17. Hastings Community Centre

Organization Information

Organization Name

Hastings Community Centre Food and Garden Programs

Mission and Vision of Organization

Mission

To increase the capacity & connection of the Hastings-Sunrise community through empowering food & garden programming

Vision

The Hastings-Sunrise Community will be an active player in helping Vancouver become a global leader in urban foods systems through strengthening our food & garden skills to create a community connected through growing & sharing our own food.

Guiding Principles + Values

• Educating
• Inclusive
• Sustainable
• Resourceful
• Decolonizing
• Intergenerational
• Intercultural
• Encouraging stewardship

Contact Information

• Primary Contact Person(s): Lisa Patterson
• Email: seasonsoffoodhcc [at] gmail [dot] com
• Phone: 604-220-2856
• Address: 3096 E Hastings St., Vancouver
• Website: http://hastingscc.ca/?p=23&nbsp

Preferred Method of Contact

• Best method(s) to contact: Email
• Best day(s) to contact: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
• Best time(s) to contact: Mornings, Afternoons

Preferred Platform(s) for Remote Collaboration

• Email, Google Meet, Phone, Skype, Zoom

Project Description

Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

We are in the process of building up an intergenerational garden program within Hastings Community Centre, serving seniors, adults, and young families in our community. We have an in-house preschool, out-of-school care programs, and an elementary school close by, who we invite into the garden for regular programming. We are also expanding our adult and older adult programming, The major funding source for the Hastings Learning Garden is a Vancouver Coastal Health SMART Grant.

SMART Grants fund programs that:

• promote greater equity in wellness by building on a community’s social, environmental, cultural and economic foundations to reduce the impact of systemic factors that create conditions of vulnerability, and
• consist of activities that build collective capacity of peer groups and/or communities (not solely that of individuals).

We are looking to revamp our planting schedule in the garden. We would like to plant food, flower, and herb crops in the garden that

• provide a harvest that can supplement our kitchen programs
• provide some food for sampling/giving away
• stimulate conversation
• provide opportunities for learning at various stages of growth, and can be used for workshops/teaching
• in some cases, provide important pollinator habitat
• utilize available space 12 months a year

Main Project Activities

• a 4-season planting schedule with harvest guide
• workshop plans for different age groups based on season
• infographics that can be printed on a sign in the garden

Will the project work for the students be online, in person, or a combination?

• Most of the work can be online, but a site visit would be preferable to understand our garden and programs.

Expected Project Deliverable(s)

• Program participants at HCC will gain access to a greater variety of produce and knowledge of 4-season gardening in Vancouver

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

• interest in education/community recreation programming
• creative thinker
• good listener
• flexible and engaged

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

• No

Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?

• No

Preferred Days of Week and Hours

• Flexible

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

• We are starting to accept garden volunteers at the community centre for the first time since the start of COVID. There's always lots to do - please email us at seasonsoffoodhcc [at] gmail [dot] com if you are interested.

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review these materials prior to the first partner meeting:

• Garden page on Hastings Community Centre website: http://hastingscc.ca/?p=23
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeasonsOfFoodVancouver
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasonsoffoodhcc/

Additional Project/Partner Orientation Materials

The following will be provided at the first community partner meeting:

• A tour of the garden would be useful.