Resident Experience & Impact

The Every One Every Day platfrom launched in Halifax in June 2022 with the roll-out of our inagural Spring Program. With just one seasonal program cycle completed to date, there are limitations to evaluating resident impact so early in our work. However, there are numerous accounts of rewarding resident expereinces that have been observed and shared since the Shop opened. These early insights indicate the potential to not only impact residents’ lives over the long-term, but influence their experience in the day-to-day, and address some of the current crisis communities may be dealing with.

Rediscovering the Benefits of Togetherness.

Between getting caught up in daily tasks and the fluctuating nature of Covid-19 restrictions, it’s easy to feel isolated. The participatory activities in the Shop, and during program, encouraged residents to invest time in relationships. Through observations made by the team, and the sharing of experiences by residents, we learned that enjoying time with others does not need to be about big gatherings and celebratory occasions, but rather the little moments (that have big meaning)

“Because of Covid, we have to relearn how to be and come together again”

–Resident

Experiencing Other Cultures.

The most attended and sought-after sessions during the Spring Program were the sessions that offered opportunities for residents to learn about Indigenous culture and take part in Indigenous themed activities. These sessions helped to break down barriers for some residents who were unsure of where to start to learn about local Indigenous culture, and connected others to opportunities to discover their own Indigeneity.

“A family who adopted their daughter from Iqaluit attended the session as they want to ensure she is learning about her culture. It was beautiful to see them there.” –Neighbourhood Project Designer

Building Confidence in One’s Abilities Through Interactions with Others.

One of the impacts Every One Every Day aims to achieve is building resiliency among residents, and in community. Although the long-term impact of social resilience may take some time to realize, we have tracked several instances of residents, who co-designed and hosted sessions, reporting an increase in confidence and decrease in their limiting beliefs about what they are capable of.

Sara and Arsellah

“This place is great! It’s become our second home. It’s now a part of my 2 y/o daughters bedtime routine, to make sure we’re visiting the shop the next day. Needless to say, we wish Every One Every Day was open 7 days a week!”

–Sara, Resident “Residents are sharing with us that they never had a space to do this before, or they thought they had to be an expert to share something they like to do, so they are surprised when they’re in our space, it gives them confidence.” –Neighbourhood Project Designer

A Welcoming Invitation for Newcomers.

It is important that our Shop is welcoming to a variety of different cultures and that our activities are culturally responsive to foster a sense of belonging among new families. Co-designing sessions that offer opportunities for newcomer residents to share their traditions with others has been one form of invitation that shows promise to making newcomers feel a connection to community.

“This was the first time since moving to Canada, that I thought somebody knew me, that they wanted to be with me.”

–Resident

Cultivating a Deeper Understanding of Others.

How we respond to others can make them feel supported or it can make them feel disconnected. When residents have opportunities to come together to interact and share stories, it helps provide insights into the livelihood of others and helps cultivate a sense of solidarity. Many of the sessions that were held during the Spring Program offered space for deeper conversations and enriching experiences of connection and kinship. Of the 55 participants who offered session feedback, 71% reported that they made a new connection or friendship because of attending the session.

“Because of my conversation with Elders and community members during Tea, I gained a deeper understanding of other’s experiences”

–Resident

Veronica

“My voice was unheard, and my identity meant nothing to nobody till I met Julie at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center. She invited me to be a part of Everyone Everyday as a host, to share my culture and cuisine. I never thought there were people in Canada who loved to learn and enjoy Indian culture and cuisine. It was a pleasant experience to teach and educate people about the spices we use in our cooking and their benefits. Everyone Everyday is a platform where people can come together and share their experiences, knowledge, and culture with the community. It is a place to call home with a diverse community coming together under one roof with love.”

–Veronica, Resident

Experiencing something new and expanding skillsets.

During the Spring Program residents had many and varied opportunities to experience something for the first time. For instance, of the 55 participants who offered session feedback, 96% reported they learned or tried something new. At the heart of building self-sustaining families and communities, is a strong beat of expanding skillsets and “Do It Yourself” culture. Our Spring Program offered opportunities for residents to do just that, leaving them with new skills and knowledge to build upon.

“The Mobile Planters Build was a great example, no one had worked with tools. Someone said, my dad always dealt with it” –Neighbourhood Project Designer “Having choices available, different things to do and different ways to do them is important.”

–Resident

Who is Participating?

Acquiring the Neighbourhood Shop on Gottingen Street really allowed our team to connect with residents more often, and in profound ways. When asking residents to sign up to Every One Every Day, having the Shop as a mainstay really allowed people to better understand what they were signing up for and how the community could benefit. To date we have 261 residents registered, 100 of which occurred during our Spring Program. Of the residents who signed up at that time, 44% were between the ages of 21 to 40 years old and 68% identified as female.

38 sessions offered

209

total participants

115

were new participants

96%

rated their experience as excellent

96%

learned or tried something new

71%

made a new friend or connection in the community

87%

said the session was very well organized

Insights and Areas for Growth:

• Deepening collaboration with community partners to ensure the involvement of diverse members of the community.

• Reaching further, considering the demographic of residents who are not signing up, in future planning, co-design, and invitation efforts.

• Looking for opportunities to encourage and support residents’ transition from participating in projects to leading a new project or co-hosting with others.

• Furthering our understanding of newcomers and their culture through self-education.

• Learning common phrases in a newcomer’s language.