Building Community Capacity
Halifax is made up of more than 196 distinct communities, each exploring different avenues for growth. Some are focused solely on residential growth, while others are fostering a blend of residential and commercial activity.
The Partnership collaborates with more than 20 organizations to build capacity and support initiatives to strengthen the community. We can’t possibly work in all areas of our region simultaneously, so we have prioritized to work in areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact on building community capacity.
In 2011/12:
- Worked with the Sheet Harbour Development Association to identify possible funding for a multi-purpose centre
- Assisted Fisherman's Cove stakeholders in developing a business plan and strategy
- Convened the Affordable Housing Coalition working to develop an affordable housing strategy for Halifax
- Supporting the Middle Musquodoboit Agricultural Society on a community planning initiative for the Musquodoboit Valley. The intent is to engage the community in discussions about what the future of their community should be.
- Supporting the Eastern Shore community plan to increase tourism. This includes focus on the needs of Memory Lane
- Continue to support BID and engagement with Greater Burnside Business Association
African Nova Scotian Communities within Halifax
The Partnership works with many organizations in the African Nova Scotian (ANS) communities that represent the more than 10,000 African Nova Scotians living and working here. The Partnership supports the African Nova Scotian community through a satellite office in Preston.
In 2011/12:
- Supported the East Preston Ratepayers Association strategic plan
- Supported the Cornwallis St. Church Phase 1 Expansion Project
- Convened the Halifax Employment Committee working to develop an employment strategy for the ANS community
- Provided facilitation on the creation of a fund development strategy and land use development plan for the Charles Taylor Hall Theatre Society
- Actively participated in several community groups including the Preston Arts Centre, Preston Area Trails Association, and the Black Educators Association
- Supported the implementation of the Preston Area Trails Association's annual plan
- Supported the implementation of the Preston Arts Council's annual plan
- Collaborating with the Justice Network to develop a project proposal and secure funding for a 2012 conference
Ujamaa
Ujamaa is a collaborative and sustainable development initiative supported by some of Nova Scotia’s most influential leaders from the African Nova Scotia community and the Partnership to empower the ANS community to reach its full potential.
Ujamaa takes an integrated, unified approach to community development with a focus on the sustainability of the ANS community.
- We worked closely with the communities of East Preston, Upper Hammonds Plains, Beechville and the Africville Genealogy Society, providing support services including community consultations, organizational development, project planning, proposal development and partnership facilitation.
- We hosted four roundtables on infrastructure, tourism, land development and profiling of African Nova Scotian artisans and vendors. We’ve held more than 20 community meetings and we are in the process of surveying members of the African Nova Scotian (ANS) community on their needs.
- In partnership with BBI, we sponsored the Afrikan Village Bazaar at the WTCC on February 15th, 2008 with more than 25 vendors and close to 200 people in attendance. The event was an opportunity to showcase African Nova Scotian sculptors, painters, poets, authors and retailers.
- We created a reference group of 15 individuals representing the ANS community, and created a project charter to support and direct us on the creation of a multi-year process that would lead to consistent financial commitments, as well as a broad-based approach that addresses economic, social, health, justice, training, and community issues.
- In 2011, Ujamaa was successfully incorporated and the new Ujamaa Council was established.
- In 2011/12, the Partnership supported Ujamaa on the governance and development of a project proposal to complete a census of the African Nova Scotia community.