Good Health and Well-Being Archives - Page 2 of 2

In 2011, the Algoma Sheep and Lamb Association approached NORDIK to explore marketing opportunities for local lamb and chevon (meat goat) products. Market analysis for lamb and goat products in the Algoma District was desired by the Algoma Sheep and Lamb Producers Association, in order to determine the feasibility of a market-based co-operative for lamb and goat producers in the Algoma District. Recommendations outlined how the group can realize opportunities and mitigate threats as producers continued to serve this market

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This evaluation of Sault Ste. Marie’s homelessness initiatives was designed and executed with the goal of bettering the services provided to community members under precarious living conditions. A continuum of care model was used to identify gaps in the delivery of community services to address both crisis and long-term needs of homeless individuals. Recommendations included consistent data collection that reflects service goals and objectives; the establishment of a street-level service outreach; the expansion of the Mobile Support Worker program; the development of more affordable housing; and permanent, ongoing funding to homeless shelters, amongst others. This research provided a glimpse of the strong network of agencies within the City of Sault Ste. Marie which provide support to the homeless population.

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This action research joined the experiences and opinions of residents, business or and property owners, service providers and other diverse stakeholders towards the building of a vibrant, economically healthy downtown district in Sault Ste. Marie. Over the period of one year, more than 1000 participants, passionate about the future of the city’s downtown core, drew attention to its strengths, potential, and areas for improvement. Among the projects that emerged from this work are the Graffiti Reframed project and the Neighbourhood Resource Centre. Of the many valuable partnerships that contributed to this research, the SSMPS provided the much-needed backbone support to the large-scale change envisioned by the participants in the Downtown Dialogue in Action project. It recommended a series of strategies to strengthen social cohesion, foster a healthy downtown economy, address the needs of “at-risk” neighbourhoods and people, and to increase access to the necessities of life, with oversight by a coordinating committee that brought together all levels of government, civil society and business.

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Dr. Gayle Broad, Sean Meades, Tom Green, Dana Chalifoux, Jessica Bolduc

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2011-20142

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Downtown Dialogue in Action Download

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The link between culture and the development of healthy, resilient communities is gathering strength in Northern Ontario. This research brought forward a new framework for approaching economic development that places a healthy culture, one that provides a supportive environment for people and their expressions of creativity, at the forefront of a vibrant and economically sound community. By assessing the socio-economic impact of the arts on the economy of Sault Ste. Marie, this study identified local strengths that can bolster the economy. These include community ownership and commitment, increasing economic activities and efficiencies around industry clusters and building on the existing arts economy. The findings point to the potential for increased economic activity where a greater understanding and strategic development planning process is generated. This would give the city a competitive advantage in attracting new business, retaining skilled labour and investment and providing wide-spread community benefits.

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Community Supported Agriculture is an alternative, and locally-rooted model of agriculture and food distribution that develops a network of individuals who have pledged to support one or more farms, with growers and consumers sharing the risks and benefits of farming good food.

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This exploration into the effectiveness of the Sault Ste. Marie Mental Health Court demonstrated the vital role this community service plays towards improving the outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health issues who come in conflict with the law. NORDIK researchers collected feedback from participants in the MHC processes through pre- and post-court interviews. The overall assessment of the MHC was quite positive, noting improvements in participants’ sense of self and their capacity to meet program requirements. Suggestions recommendations for areas of improvement were also noted. Through enhanced community support, this valuable service could assist individuals in avoiding incarceration and encourage improved treatment outcomes.

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This research evaluated the impact of the Community Corner in Sault Ste. Marie, a family preservation model designed to provide community-based family support programs for at-risk families. NORDIK carried out interviews and focused groups to compile information on user’s and stakeholders’ experiences of this service. These, in addition to a comprehensive literature review, brought forward a better understanding of the strengths, gaps and opportunities for further development for the program. The result of this research makes possible the application of this community partnership model to other neighbourhoods and rural areas. This work also facilitated the development of relationships between service providers, bringing forward opportunities to engage new skills and/or increase their capacities.

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This research demonstrated the benefits of the cooperative model for expanding locally sourced beef markets in Northern Ontario and support regional agricultural economies experiencing crises sparked by globalization through strengthening stakeholders. By examining existing Northern Ontario cooperatives and place-based businesses that support a value chain for local beef, researchers explored the impacts of scale, regulations, markets and infrastructure to the successes of these operations.

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This research engaged artists in cross-sectoral partnerships to develop the cultural sector at the local and regional level. It increased awareness, participation, education and employment opportunities through the creation of a database of artists, identification of cultural resources, artist-led strategic plans and the fostering of a regional artist network. Participants in the Breathing Northwinds project increased understanding of the dual role the arts play in both creating healthy, resilient communities and in building place-based economies.

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ASOPRICOR is the Association for the Holistic Development of Rural and Urban Communities, a community organization that represents many rural organizations, co-operatives and communities in rural Cundinimarca, Colombia. This project studied the sustainable development initiatives in rural Columbia, including agriculture, social enterprise and women’s organizations. Researchers from Algoma University collaborated with the Columbian association ASOPRICOR to exchange knowledge and experiences of rural communities, cooperatives and organizations between North and South. The research stemmed from a knowledge exchange between ASOPRICOR and the CESD program at then Algoma University College, The goal of which was to share information and knowledge with the hope that it will be a source of inspiration, reflection and questions about the daily work of community development in both the global South and North.