Around the Block Issue 1

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Issue 1, October 2008

PLEASE TAKE ME, I AM FREE

Celebrating Vibrant Neighbourhoods!

by Wendy MacDermott

What an exciting time in Saint John! This first issue is really a celebration. We have shown that when we all work together we can make miracles happen.

Four months ago a group of us got together and said wouldn’t it be great if we could tell the many great stories waiting to be told in our priority neighbourhoods.

What is a priority neighbourhood? Well in 2005, Vibrant Communities Saint John did some research and found that there were five neighbourhoods in Saint John with a lot of poverty. These neighbourhoods also have mostly renters, older homes, more single parent families, fewer young people who finish high school, and fewer adults with more than a high school education. For a while we called the neighbourhoods ‘vulnerable’, but we heard loud and clear that this was offensive, so we now use the word ‘priority’ instead. The five priority neighbourhoods are a) Crescent Valley, b) the Lower West Side, c) the Waterloo Village Area, d) Deep South End, and e) the Old North End. It is easy to get caught up in talking about the ‘problems’ in the priority neighbourhoods, but we also know lots of residents CHOOSE to stay and live where they do….ok, why? There are many reasons including: strong ties and relationships, the great locations, the beautiful old homes, quiet streets without lots of traffic and the list goes on. This community newspaper is a celebration of the people and the neighbourhoods.

Samantha and Rachel Canada Day on the West Side

We hope residents of the 5 neighbourhoods will feel this is their newspaper and get involved in lots of different ways like contributing stories, pictures, art, helping to produce the paper by helping with layout, distribution, or just reading and sharing the document with friends. Here is your first chance to get involved.

You may have noticed that the front page of our newspaper is a little strange.

We have no name or banner. This was not an accident. We want the community to come up with a name and some artwork that will be on the first page. So put your thinking caps on and send possible names and art to us via email at sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com.

Dancing in the streets in the Old North End

Jennifer Edison, Neighbourhood Assistant, Seacat. email: seacats@live.ca

Neighbours

by Fern Bennett In a time when people are either too busy or too fearful to get to know their neighbour there is a new job to help make it easier to get together, have fun, share ideas, and work to bring about positive differences in your community. It’s called a Neighbourhood Assistant and it’s provided by Vibrant Communities.

The Neighbourhood Assistant position contributes to the work already done by dedicated volunteers. As a volunteer, Juanita Black has been, and continues to be, a leader in her community. She works as a volunteer for the Crescent Valley Community Tenants Association and is impressed with the work of Neighbourhood Assistants. She and other unpaid volunteers work together with paid Neighbourhood Assistants sharing the common goal of caring for the community.

The Tenants Association brings its years of experience and Vibrant Communities provides a name that opens doors. In this way, as Juanita says, they can “get the

South End Days politicians at both ends”.

Lyn King is a regular member on many committees working to bring positive changes to Saint John residents. She has appreciated the addition of Neighbourhood Assistants because they “help leaders come out of the woodwork” and the more brains and resources groups have, the more ideas and variety of actions people can think up. It’s also an asset that Neighbourhood Assistants are residents of the communities they work in. People are more apt to be open to someone in their community and in this way programs and events can be designed to meet what residents ‘actually’ want rather than what outsiders ‘think’ they want.

Neighbourhood Assistants, volunteers, and residents can develop communities that are safe, fun-filled places. So if a Neighbourhood Assistant comes knocking at your door, share some of your ideas for making a positive difference in your community.

Crescent Valley Fun Days

Hiring and Help!

Our Community Newspaper is hiring someone to organize the next 5 issues. We are also looking for submissions of pictures, stories, and art. Contact Wendy at 6930904 or sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail. com with story ideas, if you are interested in working on the paper, or with a Name or Banner Art for the cover.

Vibrant Communities would like to thank all of the neighbourhood volunteers who worked so hard to make this first issue possible. A special thanks to Juanita Black, Lisa Murphy, Tammy Calvin, Ann Barrett and Joe Campbell.

Our paper is unique and each section has a different look, we hope you enjoy it!

Who is ONE Change?

ONE Change

By Tammy Calvin

ONE Change is a community group working to improve the quality of life for those that live in the Old North End. ONE Change was created approximately 5 years ago because the community recognized that the neighborhood youth needed direction. This was a neighborhood in a crisis, the youth were out of control, the police were unsure how to help and residents were afraid to leave their homes.

The first step for the committee was to gather the youth and ask what could be done for them. Their response was they wanted to be acknowledged for the good deeds that they do and they wanted to be able to get away from the neighborhood.

Since that day a Youth Council has been developed with the youth being included in all neighborhood decision making.

Over the past 5 years, ONE Change has been given funding from the Greater Saint John Community Foundation to provide a summer program for the teens ages 12 – 17. The program runs Monday to Friday and includes 3 days of community beautification projects, such as cleaning up the neighborhood, recycling, planting flowers, etc, an educational day and then every Friday an earned trip out of town. Overall the summer program has been a success with the numbers of youth attending on a daily basis growing each year.

The Old North End is now a neighborhood undergoing revitalization. Part of the revitalization is celebrating all the positive things we have in our neighborhood. We celebrate Mothers Day by providing a turkey dinner for the moms served by the youth, each mother is given a rose and a gift bag to show appreciation. For Fathers Day we host a neighborhood soccer baseball game complete with a barbeque and prizes for the dads. Once a year we host Old North End Days which include fun and games for the youth, a movie in the park, street dance, ONE Idol and a community flea market.

For Christmas we host a Xmas party where all the children receive new pajamas and a nice meal.

Part of the success of ONE Change is the community involvement. In order for any change to occur it must come from within the community. The Old North End is a community ready and willing to change. For further information about ONE Change please see our website @ www.theonechange.org or call 635-2035.

NOVEMBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH! The Domestic Violence Community Action Group (DVCAG) of the Greater Saint John area would like to announce that November is Domestic Violence Aware‐ ness Month. Please stay tuned for more information about activities to be held throughout the month via local sources of media, by emailing gilki@reg2.health. nb.ca, or by calling 632‐5616 for more information!

Twas the Night Before Christmas Twas the night before Christmas and all through the neighbourhood all the children are sleeping in their new comfy pajamas.

ONE Change is looking for donations for new pajamas. For the past 2 years we have gathered new pajamas, wrapped them and had Santa distribute them to the neighbourhoods children and teenagers at our annual Twas the Night Before Christmas Neighbourhood Party. Our goal this year is to get 300 pairs of pajamas for children of the Old North End. We are looking for sizes from infant to men’s and women’s small and medium.

Children enjoy opening their gifts from Santa. To make a donation, contact Tammy Calvin at 652-8569.

Royal Canadian Legion Portland #64 57 McLaren Blvd.

Business Wreaths go on Sale Oct 6th Poppy Campaign from Oct 31 to Nov 10

SEACAT South End Area Community Action Team

WHO IS SEACAT?

SOUTH END DAYS Women receive National Award for

By Ann Barrett

By Tammy Garnett, SEACAT member their “Dodging Diabetes in Saint he first annual South End Days was very he South End Area Community Ac- John” Project

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tion Team known as “SEACAT” started meeting in March 2006 with a “Soup at Six” event. Vibrant Communities Saint John, with the help of residents and other community partners, organized the group to deal with poverty. SEACAT has continued to meet monthly at Centenary Queen Square United Church at 215 Wentworth St. Early in 2007 the SEACATs held planning workshops and came up with a vision statement, goals and actions.

One of the goals was to learn about the people who live in the Lower South End using a survey, similar to one done in Crescent Valley. This survey, a 15-page questionnaire, was completed in October 2007. Over 200 residents answered the survey. Residents of the South End and Crescent Valley and other neighbourhoods were trained and went door to door to talk to residents. There are many interesting stories that resulted from trying to find addresses, doing surveys on doorsteps and sitting on beds, getting lost in rooming houses and causing everyone a fright when not returning to the Survey Centre on time.

Lee Chalmers, a professor in the Sociology department of UNBSJ ,with her students’ help, put all the data into a computer system. We now have tons of information about our neighbourhood that is ready for analysis and release. We expect to present the major findings from the survey to the community later this Fall. To peak your interest check out some of the following data showing survey results.

Nearly 60% of residents want to help improve the Quality of Life in the South End.

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by Lisa Wetmore - 632-5623 - wetli@reg2. successful. We had approximately 300 health.nb.ca people come and go throughout the day.

Good times were had by all and we received n June, 12th 2008, our “Dodging Dia- some positive feedback that they liked it. We betes in Saint John” project was se- are now planning for next year with hopes of lected for the Tommy Douglas Celebration getting more volunteers and maybe having of Medicare award! This award celebrates it go on for more than one day, possibly a the excellence and achievement in its ap- weekend event. proach to disease management. Our project had twelve dedicated women from Cres- We had great volunteers that put in the whole cent Valley and the South End. Over a nine day that helped make the day run well. We month period, women from the neighbor- had some great entertainment and activities hoods worked together on this creative proj- for all ages. The dunk tank seemed to reect which was designed to enhance type 2 ally entertain the youth. BINGO of course diabetes prevention and management for entertained the BINGO lovers of the South people in the neighborhoods.

End. We had a BBQ that went good as well.

So lets hope that next year’s second annual The project was funded by the Public Health South End Days goes even better then the Agency of Canada and sponsored by the Ur- first. ban Core Support Network Saint John Inc., in partnership with the St. Joseph’s Commu- Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors nity Health Centre, Atlantic Health Sciences of the event and thank you also goes to the Centre and the Human Development Coun- South End Days committee that gave up cil. The “Dodging Diabetes in Saint John” their evenings to plan this wonderful event. project was jam packed with helpful infor- It is amazing when you see how many peomation, sharing and fun, all the while looking ple actually come out and help out when at solutions for better health for people liv- needed. We would also like to thank everying in a priority neighborhood. Together our one that came to the event that made it a group identified several barriers to health for success. people living in low income. Our members learned about and tested out many tools that could help with healthier living.

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One thing we discovered was that sharing health information with one another in an informal, non-threatening and familiar environment was really helpful. So, the team tested this out in both communities and found that people who came to the sessions really liked it and thought that this was a good way of learning about diabetes prevention.

Well, the Dodging Diabetes Team could not be stopped! We are happy to be back with Most residents (61%) have lived in the SE a new project where many of our Dodging Diabetes team members are becomfor at least 6 years. ing peer leaders. The peer leaders will be Photos of fun at South End Days working hard in their communities to share Top 6 ways to improve the neighbourhood their information and experience with resi1. tear down rundown buildings (77%) dents about how to be healthier and how to 2. better garbage-litter control (73%) prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. You can 3. exterior house renovations (67%) look forward to a Dodging Diabetes session 4. keep vacant lots clean (65%) coming soon to a location near you in the 5. use vacant lots for recreation (64%) community. Please plan on coming out and 6. recreation space for all ages (64%) learning some tools to help you Dodge DiaPlease join us at our next SEACAT meeting, betes. Congratulations to Crescent Valley October 21 at 215 Wentworth St. We have a and South End on receiving such a prestipotluck supper at 6:00 PM with the meeting gious award and for making a difference in beginning at 6:45 PM. Your voice counts. your community’s health. Keep on Dodging!

Help us make plans and improve the South End for all its residents.

Over 80% plan to stay in the area.

Crescent Valley History of Crescent Valley Community Tenants Association

by Janet McLaughlin President, CVCTA In 1990 the Tenants Association was started at 55 MacLaren Blvd. Membership fees are $4.00 if you buy March 31st, after April 1st its $5.00 per family per year.

The Tenants Association has been here to help families out over the years. They have helped moms take their child to Halifax for medical reasons, have helped families if there was a death in the family and they have been here just for everyday problems.

We have tried to keep things safe in the community. One way we’ve done that was to lobby for a guard rail on the corner coming down into MacLaren Blvd.

From there we wrote a letter to Common Council about our sidewalks and seeing about our snow removal along with other things. For many years we have had our Street Light Committee. If a light goes out they call and have it replaced. Now working with the Housing and the City we have better lights in our backyards and front streets.

Criminals can’t hide in well-lit areas.

We also have a lot of other committees like, Honours and Awards, Transportation, Hospitality, Block Parent, Sports, Garden and others. We have a month-to-month calendar of events that we follow and we do bingos every Sunday night. We do special events for the children, like our FUNDAYS where everyone enjoys themselves. But the one thing I must say is that there is no “I” in team work and without the help of our volunteers we could not do it, so thank you to all who helps out, throughout the year.

Jennifer Carhart, Principal - Hazen White St. Francis

The History of the Crescent Valley Community Garden

by Bunny Patterson and Elaine Orser The garden started in 1992 and several trucks loads of topsoil were dumped to make an area 52’ by 70’. Any member of the Crescent Valley Community Tenants Association that wanted to work in the community gar- Grand Opening - Resource Centre den would get vegetables as they grew.

by Shannon Campbell In 1996 another 20’ section was added and it became the children’s garden. They planted and harvested their own vegetables, with a bit of help from their parents. Individual plots started in 2000 in the large section of the garden, and each plot sold for $10.00.

On November 18th 2003 the grass path between the two gardens was tilled to make one garden 53’ by 90’. Each year a raised flowerbed is filled with beautiful flower and plants.

Monday July 14, 2008 was a very exciting day for the Crescent Valley community. The board of directors of the Crescent Valley Resource Centre hosted an official Grand Opening for the community’s new building, located at 130 McLaren Blvd. The event was a huge success. Thanks to all of the individuals (residents, housing workers, board members, staff, and partners) who lent a helping hand to ready the building or donated materials.

Several groups have made financial donations to the Resource Centre: The City of Saint Before the start of the 2006 garden season John, Vibrant Communities Saint John, Cresa baby barn was purchased by the Depart- cent Valley Community Tenants Association, ment of Housing to store all the garden sup- Brunswick Pipelines and Wal-Mart. “People plies. In 2006 we also started the tradition of are so giving in Saint John! They have a skill having someone come and judge the garden for seeing the bigger picture and concentratplots. We have 1st, 2nd 3rd and Honourable ing on what brings us together rather than mention. This year on August 12th Janet what sets us apart. It is a huge honor to be Colwell from Halifax Seed was our judge. a part of this community’s work”, says ShanShe goes up and down every row in every non Campbell, coordinator for the centre. garden, writes comments on all the garden plot charts with suggestion on what needs Another part of the event that day was to be done or should not be done, so we the announcement of the Flemming Court learn from our mistakes. This years winners Park Fundraising Campaign. Two funders are 1st place Dale McLaughlin; 2nd place were recognized for their financial contribuElaine & Karen Orser; 3rd place Mona Go- tions toward this project: The City of Saint din; 4th place Louise Buick; 5th place Pam John and the Greater Saint John ComCrilley and two honourable mentions Domi- munity Foundation. “The committee still nic Lewis and Joe Garland. Congratulations needs to raise a lot of money before this to all the winners. park becomes a reality, but residents and volunteers are busy spreading the work Many garden members will be busy pickling, to encourage more financial partners to canning or freezing their vegetables to en- come on board.” To contact the CV Rejoy them all winter long. At the end of the source Center, call Shannon at 693-8513 season after the garden has been cleared, raked level and tilled, the garden members get together for a wrap up party to celebrate another successful garden year and look forward to next spring.

involved with a community school allows our students to see the good parts of volunteering, while showing them the importance of giving back to the community. I really believe that all students can learn and it’s up to us to provide the best learning environment possible.

Introducing Jennifer Carhart Jennifer Carhart has many years of experience teaching and administrating in elementary and middle schools around the Saint John area including Forest Hills, Westfield School, and Quispamsis Elementary School. She completed her BED at UNB as well as her Masters in Administration from UNB.

Being the Principal at Hazen White St. Francis is an exciting opportunity for me. I have spent the summer being involved with the Crescent Valley Resource Center getting to know the members and the needs of the community. I hope that these relationships that I have developed will help me throughout the year as we work together to make Crescent Valley a better place for all the residents.

I LOVE working with children, am highly motivated, dedicated and energetic. I am looking forward to this opportunity as well as getting to know all the students and their families. I encourage the members of the community to get involved in our school, my door is always open and we can always use an extra hand; be it preparing activities for Kindergarten or making breakfast in the breakfast program, every little bit helps.

“I have a strong belief in the Community Schools program and have found it to be a good way to teach our students while giving It is important that we work together as a school and school community and I am always willing to hear your concerns. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at the school anytime.” them unique learning experiences. Being

Lower West eXPRESS

Issue 1, October 2008

A Hello from your Neighbourhood Assistant by Lisa Murphy My name is Lisa Murphy and I work for Vibrant Communities as the Neighbourhood Assistant (NA) for Lower West Side. I work out of the Carleton Community Center. Since I started in June, great things have been happening in the Lower West Side. I have seen some wonderful changes. We are slowly bringing back the heart and pride of Lower West. As the NA, I have made it my job to ask the residents what they want and need.

I have spoken with many people and have listened to their stories, good and bad. We have brought together seniors, teens, children and young mothers, and have asked them all what it is they need. The NA job is a terrific way to meet people, make contacts, bring people together and most importantly, allow children and parents who normally would not have been able to attend the activities, to attend. Being the NA is a very rewarding job.

The only struggle I have faced with being the NA is time. I wish I had a magic wand and all the time in the world to spend talking with people. I have spoken with seniors who are lonely and all they want is someone to chat with and some company. One lady called me and we spoke for an hour. What a wonderful gift she gave me: the gift of learning about herself and her hardships and how she survived. When we first started talking, she was calling to sign up for a health clinic we were providing, but by the time we were finished talking, I knew the names of her children, her great-grandchildren and she gave me some great ideas on certain programs we should be offering.

One idea for a future program is to have seniors visit with youth and young children, visit with each other, become friends, pen pals, read stories, and learn about each others’ stories. There are events being held all over town, but transportation can be a very big issue for some families, especially when living on a fixed income.

We set up a reading corner and we have children from all over participating. We read stories and do a small craft. Our program runs for one hour. Parents love this. We started out with two children and now we have 11 to 30 children. Now we have 3 moms who volunteer and run the program. It’s wonderful. My reward is seeing children smile and laugh and enjoy listening to stories.

We had an awesome New Brunswick Day BBQ and Yard Sale with 300 people. What an experience that was! All the volunteers and teens helped make it happen. The teens ran games and gave out prizes. We had LOTS AND LOTS of fun!! There were people coming from church services to join our festivities. Everyone commented on how nice it was to see Queen Square used for such a wonderful event. Families were everywhere, laughing, eating, having fun, playing games or dancing to music. Again, what a great event! People had a chance to have fun, ear for free and enjoy a great day. Also, all around the square, neighbours were hauling out tables and having a yard sale. In conclusion, I would say that being NA on the Lower West Side is a very rewarding experience. If you want to get involved or know more, email neighbourhood.asst.lws@gmail.com or call 506-647-6656, or stop by the Carleton Community Center.

Look at all the fun we have at our West Side Events! Thank You to all our Volunteers and Sponsors. Stay tuned for an exciting fall!

West Side P.A.C.T. News

By Mike Peters

“The Mandate of the West Side P.A.C.T. is to inspire our community by reducing crime, revitalizing the area, and improving the quality of life for our friends and neighbors”. For anyone who is unaware, the initials PACT stand for Police and Community Together. We are a nonprofit organization headed by a thirteen-member committee of volunteers from the West Side. Since the grand opening of our community office in August of 2007, the West Side P.A.C.T has hosted several events, from community barbecues and clean ups, to health and wellness fairs.

One of our most successful events of the summer was the Bike Rodeo held at the Carleton Community Centre. Kids from all over the West Side had the opportunity to complete a bike safety course and received an official bike license when they were finished. The Saint John Fire Department was also on hand with their popular Fire Safety Trailer. The Lancaster Kiwanas provided free barbecued hotdogs and pop for everyone. Thanks to donations from the Neighborhood Police Council, State Farm Insurance, the AHSC Trauma Centre, and Canadian Tire, we were able to give two new bicycles and several helmets. We would also like to thank the teens from the Carleton and all the other workers and volunteers who made the event possible. The Bike Rodeo was a great example of the positive things that can happen when the community works together! We have many more exciting plans for the future. Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions on anything you feel is needed in our community. We would be happy to hear from you! You can reach us at 200 Ludlow Street, 693-8735 or by email at westsidep.a.c.t@nb.aibn.com.

The Heart of the Lower West Side by Lacey O’Toole When going door to door asking residents what they considered to be the best thing about the Lower West Side, almost everyone answered by saying the Carleton Community Centre. A main reason why the Carleton Community Centre is viewed so highly in the eyes of West Side residents is because of the vast number of activities and sports that are offered to youth and adults. Some residents went as far as to say that “the West Side would not be the same without the Centre.”

The Carleton was originally an old Community Theatre where people went to watch movies with their friends and family. As years went by, the old theatre was turned into a recreational facility for youth in the West Side. In 1959, the Carleton Community Centre, also known as the Carleton Boys and Girls Club, was born. The Centre has a kitchen, a games room and a gym where sports such as basketball, volleyball, hockey and boxing were played.

The Carleton Community Centre has had some amazing directors over the years who helped make the Centre as great as it is today. The directors include Malcolm Harned (1959-1970), Ron Brothers (1970-1971), Fred Miller (19711997) and Chuck Edison (1997-Present). One event that was started by Fred Miller in 1986 that everyone in the lower West Side knows about and loves, is “West Side Days.” West Side Days has activities and games for people of all ages and has been bringing the community together since its debut. The Carleton has been around for more than 50 years and with the love of the community behind it, will surely be alive for another 50 years and counting. The Carleton Community Centre is truly the heart of the Lower West Side.

NAME ME TRC Programs for Youth 28 Richmond Street 632-5615

Art Madness. Instruction and application of many different art forms throughout the year. Teen Resource Centre, Stephanie Hoellwarth 632-5615 Body Blast. Opportunity to participate in many physical activities, such as: break dancing, basketball, curling, yoga, martial arts, and more.

Gurl Wurld. Females, ages 13-18. Provides girls a safe and respectful environment to talk freely about topics that are of interest to them and to share ideas and experiences.

Hangin’ with the Guys. Males, ages 13-18. Provides opportunity for guys to talk freely about topics of interest and share ideas and experiences.

OASIS. Services for homeless youth, couchsurfing, or those in need. Can get a shower, hot meal, clean clothes, talk to someone, or get help with finding a place to live.

TRC Case Management. Ages 16-24. Allows youth to work with case managers to develop life plans, overcome barriers, and eventually obtain employment.

Youth Engagement. Partnered with Vibrant Communities to get youth involved in their community, develop leadership skills, and be seen as valuable members of their community Roses, Rubbers, and Rainbows. Explores dating, safe and healthy sexuality, and understanding homosexuality.

Draw the Line. Assertiveness training that is fun and interactive for youth Chill. Interactive program that gets youth thinking about causes of stress in their lives and provides them with tools, skills, and info to manage them 634-7720 Got the G.A.M.E. Ages 12-14 and 15-19. Program to help teens understand the triggers that set them off. Helps them with choices for different situations, manage stress, deal with peer pressure, turn negative into positive action, improve self-esteem, and accomplish goals.

Independence Day Ages 16-26. An independent living program for youth to learn budget and apartment hunting skills, nutritional education, job skills, resume building, and others needed to make it on their own.

Resiliency Program looks at how to overcome obstacles in life and how to thrive despite roadblocks placed in the way. It challenges youth to look at different kinds of behaviour in people close to them and in public.

“Work” It Out! Four week program that will assist youth in getting job ready. The program will incorporate all aspects of becoming capable of finding and keeping a job.

YMCA Youth Programs Advanced Teen Weight Training Ages 16 and up. Thurs: 6:30-8:00pm. 5 week course.

Teen Weight Training Ages 12-15. Thurs: 6-8:00pm, 6 week course

Without the following partners, this issue would not have been possible!

A special Thank You to the City of Saint John who has provided funding for the next 6 issues!

The Village Neighbourhood St. Joseph’s Computer Access Centre

Organizing in the Courts

by Wendy MacDermott

BY SARAH WOOLLVEN

In July residents and community partners from the Courts (along Crown St) met to talk about how to improve the neighbourhood. We looked at the great things in the community and here are a few examples: • We are close to everything (Boys and Girls Club, TRC, the YMCA,hair styling, pharmacy, Hospital and Community Health Center, places to work) • We have green space • Neighbours know and care about each other

The Computer Access Centre has been part of Saint Joseph’s Community Health Centre in the uptown area since it opened in 1999. After a lot of hard work and writing of proposals, I am pleased to inform you that we are back open and thriving. Since January we have gained 211 clients and had 1736 client visits.

We have a new computer access centre coordinator; his name is Joseph Campbell and since his arrival life at the centre has definitely changed. We now have 17computers, 3 stations were provided

by CALNET, 3 stations were donated by the Greater Saint John Foundation with a $3,000 grant, and the rest of the stations were given by clients and volunteers. Joe is assisted by several volunteers: myself, Albert Morgan, Mike Morgan, Judith Johnson, Daniel Carter and Justin Vautour and a summer student - Mark Adams.

The access centre is open Tuesday to Friday 11 am to 6 pm and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm.

Some of the services we offer are access to computer software, scanning, printing, resumes & job search, email, GED online, one on one training and group training. I believe that our access centre is more than just a place to use a computer - for many it’s like a home away from home, as some of our clients put in long hours each day and the social benefits for our clients have been great.

We are pleased with the way things are going since we re-opened and we like to think that we are providing a very useful service in the uptown area of Saint John. Please feel free to visit us at 116 Coburg Street or contact us at 632 5545.

TRC Resource Centre for Youth

Learn & Go Working for Change

By Fern Bennett

Join a series of workshops, September 29 – October 17, where you can share ideas, learn skills, make connections, and develop projects for your community.

• The art of listening and sharing • How our stories affect us and how we can change them • Team Building: Getting together to find solutions • Working with the Media • Running your community meeting • Finding & using your political power • How to get funding for projects Work with a mentor and present projects to those who can help make your dreams become a reality.

Workshops are each approximately 2 hours in 3 locations and at 3 different times. Fun & food, transportation & childcare provided.

Let’s make a difference together!

Contact Fern or Lisa at learn_and_go@ yahoo.ca or call 632-5795

Then we talked about the priorities for the neighbourhood and residents decided on a top 4: • Create a Tenants’ Association for the Courts • Have Activities for Kids • Parent Support • Safety, Traffic intersections, Drug/ Street Trade A group of neighbours is setting up a tenants association and one of the group’s first events was a community BBQ on Aug 24th. The BBQ was great fun. City Councillors Donnie Snook and Carl Killen stopped by to wish everyone a good time.

The Fire Department had their fire house and a fire truck for kids to tour. The Boys and Girls Club helped out with food and the BBQ. The Resource Center for Youth (TRC) helped out with games for the kids. Thank you to the Crescent Valley Community Tenants Association who loaned the games for kids.

Neighbours are working hard to make a difference. As a first step they have pulled Boys and Girls Club Programs up the bushes in Eglington Court where Lunch Program Hot Lunches during School Year- Debbie Cooper 634-2011 you could often find garbage and will be planting soon. ext 222 Evening Youth Programs

Youth Choices

Transportation services, pick up and take home Mon-Thurs 5:30-9, ages 6-17- Laurie Collins 634-2011, ext 223 Counselling and intervention services, academics, life and employment skills, mentoring.

Ages 12-19 634-0788

To find out more and to get involved, talk to Patti, Clifford, Rosie, or Angie. You can reach Angie at angiedoucette@live.com.

Services in the Waterloo Village for Children under 6 YMCA Preschool Body Rock Games, Music 1-2 years Sat: 11:45am-12:30pm; 3-5 years. Sat: 11am-11:45am.

634-7720

Boys and Girls Club Day Care Ages 2-5, Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5:30pm Linda Goguen 634-2011 ext. 227

Services in the Waterloo Village for children 5-12 YMCA Boys and Girls Club Sticky Fingers, Ooey Gooey Art, Traversing Wall, Kickboxing, XerDance After School Program 2$ members, 4$ non-members. Sat 12:30-2:30 Mon-Fri 2-5:30, transportation service at various schools 634-7720 Sandra Vautour 634-2011 ext 228

Youth in Our Communities TRC – The Resource Centre

by Linda Scott

From its original home in the basement of the Community Health Centre, where there was a drop- in centre for over five years, emerged the TRC- a happening and safe place for the youth of our city. It opened its doors on Richmond Street just over one year ago in June 2007.

The new drop-in centre, fondly now known as “The Zone”, with its brightly colored and artfully decorated walls offers, to quote one teen, “a really great and safe place to be”.

“The Zone” is open to teens 13-18 after school each day, Monday to Storytent in Crescent Valley Friday. Here teens can play music, play games, surf the net, take part in sports, get creative or just chill out in safe and structured Article by Emily MacDonald environment. As well they receive a nutritional snack, have mentors while back it was noticed that the children in Crescent Val- available and can receive tutoring or other services depending upon ley wanted more reading opportunities. Storytent was a great their needs. solution because it is a fun and easy way for kids to get involved. One young lady had this to offer about the TRC “The TRC is a really Cheryl Brown, Wendell Dryden and Kate Wright originally thought great and safe place to be. Uptown there are not too many safe places up the idea of the Storytent and eventually this idea lead them to for teens. There are rules here to follow which help people change to creating Quality Learning New Brunswick. Crescent Valley Com- be better people.” munity Tenant’s Association formed a partnership with the Saint Another young man added “This is one of the best places around. We John Free Public Library and Quality Learning New Brunswick to raise our own money. We have game systems and computers to use. bring the Storytent program to the community of Crescent Valley. It’s great!”

Besides the regular hours of “The Zone”, there are many other special In Crescent Valley there are two, two-hour, Storytent sessions per activities happening such as Movie Marathons, Girls Night, and Guys day in the summer, rain or shine. Storytent sets up at five locations Night and more all in a comfortable and safe environment. in the Crescent Valley Community. A storytent consists of a can- During the summer months “The Zone” operated from 1-5PM each opy, blankets, ground sheets, a variety of popular kids and adult day. In addition to the regular hours there were special activities such books, and two or three adult workers. One role of the workers is as day trips to places like Magic Mountain, BBQs and swimming in to talk, sing, listen, and read to and with children. Another role is Rockwood Park, Beach Bonfires, etc. As well there were two Summer to build and maintain relationships in a positive social and learning Camps offered. These were a week long and offered five fun filled but environment. Children and adults are also provided with a healthy structured days of activities and rewarding experiences for teens. snack. Other program enhancements may include: skipping, side- The TRC has developed into a more complex resource for young adults walk chalk, word games, etc. The program is funded through foun- than the original drop-in centre. There are many on-site, on going dations, like the Greater Saint John Community Foundation, the programs operating in the facility. The programs and activities foster NB Children’s Foundation and many others. Storytent has been self –esteem, creativity, leadership skills, teamwork, self discipline and a part of the Crescent Valley Community since 2003 and has fin- a sense of accomplishment. These programs and the staff facilitating them are not only working to provide a safe and happening place for ished its sixth summer this year.

Storytent is extremely beneficial in many ways to have in a neigh- teens to hangout but are striving to encourage and guide them to borhood. For three years Quality Learning New Brunswick did develop into productive adults. research that showed that children who came to the Storytent One of these programs is the TAC. This is a committed group of teens increased their reading. They also maintained and/or improved working on issues that affect them. This is like a mini “self government” their reading level. “We feel proud of the Storytent, because we or a “student council”, that has input into the happenings and running have seen a lot of good come from it. Plus, it is very fun! “- Cheryl of the “The Zone”. As well the teens become involved in community events, fund raising and volunteering.

Brown.

For more information about storytents or Quality Learning NB, visit The TRC has certainly emerged from the its humble beginnings to becoming a very valuable asset to the community geared to assist our them online at http://qlnb.blogspot.com youth in learning the skills needed to become a productive adults but to still be able to enjoy being a teenager. In the words of the young man earlier quoted “This is one of the best places around.”

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Flemming Ct. Park Project

by Ann Barrett

“The Flemming Court Park” project was first developed in the summer of 2007 by the youth of Crescent Valley. They were participating in a program called Teen Vibe that was funded by Vibrant Communities Saint John (VCSJ). Flemming Court bordered by MacLaren Blvd is in the shape of a horseshoe. It is partially grassed with a worn pathway diagonally through the centre. The teens had a vision that this area could be improved to become a beautiful green area where the community could come together to enjoy being outside and to provide an area where children and youth could have fun.

This project will see that plain piece of land change into a green space with trees, shrubs and flowers. It will have benches, a gazebo, play equipment a splash pad for children to enjoy, and a lawn space for play or the Storytent. The completed project will be a visible reminder of what can be achieved when residents work together with partners. It will provide motivation and inspiration to continue their work to improve Crescent Valley.

The design was finalized at a community meeting in May 2008. The Glenn Group has provided us with the professional design that came from the youth’s vision and the input from this meeting. They have also provided us with Pre-tender Cost Estimates breaking out each component and phases of construction. The total estimated cost is approximately $664,000. CVRC and partners will take the finalized design displays to the corporate community and grant funding groups to secure the funding. At this point in our project we have several funding sources: City of Saint John has committed: Greater SJ Community Foundation: Regional Development Corporation: Community Residents

$100,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $200,000.00 $ 900.00

Youth at Flemming Ct. future site

All donations small and large would be greatly appreciated. To give donations or for more information please contact Shannon Campbell, Community Development Coordinator of the Crescent Valley Resource Centre 693-8513 or Ann Barrett, Board Member at 642-7404.