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 Award Winners and Finalists 
The stars were out at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre in Sydney as Nova Scotia's shining examples of community collaboration and development were presented with awards of excellence. The awards were presented at the 2007 Celebrating Communities Conference where delegates representing more than 150 community organizations, advocacy groups, post-secondary institutions, governments, and the private sector, gathered to discuss the nature of innovation in community development. At the gala awards event, 19 finalists were recognized, each hoping to take home an award in one of six categories. "Congratulations to all award recipients, finalists and nominees for their inspiring work," said Economic Development Minister Richard Hurlburt. "They provide a snapshot of innovation, success and volunteer efforts being experienced in vibrant communities across Nova Scotia." The following awards were presented: Winner - Excellence in Client Service
Pictou County Women's Centre
The Pictou County Women's Centre has made a difference in the lives of thousands of women of all ages since opening its doors in 1976. Focused on rights and equality issues, it offers assistance, advocacy and information in a wide range of areas from education and poverty to sexuality and mental health. Currently, the centre is focusing its efforts on addressing poverty, leadership and employment issues in the region through women in business programs, housing initiatives for vulnerable women and a homelessness committee aimed at young people.
Finalists
Dawn Langille Just 20 years old, Dawn Langille's colleagues at the Terence Bay Resource Opportunities Centre call her a remarkable young lady. After successfully leading Resource Opportunities Centre's first community calendar project, Dawn was hired part-time as the program planner for Building Bridges, the Centre's Community Learning Network project. In this role, she helped western HRM residents access information technology training, earning praise fro her energy and enthusiasm. Dawn has also helped local residents post and share information on prospectcommunities.com - the community's website, created a weeklong nutrition program for youth ages 11-15 and led the Building Bridges business outreach program. Farmers' Markets of Nova Scotia Cooperative Ltd. We're stronger when we work together. That's the thinking behind Farmers' Markets of Nova Scotia Cooperative Ltd. Formed in 2004, the Co-operative is helping 10 provincial farmers' markets and 400 small producers take on development and marketing initiatives that they could not have done alone. Since forming, it has supported the growth and expansion of Nova Scotia's farmers' markets and individual producers. The Co-operative has also raised public awareness and appreciation for the health and economic benefits of our agricultural and rural communities through the development of a highly interactive and informative website. Winner - Excellence in Collaboration
Joggins Fossil Institute
The Joggings Fossil Institute is a story of successful collaboration, and history in the making. Launched in 1996, the Institute has united local residents, scientists and all three levels of government in an effort to make the famous Joggins Fossil Cliffs a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Institute's UNESCO submission also has a community development component - a new 13,000 square-foot environmentally friendly interpretative and research centre that will open this fall. Featuring shops, restaurants, interpretative displays and research facilities, the Joggins Fossil Centre will bring tourists and scientists to Cumberland County to explore our planet's distant past.
Finalists The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council Rural Nova Scotia entrepreneurs have a new source for financing, thanks to The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council. Dedicated to community development, the Council is a unique collaboration between the province's 402 co-ops and credit unions. Its funding programs, created through collaboration with community groups and government agencies, have already had an impact on the province's economy. One partnership with Economic Development Nova Scotia has provided loans to 279 businesses, resulting in 1,700 jobs. Another partnership with the Federal Rural Secretariat, St. FX and Acadia University is offering up to $10,000 in funding to micro enterprises in rural communities. Preventing Falls Together Each year, one in three Nova Scotia seniors falls, with many suffering debilitating injuries. Since 2002, coalitions across the province have been collaborating to reduce falls among seniors through Preventing Falls Together. Founded by Community Links, the coalitions that make up this program have a wide range of members from paramedics and police to physicians and seniors organizations. By improving walking trails, increasing seating in stores, enhancing public buildings and raising awareness about the risk of falls, the program and its members are improving the health and quality of life that Nova Scotia's seniors enjoy. Extra Mile Strategy: A Wireless Wide Area Network Pilot Project How can you bring high-speed Internet service to Nova Scotia's rural communities when large providers say costs are not feasible? A collaboration between the CAP Society of Cape Breton and the Marieval Entreprise Centre (MEC) Inc. of Saskatchewan is making it happen. With funding from Agricultural and Agri-Food Canada, the two have partnered on a pilot project to deliver Wireless WAN Internet service to the community of Little Lorraine. Launched last spring, the project has already stimulated the community's economic and social development, giving residents a chance to promote their businesses and community, and to access services and information online. Winner - Excellence in Community Development
Membertou First Nation
Ten years ago, when the Mi'kmaw community and business organization of Membertou in Sydney, Cape Breton became the first Aboriginal government to achieve ISO 9001: 2000 certification, it had 95% unemployment. Today, this Mi'kmaw community and business organization is nearly at full employment, providing jobs for 751 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals. Through strong leadership and community development programs supported by local businesses, Membertou First Nation is renewing the Mi'kmaw spirit of self-reliance, and building an understanding of Aboriginal heritage and culture both in and outside the community.
Finalists Action For Neighbourhood Change The United Way of Halifax Region believes communities can more effectively address issues of health, poverty and crime when residents take the lead. That's the inspiration behind its Action for Neighbourhood Change community development initiative. Launched in Spryfield in 2005, Action is helping residents build a healther, safer community by engaging them through face-to-face meetings, creating sustainable community leadership and providing funding for enhancement projects. To date, Action has helped create new community leaders and groups, and provided $200,000 in small and medium-sized grants for infrastructure improvements, community information projects and training programs for youth and seniors. Ross Creek Centre for the Arts Located in the Annapolis Valley, Ross Creek Centre for the Arts is a bold new approach to community development. It fosters creativity, self-confidence and collaboration in Canadians of all ages through art education, training and development programs. Hundreds of economically disadvantaged children have developed a sense of self-esteem and leadership through the SummerArts program. The Art Academy has achieved a 100% success rate in preparing and placing local high school students in post-secondary arts programs. And the Aboriginal Outreach program is giving Aboriginal youth a unique opportunity to explore and share their art and culture with the world. Winner - Outstanding Volunteer Achievement
Theresa Brewster
In her role as chair of the Glace Bay United Negro Improvement Association, Theresa Brewster has proven that one person can make a difference in our communities. Concerned about the deterioration of the Association's community hall, she took action, meeting with the Cape Breton Economic Development Authority to share a plan to revitalize it. Thanks to her determination, the hall was lovingly restored with money raised from government and other organizations. It has also been transformed into a cultural museum, preserving the community's history and heritage so it will serve as an inspiration to young people today.
Finalists Susan Taylor Sue Taylor has had a significant impact on Debert's quality of life since moving there with her family 15 years ago for a military posting. She is a member or past member of several volunteer community development organizations including the Along the Shore Community Health Board, which she chairs, and the Debert Industrial Parks Concept Plan Committee. She is also a Certified Volunteer Management Trainer, strengthening Debert's community organizations through training in board recruitment, fundraising and strategic planning skills so they will continue to serve the needs of residents for years to come. Brian Hirtle Burlington Community Club President Brian Hirtle believes that communities can accomplish anything when people work together. For over 20 years, he has been rallying Burlington residents behind community development projects. It was Brian who led the campaign in the 1980s to restore the community hall, going door to door to gain support. Brian also played a key role in the creation of the Recreation Commission for Somerset School and area. He continues to organize many fundraisers for community organizations and residents in need, and is assisting in fundraising efforts for the Berwick Apple Dome. Winner - Excellence in Youth Leadership
Beaver Bank Skate Park Committee
Seeing few recreational opportunities for youth in Beaver Bank, two young residents, Wesley & Kelly MacNeil, decided the community needed a skate park. They created the Beaver Bank Skate Park Committee and developed a proposal to make it happen. After many fundraising efforts and meetings with local, city and provincial representatives, the Halifax Regional Municipality approved the Committee's proposal. The skate park opened near the Community Centre in July of this year. Wesley and Kelly continue to fundraise for park improvements and are looking for other opportunities to make a difference in the community.
Finalists Nova Scotia Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) Imagine the financial barriers that young Nova Scotians without experience or assets face when pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. Students In Business is making those dreams possible. Created by the Nova Scotia Association of Community Business Development Corporations, this program provides interest-free loans to young people aged 15-34 who are in, or returning to, a recognized education institution. Launched in 2004, the program has provided 195 loans to students, resulting in the creation of 127 full-time and 41 part-time jobs province-wide. Students also have access to business counselling, training workshops and networking opportunities through the program's outreach facilitators. Pictou County's Next Generation If young people are the future, how do you convince them to stay in or relocate to Nova Scotia's rural areas? The Pictou Regional Development Commission has found a solution with its brand-new initiative, Pictou County's Next Generation. Developed through consultation with youth, the group provides networking and career development opportunities and events to young people aged 19 to 35 living in or relocating to Pictou. Through its efforts, the group is helping youth to connect and to integrate into the community, and encouraging them to make a difference in Pictou County. Winner - Innovation In Community Development
Resource Opportunities Centre
The Resource Opportunities Centre is a grassroots community development association serving 17 rural communities from Goodwood to West Dover in Western HRM. For the past ten years, it has been working to forge links and improve communication both within and between these communities so they can address common issues, such as health and economic development. The ROC has launched several successful initiatives to meet that goal. They include workshops, newsletters and the development of a website that allows all 17 communities to exchange information and promote themselves, their businesses, employment opportunities, upcoming events and programs.
Finalists Literacy Nova Scotia Literacy Nova Scotia's innovative programs are helping thousands Nova Scotians take control of their lives, careers and health by improving their ability to read and write. It also provides rural instructors and tutors with professional development opportunities that would otherwise not be available. One of its most innovative literacy programs is the Advanced Learning Technologies Project. Using Internet and computer technology, this program is providing trainers with professional development workshops and opportunities to share knowledge. And it is equipping Nova Scotians with literacy and computer skills that will give them more career opportunities. Pictou Regional Development Commission For fifteen years, the Pictou Regional Development Commission has played a pivotal role in Community Economic Development in Pictou County. Working with municipalities and community groups throughout the County, the Commission has led and partnered on a series of innovative initiatives, resulting in dynamic new opportunities for growth. Successes include a strategic plan for the New Glasgow Development Commission, rolling promotions for Pictou Country on King Freightline trailers, a $4.2 million revitalization project for downtown New Glasgow, and pcconnects, a website that has become the leading source for information on Pictou County events, programs and services. |
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