Latest news with #communityhub
CBC
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
'It's really been a privilege': Dartmouth art gallery closing after 12 years in business
Jane MacDougald has spent the week carefully taking down the artwork that adorns the purple walls of her gallery, neatly packing up more than a decade's worth of memories and decor, piece by carefully curated piece. The Dart Gallery closes its doors this week after 12 years on Portland Street in downtown Dartmouth. "It was crushing because you know, I've put a lot into making this space what it is," MacDougald said last week, standing among shelves of local art prints and jewelry. MacDougald said she was surprised when her landlord recently decided not to renew her lease. Ian Stanley, who owns the building, said he tried to work with MacDougald and said an art gallery is "great for the community." But he said the rent she hoped to pay was "way under" market value, and they could not come to an agreement. Since she announced the closure on social media, MacDougald said she's been overwhelmed by messages of support. "It's really nice to hear, you know, how much it's meant to people," MacDougald said, her voice breaking. "People, I think, are very sad to see it go." Besides a place for artists to sell their work, the gallery's Red Room — named for the hand-dyed red plywood floors — became a community hub hosting everything from live music, DJs, and comedy, to Black beauty events. MacDougald said she knows that art can sometimes feel inaccessible, and wanted to change that by creating a vibrant, welcoming space that "feels good to be in." Lindsey Harrington, a longtime host of a writer's circle at the gallery, said MacDougald more than achieved that. "We really had the full gambit of artists … whether it be, you know, the city's poet laureate to somebody who never shared a poem before," Harrington said about the dART Speak event. "The biggest gift that the Dart Gallery gave me was a community." The Dart Gallery was among the first wave of businesses to kick-start the revitalization of Portland Street, which has become a vibrant stretch of cafes, restaurants and shops. "She was just so supportive of downtown Dartmouth when nobody else was. It's just really sad," Harrington said. MacDougald said she can't take too much credit for the work of other businesses who followed after her. But, she remembers hoping that bringing art and culture to the neighbourhood where she lived could give it a sense of identity. Tim Rissesco, CEO of the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission, said the closure "leaves a hole for community gatherings on the street." He is hopeful MacDougald could eventually reopen at a new location within the area, something that MacDougald said she also wants. "I've met so many wonderful, talented, kind people and it's really been a privilege," MacDougald said. "I'll miss seeing everyone as often, but you know, I'm not really going to go anywhere." For now, MacDougald said she will offer local art through her gallery website and is interested in exploring a community land trust for downtown Dartmouth. She pointed to the Kensington Market Community Land Trust as a possible model. In that case, community members pool resources to buy properties to prevent residential tenants and small businesses from being pushed out of the unique area.
News24
4 days ago
- Business
- News24
This Cape Town ‘village' hub on reimagined land gives township entrepreneurs a chance
In the heart of Philippi Village is an entrepreneurial community hub redefining the idea of transformation. Philippi Village, an entrepreneurial and community hub in Philippi, Cape Town, offers low-income households the opportunity to become self-sufficient in the urban economy. Since its inception in 2016, the model for Philippi Village has evolved from a business support centre into a community-focused development project, adapting according to the circumstances of the community that it serves. Twelve hectares of open land and an abandoned cement structure might now be perceived as an oasis in the chaos, madness and challenges of the wider Philippi area. The project questions the role of space in the developing urban Cape Flats. Originally conceptualised to house small businesses, it acted as a 'landlord' to township-based entrepreneurs who could rent workspaces and receive guidance to launch or grow small businesses. The financial model was dependent on small businesses paying rent, which ultimately failed due to a lack of occupancy and disposable income. Although Philippi Village managed to invite external tenants such as the Desmond Tutu Foundation, it couldn't retain them due to incidents of violent crime in the area. 'People's ideas of safety are different,' says Bushra Razack, CEO of Philippi Village. 'They often have a perceived safety – where safety is armed security with a baton. How do you shift that mindset?' Klara Robertson/News24 Klara Robertson/News24 Klara Robertson/News24 The organisation decided to put up a wall to protect the investment. 'Walls mean different things to different people, but at that moment we needed perimeter safety,' Razack explains. Razack emphasises that the long-term plan of Philippi Village is to eradicate the need for the wall and use landscape design as an integrated form of security. Tearing down walls created solutions Every time Philippi Village tried to build a wall around its property, the residents of Siyangena, an informal settlement on the outskirts of the Philippi Village border, would tear it down. When the team engaged with the community to find the reason for this, the residents of Siyangena said that they broke the wall down because they had no access to toilets and used the land to relieve themselves. For Razack and her team, this was powerful information: they realised that even with the best possible intention, it was essential to understand what is important to the community. There are opportunities for the youth at Philippi Village. Klara Robertson/News24 Klara Robertson/News24 As an NGO focused on building entrepreneurial spaces in Philippi, the team was sceptical about becoming responsible for basic amenities but understood that the lack of toilets in Siyangena directly affected the village's perimeter. The Philippi team appealed to the Western Cape government to provide toilets for Siyangena, but the government claimed it didn't have jurisdiction because the land was privately owned. The solution was for the team to build the wall as a zigzag, providing space for the toilets and giving the provincial government permission to build them on their land, which occurred four years later. 'The realities of township life, though not how you want to portray Philippi, is an important part of how one has to design the space,' says Razack. 'In South Africa we have an apartheid-style approach: bring out the guns, land invasion unit. In that moment, if we don't have an alternative in place, it's the easiest, safest, most convenient way to react to it. But we are only as healthy and safe as what is happening around us.' A 'conscious contract' with the community over land The model of Philippi Village is rooted in a community-centred approach, recognising that the spatial legacy of apartheid continues to shape township design – spaces historically not built to inspire dignity, health or opportunity. When residents of Waterfront informal settlement, driven by unliveable flooding conditions, began erecting homes on the Philippi Village premises, the team responded with a collaborative, rather than confrontational, approach. The settlement, situated on city-owned land and lacking basic services like sanitation and electricity, becomes inundated with sewage during the rainy season. In response, the Philippi Village team formed what they refer to as a 'conscious contract' with the Waterfront community. They agreed to prioritise Waterfront residents on their job seekers database in exchange for cooperation in managing the land occupation challenge. This mutual agreement laid the foundation for a unique partnership. Klara Robertson/News24 Seeing a tangible benefit, the community identified 40 individuals who were not originally from Waterfront but had joined the occupation. Simphiwe Nikani, the general manager at Philippi Village, converted unused shipping containers – typically reserved for tenants – into emergency housing overnight. The community agreed to use these emergency units exclusively during the rainy season. Remarkably, they also committed to taking down their own structures and vacating the space once the agreement's terms were met. 'I've never seen another example in South Africa where there is a land occupation that is illegal, and people willingly take their structures down, fulfill their side of the lease agreement, and exit,' remarks Razack. 'It comes from that relationship-building, seeing what's important. At that moment, employment was more important than temporary housing.' A developing model of sustainable development Razack explains that the journey of the Philippi Village project is far from perfect and still has a way to go. But its community-rooted, flexible approach offers vital insights into how urban spaces in low-income areas can be developed with the people they serve, not just around them. Razack ascertains that the organisation is operating in a place of complexity. 'We are not setting up the village in a place where every day is a little bit easier,' she says. Philippi Village hopes to remove its walls entirely and rely on design – not deterrence – for security. Until then, it remains a living example of how land, relationships and trust can form the foundation for a new kind of city building.
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Calgary non-profit expands support for young women facing homelessness
A Calgary-based non-profit is expanding its services through a new community hub and transitional housing space supporting women and girls at risk of homelessness. The Safe Haven Foundation announced that the Safe Haven Community Hub and Haven Harbour Residences is now open in the city's southwest. "This is a space that was built with care. It's rooted in belonging and it's designed to grow futures," said Safe Haven CEO Krystyna Lloyd at the building's opening on Wednesday. The building combines a social gathering space offering wellness workshops, life skills coaching, Indigenous-led healing circles and community meals. It has shared and independent residences for young women transitioning from other Safe Haven housing programs. "This is going to strengthen our families. It's going to rebuild natural supports. It's going to create future leaders here in our province of Alberta that are equipped with confidence and tools to thrive with," said Julia Hayter, the NDP MLA for Calgary-Edgemont and provincial shadow minister for the status of women. The residence space increases the number of youth Safe Haven can serve by 150 per cent, equating to over 3,285 supported bed nights annually. Residents stay an average of two years as they work on completing their education and finding employment. Lloyd said the project grew out of feedback from alumnae of Safe Haven's supportive living program, Haven's Way. "There was a desire to still be connected to coaching and support while first living independently," Lloyd said, adding the new space now makes that possible for residents. Melissa Wheeler was the first resident of Safe Haven when it opened its doors 25 years ago. Since then she has worked to help build and grow the organization. "The home gave me the safety and stability and the chance to dream for a better life, which hopefully I stand before you today to say, 'Hey, it can happen,'" she said at the announcement. "Being here today, it is this next stage of Safe Haven's journey." Addressing the need for a safe space According to research published by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation in 2024, homelessness among women and girls is not well documented, yet there are indications they experience it at a disproportionate rate to men. The Homeless Hub also found estimates of women's homelessness are often undercounted, as they are less likely to access homelessness services, either remaining in an unsafe housing situation or leaning on personal connections. Karen Sherbut started Safe Haven with her husband John in 2000. She left home at 16 years old, moving between friends' places while working three jobs and going to school. She said she was fortunate to have those safe places to stay, and wanted to provide the same for other young women in similar situations. "When I met John, he asked me what I wished I would have had when I was a kid," Sherbut said. "And it was a safe place to call home where I didn't have to worry about where my next meal was coming from, where I didn't have to worry about working every day — that I could go to school and focus on my studies." Sherbut and her husband then posed that same question to youth facing homelessness, whether it was at local shelters or on street corners. They found many wanted the same thing Sherbut did. Safe Haven is now the only program of its kind in Canada, Sherbut said, focusing on prevention and long-term change for young women who would otherwise be overlooked. A long time coming Lloyd said the new space has been in the works for several years. They started the project in 2020, but pandemic-related delays forced them to rethink their fundraising strategy. Fortunately, Lloyd said, several local donors came through. But, she stresses, the work is just beginning. "It took such a big push and so much community to make this possible, but it takes just as much effort to maintain it," said Lloyd. Still, Sherbut said seeing the space finally open is a "surreal," full-circle moment. "I remember Melissa walking through the doors only 25 years ago," Sherbut said. "She was the first girl, and for her to be there standing with us today is one of the highlights of the 30 years that John and I have been doing this."
Telegraph
20-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Historic chapel where ‘Bread of Heaven' hymn written under threat from property developers
A Welsh village is battling to buy an historic chapel where the classic hymn Bread of Heaven was written. The Grade II-listed Capel Rhondda is on the market for £47,500, including the graveyard. The chapel in Hopkinstown, South Wales, was built in 1885 for worshippers in the mining valleys. But now the village wants to buy it to turn it into a community hub – and stop it being bought by property developers. Composer John Hughes wrote the well-known hymn Cwm Rhondda for an anniversary service at the chapel in 1907. Better known as 'Bread of Heaven', it is often sung at Welsh rugby matches, pubs and funeral services. Fund-raiser Rhian Hopkins said: 'It would be a real shame if the incredible building which was funded and built by our ancestors was lost to a property developer who may not respect the building's history'. She added: 'It was built by the community, for the community so I would like to see it remaining as part of the community. 'My worry is that although it's a Grade II-listed building, and will obviously be protected in some way, it's on the market for what is a relatively low price for a property these days. I'm concerned that it could be bought by a wealthy property developer from outside the area and has no connection to the building. 'It's at that sort of price where someone might just buy it speculatively and leave it to sit empty. There are repairs that are needed already, so things would only get worse.' She decided to set up a crowd funder in an attempt to raise the asking price for the chapel and to ensure it would remain in the community's hands. Architectural interest The chapel was Grade II-listed in 2001 for its 'architectural interest as a late 19th century chapel in a prominent location retaining its original character'. A spokesman for The Baptist Union of Wales said: 'The union is sad to have had to close the chapel and we are thankful for all that has been done there over the years. 'Until recently, it was a very active church. But unfortunately, attendance numbers have declined and the buildings have started to deteriorate. It's a decision not taken lightly. The vestry in particular is in a very poor state of repair and can't be used. 'At the end of last year we looked at different options for uses for the building but could not find anything suitable – there was no other available option than to put it on the market. It's such a shame, but the building needs some investment and we hope we will find an appropriate buyer and a new lease of life to this historic building that has served the community so well.'
BBC News
15-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bridlington Central Library reopens its doors after refurbishment
A library has reopened after being shut for Central Library, in King Street, welcomed the public again on Monday for the first time since ground-floor refurbishment includes new lighting, shelving and furniture, as well as a new junior library with a sensory area and a pirate ship Riding of Yorkshire Council member Nick Coultish said the aim was to make the library feel like a "vibrant community hub where people of all ages can learn, connect and be inspired". He said: ''We're incredibly excited to welcome the community back and can't wait for everyone to experience the fantastic improvements we've made."The council said it would be announcing an upgrade of Bridlington North Library at a later date. The council added that funding would also be used to update Bridlington North Library which they will announce at a later to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
