Annual Report 2019
A Word from the Chair ›› ’m writing this piece as we prepare to close out the year 2020. It was a year that opened with promise and grand expectations, but all that changed rapidly with the onset of COVID-19. Very quickly our personal and work worlds changed. Many people in our neighborhood lost their jobs as the pandemic necessitated shutdowns of businesses and vital services that our community have come to rely upon. It wasn’t easy for many. Still, as we struggled, we also found ways to connect. Words like “Zoom” changed from a sound made in children’s play to a vital workplace tool. Homes became workplaces and grocery stores were stripped bare, frightening even the bravest amongst us. Still, there were moments of inspiration. We came to follow a previously unknown Dr. Bonnie Henry who coached us through the darkest times with common sense and compassion for our fellow citizens. On the other side of the world the Prime Minister
T
of New Zealand took a similar approach— leading with kindness. There were other people who found ways to be good and decent even when the world seemed so frustratingly difficult. I would love to be able to tell you that Fernwood NRG was immune to the struggles posed by COVID-19, but that wasn’t the case. We also faced shutdowns and had to make difficult decisions to remain viable. We are a different organization today, but we are also a more resilient organization. After a brief shut down, our tremendously resourceful staff found ways to keep childcare services going. Family Dinner night became a dinner ‘pick-up’ and yoga went virtual. Key businesses that anchor our neighborhood shut down, but some of them cleverly led the charge on renovations and improvements to their facilities. As they pushed forward to courageously convert street parking stalls into patio space, we responded by
Michael Lancaster
embracing these newly created safe spaces in our neighbourhood. While its been a long and trying year, I would like to end on a note that is optimistic. We’ve all seen our community struggle and, in many cases, show itself at its very best. We want to see that spirit carry forward in the years to come. We can be better than we ever
thought. That starts with making kindness a strength, not a weakness; thoughtfulness a virtue, not a nuisance; and Fernwood our community, not a collection of buildings. We will once again be able to dance at FernFest and hug our friends and neighbours. But until then—as the good Doctor says, “be kind, be calm and be safe.” 2019 Annual Report
page 1
A year in review ernwood NRG is your neighbourhood resource group. This is an interesting time to be looking back on 2019 when so much has changed. FernFest & Fernwood Bites 2019, Halloween Bonfire 2019, Family Dinner, Family Resource Program drop-in playgroups, holiday markets, centre rentals, recreation and community groups. In person yoga at the Fernwood Yoga Den, haircuts at Studio 1313 without a mask. The things Fernwood NRG is known for and endeavours to
F
provide. And the list goes on—childcare, family support programs, affordable housing, the Good Food Box, and the Village Vibe. All of this work is important and rewarding, and it takes a lot of people to make it happen. It takes even more work to adapt and continue to deliver the same level of service in a pandemic. On page 1 and below are a few of the folks you might have seen around the neighbourhood going about their work. If you do see them, please say a physi-
›› Shonna Bell, Acting Executive Director
cally distanced “hello”; and if you are so inclined, maybe say “thank you.” They, and all of the 91 people who worked for the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society in 2019 are a big part of what makes Fernwood the great neighbourhood that it is. As always, even 91 of us cannot do it alone. So thank you to all of our funders, donors, supporters, and volunteers in 2019. We are so much more because of your generous and continuing support. Thank you.
Here’s a snapshot of Fernwood NRG’s work in the neighbourhood in 2019: We provided secure housing for
14
We said farewell to Lee Herrin, our Executive Director for the
10
households
past years & welcomed our new Executive Director, Chantille Viaud
106
We provided child care spaces and are a Universal Child Care Prototype site, which drops parent fees to only $200 per month
100
We supported s of families through Best Babies & Family Programs
Fernwoodians volunteered
We packed and distributed
10,583 Good Food Boxes
8,270
2,642
We gave haircuts at Studio 1313, our social enterprise that supports community programs
hours in programs and at events
We hosted more than
38,800
people in recreation programs and events
4,130
We served meals at Family Dinner, Student Dinner, and Seniors Lunch
We stretched out for
1,300
yoga classes, 30 free community classes, 11 kids yoga camps, 25 workshops, 1 teacher training, & 5 fundraisers at the Fernwood Yoga Den.
page 2
2019 Annual Report
3
new raised beds We installed in our Kitchen Garden & planted a pollinator & perennial veggie bed
We raised over
$89,000
for the
Gift of Good Food—which has provided 178 families with fresh fruits and vegetables for all of 2020
Report on our Principles & Values 2019 In 2005, Fernwood NRG drafted a Declaration of Principles and Values—eleven statements that guide our work. You can read them all at fernwoodnrg.ca/fernwood-nrg-about-us/our-principles but today we want to report back on Principles Five and Eleven. Principle Five - We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them.
Tell us your dreams! In 2019, we were able to support community members through the City's My Great Neighbourhood Grant in projects such as: The Grant Street Gardens Project, seniors yoga, a new little library, and a garden honouring the plants of Lekwungen territories. These community lead projects are an example of the talents and passions of Fernwoodians who want to make a difference in their neighbourhood.
We have an amazing team of volunteers. Fernwood NRG believes in connecting volunteers to programs they feel passionate about (food security, gardening, child care, community engagement, etc.) where they can use their skills and talents. Volunteering is an opportunity to create new connections with community members and resources. In 2019, we had 51 volunteers working with us on a regular basis. Thank you to each one of you who shared your time and skills. We love hearing from you Fernwood. What do you want to see happen, what is missing, what is essential? Let’s make it happen together.
Principle Eleven—We are committed to having fun!
When thinking of fun, who has more fun than children? In 2019, Fernwood NRG had the pleasure of welcoming so many groups of children to participate in the pure joy of play. Our Director of Child Care, Erin Gray, shared, “On any given day as I walk around our Child Care programs I see wonder, joy, excitement, and silliness radiating from the children and the educators. We are a silly bunch of adults; who are open and willing to dance like no one is watching.” “In our 3-5 program, the children love
to dance and sing. One of their favourite songs is "The Floor is Lava" by The Kiboomers. The floor turns to lava many times throughout the song and when it does, you will see the children racing to the part of the yard they have deemed safe! If you look closely you will also see the educators racing to safety as well.” “We value play here at Fernwood NRG. Part of that requires letting go, purely having fun, and staying safe from the lava!” Thanks to Erin for sharing this story with us. We hope you are inspired by some of the fun expressed here and hopefully you can add some fun into your day!
Our Donors & Supporters We are tremendously grateful to the following individuals and organizations for their support in 2019: Simon Abud at Elias Electric Dan Aire Allied Universal Ampersand Distilling Co. Anthony Buchanan Wines Artavi Skateboards Atomique Productions Aubergine Specialty Foods Aviva Cipilinski Barb's Fish and Chips BC Association of Pregnancy Outreach Programs Beadworld Bean Around The World The Belfry Theatre Blue Bridge Theatre Blue Grouse Estate Winery Blue Star Healing Studio Bon Macaron Patisserie Bona Vini Wines Co. Sarah Bourdon & Devin Nice Brown's the Florist Buddies Toy Store Amanda Burnette
Butchart Gardens Category 12 Brewing Ceadar Coast Photos Celina Lyons Acupuncture and Medical Arts John Chabun & Mary Chan Chocolat Chocolatiere de Victoria Chorizo & Co. CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers City of Victoria Arts, Culture & Events City Services Coalition of Neighbourhood Houses Coast Craft Beverages Coast Environmental Cobs Bread End of Day Giving Program Cold Star Freight Systems Inc. Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria: BC Transit Ticket Assistance Program Compost Education Centre Cultured Kombucha Cycle BC Caitlin & Vikki
Davies Davlen Sweets Discovery Coffee & Yonnis Doughnuts Do250 Dobell Sign Co. Dottie Dr. Brewster Scott Naturpathic Clinic FLUX& STONE Denis Farling Faustino Estate Cidery Fernwood Coffee Company The Fernwood Inn Fernwood Pizza Company Fernwood Yoga Den Fired Up! Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards Flavour Floathouse Victoria Food Share Network Friendly Giant Window & Gutter Cleaning Garside Signs Garth Homer Society Grant Giller Mark & Diana Gillis Golden Yak Ceramics
Our Board Michael Lancaster Lisa Matthaus Kelsey Singbeil Brett Gaylor Rob Kemp
Good Food Box Volunteers Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition The Harbour Cats Hatchet & Seed Heart & Hands Collective HEARTH Lorna Herzog Hive Hair Honey Bee Cleaning Service Horror Escape The Hot and Cold Cafe Howling Bluff Estate Winery Hoyne Brewing Co. Igneous Vineyards Il Terrazo IMAX Island Health Island Waterwise Irrigation Iyengar Yoga Kathryn Juricic Just Matcha Tea Shop Kendra Shaw Ceramics Sara Kubica Linda Lange Le Coteau Nursery Annalee Lepp
Little June Little Leetia Wendy Littlefield The Livet The Local General Store Lock & Worth Winery Lululemon Here to Be Project Corinne Mah The Make House Maritime Museum McLennans Merridale Cidery & Distillery Metropol Michell's Farm Modo Monk Office Monkey C Interactive Mount Royal Bagel Factory The Mustard Seed Mysore Victoria Nichol Vineyards North Park Bike Shop Ocean Grown Medicinal Society Oh La La Cup Cakes Orca Books Origin Bakery Paddy Crawford
Carpentry Pagliacci's Pedersens Event Rentals Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. Phillips Soda Works Pizzeria Prima Strada Poppet Creative Port Angeles Crab Festival Portofino Bakery Prince of Whales Rathjen Cellars Ricco Bambino RISE Health Roche Wines Rook & Rose The Root Cellar Rose Cowles Joe & Chelsea Rossner Royal BC Museum Russell Books Russell Nursery Ruth & Dean Salt Spring Vineyards Darwin Schellenberg at BC Sport Court Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse Sheringham Distillery Shine Café Silk Road Tea
Simply Pure Ice Skaha Vineyards Soap for Hope Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub St. John's Ambulance St. Luke's Players Stage Wine Bar Stag's Hollow Winery Bruce & Ashley Stanford Bruce Stanford at Noodlebox Stone Theards Storied Wine & Spirits Synchromesh Wines Matt Takach Tall Tale Wines Tapestry Music Team Sales Theatre Inconnu Theatre SKAM Thistle and Wren Beth & John Threlfall Thrifty Foods Tightrope Winery Tod Creek Cider Toque Catering Jason Trill & Kathryn Bissett Marianne Unger
Unsworth Vineyards David Van Egmond at Atlas Excavating Vancity Varsha Indian Kitchen Vessel Liquor Store Victoria 1000 x 5 Victoria Bug Zoo Victoria Butterfly Gardens Victoria Conservatory of Music Victoria Distillers Victoria Heritage Foundation Victoria Symphony Victoria Women in Need Community Cooperative Vinyl Envy Volcanic Hills Estate Winery Wayward Distillation House Tania Wegwitz Whistle Buoy Brewing Co. Wildfire Organic Bakery Wychbury Ave The Zone at 91-3 A huge thank you to all our volunteers!
Our Funders Sarah Reid Jackie Robinson Eric Swanson Benjamin Jones
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the following funders in 2019: We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia
Fernwood NRG Holdings Inc.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada
Island Health
A big thank you to Benjamin Jones who stepped down from the Board in 2019.
BC Council for Families
Ministry of Children and Family Development
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
Public Health Agency of Canada
A warm welcome to our new director, Rob Gillezau, who stepped up to serve his neighbourhood.
City of Victoria
Studio 1313 Hair Design
Community Action Program for Children
United Way of Greater Victoria
Creative BC
Victoria Foundation
Fernwood Yoga Den & Maya Health Clinic Island Savings Credit Union
2019 Annual Report
page 3
Gift of Good Food Donors & Supporters A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the Gift of Good Food in 2019: 404 Group Name Does Not Exist
Sarah Causton
Shanna Faulkner
Heidi Harms
Jane Leahy
Shea Nacci
Mellisa Faye Reid
Kimberly Stockdill
CAVU Designwerks Inc.
Dana Felske
Roger Harmston
Naomi Lee
Crystal Stove
Madeleine Harned
Laura Lessingham
Colin Richards
David Stuart
Elizabeth Adilman
Patrick Charpentier
Fernwood Coffee Company
Brian & Rose Mary Neill
J D Renouf
7 Rays
Joanne Levy
Joanne Nicolson
Gary Richardson
Dan Aire
David Cherry
Amber Rider
Studio 1313 Hair Design
Amber Allan
Fionna Chong
Harvest Rd.
LifePlan Financial Group
Cathy Norrie Northern Quarter
Rise Health
Nicole Sullivan
Kym Harvey
Susan Link
Noah & Rae Robert
Megan Sullivan
Annette Hayward
Ruth Linka
Gwyneth Norton-Wilks
Rose Lipohar & Nell Miller
RenĂŠe & Andy Robert
Cary & Cynthia Swoveland
Fernwood Yoga Den
Joan Headrick
Elizabeth Nuse
Josh & Heather Henshaw
Robert & McShane Family
Team Asquith St.
Find Your Inner Peas
Oak Bay Gordon Head Community Health Services
Susan Ross
Sarah Theophilus
Lauren Heppell
Shea Lowry
Penny Ross
Beth Threlfall
Lorna Herzog
Luna Collective
Oaklands Community Association
Chelsey Rossner
Sheryl Hine
Donna Lynch
Clara Rubincam
Thurber Engineering LTD
Gabriela Hirt
Mary Celene Lyon
Susan Ryans
Tree House Team
Cheekwan Ho
Alyx MacAdams
Kathleen Ryans
Shirley Ann Holmes
Heather MacAudrew
Judy & Neil Tremblay
Laura Amson
Fernwood Daycare Families Fernwood Inn
Nicholas Anderson
Suzanne Christensen
Niki Andresen
Ruth Chudley
Jorge Aranda
Sharon Clark
Gloria Archer
James Colborne
Jackie Armet
Esperanza Comelli
Greg Armitage
Katherine Cook
Carol Armstrong
Josh Cooper
Fleming-Holmes Team
Aryze Developments
Tim Cormode
Andrew Flynn
Courtney Cote
Food Friends
Shannon Ash
Jenna Cotton
Rae Franklin
Ashtanga Yoga Victoria
Don Craigmyle
Nancy Frederickson
Mary Jane Crawley
Alix Freiberger
Christian Baerike
Kelly Cubbon
Dan Frey
Phoenix Bain
Kennedy Cullen
Astrid Fritzsche
Holly Ball
Mila Czemerys
Rebecca Ballam
Roman Czemerys
Anne-Marie Gagnon
Ballamarama Judith Barefoot
Elizabeth Czerwinski
Jamie Barnet
Marita Dachsel
Laurie Barr
Erica Dahle
Cindy Barton
Lorne Daniel
BC Ferries
Graham Davis
Fernwood Winter Soiree
Shelley & Brett Gaylor Donald Genova Beth Gibson Patricia Gilchrist Ian Goard Goo Goo Goggles Optical
Alexandrea Harned Martene Hartnell
Bronwyn Heney
Trina Holt
Diane Lloyd Anita Loudon
Oaklands West Coast Winter Market Oaklands Roseberry Avenue On the Park Condos
Erika Hortenhuber
Martha MacDonnell
Asquith Hot Chocolate
Elizabeth MacInnis
Orca Book Publishers
Erin Macklem
Todd Orchard
Susan MacTavish Corinne Mah
Mike & Debbie OShaughnessy
Lyn Makepeace
Connor O'Sullivan
Peter & Helen Malcolm
Claire Ourom
Rachel Irving-Beer & Aaron Robert
Mange Tout En Francias
Jitu Panesar
Terri Isenor Samantha Jagt
Marilyn & Ross Manson
Part & Parcel
Patricia Javorski
Kailee Mar
Bruce Johnson
Janice Mason
Kari Jones
Adrienne Mason
David Josey
Lisa Matthaus
Danica Houliston Leslie Housen Hoyne Brewing Co. Maria Hudspith Karen Hurley
Owl Designer Fair Shelley Parker
Nigel Beattie
Jean-Marc de Groot
Peggy Beere
Isabela de la Rosa
Shonna Bell
Anna De Luca
Robert Benaroya
Deborah Deacon
Pamela Bendall
Paula DeBeck
Karen Benner
Rick Deboice
Good Food Box Gals
Jaymini Bhikha
Elizabeth Dechert
Maureen Goyeche
Kathryn Juricic
Ray Mau
Kathryn Bissett
designHouse Salon
Rebecca Grant
Carola Kanaya
Janice Mcardle
Michael Bloomfield
Kim Dhillon
Maureen Grant
Liz Kemp
Janice McDonagh
Nancy Blythe
Kristia Di Gregorio
Mark Green
Evan Kendrick
Katie Mcintyre
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
Bookclub One
Discovery Coffee
Hannah Green
Virginia Kenyon
Susannah Mckee
Jeanette Pike
Leslie Bootle
Do250
Emily Green
Jason Kereluk
Kiley Mclean
Michael Pojol
Whitney Borowko
Allyn Dolsen
Kelly Greenwell
Julia King
Elizabeth Polard
Jeanette Boulet
Dr. Ron Walsh
Madeleine Greey
Linda King
Soshin Ruth McMurchy
Tom Braybrook
Christina Drake
Laura Griffin
Stephanie Bruzzone
Chloe Dufort
Mark Grill
Tiffany King-Campbell
Alli Bunting Linda Burdick Jennifer Byng Carl Cachia
Cindy Dunphy Helen Durie Dutchess & Duke
Linda Cain
Jane & Hermann Edler
Nicki Cameron
Jean Edmonson
Jennifer Cameron
Allison Edwards
Anne Cameron Sedause
Edwards Technical Writing
Jennifer Campbell
Michael Elliott
Tracey Campbell
Crystal & Trevor Elton
Ashley Campbell Francine Carignan Carol Armstrong RMT
Maureen Elworthy Amanda Evans Fallon Evans
Elise Cassidy
Courtney Faber
Catrin Jones RMT
Zac Fair
page 4
2019 Annual Report
Jane Good Rowan Good Eleanor Good
Sarah Grindlay Bonnie Groening Arielle Guetta Maritia Gully Olivia Gutjahr Dorothea Haeussler Touer Haines Jennifer Handley Shirley Handley David Handley Cindy Handley & Christopher Devlin
Kirstie McNally Martha McNeely
Chelsea Kittleson
Stephen McShane
Claudia Kobayashi
Amanda Merritt
Milen Kootnikoff
Metropol
Harry & Beth Kope
Jenna Mitchell
Lani Laal
Joanne Mockford
Nathan Lachowsky
Michael David Moffat
Gita & Barry Lackman Lise Lalonde Yin Lam David Lamden
Cetare MohsenzadehGreen Jessica MorganLang
Anissa Paulsen David Pearce Robyn Penfold PerCuro Clinical Research Ltd. Laurie Pettinger Richard Pettinger
Angeline Polard Matt Politano Elizabeth Politano Adrian Politano Rodica Presan Tracey & Jon Price Marion Price Katelyn Price Barry Price Quadra Village Community Centre Virginie Rainbaud Ross Ramage Kelly Rant
Joanne Lapin
Melissa Moroz
Ralph Lapp
Michael Mulroney
Gail Lastiwka
Lisa Munkley
Karl Hardin
Tasha Lavdovsky
Craig Murray
Red Barn Market Oak Bay
Timothy Hardy
Gina Lawson
Charles Myers
Sarah Reid
Handley/Good Family & Friends
Paula Leahy
Sean Raymond Realfoto Media Inc
Saanich Community Health Services
theDock
Judy Trueman Amanda Turner
Saanich Neighbourhood Place
Tyler Cave Productions
Sagefolk Consulting Inc.
Anke van Leeuwen
Jillian Usher
Gail Saiger
Vancity Credit Union
Kristine Salmon
Alain Vandendorpe
Christine Sanders
Christian Vandendorpe
Alexis Santacruz Anita Schaufelbuhl Catherine Schissel Pamela Schlenker Eric Schofield Joui Schulz Carol Schwall Lauren Scott Caleb Scott Sheridan Scott Swati Scott Sheringham Distillery
Ange Vander Schilden Vegas Convenience Store Chantille Viaud Gary Vincent Jeffrey Viner Sylvia Vogel Kathleen Von Kanel Patricia Wall June Wall Ron Walsh
Jemma Shkopiak
Eva & Al Walters
Ana Simeon
Valerie Watt
Michelle Simms
Myrna Webster
D Zachary Simon
Jim & Sharon Welby
Kevin Simpson Nancy Simpson Kelsey Singbeil Adam Slater Brianna Smart Rod Smith Suzie Smith Susan Snell Aimeson SparksKing Kelly Speak Jonathan Speers Peter Sperling Ashley Stanford Gail Angel Star Christopher Stask Justin Stephenson Victoria Stevens
Heather Wellman Jenny Weston Lesley Wicks Kristina Wilcox Barbara Williams Steven Wilson Kara Windram Rudy Witt Katherine Woodhouse Andrew Wooldridge Jessica Woollard Shayla Wright Warren Wunderlick Robyn Wyman Linda Zajac Julianne Zussman