Butler Urban Farm
The Butler Urban Farm is a space that I am incredibly proud to be a part of. It is a community garden, minus the fences and rental fees. Instead, the farm is a garden that is tended to through the collective help of the community. Volunteers within this space can provide labour or simply emotional support through their presence and in return receive fresh, organic produce. Even non-volunteers can receive produce so long as they write their takings in a book; no one who is looking for food will leave empty handed. My roles at the farm include: learning to rototilt; sewing, growing and harvesting vegetation; build out irrigation systems; refresh the compost piles; attend seminars held at the garden; and my personal least favourite, weeding. However, it does provide a space for engaging in some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had while myself and others monotonously pull, pick and cut unwanted plant growth.
The Loop
The Loop is a community resource center that is open to anyone who would like a meal, coffee or just a place to sit. Typically, it attracts those in the community who are not welcome in other increasingly privatized “public” spaces. The Loop provides a space to comfortably socialize, eat and be connected to a variety of services and advocates. My role at The Loop was varied depending on the day and what was needed. Throughout my time there I: cook for hours, clean up, sing ballads with talented pianist guests, perform first aid, circulate farmers markets with garbage bins asking for leftover produce and much more.
After School Sports and Arts Initiative
This is an amazing program organized by SD73 where schools that have many students who typically do not have the opportunity to attend extracurricular activities are provided the opportunity to do so free of charge. I have been able to help or organize programs for multi-sport, games and activities and drum making. They are all amazing programs and provide an awesome opportunity to create really strong relationships with students in a genuine way. It is incredible to see students progress in their abilities throughout the eight week programs.