FREE Community Community Newspaper Connection February 2010 Wealth in North Central Edition Many diverse agencies from North Central and Regina provide an array of programs and services that aim to improve the quality of individual, family and community life of neighbourhood residents. These organizations share common interests such as the effectiveness of their program efforts and the long-term development of the North Central community. interagency forum Testimonials - Together Now Interagency: “Networking through the Together “Amazing group - networking Now Interagency is a great way and building capacity while to let inner-city residents know saving money. It just doesn’t get that the Canadian Red Cross any better!” delivers several programs designed to improve the quality of their Leona Quewezance Program Director lives, and is here to help when All Nations Hope personal disasters - such as house 2735 5th Avenue fires - strike. Through the Together Phone: 306.924.8424 www.allnationshope.ca Now Interagency, we are also able For several years North organize and act together to discover and understand the Central serving agencies to share ideas and efforts. needs of many members - includ- “It has been a great opportunity have recognized the inherent ing the North Central Family to share with other agencies the value of sharing information, The Together Now Interagency Centre where we now provide work Souls Harbour Rescue supporting one another, both Network aims to gather and Babysitting Courses to enhance Mission is doing in our existing personally and professionally, connect many community- the basic skills adolescents require facilities as well as our new and in co-operating on projects based agencies and govern- to care for themselves, siblings and daycare and youth centre opening and events. The “Together ment organizations. Network children in their care.” in 2010. I have also appreciated Now” interagency forum grew gatherings and committees the chance to network with staff from the need to work together. also welcome the participation Dee Friday, Regina/Aboriginal Outreach from other agencies, and we have The network is a continuous of concerned citizens. Co-ordinator and organized effort to create The Network is built upon Canadian Red Cross been able to work together as a synergies among many the principles of inclusive 100-2050 Cornwall Street result.” Regina diverse players in human community development, 721-1600 Paula Katzberg services. The network exists to voluntary participation in www.redcross.ca Campus Manager maximize community benefits networking, sharing of Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission and strengthen community. leadership responsibilities www.soulsharbourrescuemission.org/ Network participants when required and encouraging b e l i e v e good things happen co-operative and collaborative when people think, talk, social action. Without INSIDE community service, P2 Community Voices Dream Brokers The Network will hold Interagency gatherings up to 4 or more we would not have a times per year, at least quarterly. The gatherings are ad-hoc strong quality of life. P3 All Nations Healin’ thru Artz and inclusive in nature - that is, whoever is able to attend is It’s important to the P4 Dear Auntie welcome to attend. There is chance to share current information SEARCH and to hear a guest presentation about particular community and person who serves human service topics. Participants are encouraged to bring and as well as the recipient. P5 Intercultural G’mothers Uniting distribute printed information to foster strategic partnerships and Traditional G’mothers Guidance co-operation. It’s the way in which we ourselves P6 Canada 2010 Moment Festival P7 Scott Collegiate PARTICIPATION AND NETWORKING GROW and DEVELOP. P8 Public School News Agency participation in the “Together Now” Network is voluntary -DOROTHY HEIGHT Community Gardens and this is a fundamental principle of the Network that is a notable AMERICAN ACTIVIST strength. Participation is open and inclusive to anyone who P10 Community Calendar wishes to join in gatherings, committees, projects or events. It P12 Noble Snapshots of NC is assumed participant agencies have a strong interest in serving NC Wish List North Central individuals, families and groups. 2 NCCA Community Connection Current Issues February 2010 In the Eye of the Storm by Alvin Deegan ‘08 Trying to end my deadly ways ‘Cause a lot of stuff like my dreams will So I educate to find peace and meditate get swallowed up Concentrate on this fiery element Prayed for my enemies and all my Demonstrate because it’s clearly painful memories development Prayed for positive energy and for a cure Prosper by Alvin Deegan ‘08 The rage within burns at my intelligence or remedy But I refuse to go where felons went Prayed for the friends I see, Gaining humanity to stay true to me So I ask my saviour Whose frustrations seem to stretch So I can spread unity in my community “How do I get rid of this bad behaviour?” throughout for centuries Not the scrutiny of stupidity, I don’t want to burn “’Cause it’s crime I’m against” Prayed for the smudgings, sweats, and at the stakes “Turning my back to strangers fasts, my traditional identity So I learn from my mistakes and what used to be whose path is danger” Prayed for my emotions, my regrets and Now I’m stepping up, you can see the firm on my face I was told to pray, a powerful line of wrath so I can switch with serenity ‘Cause it’s my turn at the plate, in this room of peace defense Prayed for the deceased, who left and I want to ease my heartaches and earn what I make Seen the signs of the end passed My sacrifice is a fact in life and I grasp it tight So I cherish and relish my time that I’ve Prayed for my healing, my dealings Carrying this torch and I’m willing to pass the light spent with feelings Because I realize I don’t have to fight by uniting the red Prayed so hard so tears ran down my There’s a question I awake to each with the black and white cheeks morning This is not the ‘new me’, it’s the ‘true me’ My plan’s now to speak and not bottle up The question is… And I’ve always been, doing my duty Getting rid of the ugly and embracing the beauty The sun is shining, do I let the storm in? My brothers sharing their experience, I’m hearing them So I don’t have to experiment HAVE YOUR SAY! Contribute an opinion piece to future issues of North Central For a number of years, I was running on fear Community Connection! Community Voices - Your Voice. But I now know that emotion is false so my face is running with tears It seemed my fate was hate and now everything is Left to right: Ryan McKay, Patti Pelletier, Paris Campre, Darcy coming so clear Gamble, Madisson Gamble, Peter Papequash involved with When I’m in the circle, I feel it disappear OHL (Outdoor Hockey League) and they were chosen to be My connection with depression was a large amount the first to use the new rinks at the Co-operators Centre (new And my permission with submission put me arenas at Evraz Place) on December 17th, 2009 down for the count But I’m like a ball so you know I’ll bounce And the Leo in me is ready to pounce like Simba So heed the lumberjack’s warning, TIMBER!!! The negativity made me weak so it’s strength that I seek I want to praise the Creator and give thanks for the peace that dwells inside me… Dream Brokers IN NORTH CENTRAL by Jan Morier photo courtesy of Kitchener School he Dream Brokers program in North are in place. Sometimes in cultural demonstrated their commitment by investing TCentral offers great fortunes of hope! programs, such as beading or powwow in practice. Regina Community Basketball Launched in 2006 as a legacy project to the dance, programs begin but may not return. program is another successful match. Summer Games, Dream Brokers is a unique For a popular set of existing art classes, Students enter into and are motivated to program for youth living in the inner city. It at the Neil Balkwill for example, Dream continue to be more involved. aims to give children a level playing field, art Brokers register students and purchase studio or music room! The Dream Brokers supplies. In all cases, students’ skills are Sabrina Coté-Brooks is a Dream Broker at serve to eliminate any barriers standing matched with opportunity. The pairing up Sacred Heart School. She is a graduate of between youngsters and their dreams. can be geared to individual students who Scott Collegiate and says “I love working Being a Dream Broker is a dream job for shine. An anonymous donor assists with a with and learning from our youth. I believe Garett Mathiason who has been involved taxi account for individual youth to get to there is a lot to learn from them if we as since 2006. He was hired to start the classes. adults open our eyes and listen.” Sarah program at Herchmer School until its Honeysett is taking on Sabrina’s duties closure in 2008, at which time he moved to The Dream Brokers have definitely while she is on mat leave. Shana Cardinal Wascana Community School. observed increased self-esteem in the makes dreams happen at Kitchener School. student body over the 3 years of the The program began as a 4-year legacy Garett explains how he surveys classrooms program. Garett explains “It’s gratifying to project, due to end this June 30.