Onward Willow Better Beginnings, Better Futures

Community Development

Contact Us:

Family Gateway,

20 Shelldale Crescent,

Guelph, ON  N1H 1C8

Tel. 519-824-8498

 

 

 

 

 

Family Gateway,

20 Shelldale Crescent,

Guelph. ON  N1H 1C8

 

Onward Willow Centre,

15 Willow Road Unit K45,

Guelph, ON  N1H 1V7

Onward Willow Centre,

K45-15 Willow Road,

Guelph, On  N1H 1V7

Tel. 519-824-6892

Text Box: Community Development refers to a broad spectrum of community involvement. It is a process by which the community will continue to develop decision making structures and maintain a sense of preparedness to create change. Community members and leaders work to improve the quality of life for all families and the neighbourhood itself. Text Box: The underlying assumption is that communities, families, and children have strengths, and that programs should be oriented not just towards the prevention of problems, but also towards the enhancement and promotion of strengths, competence, and health. Many factors reinforce the effectiveness of this approach, including the insight, experience, knowledge and research findings over the past fifteen years. Another factor is the significant gains made by the neighbourhood leaders in the areas of self-esteem, self-confidence, and skill development. The Onward Willow Neighbourhood Group, comprised of community residents, is able to not only articulate the needs of families, but also to organize and work together in developing skills and resources to meet those needs. The group’s ability to develop and maintain a partnership with a wide inter-sectoral service provider network, the first of its kind in Guelph, is indeed no small achievement. Given that many families in the neighbourhood are ‘clients’ of these agencies, there will be an ongoing need to mediate differences and build on common values in power, beliefs, philosophy, and goals. The neighbourhood group provides a collective self-help structure for integrating community residents to undertake neighbourhood development activities and maintain a support network for families. Neighbourhood meetings are held monthly, led by a leadership committee of 7 members. Regular nominations and elections are held for leadership through the Management Board and teams. The neighbourhood also maintains standing committees such as leadership, drug prevention and safety, newsletter, special events, clothing, food distribution, and front desk reception to maintain a strong neighbourhood. Ad hoc committees are formed for special events such as volunteer recognition, the annual meeting, and holiday giving. Community economic development activities to increase family income have begun to become integrated with community development activities such as leadership training, maintaining the social support network, and creating links to on-site employment services. A training plan has been developed by the Community Development Coordinator to help neighbourhood residents receive the training they need to do certain tasks. Text Box: Community Development Goals: Maintain a neighbourhood structure and process for decision making Recruit, train, and support community leaders for various roles and responsibilities Promote community cohesion through annual community events Promote community building and program participation through newsletters, media, etc. Coordinate an intercultural holiday plan to support families (Christmas, Chinese New Year, Eid al Fitr, etc.) Develop and implement a training plan for community members to increase skill and ability to participate as leaders and work towards increasing family income Conduct ongoing outreach in the neighbourhood and community centres to invite community members to become involved

Email:  onwardwillow@netscape.net