October 9, 2026
For 20 years, United Way’s Engineering Day of Caring has brought together engineers, volunteers and community partners to roll up their sleeves and build something that lasts.
This year, volunteers gathered at Braemar School, a specialized Edmonton Public School that supports pregnant and parenting students as they work toward completing high school and planning for their futures. Located within Braemar School, Terra’s Child and Family Support Centre provides early learning and care for the infants and toddlers of young parents while they attend school. It’s a space where children can learn, play and grow while young parents can focus on their education.
This year’s Engineering Day of Caring project focused on making that experience even better, with volunteers transforming Terra’s outdoor play space into a welcoming environment designed to encourage exploration, imagination, movement and connection.
“This is one of my favourite days of the year, and I’m so grateful to be here with you to kick things off,” says Rob Yager, President and CEO of United Way. “There’s always incredible energy around this day. Volunteer spots fill quickly, teams arrive early, and everyone is ready to roll up their sleeves and make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbours. That enthusiasm says a lot about what this day has come to mean to the engineering community.”
And this year, there was even more to celebrate.
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Engineering Day of Caring — 20 years of community impact.
For two decades, United Way and participating engineering firms have worked side-by-side to strengthen community spaces and support local non-profits. The projects may change from year to year, but the spirit remains the same: people bringing their skills, energy and time to make their community stronger.
This year’s project focused on creating an outdoor space where young children can learn through play, explore their surroundings, and simply enjoy being kids.
Volunteers repaired the walkway and replaced the fence, while adding new opportunities for imaginative and sensory play. The space now includes a mud kitchen, water station, bridge and balance structures, a play stage, and an outdoor sensory station.
The existing wooden play structure was also expanded for children five and under, with a new deck, shade structure and ramp, along with opportunities to add musical, tactile and activity-based elements.
For Terra Centre, the project is about much more than a physical renovation.
“For children growing up in families facing financial hardship, access to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces can be especially meaningful,” said Karen Mottershead, Executive Director at Terra Centre. “Not every child has the same opportunities to explore freely or simply have a beautiful place to play and be a child.”
Karen described the newly transformed green space as a place of opportunity, belonging and possibility — one that tells children they deserve opportunities to learn, imagine, discover and thrive.
Jody Merrick, Manager of Early Childhood Development at Terra Centre, said the impact will be felt by the youngest children the organization serves.
“For young children, at the heart of these spaces are places for play. At the heart of play are invitations for our youngest citizens to learn, explore, take risks, build relationships, develop confidence and begin to discover who they are,” she said. “For young children, play is learning.”
That’s why this project means so much to Terra Centre. Volunteers aren’t simply improving an outdoor space; they’re expanding possibilities for young children to connect with nature, with others and with themselves.
Over the past two decades, Engineering Day of Caring has shown what can happen when people bring their skills together with a shared commitment to community.
Every project looks a little different. But the impact goes beyond what can be built in a single day. These projects create more welcoming spaces, strengthen the capacity of local organizations, and show people in our community that others are willing to show up for them.
For Annie, Affinity Group Manager at United Way, that sense of community is what makes Engineering Day of Caring so meaningful.
“This day is very near and dear to my heart. I am so excited to be here and see the magic of this day unfold,” she says. “Sometimes, I hear or see what’s happening in the world and it can be easy to feel a little discouraged. But then I get to have a day like today — a day that reminds me just how many really good people there are right here in our community. It takes a village, and looking around this morning, I am incredibly proud of ours.”
After 20 years, that village is still showing up — ready to build, create and make a difference.
And what they build today will continue to make a difference long after the tools are packed away.
Learn how you or your team can get involved with United Way’s Engineering Challenge and help transform more community spaces.
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