The Evolve Program

Deradicalization is the process of causing a person with extreme views to adopt more moderate positions. We don’t require or expect people to change their viewpoints. People who participate in our program do so voluntarily. We work with each participant to help them disengage from a group or belief to the point where it no longer interferes with their goals. If those goals include changing one’s perspective, then we can help with deradicalization. However, we have no requirement or expectation of changing someone’s beliefs.

The purpose of our program is to help people build a better life for themselves. This involves people disengaging or leaving behind belief systems that aren’t working for them right now. We’re not here to change your beliefs or your thoughts. We support people in identifying and moving towards their positive goals. If you find yourself feeling unsure about whether the Evolve program is for you, feel free to send us a message. Your personal information is kept confidential and one of our staff members will be able to answer any questions you may have.

We’re an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that works independently from the police and national security organizations. We are partnered with the Edmonton Police Service and RCMP. However, we work with police with an understanding that we will protect our client’s confidentiality and anonymity.

Our services are confidential and we don’t share participant information without explicit consent.
However, similar to other professions, we have a duty to report the risk of harm to oneself or others. If a participant displays behaviour indicating they are a threat to themselves or others, we will call the police. This approach is in line with the professional standards and legal responsibilities of social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and medical doctors.

We work with individuals and families who are engaged with all types of harmful beliefs, extremism, and ideologies. We see extremism as a phenomenon that is not related to any one ethnic, cultural, or religious group. Rather, it is a process that can be experienced by people from all walks of life.

We do not coerce individuals into our program, nor do we believe that forced participation will generate positive outcomes. This is partly why we prioritize a relationship-based model building positive and trusting relationships with our participants. In circumstances where there are mandated conditions for participants (e.g., probation, immigration, parole) we work with these individuals to generate buy-in through the early stages of the intervention process.