Year: 2025

Did you know that giving your time can also give back to your health?

A recent umbrella review of 28 studies revealed that volunteering has tangible benefits for your mental, physical, and social well-being. These include:

•  Reduced mortality
•  Improved physical functioning
•  Boosted mental health
•  Stronger social connections
•  A deeper sense of pride, empowerment, and motivation

Volunteering works best when it’s consistent, altruistic, and supported by structured reflection. Interestingly, older adults and those who volunteer through religious or value-based motivations experience even greater benefits.

This means that encouraging newcomers, youth, and community members to volunteer doesn’t just help build strong communities—it literally supports better health!

At PROSDOMA, we see this in action every day. From supporting food security in Africa to helping newcomers in Alberta learn computer skills or file taxes, our volunteers are healthier, more connected, and more empowered.

• Social prescribing a healthcare approach that connects individuals to community-based support is now recommending volunteering as a stand-alone intervention. It’s time to make it part of everyday health and wellness strategies!

• Ready to transform lives—yours included? Join PROSDOMA’s volunteering team and be part of the change.

 Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10159229/
#VolunteeringMatters #CommunityHealth #MentalWellbeing #SocialPrescribing #HealthBenefits #NewcomerSupport #VolunteerCanada #PROSDOMA #AlbertaNonprofits #MakeADifference
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Today, we join over 1 billion people around the world in celebrating our planet and advocating for its protection. But at PROSDOMA, every day is Earth Day — because the fight for sustainability, environmental justice, and climate action never stops.

Since 1970, April 22 has served as a global reminder of how interconnected we are with the Earth — and how urgently we need to take care of it. From rising temperatures to plastic pollution, deforestation to food waste, our planet faces unprecedented challenges. But the good news? You can be part of the solution. 

Here are 5 simple actions you can take starting today:

• Plant a tree or support reforestation efforts

• Pick up litter while walking or jogging

• Practice sustainable fashion by reusing, recycling, and buying mindfully

•  Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use

•  Volunteer with us to help create a greener, more resilient world

Learn more at earthday.org

Join our mission at prosdoma.org

Together, let’s protect our planet — not just today, but every single day.

#EarthDay #EarthDay2025 #EveryDayIsEarthDay #ClimateAction #Sustainability #PROSDOMA #EnvironmentalJustice

Despite efforts like the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste, Canada still only recycles 9% of its plastics. The rest? Around 86% ends up in landfills, and 4% is burned for energy, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

In Alberta, plastic waste is particularly concerning. The Alberta Plastics Data Project revealed that 390 tons of plastic were disposed of by just 25 companies in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland in 2021—garbage bags being the most common.

Agriculture is also feeling the weight of plastic waste. Grain bags, silage wrap, and twine are piling up in rural areas, prompting Albertans to urge the government to step up action.

But there’s hope—and it starts with all of us.

Here’s how you can help:
– Use reusable bags, bottles, and containers
– Refuse single-use plastics (straws, cutlery, etc.)
– Sort and recycle plastics properly
– Support smart product design—durable, repairable, recyclable
– Choose businesses committed to zero waste practices

Plastic doesn’t have to be forever—let’s create a circular economy that works for people and planet.

 Sources:
 canada.ca
 albertaplasticsrecycling.com
 alberta.ca/agricultural-plastics

#ZeroPlasticWaste #PlasticPollution #PROSDOMA #Recycle
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