1. Individual reflections (from stickies)
“Why is intercultural community connection and engagement in RC important for you”?
Community Connection
Intercultural connections are great incubators for great ideas
More creative ideas emerge from intercultural approaches
It is important to mix cultures together so there will be more peace
To start conversations with diversity of thinking and creating, producing more inclusive community
Makes the community safer. People are happier and less isolated when they are connected to their
near neighbours.
To make stronger communities. Happy and safe communities. Opportunities to know each other and
accept people welcome everybody
Welcomes. Belonging. Trust.
So all people feel included and no one is lonely
Everyone has something to offer and feel valued
Connecting with people and communities that I would not engage with otherwise
Community Engagement
Sense of belonging
Helps reduce fear of people who seem very different
Passing on knowledge and skills (eg mentoring)
Fosters respect and understanding.
Committees are stronger if we understand each other
Communities thrive and grow through collaboration
Less isolation. More harmony. Improve trust.
Community becomes more resilient, empowered and inclusive to diversity of voices, values and wisdom
How to break down the barriers that prevent connectedness
Discovering information. ) meeting whole community, not just traditional library users
Creating better place to live and share with variety of people who live in our neighbourhood
Belonging
Understanding
Important to ensure that all members within the community feel a part of the community People are
given a chance to speak. People are sharing their strengths
Communities need to be vibrant and constantly evolving/developing
Diversity.Connect.Understand.Learn.Grow.
2. Group reflections (from posters):
a) “What intercultural community engagement and connections are already happening in RC?”
Clubs and Groups
Aboriginal Canoe club
Conversation Café
Conversation/Literacy Group
Crew Club
ESL Book Club
Saturday Fun Club
Seniors and canoes
Social Culture Club
Story-sharing
Celebrations
CNH & CPC & BIA Collingwood Days
Earthday Parade
International Film Festival
Italian Cultural Centre-Performagrations
Movie Nights
Still Moon Enviro-Moonfest
Food Security
Morning Breakfast Program
Community Garden
Cooking and Growing food
Community Kitchens
Programs and Services
Better at Home
Childcare
Heart/Mind Program (Dalai Lama Institute)
Language/Literacy
Neighbourhood Small Grants
Outreach Programs
Peer Educators
RC Community News
Seniors Programs
Spectrum In House Day Program
Summer of Learning (Collingwood Library)
Windermere Community Schools Team
Youth Programs/Mentorship
Settlement Services
Youth connectors
Arts and Performance
Artisan markets
Banner (Art) Project
Greenthumb Theatre
Lantern making
Mosaics
Murals
Recreation and Health
Connecting to barriers (interActive)
Mike’s Gym
RC INTERactive
Recreation programs
Tai Chi
Walking Clubs
Zumba
Supporting Agencies
Renfrew Library
Community Policing Centre
Collingwood Library
Collingwood Neighbourhood House
Renfrew Park Community Centre and Association
Small Business
Vancouver Coastal Health
UBC connection
Windermere Family of Schools
b) “How can we strengthen community engagement and connections in RC? How do you
want to be involved?”
Strengthen Accessibility
Need support structure (institutional)
Facilitating people meeting one another
More access to space for community to congregate
Provide transportation support
Barriers for registration
Strengthen intentionality
Intentionality is really important
Leaders involvement
Being present
Being accessible
Need champions/leaders to connect and serve as ambassadors (but supported)
Invite friends to FUN eg Showboat
Trust- that people will carry on the activity of engagement
Training leaders to facilitate those connections
Investment (in) trained facilitators
Find strengths, passions and sharing with community members
Good stuff not updated ($,resources, focus, role)
Visioning, connecting
Strengthen Activation
Knowledge does not equal transfer (wisdom) (activation)
(Facilitate) A flow of ideas and inspiration
Spontaneous activities or events where there is an agreement by members of the group to
constantly invite bystanders to join in
Try it out” (open Yoga class)
Swimming Club
Exercising and Socializing
Table tennis
English through arts
Workshops/presentations
Spanish class
create connections
Strengthen integration of servicesArea Service Meetings (service providers)
Faith-based orgs, Fire Station
Renfrew Library
Schools?
Find common interests and sharing ideas –eg Icebreakers from INTERactive toolkit
Strengthen promotion of existing programs
Language
How do we reach those hardest to reach as they may need services most-In a respectful way
Word of mouth
Maybe systemize process
Rewards
Make individual connections
Communicate through Networks
Assets/Strengths (the good stuff)
Repetition
Building invitation list for events/meetings –database?
Community Calendar
Raise opportunities to existing community members