January 2,2008

Dear Chair and Members of Board of Control,

The London Community Resource Centre would like to thank the City of London for the fmancial support currently provided to the Community Garden Project. It is with great pleasure that I am able to report that we received donations from Try Recycling, Middlesex London Health Unit, and London Lawyers Feed the Hungry and Union Gas to enhance the existing community gardens throughout the City. With your continued support, LCRC will promote, develop and further enhance the Community Garden Network.

In February of 2005, LCRC moved from 388 Dundas Stree-t, its home of over 30 years, to 652 Elizabeth Street, its satellite office. Once the move was completed, LCRC began the process of re-examining its role in the community. As part of the process, in August 2007, LCRC recruited additional Board of Director volunteers to assist in streamlining LCRC's focus and direction. List of Board of Director is attached.

In October 2007, with the new Board members in place, an appreciative inquiry was facilitated over the course of two meetings to examine LCRC's strengths and make plans for the future. The document is attached.

LCRC is requesting the City of London provide additional financial support for its core projects; Collective Kitchens Network; Community Food Advisors and the Healthy Tidbits project. These projects are managed, developed and delivered to the community by the London Community Resource Centre and its dedicated volunteers. LCRC in collaboration with community partners strives to deliver these programs for the betterment of all London citizens. The lack of consistent funding jeopardizes the development that has taken place over the past years.

Current efforts to stabilize LCRC include: 2 core positions

o CommunityGardens o Collective Kitchens Network, Community Food Advisors, Healthy Tidbits

Recruitment of additional board members with expertise in LCRC's current programming took place in August 2007 Appreciative inquiry to examine strengths, outline objectives and develop strategies took place in October 2007 Contacted Ontario Trillium foundation to discuss feasibility of proposal to hire fund development consultant-March 2008 submission date

652 Elizabeth Street Linda Davies 519-432-1801 ext223 linda@.lcrc.on.ca London ON Mary Yanful 519-432-1801 ext 300 marv@lcrc.on.ca N5Y 6L3 www.lcrc.on.ca

Bringing together individuals, organization and resources to foster community action.

Community ?Resource

Preparing a proposal to submit to Ivey School of Business for students to work with LCRC as a class project developing a short and long term business plan Increasing the profile of LCRC in the community and province by its involvement in local and provincial projects and continuing to enhance its relationship with partnering agencies and increased student involvement Enhancing the website and making asserted efforts to keep the information current and relevant Coordinating efforts with other community agencies and organizations to maximize community assets Actively conducts Bingo’s, at Dearness Street Bingo Hall, raising approximately

Actively participates in lottery conducted by City Hall for Community Suite at the John Labatt Centre, Raffles the City Community Suite as find raiser for LCRC and in the past raised $1,500 to $2,000 per raffle Participates in the Job Creation Project with Service Canada which generates approximately $12,000 revenue for LCRC to offset wages in supervision, administration, office expenses, portion of audit and insurance and provides meaningid work experience for individuals seeking employment. This is not ongoing a subject to application approval. Short term projects such as FoodNet Ontario and Families First in White Oaks Annual Public Awareness and Fund Raising Event providing LCRC an opportunity to promote programs and increase potential for fitwe donations Exploring opportunities for annual workshops in cooperation with community partners:

Basic Shelf Cookbook train the trainer workshop offered to Collective Kitchen facilitators and Community Food Advisors both in London and surrounding area Collective Kitchen volunteer training workshop Safe Food Handling workshop for church meal providers both in London and surrounding area Canning workshops for community garden participants both in London and surrounding area Compost workshops for community gardeners and general public

$9,000 annually

Challenges with current funding model include: The Collective Kitchen, Community Food Advisor Program, Community Gardens and Healthy Tidbit programs are ongoing and the coordination of the programs, volunteers and students is not covered by additional short term funding proposals Undue stress on staff Leveraging funds is challenging due to instability caused by the lack of consistent finding Need to have the time and energy to focus on business plan to ensure that sustainable finding options are explored

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What is the benefit of LCRC core projects to the City of London? City of London’s profile is increased province wide thruugh LCRC’s participation in and recognition &om provincial networks for well managed projects in London Maintain the development of the projects that is currently in place Volunteer based programs providing strong leadership opportunities for volunteers including university and college students, seniors, professionals and general public Organizations and agencies, local and from across the province, connect with LCRC for leadership and referrals to other community resources LCRC has strong history of collaborating and partnering with other agencies and organizations maximizing community assets, not duplicating services but enhancing existing services

LCRC provides meaningful student placement opportunities and benefits from the expertise of the student teams:

Diploma in Public Relations, Continuing Studies at Western, UWO o Created communication plan to assist in efforts to increase

participation in program and awareness of organization o Created templates for LCRC to use in future promotional events o Provided suggestions for improvement to website o Created press release template o Suggested tag lines o Enhanced LCRC’s existing logo o Created sample brochures

Food and Nutrition Students, Brescia University College o Provide leadership at Collective Kitchens located in London

Middlesex Housing Corporation sites o Provide nutritional advise for families working with limited resource o Develop a relationship with program participants and promote trusting

relationships o Participate in the Community Food Advisor Program

Peace and Social Justice Students, Kings University College o 4 students, 3 hours per week each for a total of 15 hours each over the

course of the placement starting in January 2008 o Will identify location of collective kitchens, community gardens and

neighbourhood food depots on City map for LCRC website o Will supply details about each community garden on web page-

number of plots, source of water supply (rain barrels, large water tank, etc) cost, contact information

o Will supply details about each collective kitchen-sponsoring agency, contact information and include on web page

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:Community ZReSOurce 3 Centre

o Will assist Buy Local, Eat Fresh Champaign with planning area map and Middlesex London fall conference

o Approached and eager to take part in 2008 o Will provide expertise in cooking skills o Will provide an additional volunteer opportunity that will be of benefit

to all of LCRC's food security programs and their participants

Culinary Arts, Fanshawe College

LCRC is a member of the following London Food Security Networks Hunger Relief Action Coalition Children's Nutrition Network Neighbourhood Food Depot Network Healthy Living Partnership Middlesex London

LCRC is a member of the following Provincial Food Security Networks Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition FoodNet Ontario Network Nutrition Research Centre, Community Food Advisors Provincial

The London Community Resource Centre Food Security projects provide: Increased food security Enhanced awareness of healthy living lifestyle Improved self esteem Increased public awareness of food insecurity affecting some Londoners Skill development Community capacity building and maximizing use of community assets Recreation and Physical activity Increased social interaction and cross-cultural participation Variety of meaningkl student placement opporhmities Volunteer opportunities Decreased isolation Increase awareness of the link between health and poverty Better health through both nutrition and socialization

Who benefits: Individuals and families living on low incomes Special needs groups who use LCRC's programs as a form of therapy

0 seniors s Single mothers and Edthers seeking information to increase their knowledge and

skills to provide the most for their families Vegetarians New Canadians learning to cook with ingredients that are produced locally Students wanting learning experiences in the chosen field of study

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Any group of people, who want to get together and give each other support Community organizations and agencies interested in providing food security information and programs

OVERVIEW OF CORE FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS Collective Kitchen Network Collective Kitchens are located in churches, London Middlesex Housing townhouse units and apartment buildings, neighbourhood resource centers and not-for-profit agencies. They provide support that goes far beyond the food they supply, af€ecting the participants' life conditions and personal development. For agencies that require food subsidy assistance, LCRC distributes these funds on behalf of the London Lawyers Feed the Hungry foundation. Apart from the economic benefit, the collective kitchen is a social outlet, particularly for seniors and single parents who might otherwise be isolated. Once collective kitchens are organized, LCRC acts as a facilitator and provides network members with tips to help them streamline the operation of their kitchen.

Although there are no set rules about how to operate a collective kitchen, participants discuss what they expect from one another and work collectively for the benefit of the group. Many of the participants are on social assistance and meet about five days before their cheque arrives when money is generally low. Collective kitchens provide opportunities to learn transferable skills from the many teaming building exercises that are a part of the collective kitchen experience. The participants are empowered and their life skills are improved eventually resulting in enhanced communication skills, problem solving techniques and ultimately increased self-esteem and for some reintegration back into society.

As part of our on-going support for the Collective Kitchen Network, LCRC is working with Peace and Social Justice students to create a map on our website. This map will show the location of the kitchen and give a short description of the agency who hosts the kitchen, contact information for those interested in joining the group and a short description of the demographics of participants. Currently, LCRC is listed on the back of the monthly Meal Provider Calendar and interested persons call LCRC directly to enquire about starting or joining an existing collective kitchen. We receive on average one to two calls per week seeking this information.

The Collective Kitchen Network provides Brescia University College Food and Nutrition students with great volunteer opportunities. Some of the collective kitchens require volunteers in the leadership role and LCRC use students in this capacity. The students work with community members developing trust and respect with a common goal of improving their health, stretching their food dollars and increasing their knowledge around the nutritious requirements of themselves, "the cooks", and their families.

As noted in the Middlesex London Health Unit's annual Nutritious Food Basket study, over the last nine years, welfare and disability rates increased three per cent compared to

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a 15.5 per cent increase in food costs. A typical London family on social assistance requires $1,666.48 a month to provide shelter and other basic needs, including nutritious food. The average income for that family is $1,239, a shortfall of $427.48. The lack of money for food and other basic needs leads to other problems such as social exclusion.

The following is a quote by Dr Graham Pollett taken from the London Free Press: “Poverty almost always involves social exclusion. For instance, inviting fiends or family for dinner is no longer an option. Nor is buying birthday presents for children to take to parties, or participating in recreation activities. This isolation and the resulting social exclusion can lead to further problems with poor health, depression and dysfunction. As a result, poverty quickly deprives people of their dignity, confidence, hope and pride.”

Collective Kitchens provide participants with enhanced coping skills and provide valuable social support, however, have limited potential to resolve food security issues rooted in severe and chronic poverty because they do not alter households’ economic circumstances in any substantial way.

Community Food Advisor Program The Community Food Advisor (CFA) Program provides, through trained volunteers, reliable information and education that promotes safe and nutritious food selection, preparation, and storage practices to consumers in Ontario.

The CFA program is a volunteer peer education program in which community members are provided with technical and leadership training. More specifically, the CFA training program provides background information and skills on safe food handling, healthy eating, food shopping and budgeting, food preparation, and food storage and preparation; prepares volunteers to work in the community by preparing them to be group facilitatordleaders; and provides opportunities for volunteers to gain community experience.

Upon successful completion of their training, the volunteer peer educators are certified as “Community Food Advisors” (CFAs) and work throughout their communities to share their knowledge and skills with a wide array of groups and organizations.

During their training, each CFA is provided with a resource binder. The resource binder provides CFAs with reference information on a variety of nutrition, food safety and other food related topics. This binder is a key resource for each CFA during training and beyond and is used to provide guidelines and parameters for CFA service.

The CFA program was initiated in 1991 as a program of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Af€airs ( O m now O M ) with support from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC). The administration of the CFA program was transferred to the Nutrition Resource Centre, a project of the Ontario Public Health Association in 2001.

’

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The activities that Community Food Advisors conduct in each community differs depending on the specific needs and make up of the community. Community Food Advisors are encouraged to work in pairs at every activity to effectively provide accurate information and moral support.

Suggestions for Communi@ Food Advisor Activities *:* Presentations or workshops for community organizations such as

nieghbourhood/tenant associations, seniors’ groups, church groups, parents’ groups, Women’s Institutes, and transition homes.

*:* Act as a source of information on food selection, preparation and storage for community groups such as breakfast clubs, collective kitchens and food banks.

9 Provide information at a public place or event such as the library, farmers’ market, shopping centres, or grocery stores.

9 Answer telephone calls from a community based “Food line” number. 9 Provide an eye-catching display or demonstration and have reference material

available at local health fairs and agriculture fairs. Work with children and youth at day care centres, day camps, schools, guides’ and scouts’ meetings

Canadians, the physically or mentally challenged or young adults at university or college.

0 Conduct cooking classes for groups with special needs such as seniors, new

The London Middlesex Community Food Advisors have been active in London since the plight project started in 1991. When LCRC took over as the local sponsor in 2003, the CFA group had 12 volunteers. A volunteer recruitment effort took place in the fall of 2004 and training sessions began in January 2005. Brescia University College is a strong community partner and hosted the training sessions in their food laboratories at no cost to the program. The Nutrition Resource Centre provided the funds for the training, the training material and their support. The Middlesex London Health Unit participated in training modules and continues to support the program in an advisory role with two ste Heather Thomas, Public Health Dietitian and Michelle Martin, Public Health Food Inspector. 35 CFAs graduated in November 2005 and we currently have 23 active CFAs in London. Examples of the volunteer placements the CFAs have taken part in over the course of the past year include:

Glen Cairn Resource Centre, ESL class, a series of 4 sessions were presented including a grocery store tour with suggested shopping strategies Ontario Early Years, Westmount 3 interactive sessions were presented to young mothers and their children Salvation Army, Tenant Education F’rogram, 2 sessions

0 Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre London Middlesex Housing, 5 sessions Hosting the CFA Annual Spring Provincial Conference, Aboriginal Food and Culture, 95 in attendance from across the province

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:Community ?Resource

0 Seniors 3 sessions at different location on Healthy Eating, Healthy Aging 0 Marconi Blvd, “Kids can cook too” 1 session 0 Women’s Institute of London 1 session on Healthy Eating on a Budget & Menu

Planning 0 Independent Living London 1 session on Healthy Eating on a Budget The list goes on. .. . . ..

In 2009, LCRC is planning to recruit and train additional CFAs with a focus on our New Canadian and urban aboriginal populations. The peer education aspect of the program delivery attributes to its success. Focusing the recruitment efforts to these specific communities will provide the leadership training and networking opportunities both groups will greatly benefit from.

Healthy Tidbits-Food Sampling and Related Information The Healthy Tidbits is a project focused on providing seniors with meaningll volunteer experiences in their community. The seniors have been involved in the planning, implementation and delivery of this program f?om its onset. Taste test booths are being established at our five neighbourhood food depots offering food bank users an opportunity to sample, receive recipes and advise from seniors in their neighbourhood on how to prepare nutritious and tasty dishes from the ingredients they receive in their emergency food hampers.

This project will encourage seniors to contribute their skills, experience and wisdom in support of social well-being in their community by facilitating the transfer of knowledge and skills between seniors and users of their local neighbourhood food depot. It will also promote the ongoing involvement of seniors in their communities to reduce their risk of isolation by engaging them in activities in their neighbourhood, increasing their interaction with others in the community as well as developing a network with the other seniors involved at other neighbourhood depots.

This project builds community capacity by enhancing an already established project. The social development of the neighbourhood will be strengthened as the seniors connect with others in their neighbourhood making a healthier community. The project promotes investing in our communities and building partnerships. The children of those who learn the skills offered by the seniors in the project will benefit by having healthier meals and having role models to help in the development oftheir life skills.

The project will also reach beyond the neighbourhood food depots as the seniors research other events that they can participate in and share their knowledge.

This project als0,jnvolves the use of students from Brescia University College. Food and Nutrition students work with the seniors to select recipes. Another Brescia student is working to develop a file with clip art that can be used in the recipes to breakdown any literacy barriers. The project has proven to be very successful so far and the networking among the seniors has gone beyond the program objectives.

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ECommunity

Community Gardens-Currently Funded by the City of London Community gardening in London is flourishing with 17 sites for 2007 and 278 registered families, individuals and groups, an increase of 8% over the 2006 total of 257, working and enjoying the 111 urban agriculture experience.

Green thumbs are abundant in the Community Gardening program and participants not only grow food, they grow fiendships. For some the garden is a recreational activity where they combine exercise time in the fresh air. Still many count on the fiesh food to feed themselves and their families. Gardeners willingly share their knowledge and are eager to learn new skills. The program delivers community development at a grass roots level and a strong cross-cultural component showcases London’s diverse population. Sixty-seven percent of the gardeners say English is their first language, 12% Spanish and 21 % other languages including Kurdish, Chinese, Polish and Korean.

The program is hnded by the City of London and sponsored by the London Community Resource Centre. Community Gardens are located in every area of the city. The City of London, local businesses and churches have donated the land. In addition to the land the City also provides other sewices including, site preparation and at some sites, water delivery. Other supporting organizations include London Composts, the Middlesex- London Health Unit and Starbucks.

The food from the gardens helps to feed the families and friends of the gardeners and many also participate in the London Grow-A-Row program that provides much needed fresh produce to the London and Area Food Bank.

Volunteers play a great role in the ongoing success of the Community Gardens Project. They are Brescia University Students, Community Food Advisors, the gardeners themselves and young people h m Youth Opportunities Unlimited. They help divide and stake plots, fill rain barrels, facilitate workshops and help with end of season clean UP.

Plans are underway to add four new community gardens to the existing 17. The partners involved in these new gardens are the City of London, Dearness Home, Wilfred Laurier Secondary School, Try Recycling, St Lawrence Presbyterian Church and North Park Community Church.

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London Community Resource Centre - B .d of Directors Name

%ude Olivier hsociate Professor khool of Social Work (ing's University College f ie University of Western Ontario Wen D Arcy 2ommunity Food Advisor Volunteer CechnologV Response Management lTl Canaia Trust Yihua Wu, C.G.A.

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3 n d Accountant Middlesex County Doug Stone Retired - Service Canada Matthew Dupre Lawyer Cram & Associates Edward Hopkins Lawyer Cram & Associates Bernadette deGonzague, M.Sc., RD Diabetes Prevention Program Coordinator Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre Heather Thomas. MSc. RD Public Health Dietitian Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Team Dawn Mackintosh Interim Manager of Community Support, hnddn VON Canada Mo Jeng Manager, Social Research and Planning Department of Community Services City of London Christopher Curry Manager-Community Development Community Partnerships & Funding Neighbourhood & Children's Services Matthew Hall Student - University of Western Ontario ,

Position >hair

(ice Chair

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Secretary

Past Chair

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The Salvation Army

Housing Support Services Ontario Great Lakes Division 281 Wellington Street London ON N6B 2L4 www.centreofhope.ca Telephone: (519) 661-0343 Fax: (519) 661-0500

e Centre of Hope

December 27,2007

We are pleased to support the London Community Resource Centre in this application for funding from the City of London.

London Community Resource Centre has been involved in the development and educational component of our Tenant Education Program, offered through Housing Support Services at The Salvation Army Centre of Hope. This program, initiated in 2007, offers a 5 week educational program for participants who are currently homeless, and/or have had difficulty maintaining community housing. I n 2007, over 50 participants graduated from this program with a certificate that they could present to landlords during their housing search.

The London Community Resource Centre provided support and direction in the development of this new initiative and have organized the Community Food Advisors who offer the workshop "Eating Healthy on a Budget". This particular workshop educates the participants on shopping, budgeting for food and healthy eating habits. This has consistently been evaluated by participants as their favourite session in each of our Tenant Education Programs, and participants have indicated that it has assisted them in making healthy lifestyle choices.

We are pleased to partner with the London Community Resource Centre in this valuable program. If you have any questions or require any further information please contact us at 661-0343, Extension 234.

Sincerely,

Nancy Powers Program Director

William and Catherine Booth Shaw Clifton William W. Francis Founders General Territorial Commander

Alfred Richardson Divisional Commander

January 3,2008

To Whom it May Concern:

I am writing this let1 in support of the London Communitv Resource Cer - . . re Community Food Advisor program and the Collective Kitchen program. Both these programs provide valuable resources to the London community of which the Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre and the residents of the Hamilton Road area have greatly benefitted.

You are well aware, I am confident, of the empowering merits and effectiveness of these programs and so I would like to share with you three intimate snapshots of their impact on the lives of the people who participate:

We experienced 100% attendance at the Collective Kitchen where we made our own pie dough and pies. For weeks leading up to that kitchen and for weeks after, there was great talk and excitement. For every single member, it was the first time they had ever made their own pie dough and a homemade pie. The feeling of pride expressed by everyone was very exciting. The Collective Kitchen is a place for one of our members to practice her reading. She is learning to read and takes great pride in reading the recipes to the group. For one member, some of the benefits of the Kitchen took on an expected importance, when once relocated to a new city after experiencing a mental health crisis and housing instability used her Collective Kitchen recipe collection to cook for new friends in her new home town, giving her a feeling of confidence in her new setting and a feeling of being connected to the happy parts of her time in London.

We rely on the support of the Community Food Advisors and Collective Kitchen for our life skills programs.

550 Hamilton Rd, London O N N5Z IS4 Phone: 519-642-7630 Fax: 519-642-7026

Our Collective Kitchen would be altered significantly without the subsidy we receive and the expert support of the Food Advisors. Just as the numerous benefits of these programs are both seen and unseen by service providers, so too would be the losses.

I very much support stabilized funding for these programs. I believe they are important pieces to building food security for the most vulnerable Londoners. LCRC is a community leader in food security. With stabilized funding for the Food Advisors and Collective Kitchen, LCRC can create a firm foundation on which to continue their vital work.

Please contact me with any questions about our support for these programs.

December 27.2007

RE: Core funding for the London Community Resource Centre

To Whom It May Concern:

The Healthy Living Partnership Middlesex-London would like to acknowledge the work of the London Community Resource Centre (LCRC) and are recommending that core funding be provided from the City of London in order for the LCRC to continue its programs, particularly the Collective Kitchens, Community Food Advisors and Healthy Tidbits. These programs have made a difference in the London community by allowing individuals who are disadvantaged to develop the skills they need in order to prepare healthy foods for themselves and their families. Food preparation skills are important in improving food security as well as reducing the incidence of chronic diseases. Once learned, these skills can be passed on to next generation children thus creating, over time, healthier communities.

These programs have been an integral part of the London community for a number of years, yet, dependant on receiving funds and donations from outside sources. Looking for funding to sustain these programs takes precious time away from and interferes with their further development. In order to ensure stability and future sustainability, the Healthy Living Partnership Middlesex-London recommends the City of London provide core funding on an ongoing basis to the London Community Resource Centre for the above-mentioned programs.

Thank you for considering this important request.

Sincerely,

AI Lamork, Chair Healthy Living Partnership Middlesex-London

d o Middlesex-London Health Unit, 50 King St., London, ON, N6J 489 (519) 663-5317 ext 2314 wwww.healthylivinginfo.ca

HRAC Hunger Relief Action Coalition

Committee Members

Elizabeth Brlght-5ae. Choir

Jacquie Corr Cmuch t-kighborhood R.I(IUKL Centre

Maya Clarke Councll of Canadians

Lindm Davier London Community Resource Centre

Bwnodrnr dr6ONtlgru SW Ontario Abmmiginal Haalth Access Centre

Alyce Dunn Community k p u n t a t i v e

Ellen Haste Meal Program Repclmntatlw Trinity United Church

Derrlck McBvwy Community Representative

Lauren W i n London Community Resource Centre

Jane Moffat St. Paul's Daily Btead Program

Mergsmt Nelson Community Representative

Eloiw Pellerin Smart Stwt for Babies

Jane Roy London-Alua Food Bonk

Jeff Schiimmer London Lowye~s Feed the Hungry

Ghriol Sabir Middlesex-London Health Unit

Rose White Wfe"Spin

May Vanful London Community Rerouca Centre

Ex-Officio:

Shirl Korky Elgin 5t. Thomas Health Unit

December 21,2007

o Whom It May Concern:

am writing in support of the application of the London Community Resource ,entre (LCRC) for core funding.

chair the.Hunger Relief Action Cnalition (previously known as Hunger Relief ,dvisoy Commitpe) one oT,the out-comes of Mayor Diane Haskett's Mayor's .nti-Poverty Action Group. Our mandate is to facilitate the provision of mergency food by the food banks and the many hot-meal programs in the ity.

\le sought the help of LCRC in obtaining funding from the Trillium Foundation establish Neighbourhood Food Depots to bring emergency food closer to

[here people live. The result of this three-year collaboration, supported by the ondon Food Bank, are five successful and self-sustaining Food Depots.

Ue were pleased that LCRC agreed with WRAC's vision that food security is iuch more than access to emergency.food. They have worked on varidus rograms to help people obtain food for themselves (e.g., Community iardens) and to better use the food they have (e.g., Collective Kitchens). lore recently they have become part of the FoodNet Ontario pro,ject to ncourage local food production'for the local market.

'hese programs have and will help many Londoners to get their food - one of l e essentials of life. But, such programs don't happen without the hard work mf coordinators and facilitators at LCRC. Too often, LCRC staff have to spend me searching for interim project funding rather than dealing with the pressing ieeds of the projects. Core funding from the city would ensure that their time ind talents could be put to the best use in service to Londoners.

strongly urge you to approve this application

11 Hawthorne Road London, ON N6G 2H4

519-471-3963 ebright@uwo.ca

S T R E E T C O N N E C T I O N 258 Horton Street # P 0. Box 1188, Station 'B' # London, Ontario N6A 5K2

? (519) 438-7300 #Fax :(519) 645-6722 #Web: http://www.streetconnection.ca

December 31,2007

Linda Davies, Executive Director London Community Resource Centre 115 - 652 Elizabeth Street London, ON NSY 6L3

Dear Linda:

Re: Core Funding Application

STREET CONNECTION offers the LONDON COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE its enthusiastic support for its Collective Kitchen Project, Community Food Advisor Project and the Healthy Tidbits Project core fknding application. We recognize that are all interconnected and work along the principal that you can either enable an individual or empower an individual. Empowering people and imparting skills to better their lives is its' main goal. These life skills are not an event but a process through empowerment.

STREET CONNECTION understands that these projects allow for people to come together, prepare food, share food and learn about healthy eating along with the benefits we have experienced in imparting cooking lifeskills, experiences and tips to homeless street youth.

STREET CONNECTION, an incorporated, non-profit registered charitable organization (13705 9689 RROOO1) empowers at risk street youth (ages 16- 24) by offering them the opportunity to make positive changes in their lives. We provide referrals, guidance, support and understanding in a safe, accessible environment. These referrals support the work of existing social service agencies and their service providers, including helping youth through the legal system and remaining in contact with incarcerated youth.

SOME STATISTICS

STREET CONNECTION has assisted over 61,456 youth since 1999 to 2007, delivering over 150,775 hours of service in London helping our homeless, hardcore street youth ages 16 - 24. Our dedicated volunteers are an integral part of STREET CONNECTION helping to leverage community needs by donating over 52,600 volunteer hours 2000 to 2006.

STREET CONNECTION would very much like to continue to actively participate in your Collective Kitchens Program and considers the London Community Resource Centre a valuable partner and resource for our ongoing activities.

Yours truly,

THE LONDON 81 MIDDLESEX HOUSING CORPORAllON

207 - 379 Dundas Street, London, ON, N6B 1V5 Phone: 519-434-2765 Fax: 519-679-7000

December 20, 2007

Linda Davies London Community Resource Centre 652 Elizabeth Street, T-Block London, ON, N5Y 6 U

Dear Ms. Davies:

I am writing this letter on behalf of the London & Middlesex Housing Corporation to offer our support to the London Community Resource Centre, and in particular, the Collective Kitchens and Community Food Advisor Programs.

As you are aware, the Housing Corporation is the largest Housing Provider for subsidized housing in the city of London. Under the Social Housing Reform Act we are mandated to house victims of violence as a priority for housing. Currently, approximately one third of our tenants residing in our buildings and family complexes come from this category. As well, half of our tenants were homeless prior to coming to us for housing. Many of our tenants also suffer from psychiatric illness, have addictions, or are frail/elderly. However, the most common theme for all of our tenants is they have very limited financial resources and are often socially isolated from the greater community; so the more on site services we can provide the better connected our tenants will be.

Programs such as the Collective Kitchens and Community Food Advisors help our tenants not only learn about cooking, shopping and budgeting, but also give a reason for tenants to come together in a comfortable atmosphere. It gives a mechanism for people to come together, offer support, make friends and initiate other Tenant Group functions.

As a Housing Provider it is our mandate to provide much more than just housing. We play an important community development role in an effort to offer support through programs, services and events for our tenants. Without partnerships such as the one with the London Community Resource Centre the Housing Corporation would fall short of this mandate and our tenants would miss out on the positive experiences these partnerships provide. Efforts such as the Collective Kitchens and Community Food Advisors programs promote a sense of community and social interaction amongst neighbours and get people out talking, sharing and learning.

We offer this letter as both a thank you for all your efforts and as hope for the funding necessary for LCRC to continue to provide these very important programs.

If we can be of further assistance please let us know.

ugo dhce CEO/General Manager

Ontario Healthy Communities

Coalition Suite 1810

2 Carlton Street Toronto, ON M5B 1J3

Tel: (416) 408-4841 Toll-free: 1-800-766-341 8

Fax: (416) 408-4843 Email: info@healthycornmunities.on.ca

Website: www.healthycommunities.on.ca

Coalition des

en santC de I'Outario 2 rue Carlton

Suite 1810 Toronto. ON M5B 1J3

T6IBphone: (416) 408-4841 Sans frais: 1-800-766-3418

TelecopieLr: (416) 408-4843 CoJrrie : nfo@healthycommLnities.on.ca

Site internet' w . c c s o . c a

)ecember 18,2007

'0: London City Council Le: Letter of Support for London Community Resource Centre

am pleased to offer my support for the funding request submitted by the London :ommunity Resource Centre.

'he London Community Resource Centre (LCRC) has been a long-standing member if the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition. We have enjoyed a strong working elationship over the past few years and have collaborated on a number of initiatives. hrrently, LCRC is a partner with OHCC and others in a collaborative project to levelop FoodNet Ontario, a province-wide network of organizations and individuals ommitted to achieving community food security and creating sustainable local food ystems.

Intario Healthy Communities Coalition (OHCC) is a registered charity that is part of tn international movement of more than 7,500 projects and networks world-wide. lealthy Communities are based on the integration of the social, economic and mvironmental determinants of health, wide community participation and muti- #ectoral involvment. OHCC provides services and supports to local and regional :ommunity coalitions, networks and organizations that are working to strengthen their :ommunity's economic, social and environmental well-being using a Healthy Sommunity approach.

XRC has been an active participant in the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition md has contributed extensively to our newsletters and other publications. All of their irograms and services operate within the principles of a Healthy Community that were formally adopted by the Coalition's membership in 2000.

Since its establishmented in 1974, the London Community Resource Centre has built he capacity of the voluntary sector within the city of London. It has evolved over the years from providing shared office accommodation and services to voluntary xganizations to its current role of providing services and supports to collaborative projects and networks, In all of its projects and activities, LCRC works in a way that IS holistic, inclusive and purposeful.

As a result of my work with LCRC, I can attest to the strong vision, facilitative leadership, skills and commitment of both the Board of Directors and the Executive Director of LCRC. OHCC looks forward to continuing to work with LCRC by sharing information and expertise and collaborating on projects that address community interests and needs.

Executive Director

CFA Conference 2007 - Evaluation Summaw

(95 attendees, evaluations from approximately 65)

1. Usefulness of presentations:

Excellent Good NRC Provincial Update 7 36 Aboriginal Culture and Food 45 23 Networking sessions 45 24 Cooking with the Wolfman 46 8

Fair Poor 19 2 3 3

2. Quality of Presentations:

NRC Provincial Update

Networking sessions Cooking with the Wolfman

Aboriginal Culture and Food

Excellent Good Fair Poor 38 17

41 23 3 42 15 60

Comments related to presentations: 0 Great presentations and cooking demo. 0 Loved opening ceremonies, nice touch, fantastic opening, awesome, 0 Quality o f all were excellent 0 Would like handouts from aboriginal session, post slides t o web ... 0 Truly enjoyed learning about game meats and cooking tips. 0 Would like recipes t o take home. 0 Lots o f great info. 0 One session with Wolfman would have been enough 0 Fi t break excellent (5) 0 Not much new info or up t o date information from resource centre

(5) 0 Would have liked summary of program, number of CFAs, etc

provided by NRC esp. fo r newer CFAs (5 similar comments). 0 Loved learning about aboriginal culture.

3. Adequate networking opportunities: Yes: 59 No: 3

Comments related to Networking: 0 Great t o meet other CFAs 0 Great, longer would be better

CFA Conference 2007 evaluation summary 02 Ja 08

Enjoyed changing tables and discussing with other CFAs Learned great ideas fo r doing service requests Networking format w i th topics of discussion were planned out the thoughtful Liked sharing ideas on making presentations more successful Networking sessions very well done, table changing and idea exchanging. Good t o do early while sti l l fresh Ideas generated most useful. Would like a summary of discussions. Would have liked another 30 minutes. (3) Did not like the puzzles (5) I c e breakers were fun (5) Noisy, smaller groups and larger room would be better (4) Table hostess idea was great (5) Would have liked networking event Friday evening. Coordinator meeting would be great.

London location Hotel facilities Food and beverage service

Excellent Good Fair Poor 33 19 5 32 22 6 15 17 10

Not enough food, hotel guests were also eating the breakfast, no fruit on breakfast,

not enough whole grains, lunch was great, soup was excellent, food was disappointing and not very healthy (numerous comments in like this) room was too small and crowded, tables were too crowded (should have saved loot bags till end o f day) hard t o see PowerPoint slides camera lady was blocking energizer was great but room not big enough

CFA Conference 2007 evaluation summary 02 Ja 08

t -

0 letter o f welcome in hotel rooms on arrival would have been nice

Overall Comments: 0 Fun, exciting, educational, fantastic 0 Quality overall was excellent 0 Had a wonderful day 0 t r e a t idea t o have silent auction and door prizes 0 Thank You London, Well Done! 0 Lots o f great ideas - always enjoy meeting other CFAs 0 An enjoyable day 0 Thought London group did an excellent job. I was not too

interested in the topic originally but ended up finding it very en joyable!

0 Excellent Time! 0 t r e a t t o meet other CFAs. 0 Excellent job, Thanks, will be a tough act t o follow!

CFA Conference 2007 evaluation summary 02 Ja 08