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When the United Way of Halifax and Region (UWHR) asked organizations in seven city neighbourhoods if they were interested in the ANC project, Spryfield stepped up to the plate. The UWHR removed uncertainty about federal funding by guaranteeing support themselves, and they hired local residents to direct the project – two guiding values that would stand the project in good stead.
The Spryfield Community Action Coalition (SCAC) collaborates with the Captain William Spry Community Centre Board of Directors (now renamed the Chebucto Community Development Association [CCDA]), although each organization has its own particular focus.
In the first year, eight action grant projects were approved:
- Two to help green a public housing complex
- Two to promote local business
- A research project to investigate establishing a child- and youth-centred services hub in Spryfield
- An environmental monitoring project to protect a local river
- A Spryfield residents’ association website
- A youth arts program to be operated by the local Boys and Girls Club and the Spry Centre board
The publication of We are Spryfield, a record of demographic, economic, social and environmental information as well as the collective experience and wisdom of the neighbourhood, garnered much response and served as a catalyst for change.
The positive outcomes have included the adoption of a long-term UWHR neighbourhood strategy, the development of many important interagency and government relationships, and the increased commitment and participation of Spryfield residents in neighbourhood renewal efforts.
Second year initiatives broadened to include:
- A gardening project for seniors
- Music, dance and art workshops aimed at youth
- A collective kitchen
- Funding to remove graffiti and create a community mural
- Refurbishment of recreational facilities
- Leadership programs for young women and students
A youth worker situated at the library helped train 15 young people to produce broadcast-quality radio programs. A six-part series that described what it is like to be young in Spryfield aired on participating community and public radio stations
One resident summed up the impact of the ANC project by thanking UWHR: “They got all the right groups talking and have helped build mutually supportive relationships at levels residents were unable to access by themselves.”
As a result, residents are gradually assuming a larger role in the affairs of the neighbourhood.
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Paul Shakotko
Manager, Neighbourhood Change
United Way of Halifax Region
7th Floor, Royal Bank Building
46 Portland Street
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H4
Tel: (902) 461-3086
Email: pshakotko@unitedwayhalifax.ca
Action for Neighbourhood
Change was in operation from 2005-2007. This site exists to capture and
share the learnings that emerged from this initiative, but new material
is no longer being added on a regular basis. ANC is not responsible for
the content of external links, which may change; however, if you find
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Spryfield, a farming community since
the 1770s, was annexed by the City of Halifax in 1969. It is in the
Mainland South of Halifax, a diverse area of urban, suburban, and rural
development. The road into Spryfield snakes through the often heavily-congested
Armdale Rotary (traffic circle) at the head of Halifax’s northwest
arm, then travels up a steep hill onto the mainland. Residents have
a sense of being separate from the rest of Halifax – the rotary
acts as a traffic barrier and the hilly climb leaves the rest of the
city ‘down below’. More...
| Key Documents |
Caledon Story -
ANC in Spryfield, Halifax Celebrates Two Years of Action and
Renewal (May 2007)
Quartiers en essor Spryfield, Halifax fête deux anneés
d’action et de renouveau (May 2007) |
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| Our Vibrant
Neighbourhoods Strategy |
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Governors Brook
* large download 36MB
(Quicktime
plugin required to play video. Click here
for free download). |
|
Guardian Ancestors
*large download 43MB
(Quicktime
plugin required to play video. Click here
for free download). |
|
No Boundaries
*large download 26MB
(Quicktime
plugin required to play video. Click here
for free download). |
|
Spryfield Spirit
*large download 27MB
(Quicktime
plugin required to play video. Click here
for free download). |
|
ANC Five Communities: Spryfield
(Quicktime
plugin required to play video. Click here
for free download). |
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| Clarification
profile of Spryfield 2006 Community Profile
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| Spryfield
2006 Community Profile
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Caledon Story -
A Return to ANC in Spryfield: Fresh Ideas Spring into Action
(April 2006)
Un retour sur l’initiative Quartiers en essor de Spryfield:
Idées nouvelles qui se traduisent en actions concrètes
(Avril 2006) |
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| Spryfield
community meeting (January 2006)
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| The
7 Spryfield Themes (January 2006)
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| Neighbourhoods
seek own solutions - An article from The
Daily News (January 2006)
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| We
are Spryfield (January 2006)
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| Residents
want to get Spryfield walking – An article from
The Daily News (November 2005)
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Caledon Story –
Spryfield Chooses Halifax ANC
(October 2005)
Spryfield choisit l'initiative Quartiers en essor – Halifax
– octobre 2005 |
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| Spryfield
– A Community On The Go! (June 2005)
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| Spryfield
Chosen to Participate in National Project (May 2005)
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| Our
Community is on the Go! – A Spryfield Community Forum
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