12pm to 1pm Eastern Time

The City of Hamilton’s Neighbourhood Action Strategy was created in November 2010 to address health and well-being inequities in Hamilton neighbourhoods. Employing an asset-based community development approach, the Neighbourhood Action Strategy utilizes the greatest resource in any neighbourhood, its residents, to intentionally focus dialogue around the positive things in the community. This innovative strategy blends the foundations of asset-based community development with land use planning to develop resident-led, asset-based Neighbourhood Action Plans that build on local social capital and address the health inequities in eleven Hamilton neighbourhoods. The Neighbourhood Action Plans were developed through an intensive planning process led by a core group of residents and service providers and facilitated by either the Neighbourhood Development Office and a City Planner, or a Community Development Worker. The completed plans present a clear vision for the future and describe projects that are implementable, achievable and have widespread community support. Currently, implementation of the plans are taking place in neighbourhoods, with service providers and city support, but mostly through the hard work and dedication of Hamilton residents.

Register for The Hamilton Neighbourhood Story webinar

About Suzanne Brown

Suzanne Brown is currently the Manager of Neighbourhood Development Strategies at the City of Hamilton, a position she has held since June 2011. Suzanne coordinates the development and implementation of the City of Hamilton’s neighbourhood initiative. Suzanne joined the City of Hamilton in 2013, working in Public Health in program evaluation and chronic disease prevention.

Prior to joining the City of Hamilton, Suzanne spent 8 years at the Social Planning and Research Council as a Senior Social Planner where she was involved in range of social planning activities, from grassroots community development through to community-based research, policy analysis and project development.

Suzanne has a Masters of Social Work in Social Welfare Policy from McMaster University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University.