Overview
Project Title
Systems Change - Building a Strengths Based & Place Based Approach to West End Food Security
Organization Name
Related Course Concepts
Food justice, Food security, Food insecurity, Asset based community development ,Poverty reduction/income inequality, Gender and/or sexual orientation, Anti-racism, Decolonization, Indigenous food sovereignty
Organization Information
Organization Name
Mission and Vision of Organization
Vision
The Vision statement of Gordon Neighbourhood House represents the end goal to our work. Our vision statement is as follows: Gordon Neighbourhood House strives to ensure that the West End of Vancouver is a vibrant and active community, where everyone is empowered to play an active role in civil society.
Mission
The Mission Statement represents our modus operandi, or how we intend to accomplish our vision. Our Mission Statement was revised in April 2020, and reads as follows: Moving together to foster connection and opportunity in our neighbourhood -- for today and tomorrow.
Guiding Principles + Values
Our Values
Diversity and Inclusion: We are children, youth, adults and seniors of all ethnicities, beliefs, cultures, abilities and economic levels. We speak many languages and we are people of all sexual orientations. We seek to foster diverse, multilingual and vibrant environments that welcome and embrace all aspects of who we are.
Respect: We are committed to honoring the dignity of each person. We act with integrity and compassion in our relationships, and we are committed to our own self-reflection and growth. We believe everyone has something to contribute and we celebrate the contributions of one another.
Social Justice: We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in social, economic and cultural life, and we are committed to advancing this vision. We seek to embed principles of social justice by applying an equity lens to our work; by fostering participation in decision-making processes and by honoring the rights of others. We are committed to learning about injustices and correcting our role within them.
Respecting First Nations & Indigenous Peoples: We recognize that our work is conducted on Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Land. We are committed to acting with respect for the history, land and laws of these Nations. We recognize the ongoing injustice toward Indigenous peoples in this country, and we are committed to meaningfully addressing the harms perpetuated against Indigenous peoples in all work we do.
Sustainability: We are committed to fostering just and sustainable relationships with the natural world.
Innovation and Creativity: We nurture joyful environments that encourage new ideas, initiatives, and the use of everyone's talents and strengths. We focus on the process, rather than the product. We take risks and think outside the box. We celebrate the growth and efforts of each other.
Organizational Excellence: We are committed to loyalty to one another and our shared vision; to upholding and supporting our roles, responsibilities, decisions and processes; to maintaining and nurturing unity and a united front; to acting with integrity, reliability and accountability in fulfilling our commitments; and to solutions-oriented, active participation.
Partnerships: We are stronger together. We are committed to working in collaboration with a wide range of partners in pursuit of our vision, including charitable organizations, foundations, businesses, business improvement associations and government.
Contact Information
- Primary Contact Person(s): Jim Balakshin
- Email: Jim@gordonhouse.org
- Phone: 604.683.2554
- Address: 1019 Broughton St, Vancouver, BC
- Website: [gordonhouse.org]
Preferred Method of Contact
- Best method(s) to contact: Email
- Preferred platform(s) for project meetings: Email, Phone, Zoom, Text
- Preferred platform(s) for collaboration and student meetings: In person, Email, Phone, Zoom
- Best day(s) to contact: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
- Best time(s) to contact: Mornings, Afternoons
- Work to happen online or in person: Combo, erring toward online
Project Description
Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?
This project will demonstrate what a post-pandemic, place-based and strengths-based strategy for food insecurity could look like in Vancouver. This project works with community to
- to begin to define the nature and root causes of food insecurities in the West End, moving beyond a general tendency to use 'food insecurity' as a blanket term, and
- critically evaluating the sustainability and effectiveness of any given intervention, given the resources/assets available to the West End.
This is in part to demonstrate that there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to food insecurity and that solutions in one neighborhood may not be applicable to another, which is a timely and necessary contribution to the current discourse around Vancouver's pandemic/post-pandemic food security strategy. It also begins to articulate non-food solutions to food insecurity in this area -- given that food insecurity often stems from poverty, this may touch on areas of federal or provincial jurisdiction -- and organize/empower local community to advocate accordingly.
Main Project Activities and Expected Deliverable(s)
We envision a broad project including the following components:
- Literature review of food security projects in Vancouver, historically to present
- Literature review of existing policies/frameworks impacting on local food security, including non-food policies (e.g. childcare availability, seniors income, etc.)
- Data analysis, neighbourhood Social Demographic Profile
- Workshop design and implementation, community engagement around existing food interventions
At the first community partner meeting, students will meet with the partner to discuss which component(s) are most realistic and feasible to complete within the term.
Will the project work for the students be online, in person, or a combination?
- A combination, erring toward online
Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)
- Research & analysis ability
- Interest in policy
- Critical and intersectional lens
- Background in stats welcome
Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?
- No
Is a criminal record check required?
- Yes, to be initiated by the community partner at the first meeting
Related Community Service Opportunities for Students
We are a Neighbourhood House! There is no shortage of volunteer activities.. be careful what you wish for...
Required Reading
Project/Partner Orientation Materials
- Gordon House's Food Philosophy
- West End Social Indicators Profile
Additional Project/Partner Orientation Materials
- Building Tour
- In Person Orientation
- Meeting with Director of Community Development
Organizational Outcomes
Intended Project Outcome (Short Term Outcomes)
West End stakeholders & community co-create strengths-based food security interventions