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From One Generation to Another at Jasper Place

Thu, 9 Oct, 2014

After the tragic passing of Rick Butler, who was born-and-raised in the Jasper Place community, his friends and family created the Rick Butler Leadership Fund in his honour. The fund donates money and mentorship to support young Alberta leaders. On October 8, Jasper Place High School’s Global Café, an innovative, student-led project, was the first to receive $10,000 from the Rick Butler Leadership Fund.

“The Global Café is so much more than simply a space for youth,” says Julia Dalman, Global Café Co-ordinator. “It is a place where culture is created, intergenerational relationships are built and students are empowered to use their voice and act to drive future decisions for their community.”

“We are thrilled to be the first recipient of The Rick Butler Leadership Fund,” Jasper Place School principal Jean Stiles adds. “Rick was a proud Jasper Place alumni, and it is wonderful that his memory will endure in our school.”

Rick often worked with the community, most recently as Chief Administrative Officer of the Calgary Regional Partnership and as Councillor and Deputy Reeve for the County of Rocky View. On December 26, 2011, Rick died while skiing at Nakiska Ski Hill, west of Calgary, Alberta.

“Rick was a natural, dynamic leader and community builder who had an intense desire to improve his community and the lives of its citizens,” said his wife and co-founder of the Rick Butler Leadership Fund, Gwyn Butler.

Jasper Place School will use the fund to establish “many leadership initiatives that will have great impact within our school community and within the community at large. Our students are capable of great things” says principal Jean Stiles.