Kindness Matters: So many ways to celebrate the strengths of our community

By What Matters to Hatters Coalition on September 11, 2025.

The What Matters to Hatters Coalition is looking forward to a busy fall with opportunities to share stories of kindness, foster connection in our community and encourage Hatters to act with compassion. We hope you will join us at these events as we work to create a sense of belonging and support for everyone in Medicine Hat.

The African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are” comes to mind when reflecting on these efforts. Ubuntu is a concept in which your sense of self is shaped by your relationships with other people.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu offered his view of Ubuntu as follows, “A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.”

Local businesses, organizations, and agencies throughout our community exemplify this philosophy. One example is the Medicine Hat Public Library acting as a mail distribution location for people lacking a mailing address.

While simple enough, it can make a huge difference for someone currently living without a home address to have access to their mail in a friendly and welcoming location.

Our coalition and partners work to offer opportunities for residents to feel a sense of connection and belonging in our community. Local cafes and restaurants are making a difference in our community by hosting Sips and Socials events and Brews and Board Game nights in partnership with the Medicine Hat Public Library. You can check out our next Sips and Socials Artsy Night at MT Nest CafÃ© tonight from 6-8 p.m.

We also hope you will join us at “Thrive Together: A Celebration of Culture, Recreation, and Wellness.” The event is on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Big Marble Go Centre and Crescent Heights High School Cafeteria. You can learn more about this exciting event on our website at http://www.whatmatterstohatters.com. The Thrive Together event was made possible in part through funding from the Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage.

Sidewalk Talk events continue this fall as well! We will be hosting one at Thrive Together on Sept. 21. At these events we offer heart-centred listening, no advice! We are not counsellors, just caring volunteers who want to offer connection and compassion to anyone who pops by. Sometimes we just need to feel heard…that’s what Sidewalk Talk is all about. Our next Sidewalk Talks will be on Oct. 10 and Nov. 13. You can go to our website for more information or check out our Facebook and Twitter (X) accounts to stay informed.

Finally, we are pleased to share that we are hosting a Project Unlonely Film Festival at the Monarch Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. After the films, everyone is invited to a Community Mingle to learn about an exciting project we have been working on with other community partners for the past two years. We will share more details on our website soon! What Matters to Hatters is grateful to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta for a community grant in support of the Film Festival and our winter kindness campaign.

What Matters to Hatters would like to hear from you in the spirit of Ubuntu! Do you have an idea you’d like to share that supports our community’s interconnectedness? Maybe you just want to share some good news from your neighbourhood or workplace. Please send as an email at whatmatterstohatters@gmail.com!

The Kindness Matters column is put together by members of the What Matters to Hatters Coalition