community engagement to support the development of the brant...
TRANSCRIPT
1 Brant Community Hub
Table of Contents
1 SUMMARY 2
1.1 Presentations 2
1.2 Themes of Discussions 3
1.3 Guiding Principles 4
2 DISCUSSION 5
3 CONCLUSION 15
2 Brant Community Hub
Summary On September 24, 2016, community members,
agency members and others interested were invited
to participate in a free community event held at
Brant Ave Public School to further discuss the
development of the Brant Hub. It was a free
inclusive event that included food and childcare.
Anyone from the community was welcome to
attend.
An Open-Space model, which is participant-driven, was used to facilitate the Brant Hub
community discussion. This model was effective, inclusive and engaging as community
members identified themed topics and led the discussions.
Short presentations were delivered by 3 presenters: 1. Louise Brooks, Health Promotion Specialist at Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public
Health who is a member of the Brant Hub Committee shared a historical
background and timeline of the Hub development
2. Lorraine Duff from United Way Toronto & York Region presented about the
some of the successful hub developments in her region. She shared lessons and
best practices. Lorraine has worked at United Way since June 2004, and is
currently the Director of Special Projects, focusing on Community Hub
development, social enterprises and specific initiatives.
3. Anne Bergen, a member of the Brant Hub committee shared the results of the
community survey.
Following these presentations:
Brendan Johnson (from Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition) and Kate Vsetula
(from Guelph Community Health Centre) facilitated the afternoon using Open Space
Technology which resulted in a number of themes, conversations and ideas that were
generated from the participants of the day. They were developed by asking what
discussions participants wanted to have with regards to the guiding question:
How do we make the Brant Hub
a reality in our community?
3 Brant Community Hub
To answer this important question, various topics and themes were identified by the
community and later discussed which you will find transcribed in the following pages.
The themes that were discussed during the day included:
How do we ensure the entire community is included in the Hub?
How do we incorporate food security into the Hub?
How can we ensure that the space still looks beautiful to the residents around
the park?
How do we work together with the Green Space Committee?
Will the Hub have Service Collaboration or Service Integration or Both?
How do we ensure we have the capital funding to build our Hub?
What is the best way to engage more people in the community?
How do we ensure the agencies that are needed in the community are the ones
involved and not just who can afford the rent/space?
How do we include seniors?
How are Youth included in the development?
Should we have another survey to gather further details of priorities based on
local feedback to advocate
involvement of agencies and residents
What services and supports and
networks are the right ones for the
community that will decrease the
need to get on a long bus ride?
How do we ensure environmental and
financial sustainability of the Hub?
How can we make food a driver for
social change?
How do we ensure the Hub is a
welcoming space for everyone?
How do we reach out and engage
those who are not already involved?
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Although many different topics were generated throughout the discussions,
conversations were similar therefore certain points were amalgamated under both
single and multi-themed headings.
The community-led discussions were framed within the guiding principles
for the day:
Collaboration
Community
Inclusion
Diversity
Supportive
Nurturing
Dignity
Equity
5 Brant Community Hub
Add a caption here
Zoning information needed – parking permits, etc.
10.12% of total area (4.5 acres),
Parking space
o On Woodlawn
o Offer free and accessible parking spaces
o to reduce view for neighbours, consider best location
o Variance to regulation (multi-use asphalt with painted “courts”
so that games could be played when not used for parking.
Ball diamond is appreciated by community. Can it be included in final
plans?
Bike share station and bike rakes
66’ roadway Woodlawn, parking could be included along road
Include cross walks, sidewalks and bike lanes and all existing paths
Progress sharing is important
o Updates with clear information and status updates
o Offer centralized point for live updates (coffee and share
events, potlucks, conversation circles, etc.).
Diversified fund development – provincial, municipal, donors, in-kind
Develop innovative partnerships
LOGISTICS
How do we ensure we have the capital funding to
build our hub, ensuring environmental and
financial sustainability?
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Identify costs (both capital) by designing Hub plans and determining
how big of a facility we need based on survey and other inputs by
community
Plan meetings with builders, architects, interior designers, asset
mapping
Collaborate with school and other community assets (churches, local
businesses, etc.)
Identify what and who our anchor tenants are and ensure they are a
right fit for the community
Figure the percentage of space that can be sustained rent-free
Establish a “Fundraising Committee” to develop strategic ways of
increasing funds – nominal fees for programs/events or by donation
Make getting help easy
o Communications must be built into reception or volunteers
role so people know what is going on
Outreach navigators
o Supported by
volunteers
o Skilled/fluent in
various languages
o Community experts
Shared reception/front
desk
o Trained volunteers
o Trauma informed
o Culturally sensitive and skilled/fluent in various languages
o Informative and aware of all programs and services offered
o “superstars”
Will the Hub have Service collaboration or
Service integration, or both?
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Integration – where it makes sense and is possible
A “go-to” person that offers coordination and support (mental
health, addiction services, Ontario Works, etc.)
Ensure person is the connection and not their organization (i.e. use
“Jenny” and not “CMHA”)
Improve the space and how it is used
o Update existing park
o Playground for children
o Splash pad
o Increase seating space in the outdoor setting
o Addition of community garden
o Make appropriate space for all ages
Ensure safety
o Increase outdoor lighting, being mindful of neighbours
o Consistent up-keep of building, both interior and exterior
o Add outdoor surveillance cameras
Location
o Set back from Woodlawn – but with greenspace along
Woodlawn with trees, etc.
Resource “Park People” – Toronto groups may be able to assist with
information re: greenspace
HOW DO WE MAKE THE HUB AND SURROUNDING SPACE
BEAUTIFUL?
how do we increase community involvement,
participation and ensure the community voice is as
strong as (or stronger than) the agency voice in
shaping and directing the hub?
8 Brant Community Hub
Better Beginnings Model for the board: 2 community members for
every 1 agency rep
o Co-chairs = 1 community member and 1 agency member
o Meetings to offer childcare, flexible meeting times, food-
ensure it is barrier free to be involved
Training opportunities and support for community members and
agencies
o “Advance Your Voice” program – leadership training for
community members
o Training for agencies (by community members) to ensure
understanding of what it takes to be part of a
community/resident-led hub (similar concept to “Bridges out
of Poverty” and
“Circles”)
o Enhance natural
capacities and
networks
(utilize what we
already have)
Ensure a welcoming
and inclusive
environment
o Important for
hub to reflect community members
o Have a mural wall to welcome ideas
o Invite youth (and others interested) to decorate the hub’s
interior with artwork
o Shelldale example: “it feels more community-run than agency-
run”
Invite community members (especially those who do not have a
voice such as immigrants and refugees, seniors, etc.)
o Door-to-door engagements (youth delivering flyers)
o Connecting with people at Northend market
9 Brant Community Hub
o Focus on fun initiatives (community fairs, BBQ’s, recreational
events)
o Promote incentives for children to increase parent
involvement
o Establish an Outreach committee
Utilize internet and social media tools to promote and
invite community via social media, text message and/or
mass emails
Create a hub-specific Facebook page maintained by
secondary school students (or any) volunteers
Citywide promotion – outreach stands/kiosks at malls,
Tim Hortons
o Attending to language barriers
Use interpreters
Visit ESL classes, and embed ESL classes
Family/friend or volunteer support to help with
interpretation
Bi-lingual or Multi-lingual receptionist and/or
volunteer support
A “smile” is a universal language
“Welcome Wagon” for new residents – an offer to
take them to the Hub
Hub should be created “for the community, by the community”
o Community members decide on hub design, programs/services
offered and develop language for mission and value
statements – not agencies
o Ensure the values permeate through the whole hub – bottom
to top model
Follow-up commitment to service-users by agency workers to ensure
program/service effectiveness
HOW DO WE ENSURE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
IN PROGRAM SELECTION & EXECUTION?
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Offer food and coffee – food brings people together
o Build a large community kitchen and multipurpose room
Create a welcoming and inclusive environment
o Very friendly and welcoming front desk staff
o Create a discrimination-free environment (everyone,
regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, class, race,
religion etc. should feel welcome and safe)
o Build a beautiful atmosphere with a community garden and
shrubs at the exterior of the hub. The interior should include
quality furnishings, colourful murals, natural light and open
windows
Provide paid employment opportunities for residents as well as
volunteer opportunities
Develop programs and services designed to be entry points for new
people (i.e. “bring a friend” day)
Accessible hub, including extended weekly hours (including
weekends)
Create a diverse space and services to attract various people from
various cultures, ethnicities, etc. (i.e. immigrant services)
Outreach to community and citywide
More self-prepared (not agency-run) surveys, outreach to the
broader community/neighbourhood
Utilize internet and social media tools for promotion and outreach
purposes
o sharing links and advertisements
o mass emails and text messages
How do we attract and ensure the agencies
involved are what the community needs?
11 Brant Community Hub
Distribute community comment/input boxes throughout community
and neighbourhood including churches, day care centres, libraries,
etc.
Communicate with pro-bono/volunteer agencies
Offer tax write-offs for agency involvement
Monthly community socials
o Meal prep & dine
o Potlucks & class
o Recipe swaps
o Parent/child classes
Increase size and voice of hub
committee & leadership team/ decision-
makers (community member voice) via
outreach various strategies
Agency appreciation events
(accessible and flexible) with hand-made gift
giving
Examples of Community agencies suitable
for the community needs:
Family & Children
Services
Women & Crises
Ontario Works (OW)
Canadian Mental Health
Association (CMHA)
Guelph Community Health Centre (GuelphCHC) Nurse
practitioner
Dental clinics
Childcare/Before & After school programs
Financial literacy specialists
Cooking & Nutrition experts
Seniors clubs
Second chance/employment services
12 Brant Community Hub
Various lessons provided
o Music
o Cooking (cultural dishes and meals-on-a-budget)
o ESL (English as a Second Language) classes
o Art/Crafts
o Parenting
o Babysitting
o Bridges out of Poverty
Previous meetings with Greenspace committee were “ok”
Finding common ground is challenging
Could we find someone neutral to mediate?
What is the goal of the Greenspace Committee?
o They want to be heard and they do not
want the hub in the park
Our worries?
o 150 of them will delegate against us
o Their voice could be louder
o Their concern is about more than
greenspace
o They do not appear open to listening
or wanting to come to an agreement
Suggestions for working together:
Focus on engaging seniors (highest
proportion of senior in the city) because they are
not feeling heard
Provide concrete/credible information about
impact on property values (implement further research)
How can we work together with the greenspace
committee?
13 Brant Community Hub
Deliver training sessions for both groups on healthy communication
(speaking and active listening)
Have joint meetings with an open dialogue
Offer information packages
o Outline positive attributes and incentives of community hub
o include percentage of space and neighbourhood boundaries
with visual map of shared understanding for both parties
Create/offer neutral messenger/space
Verify whether City of Guelph or others are potential communication
barriers and ensure that all barriers are removed
Good food is more than just
fuel, it’s love -food is social,
gathering, culture preserving
and nurturing
Create a community garden
open for everyone
Provide access too clean,
affordable food that does not
negatively impact health (sensitive to digestive system, high blood
pressure, diabetes and cholesterol)
Food justice – ensure food is affordable and available for all income
levels or financial abilities
Develop nutrition and community cooking programs (Wandering
Chefs)
Look to other models to support food programming in the
community that is inclusive and uplifting and brings people together
how can we make food a driver for social change?
How can youth be included in the development and
what type of youth programming can we visualize?
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Create a safe and inclusive environment
o Safe talking spaces for youth to discuss their lives/struggles
o A space where youth can socialize and hang-out (rather than at
Tim Hortons or the mall)
Life skills building sessions
o Anger management
o Cooking
o Career counselling/preparation
o Financial literacy
Assign youth responsibilities and input creativity
Coaching and support for sports-related activities and teams
Subsidies available for all-types of recreational and sports
administration fees, equipment, etc.
Subsidized summer, winter and March break camps (with flexible
schedules – full days and/or half days)
Cooling and heating spaces
Create a cool and relaxing interior atmosphere (calming décor,
artwork)
Offer yoga/tai chi programs
Childcare services
Sexual health services
24hr youth crisis support and counselling services for youth and
families (information & referral to community resources)
No age restrictions for participation in programming
Afterschool programs and peer-to-peer learning/homework supports
Collective kitchen for youth (early afternoon or evening cooking
programs)
An ice rink built annually by community members
How do we include seniors?
15 Brant Community Hub
Create a welcoming and inclusive environment
Raise awareness about the opportunity of the hub for the community
and particularly for seniors
Provide activities accommodating to older adult needs and wants to
increase engagement and involvement
o Community room for seniors
o Game rooms (shuffle board, bingo, volleyball)
Build a safe and accessible building
o Parking lot with accessible parking lots, ramps, walkways
o Ensure hub floors are clean and dry (non-slip)
Conclusion
The Brant Hub community-led discussion generated an array of significant
and diverse conversations. People believe that the success of a community
hub lies in the power of community-based leadership, intervention,
engagement, participation and collaboration.
The valuable community feedback and input generated from the discussion
will be a roadmap throughout the process of developing the long-awaited
Brant Hub. Stay tuned.