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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-048 - Paulander Community Participatory Action Needs Assessment - CDIP Grant Request ) ~ Community Services ~ Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: Community Services Committee April 10, 2006 Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director Community Programs and Services ext. 2687 Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director Community Programs and Services ext. 2687 All March 29, 2006 CSD-06-048 PAULANDER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATORY ACTION NEEDS ASSESSMENT - CDIP GRANT REQUEST RECOMMENDATION: That a one time $12,700 Community Development Infrastructure Program (CDIP) grant be approved to the Centre for Research and Education in Human Services, to be used for costs associated with conducting a community needs and resource assessment for the Paulander Drive community, as outlined in the attached proposal. BACKGROUND: The City of Kitchener established the Community Development Infrastructure Program (CDIP) in 1993 as part of, what was, the Community Economic Development Division. Allocations of up to $15,000 are available through this program on a one time basis to serve as seed money for community development projects. Projects are to be self-sustaining or completed at the exhaustion of the grant. Contributions and partnerships with other funders and agencies are encouraged. The objectives of CDIP, as defined in the Terms of Reference found in report PD 96/73, are: · To strengthen networks in neighbourhoods and thereby develop neighbourhood cohesion and stability, · To promote strong local leadership, voluntarism and partnerships in the social life of the community, and, · To supplement or reduce the need for capital expenditures by building upon existing community infrastructure resources. Neighbourhood Associations and communities of interest are eligible to apply for a CDIP grant. A community of interest is defined as a group of individuals who voluntarily associate with each Report No.CSD-06-048 Page 2 other because they have identified common concerns that have impact on a geographic area in the City of Kitchener. REPORT: In fall 2005, a group of community partners ("Community of Interest" as defined above) began to meet in response to safety concerns and poor living conditions on and near Paulander Drive. The area consists of a mix of social, non-profit and privately-owned ground-level apartment units, with a total of approximately 1,500 residents. Concerns in this area include social isolation, mistrust among neighbours, youth loitering and rumours of gangs, little or no recreation opportunities, the existence of a crime neighbourhood stigma, feelings of non-safety, lack of cleanliness and poor housing design. The attached proposal identifies eight strong community partners that have come together to support the Paulander community, led by the Centre for Research and Education in Human Services (CREHS). In this proposal, a community needs and resource assessment is being recommended as part of a multi-tier strategy that would be used to mobilize residents and community partners in a systemic effort of identifying how the Paulander community could be strengthened. The following three questions will be addressed in this assessment: 1. What needs exist within the Paulander community? 2. What resources exist within and support the Paulander community? 3. What action steps need to be taken by Paulander community stakeholders that would build on existing resources in order to address identified needs? The assessment would take approximately eight months and consist of the following steps: 1. Forming a steering group and research team 2. Resident surveys 3. Stakeholder focus groups 4. Community forum 5. Finalizing the action plan The final report will summarize the complete assessment process and findings, and will include the action plan, detailing the tasks and responsibilities for each action to be taken. It is expected that implementation of this action plan will include a high level of resident involvement. It is also expected that community partners will play an important supportive role in resourcing the action plan. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $37,600. Besides City of Kitchener funding is being sought through the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation and KW United Way. In addition, in-kind contributions are being made through Waterloo Region Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council (staff support), Waterloo Region Housing (the availability of a housing unit), FACS (food), JF Carmichael School and The Dwelling Place (childcare). FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The goals and objectives of this project correspond with those outlined in the CDIP grant terms of reference. Staff is requesting the approval of a one time $12,700 CDIP grant for the participatory action needs assessment for the Paulander Community. Mark Hildebrand Interim Director, Community Programs and Services AP Strengthening a Neighbourhood A Participatory Action Needs Assessment for the Paulander Community A Proposal March, 2006 +:; , " 1II*1IIr....... iIIII~ !III "..1IIvIIIlI Contact Person: Rich Janzen/ Research Director Centre for Research and Education in Human Services 73 King St. West Suite 300/ Kltchene0 Ontario rich@crehs.on.ca www.crehs.on.ca Strengthening a Neighbourhood Strengthening a Neighbourhood A Participatory Action Needs Assessment for the Paulander Community Background In Fall of 2005, a group of community partners 1 began to meet in response to safety concerns and poor living conditions on and near Paulander Dr. in Kitchener. Paulander Dr. is located near the intersection of Victoria St. and Westmount Rd. The area consists of a mix of social, non-profit and privately-owned ground-level apartment units, with a total of approximately 1,500 residents. Concerns expressed included social isolation, mistrust among neighbours, youth loitering, rumors of gangs, lack of play areas, crime, neighbourhood stigma, feelings of non-safety, lack of cleanliness, and poor housing design. The Paulander community is located within the larger Victoria Hills neighbourhood of Kitchener. According to the 2001 Census, Victoria Hills has the region's highest concentration of immigrants (#1 among the region's 72 neighbourhoods), and ranks among the top neighbourhoods in density (#2), lone parents (#2), visible minorities (#3), unemployment (#3), low income individuals (#7), low income children (#8) and mobility (people moving in and out of the neighbourhood) (#11). There are a number of pockets of social housing units operated by Waterloo Region Housing throughout the neighbourhood, including about 150 units on Paulander Dr. In many ways, the demographics of the Paulander community are a microcosm of the broader Victoria Hills neighbourhood. In November 2005 community partners met and confirmed their desire to collaborate in supporting the Paulander community. In December 2005 these partners organized two open meetings with residents to hear their concerns and their preliminary ideas for solutions. Thus began the process of resident engagement. Led by the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council and Waterloo Region Housing, but with strong contributions from other partners, these meetings continue today. Already a number of residents have expressed interest in becoming involved in community-building. One idea emerging from these series of meetings was to conduct a community needs and resource assessment. This assessment would build local capacity to systemically explore the present situation while making recommendations to improve the living conditions in the future. This assessment would become one part of a multi-tier strategy used to mobilize residents and community partners in an effort to strengthen this neighbourhood. Such an assessment signals the commitment of partners to focus on solutions that are thoughtful, broad-based and require the sustained efforts of residents and community partners on the long term. The Centre for Research and Education in Human Services (CREHS) offered to lead this assessment project. Founded in 1982, CREHS is a non-profit and charitable social research organization located in Kitchener (www.crehs.on.ca). It regularly uses a participatory and action- oriented approach to research as a means of community development. For example, all CREHS projects are led by a cross-stakeholder steering group that guides each step of the project. This increases the likelihood that recommendations are implemented and momentum is sustained. Also, whenever possible, CREHS hires, trains and supports community researchers (people who live the issue under study) to work as co-researchers. This demonstrates CREHS' commitment to building capacity within local communities. 1 Initial partners included: Waterloo Region Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council, Waterloo Region Housing, Victoria Hills Community Centre, City of Kitchener, JF Carmichael School, Waterloo Region Police Services, Centre for Research and Education in Human Services, The Dwelling Place Mennonite Church. (I w.lFP........ -- ..-- Page 2 Strengthening a Neighbourhood Purpose Community consultations to date have confirmed that the proposed participatory action needs assessment is a necessary and logical next step for the Paulander community. The overall purpose of this eight-month assessment would be to mobilize residents and community partners in a systemic effort of identifying how the Paulander community could be strengthened. To fulfill this purpose, the assessment would answer three main questions: · What needs exist within the Paulander community (needs = the difference between what the present situation 12 and what it should be)? · What resources exist within and in support of the Paulander community (i.e., human, physical, social and financial assets)? · What action steps need to be taken by Paulander community stakeholders that would build on existing resources in order to address identified needs? Activities The proposed assessment would consist of five steps: Step 1. Getting Started forming a steering group, hiring and training of community researchers, and developing a shared vision for the assessment Step 2. Resident Survey - The Big Picture conducting a brief door-to-door survey, analyzing survey results Step 3. Stakeholder Focus Groups - Going In-depth holding a series of focus groups with residents and community partners, analyzing focus groups results Step 4. Community Forum - Broad-based Buy-in planning and holding a community forum open for all residents and community partners, writing forum proceedings Step 5. Finalizing the Action Plan writing final report, steering committee to finalize actions to be taken to implement recommendations Step 1: Getting Started - months 1-2 In the first step CREHS and its community partners would form an assessment steering group. This group would include diverse residents (already some have expressed interest in joining) and representatives of community partner organizations. The purpose of this group would be to guide and give input into each step of the assessment process. Initial meetings would focus on developing a shared vision for the assessments; its purpose, activities, roles and principles of working together. During this first step CREHS would also form its assessment team. This team would include staff (Rich Janzen and Jonathan Lomotey) with considerable experience conducing community needs assessment in an empowering and participatory way, including within multicultural contexts2. Two 2 For samples, see: Lomotey, J" Janzen, R. & Lymburner, M, (2003), Getting to the root: Understanding and addressing inter-group youth conflict among Somali and other ethnic minority youth in Etobicoke, Kitchener, ON: Centre for Research and Education in Human Services, (I w.lFP........ -- ..-- Page 3 Strengthening a Neighbourhood Paulander residents would also be hired as community researchers. They would regularly attend assessment team meetings and fully share in the project planning and implementation. These community researchers would receive ongoing training on participatory action needs assessment approaches and methods. They would also receive clear direction as to their specific tasks within the assessment. Step 1 outcome: steering group and research team formed and prepared to implement assessment. Step 2: Resident Survey - The Big Picture - months 2-4 In the second step a brief door-to-door survey of Paulander residents will be conducted. All residential units on Paulander Dr. will be approached with an invitation to participate. The survey would seek to answer all three main assessment questions (i.e., community needs, community resources and proposed actions). Survey questions would build on the community consultations already taken place and include a series of closed and open ended questions. Interpreters will be used as necessary. As such, the survey will provide a breadth of insights into resident opinion, and serve to alert all residents that community mobilization is afoot. Residents would be entered into a draw (for a donated prize) for their participation. The results of the survey will be analyzed and summarized by the assessment team and shared with the steering group. Step 2 product: summary of resident survey Step 3: Stakeholder Focus Groups - Going In-depth - months 3-5 The third step will involved a series of four focus groups held with residents (3 groups) and community partners (1 group). Each focus group will include 6-10 members. These focus groups will allow for in-depth discussions on all three main assessment questions (i.e., community needs, community resources and proposed actions). Focus group questions will probe more deeply into the themes emerging from the resident survey. The focus groups will also provide a forum for participants to work together in collectively identifying workable solutions for their community. The results of the focus group discussions will be analyzed and summarized by the assessment team and shared with the steering group. Step 3 product: summary of focus group discussions Step 4: Community Forum - Broad-based Buy-in - months 6-7 In the fourth step of the assessment process a community forum will be held that will be open to all residents and community partners. The purpose of this forum will to share and verify survey and focus group findings. In addition (and more importantly) the forum will allow all residents and community partners to collaboratively prioritize and gain commitment toward a concrete action plan for the Paulander community. This action plan will build on the existing initiatives already budding within the neighbourhood. The forum will be organized in such a way as to encourage resident involvement and to facilitate substantive discussion (CREHS has successfully conducted a number of creative needs assessment forums in multicultural contexts-for example, one with youth within a fashion show setting, another with immigrant families that included food and children's entertainment). Again, interpreters will be used as necessary. A summary of community forum discussion will be written. Step 4 product: community forum proceedings Janzen R. & Ochocka, J, (2003), Immigrant youth in Waterloo Region, In p, Anisef & K,M, Kilbride (Eds,), Managing two worlds: The experiences and concerns of immigrant youth in Ontario. (pp, 37-68), Toronto: Canadian Scholar's Press (I w.lFP........ -- ..-- Page 4 Strengthening a Neighbourhood Step 5: Finalizing the Action Plan - month 8 In the final step of the assessment, the assessment team will draft a final report summarizing the complete assessment process and findings. Included in this draft will be the action plan, detailing the tasks and responsibilities for each action to be taken. It is expected that this action plan will include a high level of resident involvement in leading the implementation of the actions. It is also expected that community partners will play an important supportive role in resourcing the implementation of these actions. Facilitating the incremental involvement of participants in the assessment process (form survey to focus groups, to community forum, to the steering group) will be key in ensuring the implementation and sustainability of the action plan. The steering group will edit and approve the final report, including action plan. Step 5 products: final report, including action plan (translated into main Paulander languages) Budget The total cost for the project is $37,600 and is detailed below: Personnel $34,800 Steering group honouria (for up to 5 residents) $ 500 Focus group honouria (for up to 30 residents) $ 300 Interpretation/translation $ 1,000 Forum food/materials/rental/door prizes u.,QQQ TOTAL $37,600 Funding requests are being submitted to the following: Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation KW United Way City of Kitchener TOT AL $20,000 $ 5,000 $12 700 $37,600 In addition to these funds, other in-kind contributions are being offered by community partners. For example, Waterloo Region Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council, and Waterloo Region Housing have provided staff support to facilitate residents and community partners to hold a series of meetings. Waterloo Region Housing has provided one housing unit on Paulander Dr. as a community space--a potential site for meetings to be held regarding this proposal. Other partners have provided food (FACS), and volunteer child care (JF Carmichael School, The Dwelling Place). (I w.lFP........ -- ..-- Page 5