Community Vitality in Action

Centennial

Story:

A tiny neighbourhood in Winnipeg's inner city, Centennial has long endured more than its share of challenges - violence, crime and crushing cycles of poverty. In 2003, The Winnipeg Foundation launched a special investment in the neighbourhood: a multifaceted, five-year commitment to help rebuild, revitalize and restore hope to the families who call Centennial home.

The Centennial Neighbourhood Project was The Winnipeg Foundation's first long-term, multi-faceted initiative. It was also unique among Canadian community foundations and is becoming an example for focused investment in neighbourhood renewal. With no model to follow, the Foundation approached the Project as a learning opportunity and a chance to develop a framework that could be adapted for use in other Canadian neighbourhoods.

The Foundation recognized that, while Centennial Neighbourhood faces a number of challenges, it also has many assets: a core of committed long-term residents, locally-based community service organizations and a natural hub in Dufferin School. Based on the concept that "education is the ticket out of poverty" the Centennial Neighbourhood Project focused on building a support system for children and families at Dufferin School.

The strategy included:

  • recognizing that social and economic conditions impact a student's academic success;
  • enhancing programming and outreach at Dufferin;
  • building on existing neighbourhood strengths; and
  • engaging a wide range of partners.

One of the most exciting outcomes of the Centennial Neighbourhood Project has been the recent creation of the Central Neighbourhoods Development Corporation. This resident-driven organization, which serves Centennial, West Alexander and Central Park neighbourhoods, was established in May 2008 through the Province's Neighbourhoods Alive! program. The new Corporation works with resident associations in each of the three neighbourhoods to support social and economic development. The Corporation is already benefiting from the lessons learned and leadership built through the Centennial Neighbourhood Project - three of its staff members and several volunteers are Centennial residents who have been actively involved with the Project.