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Minutes of the Steering Committee Meeting

First meeting

August 3, 2005
9:00 – 12:00
South-East Ottawa CHC, Board Room

Present:

Co-Coordinator, Russell Heights Community House
Vice President, Community Services, United Way
Representative from South Ottawa Community Legal Clinic
Representatives from, Ottawa Police Services
Superintendent Ottawa Police Services, Ottawa East
Coordinator Banff Community House
Manager, Community Services SEOCHC
Project Coordinator, No Community Left Behind SEOCHC

Regrets:

Youth Services Bureau
Ottawa Community Housing
President of the Banff Avenue Tenants’ Association                        Representative of Fairlea Community Association

Proceedings

Catherine Dubois gave a brief introduction to the background of the No Community Left Behind project, highlighting the intention to work together in a collaborative manner to address pressing issues identified by the Ledbury and Banff Community. She thanked National Crime Prevention Centre for providing funding support to this initiative. Those present were acknowledged as key partners in past and present investment of services and support to this neighborhood. A priority element to this project was the participation of community members at all stages of project development, implementation, and evaluation. The project was also described as a pilot that would bring positive results to surrounding neighborhoods, and other target communities in south-east Ottawa in the future.

Abid Jan, the project coordinator, presented a summary of the project to date, its main components. This included preliminary results of a Community Safety Survey, undertaken in July to understand the community’s perception about the safety and security in their community. These results prompted a good discussion, relating to information about previous studies on similar crime and safety issues. (Note: Out of 118 household, 43 have been surveyed at random.)

Sylvie Manser, previously a longtime resident of Banff and now the Community House Coordinator, was invited to share her perspective on community realities and priorities. She highlighted the impact the gangs in the community, operating as an enticement to younger youth as a money-making enterprise, and indicated that drug abuse did not appear to be a serious problem. While in the past the majority of new residents moving into the units were embers of the multicultural community, this is no longer the case. Also, new residents are experiencing drug addictions, which impact seriously on their parenting roles. In Sylvie’s view, preventive programs are crucial to interrupting the downward cycle, including treatment programs on site.

Among the positive trends, Sylvie Manser identified an increased interest in volunteering, such that community members truly wished to become involved in their neighborhood.

Expulsion from school and associated problems were highlighted, and reinforced by Louise Logue who shared information on the large numbers of youth out of school as a result of the ‘safe schools’ policies. The importance and benefits of homework help and other youth positive activities were noted.

Inspector Bordeleau emphasized the need for a solid community and social support network to sustain the positive effects of initiatives undertaken by Ottawa Police Services.

Following an inquiry from Eileen Dooley relating to project evaluation, participants were informed that indicators have been identified in the original proposal, but that it was felt that additional indicators of positive change would be identified by Steering Committee members, based on their areas of expertise.

Participants were asked to identify other organizations/individuals to strengthen the potential role of this Steering Committee. The following will be contacted to participate at the next meeting:

Erin Purdy, City of Ottawa

Michelle Parks City of Ottawa and Parent Teacher Advisory Council

Youth Services Bureau (previously invited)

Boys and Girls Club

Ottawa Community Housing (previously invited)

It was also recommended that Maria McRae, Councillor for the Banff community, would have a high interest in this initiative and should be well informed.

In terms of next steps –

SEOCHC will

Prepare a package of background information about the project for those who attended this meeting, as well as prospective members of the Steering Committee in advance of the next meeting.

This package will include results of the community safety survey

Draft terms of reference for the steering Committee will be developed for discussion and finalized at the next meeting

A preliminary work plan of activities will be shared with members for their input.

Next Meeting
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 1-3 p.m.
Location: Banff Community House
2084 A & B Banff Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario K1V 7X9
613-739-5702

Tel./ Tél: (613) 737-5115 Ext. 403 Fax/Télé: (613) 739-8199 TTY/ATEM: (613) 739-819