS continue, we want to hear how you’re creating vibrant communities in your own buildings. Whether it’s a special event, or a creative idea to engage and connect – tell us your story! Share your favourite moments with us at communications@gef.org and don’t forget to include your photos!
Follow us on Facebook,Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Xto stay up to date on GEF news and to see what’s happening across our GEF communities.
A Simple Game Creating Special Moments
At GEF Bethany Senior Citizens Home, a new shuffleboard table is doing more than just adding a game to the space – it’s bringing people together. Thanks to generous donations to our Quality of Life Fund, a portion of funds was used to relocate the shuffleboard from another site to its current home at Bethany. Now tenants have a new way to connect, stay active, and enjoy time together.
Bethany’s recreation room had been quiet as of late, but this shuffleboard table is already changing that. Tenants are stopping by, some to play, some to watch, and many to simply enjoy a cup of coffee and chat.
“It’s the perfect activity to get everyone out of their rooms. Once others see us having fun, maybe more will come out to join us! I’m going to start organizing weekly get-togethers and shuffleboard tournaments with prizes.”
– Paul K., Tenant
More Than Just a Game
Shuffleboard is easy to pick up, which makes it inviting for everyone. Some tenants are reliving old memories, while others are trying it for the first time. Most importantly, it’s bringing them together for friendship and fun!
Game on! Paul K. teaches Janice B. how to play shuffleboard for the first time.
“I’m just learning how to play shuffleboard, and I love it! I used to only come down here to check the mail, but now that we have weekly coffee talks and this new shuffleboard, it’s great to meet up with everyone like this.”
– Janice B., Tenant
The space around the table has become a lively gathering spot, helping to bring vibrancy and energy into the community. Their weekly conversations over coffee, laughter, and friendly shuffleboard competitions have become simple, everyday moments that make the community feel more like home.
Your Support Makes This Possible
The shuffleboard table is just one example of how the Quality of Life Fund has made an impact in helping seniors thrive in their community. Donations fund life enriching opportunities, social activities, and additions that make a real difference.
“I’d love to see even more activities that get us all together. Things like picnics or more weekly games like crib, scrabble, UNO, and bingo. This is a good start.”
– Paul B., Tenant
Want to help create more special moments like this?
Donate to the Quality of Life Fund and bring more meaningful experiences to seniors across our communities.
Jim Murland came back to Edmonton in 1948 after serving in the Second World War and he found his first home in the McKernan neighbourhood in the city’s southeast. After he settled in his new home, one of the first jobs he had was adding stucco to the outer brick wall of Knox Metropolitan United Church in the Garneau neighbourhood. Now at 98 years of age, Murland lives at Knox-Met Manor, an apartment building currently being managed by GEF Seniors Housing that was originally built in 1984 in part with help from Knox Metropolitan Church.
The church closed its doors in 2016 with plans to tear down the original building for a new condo development. For Murland, some of his memories of the church that first opened its doors in 1928 stem from one of the most distinctive design features of the building. “I remember attending sermons at the church and always looking up at the stained glass window,” says Murland.
Knox-Met Manor was one of the recipients of a section of the stained glass window because of its close ties to the church. Of the more than 80 tenants living in Knox-Met Manor, many share Murland’s enthusiasm about receiving the window.
Joyce Dahl has been living at Knox-Met Manor since 2000 and was the building’s tenant representative to the church group. She explains that preserving the role that the church played in the development of the property and the connection between the church and the Manor is one to be celebrated. The church played a significant role not just in the history of the Garneau neighbourhood but in Edmonton as a whole.
One piece of history is the role Knox Metropolitan United Church played in the Edmonton chapter of Amnesty International. Before she moved into Knox-Met Manor, Florence Miller was a member of Amnesty International and would take the bus from her north-side Edmonton home to the Garneau neighbourhood for meetings. She recollects the different events the Edmonton chapter of Amnesty International played in welcoming new communities to the city from all around the world and the work done to help ensure that these new groups knew they were welcome.
“Even now, there’s still a lot of diversity in [Knox-Met Manor],” Miller says. “We have neighbours from Egypt, Pakistan, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, all over. I want to make sure this piece the church’s stained glass window has a place in our building to commemorate the history of Edmonton being a welcoming city.”
Gail Brown is part of a group of tenants at Knox-Met Manor who want to see the donated piece of stained glass find a permanent place displayed in the building. Though only living in Knox-Met Manor for the past two years and having no direct connection to the church, Brown still feels a responsibility to preserve this piece of the community’s history.
“I’m in very strong support of public art that shows the history of our city,” says Brown. “The church is empty now but it helped build this place that so many people call home. We have a piece of the architecture and it’s something amazing that needs to be respected, preserved and its history maintained.”
Lorna Etwell points out that the seventh floor of Knox-Met Manor is a perfect spot to mount the stained glass. It’s a shared space where tenants go to do their laundry, read a book, hop on an exercise bike, do a puzzle, or meet in the sunroom that overlooks the Garneau neighbourhood and right to the spot where the empty Knox Metropolitan United Church stands for the time being. She recalled that after some discussion it was determined that the brick wall next to the bookcase was the best location to proudly display the piece of community history.
“It’s an honour to have received this gift from the church,” says Etwell. “We want to do right by making sure it has a place where it can be appreciated.”
