HCF has been working in east Hamilton’s McQuesten neighbourhood since 2002.  McQuesten is a wonderful example of HCF’s neighbourhood-focused poverty-reduction strategy in action.  Watch a video by clicking on the play button above or click here for full screen.   

 

neighbourhood

Click here to see a presentation about HCF's Growing Roots...Strengthening Neighbourhoods, Tackling Poverty Together and TPT II: Building Strong Communities initiatives.

Initiatives

Neighbourhood Focus

Neighbourhoods are important and will always be a critical strategy in Hamilton Community Foundation's work to improve the quality of life in this city and make Hamilton the best place to raise a child.

In 2002, the Foundation made a five-year commitment to work with the residents of four Hamilton neighbourhoods through its innovative program, "Growing Roots... Strengthening Neighbourhoods".  As a small grants program, Growing Roots.Strengthening Neighbourhoods differed from most other grantmaking programs in that it supported citizens' organizations rather than professional service delivery organizations (or established health, education or cultural institutions) as a primary resource for improving community conditions and solving local problems.

The program focused on four Hamilton neighbourhoods selected through research and consultation. These neighbourhoods offered assets and potential for success, but also presented concentrated risks, issues and special challenges.

An independent evaluation conducted mid-way through the program demonstrated that

Other effects identified: breaking down barriers, strengthening ethno-cultural groups, increasing neighbourhood involvement.

The experience, relationships and learning gathered from Growing Roots.....Strengthening Neighbourhoods has continued to inform the Foundation's initiatives in neighbourhoods through small grantmaking, capacity building and other support, as it is currently doing through TPT II: Building Strong Communities.

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