Bulletin - May 2024
Welcome to the May edition of the MetroWorks bulletin! This month, we're excited to share the wonderful achievements of our EDGE participants who hosted a successful planting workshop for OPTIONS participants, celebrated the graduation of a dedicated EDGE cohort, and welcomed four Members of the Legislative Assembly to our social enterprises. Additionally, we highlight the employment success of our Stone Hearth Bakery participants, our new partnership with LIFT Impact Partners, and the refreshing new drinks at The Ampersand Cafe. Dive in to learn more about these inspiring stories!
EDGE and OPTIONS Team Up for Planting Workshop
With funds from a Commit2Act grant, EDGE participants hosted a planting workshop for 22 OPTIONS participants. At the very end of May, they planted a variety of seeds, creating what they call their "salad bowl gardens." In two weeks, they will return to see the progress of their gardens. Each participant will also take home their plants and an indoor grow light to continue nurturing their salad bowl gardens at home.
First planted!
One week later!
Office Gets Green with Common Roots Urban Farm
As the warmer weather arrives, the gardening spirit of Common Roots Urban Farm has inspired the office! This month, both EDGE and OPTIONS participants ventured across the street to the BiHi location to volunteer. From watering and tending to the gardens to transporting soil and tools, there was plenty for the teams to do! Having the gardens nearby helps foster greater connection and understanding of one another and the environment, and we’re all lucky to have them close by!
Celebrating EDGE Program Graduates
This month, the EDGE participants celebrated the completion of their 12-week program. Throughout this time, they achieved remarkable milestones, including securing grant opportunities from Commit2Act to kickstart their urban gardening projects. The group also participated in a commercial baking workshop at Stone Hearth’s Sweets Bakery, successfully completed numerous assignments for job applications and interviews, and even had one participant intern with our communications team!
Congratulations to this group of young adults! You have accomplished so much and left an indelible mark on the program. Your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring.
Members of the Legislative Assembly Visit MetroWorks
This month, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited our little pocket of the universe to learn more about our social enterprises. Ali Duale, MLA for Armdale; Kelly Regan, MLA for Bedford Basin; Carman Kerr, MLA for Annapolis; and Ronnie LeBlanc, MLA for Clare, explored what Stone Hearth Bakery, The Ampersand Cafe, and Common Roots Urban Farm have to offer to the community. They learned about the significant impact these initiatives have in providing goods, services, and support for Nova Scotians. Thank you for fitting MetroWorks into your busy schedules!
Ali Duale, MLA for Armdale
Kelly Regan, MLA for Bedford Basin
Carman Kerr, MLA for Annapolis
Ronnie LeBlanc, MLA for Clare
Stone Hearth Bakery Program Success
Following the job fairs in April 2024, two of our participants have secured jobs in the community this month. One is now working full-time at a hotel, and the other has secured a part-time position in a café. Both participants credit the Stone Hearth Bakery program as instrumental in helping them secure these opportunities, and we’re excited to see them applying what they learned with us to this next chapter in their employment journey!
LIFT Impact Partners Selects MetroWorks
Lift Impact Partners has selected MetroWorks to be part of the next cohort to support. They believe in meaningful employment for all Canadians, and help Social Purpose Organizations (SPOs) attract new funding, increase revenue, build capacity, scale programs, or and other supports the organizations might need. With MetroWorks, LIFT will help us with capacity building and impact measurement. More to come with this exciting adventure!
If you want to learn more about LIFT Impact Partners, you can visit their website here.
Mango Madness: Sipping Through Summer at The Ampersand Cafe
Now that the sun shines across Halifax, we’re probably all soaking up a lot more vitamin D! Time to ditch that morning coffee because we got all the energy we need from that fireball in the sky and add a little fizz to your morning! Try our refreshing Italian Sodas! (We’re mostly joking because we know the communications team alone will continue their need-at-least-three-coffees-per-day routine.)
Beat the summer heat with endless flavour combinations and you might just find yourself at The Ampersand Café in Halifax Central Library all summer long. Also, please try the mango flavour... our café manager may have accidentally ordered 32 bottles of mango syrup — you know, instead of eight. #MangoingAllTheWayToTheHolidays
As we wrap up another impactful month at MetroWorks, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our participants for their incredible achievements and contributions. From planting workshops and program graduations to new partnerships and job successes, each story reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful employment and community support. Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the coming months, and thank you for being part of the MetroWorks community!
