Who: You! (District 7 residents of all ages) & local non-profit groups
What: District 7 District Capital Funds Allocation Vote
When: Monday, 5 May, 6-8 pm
Where: Halifax Central Library in the Lindsay Children’s Room on the second floor
Why: a social event and opportunity to have your say on how District 7 Capital funds are spent
Together as a district we will allocate $70,000 of District 7’s capital funds to non-profit groups. Participatory budgeting gives residents of District 7 a direct say in how District Capital funds are spent.
Each group will set up a table with information about their project, science fair style. Residents of District 7 will then circulate around the room to learn more about the proposed projects and vote on which ones they want to see funded. You must pick seven projects for your ballot to be valid.
Everyone who lives in District 7 can vote, including kids. (District 7 is the peninsula south of Cogswell in the east end Jubilee in the west.)
Below are the projects up for consideration:
Ecology Action Centre – $5,000
Bike Again is a volunteer-run, Do-It-Yourself community bike repair space that has been active in Halifax for 24 years. An initiative of the Ecology Action Centre, Bike Again provides the space, tools, and volunteer know-how, for patrons to learn bike repair skills. Bike Again aims to get more people on bikes, empower them to repair their bikes, provide a place for people to bring bikes they no longer use, and to create community centered around a shared love of the humble bicycle.
Capital Funds will be used for a beautification project of the Bike Again entry/driveway.
Adsum House – $10,000
In 1983 the doors of Adsum House opened to women who had no place to live. At that time, there was a growing need to provide safety and shelter to women living on the street in Halifax (Kjipuktuk). Adsum House has since grown from one shelter to an organization that provides a range of housing options, programs and services.
Capital Funds will be used to support programming around food insecurity for individuals who are coming to Adsum House for support.
Phoenix House Youth Shelter- $5,000
Phoenix House is a not-for-profit, community-based organization that has been dedicated to supporting youth between the ages of 11 and 24 and their families since 1987. Across their 16 locations, they offer wraparound services and programs including access to food, housing support, healthcare, parenting support, recreation, education, employment services, and clinical therapy.
Capital funds will be used to purchase a new commercial dishwasher to help support shelter operations.
Halifax Brewery Market- $9,000
The Halifax Brewery Farmers’ Market Cooperative, a not-for-profit cooperative dedicated to building local food systems and community. The Capital Funds will be used to help facilitate the launch of a new outdoor season farm market in Halifax.
St Andrew’s United Church – $10,000
Saint Andrew’s United is a recognized as a social justice leader in our community and has been a cornerstone of the diverse and vibrant life of our city for more than 200 years. St Andrew’s Sunday Suppers program provides a hot meal and basic needs support every Sunday from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm for up to 300 people of all ages who are experiencing food scarcity.
Capital funds will be used to help support the delivery of the Sunday Suppers program.
Saint Mary’s Elementary School – $3,500
Capital funds will be used to help support the establishment of a school garden.
Inglis Street Elementary School- $2,000
Capital funds will be used to help refresh the local school community garden space.
Fort Massey Church- $2,500
Fort Massey Church is located in the heart of District 7 and is a space relied on by many community groups to be able to deliver their community programming.
Capital funds will be used to help purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) along with an AED cabinet for the church space.
Wonder’neath Art Society- $7,000
Capital funds will be used to purchase an E-bike as part of the Art Bikers program offered by Wonder’neath Art Society. Art Bikers is a bike-powered mobile art program that brings artists, children, and other community members together in outdoor green spaces where communities gather around HRM.
Turret Art Space Society – $10,000
Capital funds will be used to help with the start-up operating costs for the Turret Art Space. The Turret’s Art Space will be an accessible multipurpose art and community building servicing Halifax. This landmark arts hub will house a critically engaged community where youth, artists, and the public can connect and thrive in a space that is physically, economically, and culturally accessible.
Halifax Dance- $4,500
Capital funds will be used to help support the operating and equipment costs associated with the “Step Together Project”, a new initiative that responds to a growing need we’ve identified through conversations with families and community partners: accessible dance and movement opportunities for newcomer youth.
Gorsebrook Junior High School- $10,000
Capital funds will be used to complete the mural project that is currently taking place on the school property.
LeMarchant-St. Thomas Elementary School Green Space Committee- $10,000
Capital funds will be used to help fund the replacement of an aging play structure at LMST.
Spencer House- $5,580
Spencer House is proud to serve as a community hub for residents in Halifax’s South End with a particular focus on older adults. Capital funds will be used to support and to expand the low-cost produce market and help with the Social Supermarket pilot launching in 2025.