Bulletin - September 2024
This September, our community has been alive with collaboration, learning, and celebration. From Stone Hearth Bakery's seasonal success to the EDGE program's innovative storytelling initiative, we are proud to highlight the impact of our dedicated teams and participants. Join us as we share stories of growth, empowerment, and cultural exploration, all woven into the fabric of our local community.
Stone Hearth Bakery: A Season of Collaboration and Community
This fall, Stone Hearth Bakery has been bustling with activity, thanks in part to the support of participants from the Common Roots Urban Farm program. These individuals joined the bakery team during the busy fall and winter seasons, bringing dedication and enthusiasm as they worked alongside Stone Hearth participants and staff. Their contributions have been invaluable, helping to keep up with the high demand during this hectic time of year.
In September, Stone Hearth attended another local farmers market, where customers eagerly lined up — some waiting over 30 minutes — for the bakery’s fresh bread to arrive. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for participants to engage with the local community, learn more about the area, and share their hard work with loyal customers.
We’re also excited to announce that thanks to our ongoing collaboration with Hope Blooms, Stone Hearth will be catering pies for their Thanksgiving dinners in October, continuing to strengthen our community ties.
In other exciting news, two of our participants recently secured job interviews and are awaiting responses from potential employers. This milestone is a testament to their growth and the skills they’ve developed through the program.
It’s been a busy season for Stone Hearth Bakery, but the sense of community and collaboration has made it all worthwhile!
EDGE Program Receives $3,500 Wellness Fund Grant for New Community Project
We are thrilled to announce that the EDGE program has been awarded $3,500 in funding from the Nova Scotia Community Health Teams Wellness Fund for an exciting new community initiative: “Do You Even Know Me?”
The Wellness Fund supports non-profit organizations working to improve health in their communities through health promotion and addressing social determinants such as income, education, and social supports. EDGE’s “Do You Even Know Me?” aligns perfectly with these goals by empowering youth facing employment barriers to tell their stories through photography.
The project will engage 30-40 youth participants over a 12-week cohort, where they will create three photographic pieces each. These images will offer a raw, authentic portrayal of their lives, challenges, and hopes for the future. Photography serves as a powerful tool for self-expression, particularly for those who may find traditional forms of communication like writing or speaking more difficult. By using a medium that is both accessible and impactful, participants can share their experiences in a way that transcends language and education barriers.
To culminate the project, we’ll host a public group show to showcase the powerful work these young people have created. This project isn’t just about taking photos—it’s about giving our youth a visual voice, fostering connections, and creating a platform for them to be seen and heard.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Wellness Fund and look forward to sharing the progress of this meaningful initiative!
OPTIONS Team Explores Black Cultural Center for Professional Development
The OPTIONS team recently spent a meaningful day at the Black Cultural Center in Cherry Brook for a professional development outing. The visit was an opportunity for the team to immerse themselves in the rich history of Black Nova Scotians, engage in a scavenger hunt, and watch an informative video that deepened their understanding of the community's cultural heritage.
Staff shared a range of reflections following the experience, expressing feelings of sadness, disbelief, gratitude, and pride. The discussions afterward were thoughtful and impactful, allowing the team to connect over their individual takeaways. This visit left a lasting impression on everyone, reinforcing the importance of taking the time to learn, reflect, and experience Nova Scotia’s diverse cultural history together as a team.
Newcomer Women Program: Empowering Job Seekers
This October, our Newcomer Women Program is taking another step forward in empowering women with the tools they need to succeed in the job market. We’re excited to announce two upcoming workshops, facilitated by our very own Mary, on October 22 and 24. Mary will guide participants through the ins and outs of online job searching, helping them navigate platforms like Indeed to enhance their autonomy in finding employment. To ensure accessibility, interpreters will be present, making these workshops valuable for participants of all English proficiency levels.
Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for more workshops in November focused on interview preparation, and in December, we’ll dive into expectations within the Canadian workplace. These sessions are designed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge, setting them up for long-term success in the Canadian job market. Stay tuned for more updates!
BiHi Common Roots Urban Farm September Highlights
This September the BiHi Common Roots farm had several exciting updates for gardeners and community members! The farm continued to attend the weekly Fairview Farmers' Market with a variety of fresh veggies, flowers and bread from Stone Hearth. They also welcomed a new staff member, longtime farm volunteer Laura, to the team!
BiHi Farm is also embarking on an exciting solar-powered cold storage project with support from the JustFOOD Action Plan! As an off-grid urban farm, the project will help the farm store produce and flowers before donation, sales, or programming. They've built some small fridge prototypes on site to test local and renewable insulation materials and will be starting construction on the larger structure this fall.
Upcoming Farm Events - All free! All are welcome!
Community Meal: Join the farm community on October 15 for a free vegetarian meal, warm apple cider, and a community craft from 4–6 p.m.
Harvest Hootenanny: The Common Roots BiHi Harvest Hootenanny & Pumpkin Smash is back for a 12th year on November 2nd from 1–4 p.m.!
Final Market Day: As the growing season winds down, catch the farm on their final market day on October 10th — just in time for Thanksgiving.
Woodside Common Roots Urban Farm September Highlights
Common Roots Urban Farm Woodside has been buzzing with activity as we transitioned into fall on September 22. Their Quick Pickle Party was a fantastic success, with participants crafting sixty jars of delicious pickles using fresh farm ingredients. If you’re looking to try your hand at pickling, check out the recipe here for some tasty inspiration!
As the weather changes, you’ll notice some new produce at their market stand. Look for Delicata squash, Dinosaur kale, and an abundance of vibrant carrots! They also still have garlic for eating or for planting (October is the time to plant garlic!). Their fresh salad mixes and beans are still plentiful, so enjoy these seasonal delights while they last.
Common Roots Woodside will be celebrating its tenth (that’s right: TENTH) growing season on Saturday October 19 (rain date is Sunday, October 20). There will be activities for kids, face painting, apple pressing, live music, BBQ, and CAKE! Join us Woodside on Saturday October 19 from 2–4 p.m. at the garden.
EDGE visits The Hive
The EDGE program recently spent an afternoon at The Hive, a paint-your-own pottery studio and espresso bar in Dartmouth. This outing allowed participants to tap into their creativity, painting unique pieces while enjoying a supportive group environment. These types of activities are vital to the EDGE program because they foster self-expression, help build confidence, and encourage participants to connect with each other outside of traditional learning settings. EDGE, which supports youth facing barriers to employment, focuses on developing life and employability skills. Group outings like this provide a fun, creative break while strengthening peer connections and building essential soft skills.
As we reflect on this month’s highlights, we celebrate the spirit of collaboration and community empowerment that defines our work. From the success of Stone Hearth Bakery and the impactful EDGE program to the vibrant events at our urban farms, every story illustrates our commitment to fostering connections and creating opportunities. Stay tuned for more stories and join us in making a difference in our community!
