information update · syed-hamid yazdani, community developer a large number of young families from...

OUR Vision: To be the best place in Canada to raise a child, promote innovation, engage citizens and provide diverse economic opportunities.

OUR Mission: WE provide quality public service that contribute to a healthy, safe and prosperous community, in a sustainable manner. OUR Values: Accountability, Cost Consciousness, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Innovation, Leadership, Respect and Teamwork

INFORMATION UPDATE

TO: Mayor and Members of Council

DATE: February 23, 2015

SUBJECT/REPORT NO: Neighbourhood Action Strategy - Newsletter Volume 7 (City Wide)

WARD(S) AFFECTED: City Wide

SUBMITTED BY: Joe-Anne Priel General Manager Community & Emergency Services Department

SIGNATURE:

Since January 2013, the Neighbourhood Action Strategy has prepared a newsletter on a quarterly basis to facilitate sharing of information across the Corporation and neighbourhoods. Each issue highlights the work of our partner organizations, local neighbourhood achievements and information that will help staff, partners and neighbourhoods to stay informed. Volume 7, the first update for 2015 is attached as Appendix A. Should you have any questions regarding the Neighbourhood Action Strategy, please contact Suzanne Brown, Manager Neighbourhood Action Strategy at ext. 4711.

NEIGHBOURHOODACTION STRATEGYNEWSLETTERFEBRUARY 2015 | VOLUME 7

Hamilton Best Start has also partnered with Neighbourhood Ac on Strategy, Public Health Services, community planning teams and many other partners with a goal of increasing awareness and uptake of the Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The CLB, a federal grant, enables low-income families to begin saving for a child’s educa on – even when they are unable to make any contribu ons.

In 2014 Canada Learning Bond Task Force held fi ve CLB events in the GALA, Davis Creek, Rolston, McQuesten, and Jamesville neighbourhoods. As a result of the events, 286 children have registered for the Canada Learning Bond.

With the help and support of neighbourhood planning teams, events will be held in six neighbourhoods through 2015.

To learn more visit www.HamiltonBestStart.ca

Hamilton Best Start recognizes the importance of being neighbourhood-based and responsive to the specifi c needs of families across the city. Over the years, our partners have developed innova ve, family-centred programs, and services to meet the needs of families and children from birth to 12 years of age.

Some of these programs and services include:

• Ontario Early Year Centres (OEYC): OEYC’s provide a range of paren ng, health and educa onal resources and supports for children from prenatal to six years.

• Parent and Family Literacy Centres (PFLCs): PFLC’s are school-based programs for you and your child aged birth to six that run during the school day. Literacy Centres are FREE to a end and no registra on is required.

• Check it Out Drop-In Clinics (CIO): Check It Out drop-in clinics run at diff erent loca ons throughout the City where parents can ask ques ons about their child’s health and development. All parents with children from birth to six years of age can a end. CIO’s are FREE and no registra on is required.

Community Development Staff Contact Information

How we partner to make Hamilton the Best Place to Raise a ChildHamilton Best Start is about children, families, communi es and connec ons, and the future.

PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS

Sunil Angrish, Community Animator (Ward 2) .........................................289-689-3330 .............. [email protected] Braithwaite, Community Developer (Jamesville& Beasley) .......905-746-2382 .............. [email protected] Cherkewski, Community Animator (Ward 2) ...................................905-527-0479 .............. [email protected] Derbyshire, Community Developer (Keith & City Wide).................905-818-1713 .............. [email protected] Kloosterman, Community Developer (Sherman & Davis Creek) ......905-516-6383 .............. [email protected] Ryan, Community Developer (McQuesten & Rolston)....................905-317-1791 .............. [email protected] Saad, Community Developer (Crown Point & S nson) ....................905-522-1148 Ext. 0 .... [email protected] Yazdani, Community Developer (Riverdale&GALA) ..............289-489-7700 .............. [email protected] Zeb, Community Developer Assistant (Riverdale) ..........................289-400-4612 .............. [email protected]

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Appendix A Page 1 of 8

GALA • Birch Avenue Green Space • Spring Picnic & Clean up • Film Screening Red Light Green Light • GALA/Sherman BBQ • Mason Jar Meals • Housing Informa on Event • All Candidates Mee ng with Sherman and Crown Point • GALA Blooms • Socials for Seniors • Halloween Fair • Youth Peace Photo Project • GALA Business Cards Jamesville • Joint Neighbourhood Associa on Meet ‘n Greet • Chinese Senior Dance • Li le Free Library • Next Step for Youth Engagement Event Keith • Easter Event • Family Day Event • Fresh Fruit Forever Plan ng • Mom’s Group and more • Newsle er & distribu on • LocalMo on/community engagement • BBQ and Corn Roast • Winterfest McQuesten • Youth Opportunity Creators/Mighty Opportuni es Fair• McQuesten Crawl • Martha Movers Block Party • McQuesten Movie Night Riverdale • Women’s Tea and Social • Insurance - DiCenzo space • Youth Basketball Tournament • August Mul -Cultural Event • Christmas Holiday Celebra on

For more informa on about small grants you can visit the SPRC website at www.sprc.hamilton.on.ca

Neighbourhood Action Strategy Small Grants Funding Renée Wetselaar, Social Planning and Research CouncilSenior Social Planner/Manager Neighbourhood Ac on Strategy

The provision of funding for resident-led ini a ves in specifi c neighbourhoods began in 2002 with the “Growing Roots…Strengthening Neighbourhoods” program, led by the Hamilton Community Founda on. Since then small grant funding became part of the Tackling Poverty Together ini a ve and more recently the Neighbourhood Ac on Strategy. The Hamilton Community Founda on now provides funding for 8 neighbourhoods/hubs in the city: Crown Point, Riverdale, Davis Creek, McQuesten, Sherman, GALA (Gibson/Lansdale), Jamesville and Keith. The City of Hamilton also provides small grants funding to S nson and Beasley, with Rolston to be included this year. In the past, administra on of the small grants funding was handled by diff erent agencies who acted as the “lead” for the neighbourhood/hub. This role has now been consolidated with the Social Planning & Research Council of Hamilton (SPRC) as part of their par cipa on and support to the Neighbourhood Ac on Strategy. The primary purpose of the small grants is to have funding available to encourage and facilitate resident engagement in the neighbourhoods/hubs. Secondly, we wanted to make the decision making process about the use of the small grants be the responsibility of the Community Planning Teams. A maximum of $5,000 is available for small grant funding to each neighbourhood over a one year period. If the full amount is not used in the year it is given, the neighbourhood/hub can hold over what is remaining and funding will be provided to “top up” to the $5,000 amount. Each small funding grant request cannot exceed $1,500. Last year, Building Momentum, a fundraiser of the City Manager raised an addi onal $1,700 for each of the 11 neighbourhoods. Highlights of small grant projects in 2014 include:

Crown Point • Friends of Belview Park Extreme Makeover Celebra on Event• Pipeline Trail and pop up parke e event • Giving Closet Free Clothing Store • All Candidates mee ng with GALA and Sherman

Davis Creek • Easter Egg Hunt • St. Andrews Tenant Assoc. Tool Lending Library • Sir Wilfrid Laurier Parent Council Haunted House Event• CATCH Christmas Party • Winter Discovery Fun Event

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WE CARE, WE SHARE: A Malayalam lamp illuminating RiverdaleSyed-Hamid Yazdani, Community Developer

A large number of young families from Kerala, an Indian state with a 93.91% literacy rate, have migrated to Hamilton in the past fi ve years. The families, many of whom live in the Riverdale area, gather once a month in one of their residen al apartment buildings. Each of them shares informa on they have received in terms of job opportuni es, health care, educa on, licensing requirements, and anything that helps the group. This monthly get together helps the new Kerala immigrants in Riverdale ease their struggle of se ling down in their newly adopted country. They also aim to strengthen their cultural es and keep their mother tongue Malayalam alive in Canada.

Prominent Kerala community members; Saji Kollanthara, Benji Phiip, Biju Thomas and their friends off er voluntary assistance to expand the prac ces of this group to new Kerala immigrants living in other parts of the city of Hamilton. They conducted their fi rst ever networking event on December 27th at the Dominic Agos no Riverdale Community Centre in Hamilton. This cultural event started with the delicious ethnic food and a facebook group “HAMILTON MALAYALEE ORUMA” was launched by ligh ng the tradi onal Kerala style lamp. Another interes ng segment of the event was singing and music. The par cipants of all ages not only presented Malayalam music but also English songs.

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

About 50 families a ended this event. Mr. Syed-Hamid Yazdani, Community Developer for Riverdale Neighbourhood explained the role and goals of the Riverdale Community Planning Team, SPRC and the Neighbourhood Ac on Strategy. He welcomed the Kerala community members on behalf of the local Planning Team and invited them to par cipate in the various resident-led ini a ves to help make the Riverdale area more vibrant with its mul culturalism. Mr. Syed Yazdani also invited the Kerala community to join the Riverdale Community Planning Team mee ngs and encouraged them to take advantage of the programs and services off ered at the Riverdale Community Centre by the City of Hamilton.

Local media CHCH news and Stoney Creek News has covered this event that helped the new immigrants living in the other parts of the city to know about this group and its services. The organizers are planning to con nue such gatherings every month with the support of Riverdale Planning Team and the management of the Domenic Agos no Riverdale Community Centre.

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The Sunset Cultural Garden is a collabora on of a number of community groups joining together to build a Chinese cultural garden adjacent to the Simcoe Street Tot Lot (parke e) at the corner of Bay Street North and Strachan Street. The Friends of the Parke e managed to preserve one acre of green space from a proposed condo development. The Parke e was then adopted through the City of Hamilton’s Adopt-A-Park program. The Jamesville Community Plan iden fi ed a desire from the Chinese community to have a cultural garden in their neighbourhood. This led to a proposal being submi ed for Par cipatory Budge ng 2013 and a successful grant of $10,000. Through the Jamesville Hub connec ons were made between the Adopt A Park group and the Chinese Community which led to the crea on of the Sunset Cultural Garden.

Venni Gardens owner and landscape architect Candy Venning and landscaper Simon Mangan contributed their me and exper se which allowed for Sunset Cultural Garden to be expanded from a perimeter garden to complete landscape design for the Parke e. Our goal

is that the Sunset Cultural Garden will become a beau ful addi on to the City of Hamilton, with appeal both for the local and city-wide residents plus as a draw for tourists visi ng Bayfront Park.

Knowing that our budget was extremely limited we began the gardens on Sunday, October 5th with our BIG DIG. Rounding up between 2 and 3 dozen volunteers from the neighbourhood and students from the Chinese community, we li ed sod and dug out the two giant ovals and expanded perimeter garden. Each oval stretches 80 feet in length. The total garden size is roughly 3000 sq. . A er the dig out, we added ‘Nincompoop’ soil and city compost and roto lled all together in prepara on for next spring. We have since reconfi gured the plants in the perimeter garden and added 500 bulbs for a profusion of spring colour.

We are now at a point where we are working to garner all the partnerships and resources required in advance of fi nal implementa on this spring. Our goal is to complete the garden in advance of the Pan Am Games in July 2015.”

Sunset Cultural Garden Brandon Braithwaite, Community Developer, Neighbourhood Ac on Strategy

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McQuesten Urban Farm UpdateAdam Watson, Project Manager

The development of the McQuesten Urban Farm has ramped up over the past few months with many ac vi es planned for early 2015.

As the new Project Manager, I will be working with the McQuesten Neighbourhood throughout 2015 to realize the design and construc on of the farm site with the goal of having the site opera onal by the spring of 2016.

In early December, members of the McQuesten Urban Farm Commi ee par cipated in a tour of two Toronto urban agriculture sites - Fresh City Farms and The Stop at Wychwood Barns. The tour was given by the operator of Fresh City Farms and the architect of Wychwood Barns and it provided many valuable ideas for the building and opera on of the urban farm.

A monthly farm newsle er has been launched which is being distributed to approximately 300 homes around the farm site. The purpose of the newsle er is to keep the neighbourhood up to date on ac vi es happening on the site and to promote greater engagement and ownership of the project by the neighbourhood.

The hiring process for a community animator for the farm has been completed. Kelly McKinney is the successful candidate and she brings a wealth of experience in engaging people around food and gardening from her work with the Hamilton Farmers Market Community Kitchen and children’s gardening camps. This posi on will run from February 2015 to March 2016 and will focus on increasing community engagement at the urban farm and oversee the volunteer ac vi es of Hamilton Victory Gardens at the site. The posi on will be administered by SPRC and was made possible through funding received from the Hamilton Community Founda on and Partners for Places/Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communi es.

The community design process for the farm site will commence in February with a fi nal design ready by the end of March. A stakeholder commi ee of McQuesten residents, City staff , community developers and services providers will work with the design consultant to create a plan for the farm that incorporates the ideas and priori es iden fi ed by neighbourhood residents into a tangible design that will provide the basis for construc on ac vi es on the site.

Staff and residents con nue to meet with various non-profi ts, service providers and resident groups to discuss possible partnerships and future involvement at the McQuesten Urban Farm.

McQuesten Urban Farm Commi ee members on-site at Fresh City Farms and Wychwood Barns, Toronto. 5


STAY IN TOUCHNeighbourhood Newspapers and Newsletters

Beasley

Newsletter/Newspaper:

Newsle er

Timelines/ Requirements:

No schedule. Please contact Paul Elia.

Contact: Paul Elia [email protected]

Crown PointNewsletter/Newspaper:

The PointDeliver 9000 copies to every home and business in Crown Point.


Distribu on: Published 6 mes a year: February 1, April 1, June 1, August 1, October 1, December 1.Submission Deadline: For ar cle & ad submissions, one month in advance of the publica on date. Submission Details: Submissions wri en in a very readable format, with pictures, no more than 500 words. Rare excep ons made to print longer ar cles. Word docs are best. Prefer the pictures to have cap ons. Everyone (except our delivery crew) is a volunteer at ‘The Point’ and as such usually takes a bit of me for a return message/phone call. See ‘The Point’ Media Kit for details.

Contact: Nelly Sinclair 289-921-0107 [email protected] sing: Nelly [email protected] cles: Cynthia contac [email protected] ps: [email protected]

GALANewsletter/Newspaper:

The GALA HeraldHand-deliver to more than 5200 residences and 300 commercial proper es.

Timelines/Requirements:

Distribu on: Published 6 mes a year: January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December. Delivered by amazing volunteers the last two weeks of the month, to deliver before GALA mee ngs (the fi rst Saturday of the month).Submission Deadline: The fi rst Monday of the month prior to publica on. For Ads only, reserve space at the beginning of the month (preferably on the 1st) prior to publica on. Copy of ad to be sent by the 15th of the month prior to publica on. Submission Details: Format (WORD or PDF document), Word document preferred. 250-500 words. Considera on made for longer submissions based on content and space. Forma ng is not a concern. Ads to be in PDF or TIFF format in some cases, we can help build the ad (no charge for this service). Cost for Ads: business card $50, double business card $80, quarter page $125, third page horizontal $150, half page horizontal $200. See GALA adver sing agreement.

Contact: Content: Laura Farr, Editor 289-439-4755 [email protected] sing: Brenda Duke [email protected]

KeithNewsletter/Newspaper:

Keith Chronicle


Distribu on: Published 4 mes a year: the last week of January; then the fi rst week of June, August and November. Submission Deadline: 3 weeks prior to publishing.Submission Details: Submissions to be in Microso Word. Cost for Ads: based on size of the ar cle usually about $50.00 for 1/3 to ½ a page.

Contact: Gerry Polmanter 905-529-4073 [email protected]

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McQuestenNewsletter/Newspaper:

McQuesten CONNECTIONCopies of the CONNECTION are delivered free of charge to residents of the McQuesten neighbourhood.


Distribu on: Published 3 mes a year: January, May, September.Submission Deadline: January submit by December 13, May submit by April 13, September submit by August 13.Submission Details: Documents up to 300 words in Microso Word (any version). Pictures and logos to be sent in JPEG. The contents of the CONNECTION must be consistent with the mission, vision & values of the McQuesten Community Planning Team. Final decisions about content are made by the Zine team. Submissions (pictures, drawings, stories-up to 300 words) can be sent to: mcquestenconnec [email protected]. Cost for Ads: full page $100.00, half page $50.00, quarter page $35.00, business card $25.00.

Contact: Content: Dyanne Semogas [email protected] sing: Patricia Reid [email protected]: mcquestenconnec [email protected]

ShermanNewsletter/Newspaper:

Sherman Hub NewsDoor to door delivery to 10,000 homes and businesses.


Distribu on: Published on the fi rst of every second month: January 1, March 1, May 1, July 1, September 1, November 1.Submission Deadline: First day of the month prior to delivery month: December 1, February 1, April 1, June 1, August 1, October 1.Submission Details: PDF or JPEG according to the specs provided on the rates sheets. For ar cles, max. 500 words, emailed in a WORD document format, do not double space a er a period, do not double enter for a new paragraph, provide a tle for submission. Cost for Ads: business card $65, 1/8th page $175, banner $300, quarter page $300, half page (horizontal or ver cal) $500, 3/4 page $700, full page $900. See Sherman Hub News adver sing rates.

Contact: Content: Melanie Walther, Editor-in-Chief 416-888-4022 [email protected] Contributors: Kathy Calverley, Managing Editor 289-396-5941 [email protected] DeVisser, Adver sing Manager 905-537-4357 [email protected] Reader, Publisher [email protected] na Rayburn, Events Editor [email protected] Wolfe, Distribu on Manager [email protected] Steve Calverley, Advising Editor [email protected]

StinsonNewsletter/Newspaper:

S nson ‘ZineDelivered door-to-door to every home and business between Wellington and Wentworth from Main to the Escarpment.


Distribu on: Published 6 mes per year: Feb 1, April 1, June 1, Aug 1, Sept 1, Nov 1.Submission Deadline: First day of the month prior to publica on: eg. January 1st for February issue.Cost for Ads: Black & White Ad Size (Width x Height) Cost/Issue: Business Card (3.5” x 2”) Scanned $75, Quarter Page (5” x 2”) High Resolu on JPEG in colour (Your File) $100, Half Page (5” x 4”) High Resolu on JPEG in colour (Your File) $200, Full page (5” x 8”) High Resolu on JPEG in colour (Your File) $300

Contact: Ralph Meiers vicepresident@s nsoncommunity.ca

Neighbourhood Newspapers and Newsletters - cont'd

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Past Present Future

BUILDING MOMENTUM

SHARING COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Celebrate Hamilton’s neighbourhoods as they come alive through cuisine, entertainment, sports, history, achievements and future projects.

THURSDAY, MAY 21ST, 2015

In support of the Neighbourhood Ac on Strategy, you are invited to a endthe 2nd Building Momentum Hamilton event.

Thursday May 21st, 2015 at 3:30 pm to 9:00 pmTim Hortons Field (64 Melrose Avenue North)

Hosted by the City of Hamilton and Sherman Hub,open to all residents of the City of Hamilton.

Ticket and sponsorship details to follow.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Chris MurrayCity Manager, City of Hamilton

Save the PaSHAR

THURSDAY, MAY 2, MAY 22Date

Neighbourhoods Rising

Over the past few months the Neighbourhoods Rising team has been busy connec ng with residents, collec ng interviews and stories to support the Neighbourhoods Rising campaign. Neighbourhoods Rising is an exci ng campaign featuring fi ve documentary shorts, a web portal, and social media campaign. The goal of Neighbourhoods Rising is to build awareness and understanding of the strengths, history, diversity, and cultural ameni es and assets of Hamilton’s neighbourhoods.

This fi rst phase of Neighbourhoods Rising will feature stories of fi ve lower city neighbourhoods: Jamesville, Keith, Sherman, Beasley, and GALA. The documentaries will celebrate each neighbourhood with a focus on the personal stories and perspec ves of residents and local business owners.

MORE TO COME

Neighbourhoods Rising is made possible through the support and generosity of First Ontario Credit Union and the City of Hamilton. Stay tuned for more informa on!

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