This webinar explored the affordable housing crisis as it relates to students and the wider public and shared innovative examples from the nonprofit development sector for how assets are being leveraged to meet affordable housing goals. The webinar also explored how post secondary institutions can contribute to this important work.

Video Link

If you missed out on the day-of presentation, not to worry. We’ve made it accessible below.

Presenters

Moderator- Presenter

Abigail Moriah is a connector and registered professional planner specializing in affordable housing development. She works for at New Commons Development and has more than 10 years of experience working in the public and community-based sectors in the areas of community development and affordable housing.ĚýPrior to this she consulted for several years with the government and nonprofit organizations, in Halifax and Ottawa.

Alia Abaya’s passion is finding unique ways to bring people together, especially groups which seem like uncommon allies. Alia’s academic background is in Fine Arts and a BA in Sociology.Ěý Her career has spanned social justice, community arts and development, private foundations, corporate responsibility, and now landing at Alterna Savings as the Director of Community Impact supporting building tools and opportunities for Social Finance.

Laurent Levesque is Executive Coordinator and co-founder of UTILE, a nonprofit founded in 2013 that is currently developing 200 units of affordable student housing in MontrĂ©al with support from the CMHC, the City of MontrĂ©al and the Concordia Student Union. He is also a founding member of the Popular University Student Housing Fund (PUSH Fund).Ěý He has graduated in Urban Planning and is currently pursuing a M.Sc. in Management at HEC MontrĂ©al. Finally, he is involved with other nonprofits, most notably as vice-president of the board of the Chantier de l’économie sociale.

Nemoy Lewis, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at York University. He earned his doctoral degree in Human Geography from Queen’s University in 2018. For his upcoming Postdoctoral Research at the University of Toronto, Nemoy will explore the growing affordability problems impacting renters in racialized communities since the financialization of the rental markets in Canada and the United States. He has presented papers at local, national, and international conferences, and has contributed to chapters in two books: Neoliberal Chicago and Gentrification as a Global Strategy.

Jorge Sousa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Alberta. Jorge’s primary approach to research and practice is community-based. His areas of research all fall within the intersection of community development and adult education. The specific topics that his research focuses on includes: community housing; pedagogy for co-operation; strengthening Canada’s Social Economy; governance and member engagement of non-profit and co-operative organizations; higher education and partnerships; and public policy related to community development and community economic development. Focus topics related to the webinar include Focus on affordable housing crisis to community building; The commons and community housing; and Promoting agency, partnerships and social value in the development of new housing opportunities.Ěý​​

est construit sur d’anciens terrains de la Compagnie des chemins de fer nationaux du Canada (« CN »), à l’extrême sud du quartier Montréalais de Pointe-Saint-Charles. Cet immeuble industriel patrimonial a été réapproprié; il constitue à présent un modèle unique de projet d’aménagement urbain géré collectivement par des citoyens. À preuve, il abrite treize initiatives communautaires dirigées à l’échelon local, mené par et pour les résidents du quartier.

L’UniversitĂ© Concordia est maintenant prĂ©sente sur le site, et y soutient et y organise la participation, la recherche et la programmation en Ă©mergence, et ce, Ă  l’intention des membres de la communautĂ© universitaire, au service du projet citoyen.ĚýLa coordination de cette prĂ©sence est assurĂ©e par , et reprĂ©sente une approche novatrice en la matière.

Ce webinaire présenté la nature de cette collaboration, les projets en émergents et leurs liens avec les mandats respectifs du Bâtiment 7 et de l’Université Concordia.

Lien vidéo

Si vous avez manqué le jour de la présentation, ne vous inquiétez pas. Nous l’avons rendu accessible ci-dessous.

Presentateur/ Presenter:

Alex Megelas est Coordonnateur de programmes pour le Bureau de l’engagement communautaire de l’Université Concordia. Il est responsable de l’Université autrement dans les cafés, un programme d’éducation populaire, et est chargé de tenir une présence Universitaire au Bâtiment 7, un espace citoyen autonome de Pointe-Saint-Charles. Il est étudiant au doctorat à l’Université McGill, sous la supervision des Profs. Naomi Nichols et Henry Mintzberg, et est facilitateur associé du Centre des organismes communautaires (COCo).

Hermine Ortega est coordinatrice du Pole des Pratiques au Bâtiment 7, une initiative autonomie collective de Pointe-Saint-Charles. Elle est co-fondatrice de Kabane 77, un collectif dédié à la réhabilitation sociale et culturelle d’un entrepôt abandonné du Mile-End. Elle anime une collection au sein de la maison d’édition L’Oie de Cravan.

This book includes chapters from each of the hub’s partners, and outlines the different models of engagement used by each partnership to complete work towards reducing poverty in their respective communities.

To view and/or download a PDF copy of the book, click on the image below. Happy reading!

CFICE partners indicated a strong interest in learning about how to more meaningfully embed decolonized and traditional Indigenous methodologies, non-conventional methodologies for research, community development and practices, and policy development into community-campus partnerships. They are committed to inclusive practices that not only incorporate established academic ethics standards, but that also build ethical spaces (see reference to Dr. Willie Ermine’s work on this theme) to encourage authentic and culturally-safe opportunities for collaboration. This approach disrupts colonial methodologies and encourages novel methods of engagement, learning, and knowing within CCE work.

Below is a 2-pager outlining CFICE’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation as well as resources others can review to learn more information about how to build truth and reconciliation into their community-campus engagement efforts.

Click on the image below to open a PDF version of the document, or CLICK HERE to access the FRENCH version.

This webinar explored answers to the guiding question How do we grow impactful Indigenous-Campus engagement and ethical research in Canada to better support indigenous community health and well being?

The webinar featured the work and vision of four Indigenous leaders working in community-campus engagement. Two Professors from Saskatchewan and British Columbia and two community leaders from the National Association of Friendship Centres in Ottawa focused on ethical research, Indigenous knowledges, equitable partnerships and how higher education and other Canadian allies can collectively support Indigenous community health and well being.

Video Link and Resources

If you missed out on the day-of presentation, not to worry. We’ve made it accessible below.

You can access some additional resources below.

• PPT Presentation (PDF download) of Shady and Jennifer’s presentation.
  • Connect with Shady Hafez at shafez@NAFC.ca
  • Connect with Jennifer Rankin at jrankin@nafc.ca
• PPT Presentation (PDF download) of Michelle’s presentation
  • Connect with Michelle Johnson Jennings at mjohnsonjennings@usask.ca
• Pidgeon, M. (2018). Moving between theory and practice within an Indigenous research paradigm.ĚýQualitative Research.Ěý
  • Connect with Michelle Pidgeon at michelle_pidgeon@sfu.ca
• Pidgeon, M. (2016). More than a checklist: Meaningful Indigenous inclusion in higher education.ĚýSocial Inclusion, 4(1), 77–91. DOI:
• – Video Project

Presenters

Moderator and Presenter, Michelle ±Ęľ±»ĺ˛µ±đ´Ç˛Ô:ĚýDr. Michelle Pidgeon, of Mi’kmaq ancestry from Newfoundland and Labrador, is currently an Associate professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University.Ěý As a higher education scholar, Dr. Pidgeon’s work is theoretically and methodologically guided by an Indigenous wholistic framework with the intentional goals of: 1) transforming the educational system for Aboriginal peoples and 2) empowering the cultural integrity of all students. Dr. Pidgeon currently holds a SSHRC insight grant that is focusing on the wholistic experiences of Indigenous faculty and graduate students in Canada and New Zealand in the social sciences as they navigate institutional research ethics from their own cultural frames of ethics. Dr. Pidgeon is the Director of the Centre for Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at SFU, where she leads a team of researchers and associates in projects related to Education in British Columbia, and Canada. As co-chair of the Indigenous Education Reconciliation Council,Ěýshe is helping guide the work of Indigenization and Reconciliation in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. (Social Media: @pidgy604 @CSELP_SFU)

Jennifer Rankin: Jennifer is Ojibway and a member of Batchewana First Nation. Jennifer has lived in Ottawa her entire life and completed her a BA in Aboriginal Studies at the University of Ottawa. Jennifer has over 10 years’ work experience working with various national Indigenous organizations in the field of health, research and advocacy. She has been working at the National Association of Friendship Centres for the past five years and her current role is managing the administration of the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples Program which provides core funding to NAFC Provincial and Territorial Associations and Friendship Centres across the country.

Shady Hafez: Shady Hafez is Algonquin Anishinabe and Syrian from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Shady holds an MA in Indigenous Governance and is currently the Research Advisor at The National Association of Friendship Centres. Part of this role includes coordinating the Urban Aboriginal Knowledge Network (UAKN). The UAKN is a research network of urban Indigenous communities, policy makers and academics, engaging in community driven research with the goal of contributing to a better quality of life for urban Indigenous people. There are four research centers across Canada.

Michelle Johnson-Jennings: Michelle Johnson-Jennings, PhD (Choctaw Nation Enrolled Tribal Member) is an Indigenous health psychologist, the Canada Research Chair for Indigenous Community Engaged Research Nominee, Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan in Indigenous Studies and associate in the College of Medicine, Community Health and Epidemiology. She also serves as an affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Public Health and University of Washington School of Social Work. She received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Counseling Psychology, a Master’s from Harvard University in Human Development and Psychology, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Johnson-Jennings’ therapeutic expertise lies in working with Indigenous communities and cross-cultural psychology. Her research endeavors span the globe from founding and formerly directing the Research for Indigenous Community Health (RICH) Center at the University of Minnesota to recently completing a US Fulbright Scholar in New Zealand at the Te Kotahi Indigenous research institute. Over the years, Dr. Johnson-Jennings has partnered with multiple tribal nations, organizations and communities to prevent both substance use and food addiction/obesity. In doing so, she has co-developed health interventions with tribal entities to encourage a renewed commitment to health and revitalization of medicine, food and activity practices. Her recent research specifically involves partnering with tribal communities to determine patient cultural health beliefs surrounding diseases, traditional healing views of health, and to develop preventative health interventions entrenched in ancestral guidelines. Dr. Johnson-Jennings has been recognized as a health leader in being selected by the Harvard University Leadership Institute, UW-Madison Health Equity Leadership Institute, the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) American Indian Network Committee, and the NIH National Institute for Diabetes Digestive and Kidney (NIDDK)/National Congress Diabetes Fellow. She also serves on several international advisory committees, mentors multiple students in several countries, and is mother to four amazing children.

This webinar explored how to work in community-campus engagements to shift and support social infrastructure development in Canada.

The guiding questions for this webinar included:

• What kinds of social and green real estate projects are possible?
• How can we structure effective community-campus governance and project-management bodies?
• What combination of financial instruments and sources can be used to finance social infrastructure?

Video Link and Resources

If you missed out on the day-of presentation, not to worry. We’ve made it accessible below.

You can access some additional resources below.

1. Andrew Petter: The new community builders: universities, colleges and institutes are vital source of social infrastructure: 
2. Catalyst for Sustainability: The Achievements, Challenges, Lessons and Prospects of the University of Winnipeg
   Community Renewal Corporation: 
3. Maximizing the Capacities of Advanced Education Institutions to Build Social Infrastructure for Canadian Communities: 

Presenters

Moderator, Edward (Ted) Jackson: Ted Jackson is a university professor, management consultant and author specializing in community-university partnerships, social finance, social enterprise and program evaluation. A former associate dean and tenured faculty member in public policy at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University, he has advised foundations, development agencies, governments, universities and non-profits in all regions of the world.

Andrew Petter,ĚýC.M., Q.C., President of Simon Fraser University: Andrew Petter is President and Vice Chancellor of Simon Fraser University.ĚýFrom 1991 to 2001, he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia and held numerous cabinet portfolios, including Advanced Education and Intergovernmental Relations.ĚýSince becoming President, he has overseen the implementation of a Strategic Vision that seeks to distinguish SFU as Canada’s “engaged university defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting edge research, and far-reaching community engagement.” In 2018, he was appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his national leadership in advancing university-community engagement and higher education.

Sherman Kreiner, Managing Director of UWCRC and UWCRC 2.0: A community economic development practitioner for nearly 40 years, Sherman Kreiner has served as Managing Director of the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation since 2005 and of its associated non-profit, UWCRC 2.0, since 2016. He has led the construction of more than $200 million in green, social real estate projects, including a mixed-use, mixed-income residential tower, and the growth of a food-services social enterprise with 100 employees. A former member of the Board of Regents of the University of Winnipeg and a founding director of the University of Winnipeg Foundation, in 2013 he received UW’s 100th Convocation Award for exemplary service to the University.

This webinar explored student, campus and community capacities and readiness for mutually beneficial placements and partnerships within the context of community-campus engagement.

The guiding question for this webinar was: How can the CCE movement increase student experiential learning and community research opportunities from the undergraduate to doctorate levels while also supporting non-profit readiness and capacity to include students and to be involved in co-designing or leading research and engagement work?

Webinar participants learned how community-campus practitioners—Faculty, Students, and Community leaders—are supporting efforts that help address this question. Presenters also identified concrete suggestions for how we can increase student- community placements for mutual and societal benefit in Canada.

Video Link

If you missed out on the day-of presentation, not to worry. We’ve made it accessible below.

You can access some student and non-profit readiness tools below. Note: The training modules mentioned in the video are not yet available to the public but will be hosted on the Trent Community Research Centre’s website.

•  — Journal Article
• Research Toolkit for Community-Based Organizations

Presenters

Moderator, Isabelle Kim, Director, University of Toronto Centre for Community Partnerships (CCP): Isabelle and her team at the CCP work in partnership with students, staff, faculty, communities, and non-profit and public organizations to catalyze and sustain socially-responsive CEL and CER. Isabelle will moderate the discussion, and focus the questions for presenters on student and non-profit organizations’ perspectives on: critical issues of access and preparedness to participate in CEL/R opportunities; and the kinds of structures and systems needed to sustainably and equitably increase these opportunities in a way that will result in positive impacts for both student learning and community.

Stephen Hill, Associate Professor, Trent University – Stephen has been the academic lead for CFICE’s Student Pathways working group. With financial support from Trent University and eCampus Ontario his team created new open-access community-based research and experiential training modules for students as a means of teaching students the necessary skills for working in a community-campus engagement project.

Lisa Mort-Putland, Executive Director of Volunteer Victoria and National Board member, Volunteer Canada – Lisa will share Volunteer Victoria and Volunteer Canada’s experiences with the increasing national demand for student-community placements and ideas on how to increase and support non-profit readiness to include students while increasing the sector’s role in influencing higher education research and engagement.

In this lively podcast, CFICE team members Kristina Reed, Kawsar Mohamed, and Nicole Bedford have a frank conversation about the challenges and rewards of being open to sharing, listening, and working together to make workplaces more accessible to all.

Access a PDF version of the podcast transcript here.

Across the contributions, we find a common theme: None of our authors would say they have fully realized the community-first ethos, but striving towards this goal has resulted in personal, social, institutional, and epistemological transformations. Just as the process of throwing, glazing, and firing can transform clay into a beautiful mug like the one featured on the cover of this issue—created by our colleague Cathleen Kneen (1944-2016) —so too does striving to put community first reshape the way we work. This ethos challenges us and it is changing us, but in many ways, the journey to adopt community-first ways of working together has only just begun.

The content in this special issue was created in the context of the Community First: Impacts of Community Engagement (CFICE, pronounced “suffice”) partnership research project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada beginning in 2012. Over the course of two project phases, CFICE’s overarching goal has been to enhance the partnership policies and practices of community-based organizations, postsecondary institutions, governments and funders to create more effective and valuable community-campus engagement. We define community-campus engagement to include community-engaged research, community service learning, and other ways that postsecondary institutions can have an impact in their communities, such as their potential as anchor institutions for local economies (Dragicevic, 2015).

We hope you enjoy this special issue of Engaged Scholar Journal. For CFICE participants, the transformative journey continues…

Click on the image below to open a PDF copy or .

In this webinar, presenters provided an overview of a self assessment tool, designed specifically for community organizations, that provides information and resources about community-based research with academic partners. Presenters outlined the process of creating the tool, and then gave a live demonstration of how the tool can be used to guide community organizations through the process of working with an academic partner.

Video Link

If you missed out on the day-of presentation, not to worry. We’ve made it accessible below.

Toolkit

You can access the full online version of the tool here!

Presenters

Tara McWhinney is currently enrolled in the PhD program at the School of Social Work at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University. She works as a Research Assistant for the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship and works on research projects with community-based agencies. She has a keen interest and background in critical research methods and social policy analysis.Ěý Working in the community for many years she also has front line experience assisting individuals accessing social assistance programs. With a Masters in geography Tara approaches social justice issues from a unique perspective using online participatory mapping platforms. Her PhD research focuses on how online mapping technologies can be employed in feminist research to explore women’s experiences of social policy.

Adje van de Sande is the academic co-lead of the Tools for Community-First Community Campus Partnerships Working Group. He is an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University. He is the principal author of Statistics for Social Justice: A Structural Approach, published in 2015, and Research for Social Justice: A Community-Based Participatory Approach published by Fernwood in 2017. He is the Chair of the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship, the Research Centre for the School of Social Work. He teaches Research Methods and Statistics at the undergraduate and graduate levels with a focus on community-based participatory research. Over the past 10 years, he has supervised over 60-student led research projects in Eastern Ontario as part of the graduate social work research course. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences on the topic of community-based participatory research. In 2009, he worked on the analysis of the data from the Ontario First Nations Public Health Project. In 2004, he collaborated as a researcher on the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice: The Civil Justice System and the Public, a SSHRC funded research study. He was the principal investigator on the Study of Child and Youth Poverty in Sudbury, funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Institutional Grants.

Zoey Feder is the Administrative Assistant for the (CSPSC). Zoey is a recent graduate from ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´â€™s BSW program. Before joining CSPSC, she was involved with anti-poverty organizations like Canada Without Poverty (CWP) and ACORN Canada. As the Admin Assistant for CSPSC, she assists the Tools for Community-First Community Campus Partnerships Working Group with administrative support.