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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-118 - Community Development Infrastructure Program Grant Proposal - Centreville Chicopee Community Association Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: ~ Community Services Committee December 11 , 2006 Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director, Community Programs and Services, ext 2687 Abbie Grafstein, District Facilitator, Stanley Park Community Centre, ext 2467 2 November 14, 2006 CSD-06-118 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM GRANT PROPOSAL: Centreville Chicopee Community Association RECOMMENDATION: That the City of Kitchener approves a grant allocation to the Centreville Chicopee Community Association from the Community Development Infrastructure Program for $6,700 for expenses related to developing a service plan for their licensed Preschool program and for a short-term bookkeeping project. BACKGROUND: The Centreville Chicopee Community Association was active long before the community centre was built in 1979. The Association was formed by a number of dedicated volunteers that were working towards a common goal - to meet the needs of the local Community. The issues dealt with by the Association have not changed a great deal from the past, and largely focus on recreation, education, and social interests. The mission of the Centreville Chicopee Community Association is to promote recreation, education and social activities, within the Association's defined boundaries, and to encourage participation from people of all ages, to foster community spirit. The centre, first of its kind, was a pilot project for the City of Kitchener. The volunteer concept used at Centreville was unique and provided the foundation for how all neighbourhood-based community centres are operated today. The Association has been through many difficult changes in recent years and has been through some unique challenges. The Board is somewhat vulnerable and burnout is a concern. Few volunteers are involved and they each have limited time to devote to CCCA. There is, however, a strong desire to rebuild the Board and the programs. The CDIP grant will support this Report No. CSD-06-118 Page 2 Association to regain its footing and continue its long history of positive community development. REPORT: The Community Development Infrastructure Program (CDIP) was established to aid associations and community grass roots groups in their efforts to develop structures and processes that can contribute to their resiliency and stability. CDIP is intended as one time seed funding to support neighbourhood and community projects in their efforts to strengthen community capacity, cohesion and stability. CDIP grants aim to support neighbourhoods and communities in putting an infra-structure in place that can enhance community development goals. The grant policy states that the allocation of CDIP funds is not to exceed a maximum of $15,000.00. An application received by the Centreville Chicopee Community Association meets all criteria of the CDIP grant. CCCA provides recreation and leisure programs for an area of that city that is home to over 11 ,000 residents. The association offers approximately 45 programs per session for all ages, most of which take place at the community centre. CCCA volunteers collaborate with the City, local schools, community agencies, police and fire services to offer relevant programs for community members. CCCA has been operating a licensed half-day preschool program since 1981 however with the introduction of Junior Kindergarten several years ago, the program numbers declined. Registration numbers remain relatively low and the program is struggling to cover its operating costs. The preschool program was cut back to 3 days in January 2006 to break even, but is currently being offered 5 days again with an alternate staffing arrangement. The goal of developing a service plan for the preschool program is to provide the CCCA with innovative and new ideas to operate a cost effective preschool program that will be beneficial to the community. CCCA is requesting CDIP funds to cover the cost of a consultant to develop the service plan. In addition, the CCCA board has persevered through some challenging situations, at times without a volunteer Treasurer. This has caused a lapse in their bookkeeping procedures. CCCA is requesting CDIP funds to cover the costs of hiring a bookkeeper to provide short term data entry services and to develop an up-to-date bookkeeping system. Hiring out these responsibilities in the short-term will address the need for up-to-date financial information, will provide the foundation for straightforward procedures, and make the Treasurer's position more attractive in the future. CCCA operates its programs on a break-even basis and without a grant will not be able to fund these initiatives. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The CDIP account has a current balance of $12,340 for the budget year 2006. Approval of this request would bring the balance to $5,640. Report No. CSD-06-118 Page 3 CONCLUSIONS: The capacity of the City to advance the resource centre model and to provide quality citizen service is greatly enhanced by associations such as the CCCA and the investment in furthering the stability of these volunteer organizations has many immeasurable positive outcomes in communities across the city. A resilient adaptive infrastructure is critical for maintaining volunteer engagement in civic services. Mark Hildebrand Interim Director, Community Programs and Services AP