Featured Projects

Safe and vibrant public spaces

Montreal, QC

Bâtiment 7 is a citizens’ initiative with a mission to maintain the neighbourhood’s history, respond to community needs, and promote a culture of autonomy and resource-sharing through democratic, inclusive management. Recognizing the value of the Bâtiment 7 community centre, the Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) granted 7 a Nous funding for safe and vibrant public spaces during the pandemic. This grant supported the implementation of Canada’s first Blue-Green Alley, enhancements to the on-site farm, and community workshops. These placemaking initiatives blend climate action with creativity and social connection: art workshops use recycled and sustainable materials, community volunteers run the farm while building a sense of agency and neighbourhood pride, and a gardening club provides opportunities to make friends while learning about native plants. Addressing climate changes, urban isolation and loneliness, and the lack of accessible art spaces in the area all at once, this community-led placemaking benefits participants’ wellness in a myriad of ways.

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Safe and vibrant public spaces

Halifax, NS

Common Roots Urban Farms uses organic gardening to promote mental, physical, and community health. The farms support approximately 500 community members, one-third of which are food-insecure families. The project received funding from the CHCI to support their goals in four key areas:

• Access to farming plots: increase the number of farming plots, with one-third of the plots to be allocated to food-insecure community members, many of whom are newcomer Canadians keen to grow cultural foods not available in local supermarkets.
• Access to local, affordable produce: set up market stands in three low income neighborhoods, providing convenient access to affordable, nutritious food and to provide information about the farm programs.
• Educational opportunities: Launch a webinar series in 2022 with tips from newcomer farmers for growing and harvesting different types of food. Newcomers are especially interested in supporting the series and explaining to audiences how to grow and cook their cultural foods.
• Access to a vibrant and inclusive community space: install benches and signage to encourage visitors of all abilities to stay and enjoy the beauty of the gardens.

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Digital Solutions

Surrey, BC

The First Nations Women’s Yoga Initiative (FNWYI) incorporates safe spaces for women, 2Spirit people, their families, and the broader community to connect through TIY delivered in a virtual format. TIY includes therapeutic breathing, grounding techniques, yoga forms, and mindfulness practices. The CHCI supported a training that teaches women and 2Spirit people the skills to incorporate yoga and mindfulness-based practices in combination with traditional Indigenous practices into their lives, we believe the project will serve communities in the aftermath of Covid-19. Participants have graduated to deliver yoga programs in the community.

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