For the month of September, our Community Initiative of the Month is Central Neighbourhoods and their parent organization, Spence Neighbourhood Association.

Central Neighbourhoods is a project for the coordination of neighbourhood revitalization activities in Central Park, Centennial and West Alexander. The Spence Neighbourhood Association works with the people of Spence to revitalize and renew the community in the areas of Holistic Housing, Community Connecting, Community Economic Development, Environment and Open Spaces, and Youth & Families.

Central Neighbourhoods is coordinating activities of community development in the three neighbourhoods of Central Park, Centennial, and West Alexander. In the past few years, the community has seen a decrease in the social determinants of health and community well-being, not accompanied by better and more supports for those who need them the most. In consultation with the community, Central Neighbourhoods has focused on Community Well-being from a community-led and asset-based perspective, and developed some grassroots responses.

Central Neighbourhoods runs many integral programs including Door Service which offers access to harm reduction and hygiene supplies at a weekly drop-in door service, a youth program for kids ages 6-12 called Branch Out, a Community Cooking Club and more!

A portion of sales from all cupcakes at Academy, The Forks, Island Lakes and over SkipTheDishes will be donated throughout the month of September. To learn more about Central Neighbourhoods, click here and to learn more about Spence Neighbourhood Association, click here.