Community Engagement to support the development of

the Brant Hub

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?

4 Brant Community Hub

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?

6 Brant Community Hub

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?

7 Brant Community Hub

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?

10 Brant Community Hub

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?

14 Brant Community Hub

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.