From Smiles to Safety:

We are thrilled to announce that the Edmonton Police Foundation has been chosen as the honoured recipient of the 2025 Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign. This partnership offers an incredible opportunity to support our vital youth programs—ensuring that 100% of the sales from Smile Cookies sold in Edmonton directly benefit the well-being and development of young people in our community.

Your participation is crucial; the more cookies sold, the greater impact we can achieve. We aim to harness this funding to profoundly impact Youth Diversion and Intervention Programs, key to preventing young individuals from falling into cycles of crime and the justice system.

When you purchase a Smile Cookie, you will be supporting the following initiatives:

Missing Youth: Promoting trust through dedicated support

A portion of the funds raised will focus on enhancing our resources for officers who engage directly with missing youth once they are found. Trust and rapport are foundational to helping these individuals feel secure and supported by our police officers. With no current funding for rapport-building efforts, this campaign’s funds will be instrumental in offering meals, clothing, hygiene items, and meaningful activities. By building trust, we aim to ensure youth are not frightened or alienated from police. Instead, they will feel comfortable reaching out to officers when in need, reducing incidents of runaway situations and minimizing criminal activities borne out of desperation and misplaced mistrust.

DiversionFirst: Guiding a new path

Support from the Smile Cookie Campaign will enable the DiversionFirst program to maintain its critical operations for youths who have committed first-time, non-violent offenses. Basic supplies like journals, facility rentals, and engagement activities are crucial for youth to reconsider and reshape their futures outside the justice system. This program not only prevents entry into the legal system but also fosters personal growth and responsibility, steering participants away from a cyclical path of future offenses and recidivism.

Y:Five-0: Rehabilitation and reintegration

The funds will also support the Y:Five-0 initiative, dedicated to providing comprehensive support for our top 50 most concerning young offenders in Edmonton. By directing them towards rehabilitation through extracurricular activities, camping with mentors, and Indigenous cultural programs, we aim to reduce reoffending and foster reintegration into society. Identity, support, and community understanding will empower these individuals to transform their lives positively.

Oskayak Police Academy: Building bridges, empowering Indigenous youth

“Oskayak” Police Academy (meaning “Youth” in Cree) was created to build stronger, more meaningful relationships between Indigenous youth and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). This two-week program is designed for self-identified Indigenous youth in Grades 10–12 and brings together both EPS practices and Indigenous worldviews.

OPA is led by the two Indigenous Relations Advisors within EPS, with the support of many dedicated EPS members who help plan, facilitate, and support the program. Together, they create a space for learning, connection, and dialogue—challenging stereotypes and encouraging mutual understanding.

Through cross-cultural training and relationship-building activities, youth and police officers engage in meaningful conversations that promote compassion and break down barriers. By bridging the gap between Indigenous youth and police, OPA aims to foster trust, support community safety, and inspire positive change for a more connected and respectful Edmonton.

Operation Ready, Set, School: inspiring confidence, creating safer schools

The funding will bolster Operation: Ready, Set, School, a program designed to empower at-risk youth selected by EPS School Resource Officers (SROs). Inviting youth to West Edmonton Mall, this initiative organizes a scavenger hunt to equip them with essential school supplies. By nurturing confidence and readiness for the school year, these young individuals are more likely to excel academically, minimizing potential involvement in troubling activities. Additionally, through engaging with their SROs in this friendly environment, they can build robust, trusting relationships, ultimately enhancing safety and support throughout the school year.

To learn more about this fun and impactful program, please watch this video:

Operation Find Santa: uniting through adventure

Operation Find Santa is a mission-driven scavenger hunt held at West Edmonton Mall, aimed at fostering strong, positive relationships between police officers and Indigenous families in Edmonton. At the heart of this elaborate, theatrical event, families are invited to have breakfast with Santa at the Fantasyland Hotel alongside members of the Edmonton Police Service. However, the excitement heightens when it’s revealed that Santa has been kidnapped by the Grinch, as announced by Police Chief Devin Laforce. This revelation sets off an adventurous quest in which families and police officers form teams to search the mall for clues, encountering various treats and relationship-building activities along the way. The shared journey culminates in locating the Grinch, rescuing Santa, and recovering all the Christmas gifts and groceries, creating a triumphant and heartwarming conclusion. Through this collaborative and festive experience, Operation Find Santa aims to bridge the gap between Indigenous families and the police service by building trust and mutual understanding. Stronger trust in police fosters a safer community by enhancing cooperation, reducing misunderstandings, and encouraging a collaborative approach to safety and justice.

To learn more about how Santa is saved, please watch this CTV story: CTV News Story

Youth Recruit Academy: understanding policing and building connections

The EPS’ Youth Recruit Academy (YRA) provides high school students with a glimpse into the career of an EPS recruit constable. Designed to offer young individuals insight into the first year as a police recruit, the YRA allows participants to collaborate with EPS members, ask questions, and connect with peers who share an interest in policing. By understanding policing more deeply, youth can foster stronger relationships with law enforcement, leading to enhanced trust and cooperation within the community. This understanding promotes a shared sense of responsibility, encourages positive interactions, and empowers youth to contribute to safer communities through informed perspectives on public safety and crime prevention initiatives.Join us in making a difference in the lives of Edmonton’s youth by participating in the 2025 Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign. All proceeds help fund critical youth programs aimed at ensuring a better future for our community.

For more information about how purchasing a Smile Cookie will benefit the community, please reach out to elisha@edmontonpolicefoundation.com or 587-226-6329.