Tim L
The Kaleo Collective is a registered charitable organization based in Edmonton, Alberta, dedicated to empowering single mothers and helping them build stronger, healthier futures for themselves and their children. Founded by Executive Director and CEO Layna Haley in March 0f 2019, the organization was established from lived experience and a deep understanding of the unique challenges that single mothers often face, including financial hardship, social isolation, mental health struggles, and the demands of raising children on their own. Rather than simply providing temporary assistance, Kaleo focuses on equipping women with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to create lasting, positive change in their lives. I was really impressed with Layna’s success with Kaleo in such a relatively short time.
As Layna emphasized to me, the name “Kaleo,” comes from the Greek word meaning “to invite” or “to call,” and reflects the organization’s commitment to inviting women into a welcoming, compassionate community where they can connect, heal, and grow.
At the heart of the Kaleo Collective are programs designed to provide both practical life skills and emotional support. One of its flagship initiatives is the eight-week Single Mom Resource Course, which helps participants develop healthy routines, improve time management, build financial and personal life skills, and set achievable goals for their future. The organization also offers weekly support groups where single mothers can share experiences, build meaningful friendships, and receive encouragement from women who understand the realities of single parenting. These gatherings help reduce feelings of loneliness while fostering confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Recognizing that emotional well-being is essential for long-term success, Kaleo also provides specialized mental health programming. Services include healthy relationship education, grief recovery, narcissistic abuse recovery, and access to psychological support.
The organization’s vision extends beyond meeting immediate needs. Kaleo seeks to break cycles of financial and emotional poverty by helping women gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities necessary to pursue meaningful employment, further education, and long-term family stability. Its mission is to create a community of empowered single mothers who are building brighter futures for their kids in spite of the challenges facing them.
All that being said, you can help out in many ways, Edmonton! Any support on the form of grants, donations, volunteers, and community partnerships are greatly welcomed. Layna even mentioned to me if you’re a photographer or videographer willing to lend your time and expertise to Kaleo, she would love for you to get in touch and help out at one of their events! For more info and to see their site, just follow the link: www.kaleocollective.ca . As always you can also make a donation through The Streets Initiative’s website right on the homepage.
