Calgary Ukrainian Festival in Acadia!

3rd Annual Calgary Ukrainian Festival - Right here in Acadia June 2 & 3 - at the Acadia Rec Complex.  Awesome!

http://www.calgaryukrainianfestival.ca/

City of Calgary Strong Neighbourhood Int. Update

Acadia Strong Neighbourhood Initiative 

Update-May 2012

From Viviana Reinberg, City of Calgary

(Sorry Everyone - this update looks much better in an email - please email Viviana if you would like her to email it to you - Corinne.)

Viviana Reinberg and Tamara Baldwin

Community Workers, Community & Neighbourhood Services, South Area Office

 viviana.reinberg@calgary.ca , (403- 537-7596), tamara.baldwin@calgary.ca (403- 537-7582)   

The Strong neighbourhood Initiative (SNI) is a way of supporting residents to further strengthen their community’s economic, social, and environmental well-being.  It may involve increasing social contacts, enhancing opportunities or seeking better supports for children and families.  We support residents in identifying priorities and projects they want to undertake.  

Here is a list of activities and projects which residents are involved in:

• A resident’s group

People coming together to discuss issues and identify areas they would like to become involved in.  This group is providing direction to SNI staff and participating in the various activities listed below.  

We welcome new participants to this group so please let us know if you are able to join us. Contact Tamara 403-537-7582 or Viviana 403-537-7596

• Jane’s Neighbourhood Walks

Guided walks organized by The Calgary Foundation in Calgary. A resident from Acadia volunteered to do the Acadia walk which took place May 5^th and was entitled: “Acadia: Past, Present & Future”. Further information: http://www.thecalgaryfoundation.org/ne_upcomingevents.htm

• A Traffic Committee 

This group is being revived.  If you have traffic concerns in Acadia or would like to help please contact Keith 403-862-1589

• A Community Garden Committee

Development of a garden on the grounds of the community association.  If you would like to assist please contact Patricia pdfair@telus.net  or Linda 403-270-841.  

• Youth Action Group

Creation of a youth group where youth identify issues important to them on which they would like to take action.  Youth from 13 to 17 are welcome!

Contact Karla, 403- 537-7597

Other ideas on the table…

• Multi-age, Multi-purpose Playground. 

• Seniors Outreach

• A Cultural Event 

An event showcasing talents, contributions. “Our Acadia, our Culture”?

Emerging Themes 

(From conversations at residents’ gatherings)

• Attend to the diversity in Acadia: needs of immigrants/newcomers.

• Needs of families with  young children

• Accessibility of services- collaborative promotion of existing services/programs 

• Better use of existing physical spaces

The residents group will be looking at these ideas and others that may emerge through the conversation.  Let us know your thoughts around these and/or if you can assist with the organizing of one of them

We continue our efforts to engage residents from Acadia in a variety of ways. The idea is to let people know about SNI and find ways in which they can participate in making Acadia the type of community they envision for their future. Here is a list of activities we are presently working on: 

• An information session 

This is to report back to the community on the findings from the 620 residents who responded to the survey last year.  It’s expected that this will take place in the fall.

• Engaging residents from high density areas

We continue having conversations with residents at townhouses and apartment complexes to make sure everybody’s voice is included, and to give the opportunity to participate in the Acadia SNI. If you live in one of these areas or you can get a group of residents together, we would love to hear from you so that we can look at ways of organizing some type of small scale conversation.

• Supporting the residents and youth group 

We’ll provide information, support in whatever areas they identify for moving forward. 

• Encouraging residents to organize block parties

These are a great way to build neighbourliness and a sense of community. We provide information and support to make these happen.

• Supporting  and promoting new initiatives

We will support the development of social and/or economic initiatives that bring about increased awareness of social issues and/or actions to improve social conditions. 

We need your assistance in promoting these initiatives within the community.  We hope you find this update helpful.

Sincerely,

Viviana Reinberg and Tamara Baldwin

Community Workers, Community & Neighbourhood Services, South Area Office

 viviana.reinberg@calgary.ca , (403- 537-7596), tamara.baldwin@calgary.ca (403- 537-7582)   

This is a blog set-up by a resident of Acadia: http://acadiastrongneighbourhoodinitiative.blogspot.ca/

Acadia is a Strong Community…only YOU can Make it Stronger!