Benjamin Moore program furthers work in Hamilton neighbourhood

By Sharon Charters

On May 31st, representatives from CFC, the Hamilton Community Foundation and Benjamin Moore had the opportunity to visit the Beasley Community Centre in the heart of downtown Hamilton to distribute cheques to five local organizations.

This funding, along with paint and technical expertise, was provided by the Benjamin Moore Community Restoration Program to support a wide range of projects.

It was appropriate and gratifying to be holding the event at the Beasley Community Centre, and presenting to the Beasley Neighbourhood Association funds to support a mural for the outside of the building.

Hamilton Community Foundation has supported work in the Beasley community for a number of years in different ways.

As part of the Growing Roots… Strengthening Neighbourhoods program, HCF provided a community development worker and small grants to help organize in the community. In 2006, the Foundation was approached by donors who wanted to respond to cuts to the national child care program. They engaged HCF to look at options for an investment of $1 million for child care in this community.

After research and consultation with experts in the field of child care and early child development, a proposal was developed for the Beasley neighbourhood. The initiative is based on research and best practice elements of “Best Start” as they meet the unique context and needs of the Beasley neighbourhood.

Since that time, residents and their service providing partners have worked with enormous dedication and commitment to improve the quality of life in the Beasley neighbourhood. They have an official “charter” and, with support from the Neighbourhood Development office of the City, a comprehensive neighbourhood plan.

We look forward to hearing great things from this community as they move from planning to action.

Sharon Charters is Hamilton Community Foundation’s Manager of Grants.

CFC’s Benjamin Moore program provides facelift, inspiration

By Michelle Stefan

The Summerland Asset Development Initiative (SADI) is an organization that provides opportunities, activities and resources for Summerland youth.

Volunteers paint up a storm at the SADI centre

We are housed in a building provided by the District of Summerland. This building provides us with the opportunity to run activities, leadership programs and an after-school program for youth. Each year we try to focus on a new building improvement project that improves our building, but also enhances community spirit through these positive changes.

Last year, SADI heard about CFC’s Benjamin Moore Community Restoration Program, which awards cash grants of up to $4,000 plus Benjamin Moore paint valued up to $750 to qualifying community organizations.

We thought it sounded like a great opportunity to spruce up the building and make it a source of pride in our community. We worked with our local Community Foundation of the South Okanagan to find out more about it and put together our proposal. Then we crossed our fingers.

Work in progress at the SADI centre in Summerland

Soon after, we received word that we would receive cash and paint to make our vision a reality. We set to work involving a local painter and SADI supporter, selected two colour schemes and asked the youth what they thought. They were unanimous in their decision and we set to work. We organized volunteers of all ages to help with the painting of a stucco building – no easy task!

It didn’t take long before our building was transformed before our very eyes. Shades of blue, green and orange were tastefully combined to create a fun, vibrant and aesthetically pleasing new space. Youth were so inspired they couldn’t stop painting, and continued to paint all the tables in our lounge area.

Feedback from the community was instantaneous and we heard positive comments for months. Some even suggested it should be the new design scheme for our town. We feel that this project helped us build spirit and pride, not only in our own building and in our youth, but in the community as a whole.

A big thank-you to Benjamin Moore, Community Foundations of Canada, The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan, Summerland Builders Mart, Feels Like Home by Jamie, and the many volunteers who made our vision a reality!

The process was easy and helped us accomplish something that might otherwise not have been possible.

Michelle Stefan is SADI Program Manager