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Bulletin - May 2024
Bulletin Bethanee Diamond Bulletin Bethanee Diamond

Bulletin - May 2024

Catch up on MetroWorks's latest news: planting workshops, EDGE program graduation, MLA visits, job successes from Stone Hearth Bakery, a new partnership with LIFT Impact Partners, and summer treats at The Ampersand Cafe. Read more to stay updated on our impactful initiatives!

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Bulletin - January 2023
Bulletin Bethanee Diamond Bulletin Bethanee Diamond

Bulletin - January 2023

MetroWorks has much to highlight this month! January saw Stone Hearth Bakery receive $172,000 for new equipment and to help nourish community, EDGE’s summit to engage, learn and listen about programming opportunities, the Newcomer Women Program get a funding extension, and so much more!

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MetroWorks Bulletin - August 12, 2022
Bulletin Sophia Lasanowski Bulletin Sophia Lasanowski

MetroWorks Bulletin - August 12, 2022

This edition we have exciting news from Common Roots Urban Farm and their $31,000 ACOA funding. Find out about a new art exhibit that is sharing the fifth floor with Ampersand Café, and an update on the Rainbow Bagel Campaign!

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MetroWorks Bulletin - July 27, 2022
Bulletin Sophia Lasanowski Bulletin Sophia Lasanowski

MetroWorks Bulletin - July 27, 2022

Did you hear about the OPTIONS Open House? This year was the first of what will be an annual event to celebrate program participants and to thank referring agents and employers for their support. We also have a new pastry chef in the Stone Hearth Bakery confectionary kitchen! They are making some new treats for the Ampersand Café you won’t want to miss. You’ll also find updates from our catering kitchen, EDGE program and job board!

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MetroWorks Bulletin - July 13, 2022
Bulletin Bethanee Diamond Bulletin Bethanee Diamond

MetroWorks Bulletin - July 13, 2022

The Halifax Jazz Festival is here and The Ampersand Café is a friend of the festival! Check out their limited time, jazzy drink before the end of the Festival. You’ll also enjoy checking out what Common Roots Urban Farm Woodside is up to with their summer market and learn about updates to the Rainbow Bagel Campaign!

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MetroWorks Bulletin - June 29, 2022
Bulletin Bethanee Diamond Bulletin Bethanee Diamond

MetroWorks Bulletin - June 29, 2022

All the latest happenings at MetroWorks! Read about the Dollar Lake Canteen opening for the season, filing tax returns with the CVITP program, five Cunard Learning Centre students graduating from NSCC, the Common Roots Urban Farm BiHi Summer and Community event, and more!

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MetroWorks Bulletin - June 15, 2022
Bulletin Bethanee Diamond Bulletin Bethanee Diamond

MetroWorks Bulletin - June 15, 2022

Read about the Ampersand Café launch, the Rainbow Bagel Campaign, Common Roots Urban Farm’s Summer Solstice Celebration, Stone Hearth Bakery’s participation in the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation’s 37th Lobster Dinner and Auction fundraiser, plus our current employment opportunities!

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Community News

  • Global’s Eilish Bonang catches up with Dave Rideout, president and CEO of MetroWorks Employment Association, to chat about the recent funding received by the social enterprise, Stone Hearth Bakery, for upgrades to its kitchen. Watch the six minute video here.

  • “Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, announced a non-repayable investment of $172,000 to MetroWorks Employment Association (MetroWorks) for its social enterprise, Stone Hearth Bakery. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA. “

    “With this funding, Stone Hearth Bakery purchased and installed new commercial ovens, a proofer and a range hood to replace aging equipment in its main kitchen. The bakery also improved its fire suppression system and installed a higher capacity gas line. These upgrades allow the community bakery to operate at increased capacity, providing more opportunities to train and employ people from underrepresented groups.”

    Read the full media release here.

  • Find out how newcomer women to Canada continue their passion for farming in their new communities at Common Roots Urban Farm. These women grow produce you cannot buy locally, and have started a small business by selling these products through social media for others to enjoy. Watch the video on CTV’s website here.

  • Stone Hearth’s very own Red Seal Chef, Rob MacIsaac, shows viewers how to make cheesesteak hoagies. Watch the video on CTV’s website here.

  • “A popular Halifax community farm organization marked the start of its summer growing season by launching some of its in-progress accessibility features. Common Roots Urban Farm hosted a Celebration of Summer on Thursday afternoon at its Bayers Lake BiHi Park location – one of two, the other being in Dartmouth.” Read on here

  • “A new cafe with a goal of giving back to the community has opened in the heart of Halifax. The Ampersand Cafe opened in the Halifax Public Library on June 13 with a unique business idea - creating employment and training opportunities for the public.” Read on here

  • “From now until the end of August, you can enjoy some very insta-worthy bagels while supporting a good cause, thanks to the Rainbow Bagel Campaign. In a collaboration between Dreadlocks & Kindness and Stone Hearth Bakery, for every six-pack of Pride-themed bagels sold, 25 percent of the cost will go to the Youth Project and the Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia.” Read on here

  • “After almost two years with no in-house café, you can once again grab a coffee and a snack at the Halifax central library on spring garden road.” Read on here

  • “Eating and drinking haven't been allowed at Halifax public libraries for almost a year because of the pandemic. But when they do return there will be a new place to go at the central library — the Ampersand Café.” Read on here

  • “That is why the EDGE pilot program – which provides eligible Employment Support and Income Assistance clients aged 18 to 26 with a one-stop-shop approach – is expanding to Bridgewater, New Glasgow, Sydney and north end Halifax. The pilot expansion could reach about 200 more young adults each year.” Read on here