It’s been a long delay. I’ve been very busy building on this idea and this email is a summation of it’s current state. Conceptually the project has ballooned in my mind and then contracted into bite sized pieces. I’ll use this email to explain where things are at.
A guiding principal important to mention again:
The School board cannot speak for the future of Tytler school. The accommodation review is nearing completion. Tytler may close as soon as 1 year from September. If Tytler school (or Sacred Heart or any structure) is re-designated it will automatically have to upgrade all utilities and layouts to current building codes and any initiative will be dead in the water.
Strategy is:
To create programming inside the existing Tytler structure beginning this September. If the programming has a strong response from the community then the school board may allow the structure to continue it’s activities under it’s current designation. The long view will see both day use and night use of the space. 2 Rivers will continue to keep their space. If the space becomes unavailable then the initiative finds another home in the Ward. The important thing is that it begins sooner rather than later.
Updates:
* MPP Frank Valeriote is championing the initiative and sees opportunities for siloing community services under 1 roof. This is an attractive feature to the City of Guelph. Frank is lending his political capital toward fast-tracking the non-profit status.
* The initiative has partnered with The University of Guelph’s department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition. Tentatively beginning in the fall of 2010, the department will begin a socio-economic/cultural impact survey of St. Patrick’s Ward. The initiative will employ volunteer social-worker undergrads to run programming as part of their practicum placement. The centre becomes a family studies lab where students apply cutting edge theory to real-life subjects. The faciility is a revolving door with ongoing vested interest in the programming. The long view sees a follow up impact study that illustrates the ‘real-data’ effects that the centre has on the community. The data is then utilized by other communities to scale the model up or down based on their communities unique needs.
* Moon Heath has partnered with the initiative to provide legal services pro bono toward the articles of incorporation.
* Within 15 years, Guelph’s population will grow to 180,000. Much of that growth will occur in the downtown core and in St. Patrick’s Ward in particular. 21% of that growth will be new Canadians. I met with Immigration Services at city hall to learn what the needs are. ESL is #1. Employment Services is #2.
* The Guelph Mercury has offered it’s resources as a media partner.
* Sustainable Energy architect, Lloyd Grinham is entertaining the idea of taking on the eventual ‘greening up’ of the community centre in future. The renovated structure (with the help of the Canadian Auto Workers Association’s ‘Social Justice Fund’) will become wheelchair accessible, will capture solar energy and collect grey water for toilet and laundry use.
* Ann Pappart from the mayors office is following up with the Fusion Youth & Technology Centre to acquire the particulars of their financial structure.
* Several folks have been appointed to the board of directors. The board will begin to meet regularly after the articles of incorporation have been submitted for approval for non-profit status.
More to come…
Programs currently slated for September:
Community Living Project
In partnership with Guelph Community Living, the initiative brings 12 to 18 year olds into the teaching kitchen to cook 20 meals for 20 clients identified by Community Living (located at 85 Neeve Street apartments). These clients are elderly and largely diabetic with special dietary needs. The meal plan has been designed by chef, Adam Calzonetti to suit these needs. The meals are delivered to the clients and the kids also get to eat what hey prepare.
Guitar Night
The initiative fundraises to purchase 10 Canadian made Simon & Patrick acoustic guitars at a dealer price. 1 night a week there is an open lesson for beginners aged 12 – 18. The guitars remain on premises for Tytler teachers and students to utilize through out the day. If kids want to own their own instrument they will be guided through a fundraising program that sees them utilizing the contacts in their own social/family circles.
ESL
In partnership with Canadian ESL innovator, Judy Thompson, the centre offers 1 night a week with free ESL for adults with childcare provided by the University of Guelph’s Family Relation and Applied Nutrition undergraduates. This program is targeted for eventual day use of the centre but will run as a pilot experiment.
Job Fair
Twice a year the centre will host a job fair to help strengthen the community through exposure to employment opportunities
Brick by Brick
In partnership with Lego and Tytler Public School the initiative will participate in a meet the teacher night in the fall. Following a shared meal prepared by the senior family studies students of Ross CVI, a ‘lego ambassador’ will lead parents and students in a massive group build in the gymnasium. The goal to create a replica scale model of the building that can be on display for the kids to admire.
Information Night/Benefit
Sometime in the next 8 months the initiative will host a public forum. The evening will be 1 part presentation with visuals and speakers and 1 part concert. Broken Social Scene, The Arcade Fire and Jim Guthrie have all been approached to perform and are considering it (all have a meaningful attachment to Guelph and the Ward in particular). Members of government, local business, corporate interest and members of the public will all be in attendance to unveil the fully realized vision of the St. Patrick’s Ward Community Initiative. The event will kick-start fundraising efforts and bring collective ownership of the initiative to the greater community at large. NC
