Fall Newsletter 2009

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Fall 2009 English Issue

 

Welcome to the Fall 2009 Issue of the Canadian CED Network's e-newsletter for the Ontario Region, your information resource on the latest news and projects in CED in Ontario.

Please contact us with your comments, or if you would like to be added or removed from our mailing list by emailing amorello@ccednet-rcdec.ca.

In This Issue

 

 

1. Enjoy the Season, Eat Local

It's hard to believe that we are already well into another fall season again, especially with the summer (or lack thereof) that we had this year.  Most of us feel cheated by what nature gave us as far as summer weather goes.  But let’s not dwell on the past, or things that are out of our control.  Autumn is here, the leaves are vibrant, the air is crisp, and thankfully us here in Ontario can take advantage of the abundance of delicious local food.    Squash and pear soup, roasted parsnips, stews, casseroles, the list of things to make with items grown or produced locally goes on and on.  And as much as I love the hot summer days, there is really something to be said about walking into a warm kitchen with something hearty and delicious on the go. And let’s not forget, when we buy and eat locally grown and produced foods, we're also supporting our local economies and reducing carbon emissions.  For more information on eating local, and for a nice list farmer's markets, please visit Green Ontario: Eat Green! 

 

2. Accelerated Access - A Success Story 

 The PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise in Thunder Bay works with women to start or grow small businesses. PARO Circles are groups of women who provide mentorship to each other, and through these circles (30+ to date) also have access to peer loans from $500 to $5,000. Through PARO’s Accelerated Access consulting project, we share what we’ve learned in growing and supporting our Circles through "train the trainer" sessions and customized materials for other CED groups. 

One successful partnership that has been developed is between Accelerated Access and the Hamilton Social Enterprise Network. The Hamilton Social Enterprise Network is pivotal to promoting the strategy of CED in Hamilton as an innovative approach to strengthening the local economy and community. The “Childcare Micro-Enterprise Project” is one initiative of the Social Enterprise Network and the Hamilton Social Planning and Research Council, and to date has been very active in bringing together community partners, including Today’s Family and the St. Joseph Immigrant Women’s Centre, to build a peer- lending program for women in the community.

One of the key learnings that PARO is sharing with the Social Enterprise Network as they develop their peer lending program is the importance of nurturing circles and providing the framework and tools necessary for women to feel connected both to the circle as well as to their host organization. Through the development of circle by-laws, group development training materials, and loan application procedures, women have the infrastructure and support they need to grow their circle and their businesses. It is really the sense of ownership and commitment that women feel to each other that enables the circle to function as an effective means for peer lending.

If you’re interested in learning more about peer lending and how this could be a tool to enhance your current CED programs for women, please visit PARO online at www.paro.ca, or contact Stacia Kean or Suzanne Tighe at 807.625.0328. 

 

3. Federal Economic Development Agency Looks to Strengthen Non-Profit, CED Activities

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)is providing more than $1 billion over the next five years for programs that will support economic and community development, innovation, and economic diversification.  Funding for the first year will be approximately $206 million and will provide contributions to communities, businesses and non-profit organizations.  As the agency moves forward, one of its focuses will be strengthening community economic development activities.  The Southern Ontario Development Program, The Eastern Ontario Development Program, The Community Futures Program, The Economic Development Initiative, and The Community Adjustment Fund are the five FedDev programs that focus on strengthening Southern Ontario’s communities.  Please click on one of the program names for more information about that specific program. 

For more information on FedDev, and for eligibility criteria and application forms, please visit the FedDev Ontario website.       

 

4. CreateAction: The Canadian CED Network’s National Internship Program

CreateAction, the Canadian CED Network's CED Work Experience Program, is the only national internship program that provides paid learning opportunities for young people to do community economic development in their own communities.  Funded by Service Canada, the program is meant to give a six-month work experience placement to out of school, post-graduate youth who have a career focus in CED. 

Please take a few minutes to read a bit about the Ontario-based interns.

If you would like more information about CreateAction, please click here or email the CreateAction Program Coordinator, Matthew Thompson.

Chantale Desjardins (Hearst Economic Development Corporation – Hearst, ON) was born and raised in Hearst, Ontario.  She graduated from Collège Boréal in 2000 as a forestry technician.   Chantale has worked with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for 3 years, 2 years as an Ontario Living Legacy  intern creating new parks for Ontario, and 1 year as a Global Information System  technician.  In the last 5 years she has worked as a greenhouse technician at La Maison Verte producing tree seedlings for reforestation and developing their website.  With the current forest industry crisis Chantale is interested in developing local solutions in her community.  She is currently working with the Hearst Economic Development Corporation and the Canadian CED network as an intern.

Richard Adlington-Johnson (The Canadian CED Network – Ottawa, ON) is a recent graduate of Carleton University where he received a BA (Hons.) in Mass Communication and is currently interning at the Canadian CED Network’s Ottawa office.  At Carleton, his interest in CED and social enterprises arose from academic exposure to the field.  Through his internship, Richard hopes to engage in the intricacies of CED. Though he plans to attend law school in the near future, Richard intends to stay close to the CED community.

Izabela Wozniczka (PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise – Thunder Bay, ON) originally came to Canada to study English. After completing her undergraduate degree she moved to Asia to pursue her childhood dream: to study Martial Arts. After almost 2 years away Izabela decided to return to Canada to be closer to family and friends and settled in Thunder Bay where she recently graduated from Lakehead University with a Master`s in Environmental Studies (MES). For her MES research project she studied how communities in Northern Ontario are affected by the creation of Parks Canada’s first National Marine Conservation Area on Lake Superior and how they can create tourism opportunities related to their natural resources, using community economic development. Currently Izabela is working with PARO to develop tools that will help women get out of poverty. In her spare time, Izabela loves spending time with her family, publishing papers, volunteering with her community and practicing Tae Kwon Do.

David McLean (The Canadian CED Network) is a graduate of Carleton University, where he studied commerce with a focus in international business. Experience in the non-profit sector includes working for the Heart and Stroke Foundation where David recruited schools to participate in the organization's youth programs. David is very interested in global political issues and enjoys playing hockey in his spare time. 

 

5. Northern Network Strategizes Approach to Forest Tenure Consultations

Northern Ontario CED Network members participated in a teleconference in September, focusing their attention on the forest tenure consultations being held across the region by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, and Forestry (MNDMF).  Participants of the meeting shared knowledge and ideas with one another around the community-based forestry model, with an emphasis on how northern communities and residents were being affected by the current tenure models in place, and how shifting towards community ownership could help transform the region.  The group also discussed the possibility of meeting with various municipalities throughout the North, raising awareness of the benefits of community-owned forests. 

To date, feedback from those attending the consultations has been positive, although there has been concern expressed around the need for various solutions with a more localized focus.  Nonetheless, there appears to be broad agreement that the community-based approach deserves the attention of MNDMF.

Working with partners at Lakehead, Laurentian, and Algoma University, The Northern CED Network is currently involved in a Community University Research Alliance (CURA) project.  Although still in its early stages, this CURA looks to focus on transitioning to resilient to communities in the north.
 

6. Aviva Community Fund Competition Looking for Innovative Ideas

Do you have a great idea that could have a lasting impact on your community?  We're sure you do, and here is your chance to share in $500,000 to see your idea realized through the Aviva Community Fund competition. 

Open until November 29th, the competition is looking for innovative ideas from Canadians that are looking to make a positive change in their community.  But maybe you're having a mental block and can't think of anything right now.  Thankfully, that doesn't exclude you from this competition as you can still participate by voting online for your favorite ideas.

Please click here for more info or to submit your idea. 

 

7. Regional Consultations Identify Sector Issues and Barriers

The Canadian CED Network, in partnership with The Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) and the Ontario Social Economy Roundtable (OSER), have recently concluded several province-wide regional consultations.  Engaging with various community organizations, practitioners, and interested individuals, the three partner organizations facilitated conversations on the common issues and barriers facing Ontario’s various unique communities.  Many of the findings coming out of these consultations will provide the strategic framework for a policy paper that will be brought to the Ontario government on how to improve the effectiveness of the social economy in Ontario. 

Look for updates on the findings in upcoming newsletters.  And a big thank you to all those who have attended and participated in the regional consultations.
      

8. St. John's Bakery Featured On CBC Metro

 On October 12th, Hilva Tzavaras from St. John's Bakery in Toronto  sat down with CBC Metro Morning guest host Karen Horsman to talk about the bakery and its social mission.    While the bakery is known for their organic artisan breads and sweets made in the traditional French method, Tzavaras explained that the enterprise also works with those most disadvantaged in our society.  By employing individuals who are recovering from various personal issues, St. John's Bakery allows these people the opportunity to enter or re-enter the work world and become contributing members of the community.  And for Tzvavaras, when it comes to community, we're all in it together.  There is no 'us and them' mentality.  It is through this belief that St. John's Bakery continues to build an inclusive community that recognizes the dignity and value of each person. 

To hear the full interview with Hilva Tzavaras, please click here.

Click here to visit the St. John's Bakery website.

St. John's Bakery is owned and operated by St. John's The Compassionate Mission.

 

9. We Want to Hear From You

Do you have an interesting idea for a newsletter article?  Would you like your organization to be featured in our next edition? 

We're always looking for ways to make our newsletters more interesting to more people.  If you have a great idea for an article, or would like to share some interesting information about your organization or something that's happening in your community, then we'd love to hear from you. 

Please email Adam Morello with any ideas, articles, etc., that you may have.

 

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