Annual Report 2013
A Word from the Chair ››
I
n my letter last year I talked about the twin priorities of Fernwood NRG, as generated at our 2011 Neighbourhood Visioning Forum: affordable housing and food security. At the time, record high property prices and less grant availability made it risky to pursue proper ty development for affordable housing (“though we’re always watching for opportunities!”), but we saw many ways to promote food security in Fernwood. As it turned out, we ended up advancing both priorities at the same time! Last year, Fernwood NRG took on several initiatives to increase food security in Fernwood. In particular, we took a lead city-wide in planting edible gardens
around public buildings and in public parks: on a very rainy day last September, over 20 volunteers installed Fernwood’s Neighbourhood Orchard behind the Fernwood Community Centre at 1240 Gladstone Avenue. This coming spring, we will be planting a kitchen garden along the front of the Community Centre as well. We also held four sessions of Fernwood University in 2013 devoted to the topic of Food Security, and continued to deliver the Good Food Box program which brings affordable boxes of fruits and vegetables to families across the region. As well, being on the lookout for affordable housing opportunities resulted in a once-in-a-generation chance right in the core of the neighbourhood. In September, the membership of Fernwood NRG approved a borrowing resolution which enabled us to complete the purchase of two properties in the very core of the neighbourhood: 1310 Gladstone Avenue and 2009 Fernwood Road. We also have an option to purchase two adjacent properties in 2015 provided we can secure the necessary development rights and the financing to build more affordable housing. After we announced the purchase, the Times-Colonist said in an editorial:
Lisa Matthaus
“The residents of Fernwood appear to be big believers in the principle: if you want something done right, do it yourself. Members of the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group want to make their ‘urban village’ a better place for families, so they are putting money and work into shaping what it will look like. They don’t want to make the funky village bigger, just better…. It’s a community attitude that others could learn from, with residents shaping their village with bricks and mortar to create homes for new neighbours.” While ramping up these new projects we’ve been careful not to lose sight of the important on-going work Fernwood NRG does, in particular our child care programs and recreational programming at the Community Centre. Our child care facilities continue to operate at capacity, while the Community Centre is also used at near-full capacity through the week. All of our hardworking staff, volunteers, and our members, donors and supporters can be proud of what we’ve already achieved as an organization. I’m very excited about the next steps for the new projects in 2014 and looking forward to breaking ground, hopefully, in 2015. Watch for more information and opportunities to have your say in what the new developments will be!
The residents of Fernwood appear to be big believers in the principle: if you want something done right, do it yourself. Members of the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group want to make their ‘urban village’ a better place for families, so they are putting money and work into shaping what it will look like. They don’t want to make the funky village bigger, just better… 2013 Annual Report
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