The Genesis Centre of Community Wellness is a community initiative, started in 1994 by residents of Martindale, Saddle Ridge and Taradale.

1. Building Collaboration between Residents and Service Agencies Genesis Centre of Community Wellness A Case Study Cesar Cala, Lalita Singh and Jaime Enachescu United Way of Calgary and area Community Development Conference 2011

2. Agenda The Case: Genesis Centre of Community Wellness Building Strong Neighbourhoods Audience Participation Asset Based Community Engagement From Theory to Action Questions and Answers Community Development Conference 2011

3. History The Genesis Centre of Community Wellness is a community initiative, started in 1994 by residents of Martindale, Saddle Ridge and Taradale. “To develop a community centre that would meet the growing and unique recreation, sports, culture and educational needs of Northeast Calgary.” Community Development Conference 2011

4. North of McKnight Communities Community Development Conference 2011 Castleridge Falconridge Saddle Ridge Taradale Martindale Coral Springs

5. The Uniqueness of the Area Rapid growth The area experienced a 90% population increase from 2003 to 2008; continue growth is expected in the next five years. Diverse Population Immigrants comprise 42% of the population (compared to 21% in Calgary) Aboriginal People represent 3% of the population 58% of the population are visible minorities (compared to 24% in Calgary) Top source countries for the immigrant population - India, Philippines , Vietnam Children and Youth Children age 0-14 comprise 26% of the population, compared to 18% in Calgary 11% are children from 0 - 4 years old (compared to 5.8% in Calgary) Community Development Conference 2011

6. Community Development Conference 2011

7. Genesis Centre of Community Wellness Community Development Conference 2011 YMCA Soccer Centre Community Spaces Calgary Public Library Community and Human Services Area

8. January 2011 Community Development Conference 2011 Insert newer picture

9. January 2011 Community Development Conference 2011

10. Community and Human Services Area Space - 10,000 square feet for: Meeting Rooms, offices and Community Space In addition use of shared spaces and facilities: Use of community (large) spaces Childcare Possibility of sharing space with all partners Performance/festival space Combined programming Food services Community Development Conference 2011

11. Building Strong Neighbourhoods Residents are supported to create strong, safe and supportive neighbourhoods Creating opportunities for resident engagement Enhancing individual and collective capacities Developing networks – social support networks and networks of participation Community Development Conference 2011

12. Community and Human Services Area A consortium of agencies and resident groups working to support resident initiatives and provide seamless services to community members An "incubation space" for resident-led projects and activities that increase civic involvement and community participation Workshop and multipurpose spaces for flexible programs to suit community needs. Community Development Conference 2011

13. Community and Human Services Area Community Development Conference 2011

14. Resident-led Community Development Community Development Conference 2011

15. Help Wanted Community Development Conference 2011

16. Questions at your tables Questions: As a resident what can I contribute to making the neighbourhood stronger? What can service agencies contribute? How can we best work together? Community Development Conference 2011

17. Enabling Characteristics for a CD approach Asset-based, community engagement Responsive tailored solutions Innovative and adaptive leadership Partnership and collaborative approaches Flexible, nimble, adaptive mechanisms and processes Cleary articulated community focused mission, vision and values Community Development Conference 2011

18. Asset Based Community Engagement Residents are the agents of change Relationship between residents and organizations based on acknowledgement of contributions and shared responsibility Residents and organizations work together to prioritize issues and plans of action Community Development Conference 2011

19. Responsive and Tailored Solutions Actions are suited to the situation of the neighbourhood Solutions are developed with the local community Flexibility and innovation is important Community Development Conference 2011

20. Innovative and Adaptive Leadership Ability to pursue agendas beyond the reach of any one organization Willingness to be accountable to residents Share leadership with others stakeholders Community Development Conference 2011

21. Collaborations Collaborations give the organization the ability to reach beyond their own limitations Requires diverse people and organizations to work together Awareness of the interdependence of all activities in community development Community Development Conference 2011

22. Flexible, Nimble and Adaptive Flexible – less bureaucratic structures to reduce barriers to participation for residents Nimble – the capacity to respond to community work Adaptive – the ability to allow for neighbourhood context Community Development Conference 2011

24. IntentionalityCommunity Development Conference 2011 Community Focused Mission and Vision

25. From Theory to Action How do we put this into reality? To begin, we embarked on two parallel processes Building resident engagement and organizational capacities Developing collaboration among agencies who have expressed interest in participating Community Development Conference 2011

26. Parallel Process Community Development Conference 2011

27. North of McKnight Residents Committee A group of residents representing ethnic, faith and community associations focusing on: Meaningful participation of residents in their communities Providing a forum for community issues and concerns Influencing public services and programs Promoting greater cooperation in the community Community Development Conference 2011

28. North of McKnight Residents Committee Key elements of building the residents committee are building trust, working collectively and connecting communities United Way has been working with the residents for the past four years Terms of Reference developed Activities include: Festival of lights We are one festival Roundtables and 1000 Voices project. Community Development Conference 2011

29. The Collaborative A group of organizations that is committed to work collaboratively with the community and each other to provide seamless services to the community. Based on needs assessment in the community organizations were invited to participate in the planning process. Community Development Conference 2011

30. The Collaborative Worked together for 2 years to develop plans on how best to work together and share the space of the Community and Human Services Area. The work is based on shared understanding of the purpose, goals and objectives. A Memorandum of Understanding between members of the Collaborative will be signed to form the foundation for the Community and Human Service Area. Community Development Conference 2011

31. The Collaborative The purpose of the CHS Area is to provide a place for Genesis Community members to access services that are important to them and to contribute their talent and time in strengthening the Genesis Community. The purpose of the Collaborative is to provide a coordinated, collaborative approach by service agencies providing services and programs in the CHS Area, to fulfil the purpose of the CHS Area, and to achieve results for members of the Genesis Community that could not be attained by any one of the Members acting alone. Community Development Conference 2011

32. Minimum Specs for Programming All programs must provide opportunities for building social networks; All programs must demonstrate a commitment to community collaboration and community building; All programs must demonstrate an awareness/understanding of the other resources available in the Centre and the Community for their target population; All programs must demonstrate evidence of being based on an identified need, strength or opportunity in the community. Community Development Conference 2011

34. Provides an opportunity for organizations to listen to residents

37. Building on the strength community members bringCommunity Development Conference 2011

39. Provides “excitement”

40. Governance model

41. Based on shared purpose, goals and objectives

42. Promotes collaboration

43. Decreases bureaucracy

44. Focuses on Action

45. Participation is based on interest

46. Includes residents in decision makingCommunity Development Conference 2011

47. Constellation Model of Governance Community Development Conference 2011

48. Constellation Model of Governance Community Development Conference 2011 For more information visit: http://socialinnovation.ca/blog constellation-governance

49. Elements of the Constellation Model Residents: Participants at all levels in the governance structure The North of McKnight Residents Committee is the supporting organization for resident members in the governance structure. Community Development Conference 2011

50. Elements of the Constellation Model The Collaborative: The collaborative is a group of organizations that have signed an agreement to work together with the community in the Community and Human Services Area and will respond to the needs that have been identified in the community. Community Development Conference 2011

51. Elements of the Constellation Model Stewardship Group Provides oversight and makes strategic decisions Made up of residents, members of the collaborative and two standing members Central information point Provides direction and oversight for the Trustee Agency Community Development Conference 2011

52. Elements of the Constellation Model Trustee Agency: Is a member of the Collaborative Holds the fiscal and legal responsibilities for the Collaborative Supports the work of the Collaborative and Constellations The stewardship group provides direction and oversight to the Trustee Agency Community Development Conference 2011

53. Elements of the Constellation Model Constellations: Self governing action-teams Consist of residents and organizations Identify desired outcomes for the groups or issue and work towards solutions Report to the Stewardship group to keep the Collaborative informed about their activities Community Development Conference 2011

54. Where We Are Governance Model has been adopted MOU has been developed and is close to signing Residents developed TOR Roundtable discussions held; 1ooo voices report published Constellations are forming Trustee Agency chosen Genesis Centre of Community Wellness is under construction Community Development Conference 2011

55. Where are we going? Invitation to you to participate in further development Community Development Conference 2011

56. Community and Human Services Area Questions and Answers Community Development Conference 2011