The Community Development Framework (CDF) brings together residents, community organizations, and city services in priority neighbourhoods across Ottawa. Together, we address neighbourhood issues by building on neighbourhood strengths and taking action.
Ottawa area neighbourhoods are actively working to create the changes they want, from garbage, to pedestrian safety, to food initiatives, and much more.
Increasing Resident Engagement in Neighbourhood Life
- There were 16,029 times in which people were directly involved in CDF activities and ongoing initiatives. 1,145 volunteers contributed 5,961 volunteer hours in local communities and at the systems level.
414 residents and service providers participated in leadership development, including:
- One Annual Learning Forum celebrating neighbourhood resident volunteerism.
- Two resident and service provider learning exchanges.
- Ongoing Creating the Change We Want (CCWW) training across the city, use of the CCWW guide in local communities, and developing new CCWW resources in response to emerging community needs.
Increasing Shared Ownership of How to Address Neighbourhood Issues and Build on Strengths
- 39 neighbourhood and systems participants took part in a conversation about sustaining local community development.
- Good Food For All and Access to Space continued as priority issues for cross-neighbourhood work and citywide change.
- 6,362 residents participated in CDF neighbourhood-based food security initiatives.
- At city-level, Poverty and Hunger Working Group initiatives continued to be supported.
- 4 resources to improve local community access to space by residents and community partners are in development.
- CDF continued to oversee the Child and Youth Initiative/Growing up Great Homework Club mapping project.
Leveraging Support from Community Partners to Assist Neighbourhoods Achieving Goals
- Like a drop of water that generates ripples, CDF funding to communities was amplified through volunteers, in-kind contributions and 154 partnerships.
- $368,147 investment from City of Ottawa, Community Foundation of Ottawa and United Way Ottawa was leveraged into an additional $662,661 of resources ($357,868 leveraged direct funds and in kind contributions in local communities and $304,793 leveraged direct funds and in kind contributions at the city-wide systems level).
Partnerships at the Neighbourhood and City-wide level resulted in many great initiatives. Two examples are:
- Carlington Arts Initiative, providing arts programming in partnership with Kitchissipi Church, Bluesfest Festival House, Salus, Ottawa Community Housing, City of Ottawa Parks and Recreation, Christie Lake Kids, and Carlington Community Health Centre.
- Youth Active Media project, led by Social Planning Council with critical collaboration from CDF, Ottawa Neighbourhood Social Capital Forum, and Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres.
Responding to Local Concerns by Developing and Acting On Local Community Plans and Strengths
- 15 local communities are working on action plans that address their unique situations, strengths, priorities and phase of community development. Some common priorities include access to community services, connecting neighbours, good food for all, safety, and beautification.
Increasing Neighbourhoods Ability to Implement and Sustain Positive Change
- 33 resident-led and neighbourhood-led initiatives occurred in which 189 residents were leaders.
Samples of 2014 local initiatives:
- Bayshore Gardening and Ovening Group: increased garden beds, built community bread oven and became incorporated.
- Caldwell-Bellevue Freewheelin’ Bike Program: trained diverse group of residents to become bike repair volunteers.
- Carlsbad Springs Community Association: engaged more residents to discuss emerging issues, infrastructure, civic engagement and special initiatives.
- Confederation Court Collective Baking Group: increased neighbours being connected.
- Lowertown Container Planting and Design Planning Group: increased garden beds and involved diverse residents.
- Parkwood Hills Women’s Group: organized sewing skills, food safety and preparation workshops, and hosted craft and food sales.
- Overbrook Youth Creative Beautification Project: increased youth engagement and strengthened local partnerships by producing and distributing recycled tire flower planters.
- Rochester Heights Youth Council: increased youth engagement and leadership skills by hosting a conference and planning ongoing activities.