The Evolve Program

Help is within your reach

Embrace hope and change. Access judgement-free support through Evolve.  Our confidential, voluntary, and no-cost program provides judgement-free support to those looking to disengage from extremist and hate-motivated groups and their family members.​

About the Evolve Program
Evolve provides counselling, mentorship, and customized social supports to individuals and families who:
1) are looking to disengage from extremist and hate-motivated groups or;
2) have been victimized by a hate crime or incident
Our program is confidential, voluntary, and free. We work independent from goverment and law enforcement.

Our intervention team provides relationship-based services and trauma-informed care. Our goal is to create lasting and meaningful change for those we serve while promoting safer communities.

While we’re based in Edmonton, we have the capacity to provide in-person services anywhere in Alberta. We can also work remotely with participants from across Canada.

When to Seek Support

No one behavior, or even collection of behaviors, necessarily means that someone is on a path to engaging in violence. Especially in youth, many of these signs may simply be indicators that someone is exploring new ideas and building their own sense of identity. However, there are common behavioral markers that emerge in individuals who do travel down the path towards involvement in hate and extremism.  

Justifies violence to bring about a change in society.

Wanting to bring about change in society, even change that seems far-fetched, is not itself something to be concerned by. However, when someone starts to believe that violence is the only way to do this, it may be time to seek some support for the individual. 

Is influenced by a person or group that advocates for violent activity.

Peer pressure, manipulation and group influence are strong forces, but their effects or presence can be hard to spot. If someone in your life is expressing views that do not seem like their own or you sense they are being negatively influenced by people who advocate for hate and/or violence, please get in contact with us. We can offer support to both you and the person you’re worried about.  

Becomes intensely focused on conspiracy theories.

Questioning and challenging ideas and norms can often just be a part of strengthening our belief system and our normal intellectual curiosity. Believing in conspiracy theories is not necessarily harmful. However, there may be cause for concern these conspiracy theories lead a person to blame a specific group for ‘controlling’ the world or suggest that the government is ‘out to get them’.  

Believes society is about to collapse or the world is coming to an end.

Concern about the future is natural and healthy, and sometimes the challenges the world faces feel overwhelming. However, a fixation on believing the world is about to end or society is nearing collapse can cause a person to do things they normally would not. This line of thinking is especially concerning if the person starts to believe they need to take some type of action to bring about social collapse or re-birth by using violence

Blames all their problems, or the world’s problems, on one group of people.

Life has many challenges and hardships, and sometimes people want to blame their, or the world’s, problems on a specific group of people they believe are responsible. While feelings of rejection or being left behind by society are not in themselves suggestive that someone is in need of support, expressing a desire to harm or attack a specific group of people, because of their perceived influence or power, is cause for concern.

Has started to collect and display violent or hateful symbols and media.

Hate symbols and media are extremely diverse and not always easy to identify. However, if someone starts displaying or wearing a symbol that you’re unfamiliar with and that you think may be associated with a hateful ideology, please reach out to us. These types of symbols may also appear on an individual’s computer or social media accounts. We can help you understand the symbol, what it means, and whether it warrants a conversation with the person.  

Suddenly disengages from activities or relationships that used to be important to them.

As people grow and change, so do their interests; what someone used to enjoy a lot may no longer fit their preferences or goals. However, if you notice someone isolating and disengaging suddenly from important relationships and activities that used to bring them a great deal of enjoyment, that may be a reason to ask further questions. If the person stopped participating in activities or hanging around with friends for largely ideological reasons, think about reaching out to Evolve.  

Contact Evolve Today

Get a response within one business day

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out now. All messages will be responded to within 24 hours during weekdays, and the following business day on weekends.

To respect your privacy & ensure everyone’s safety, we will only respond to missed calls if a voice or text message if left.

If you have an immediate safety concern, contact your local police.

 

Call or text the Evolve Program at: 1 (877) 938 6580

Connect with us on social media:

Only be as specific as you're comfortable with. This information helps us match you with the right staff member.