- Community The Strathcona BIA wants to turn their troubled industrial neighbourhood into a place that strengthens community. Gardens bring people outside, get them working together and having conversations. This helps strengthen relationships and engagement within the neighbourhood, giving participants a sense of belonging and ownership.
- Nutritious Native Plants Edible plants would provide new opportunities for local food production. Using native plants would reduce the resources required for their maintenance thus minimizing the ecological footprint of each garden.
- Empty Spaces Increase Crime. Green Spaces Reduce Empty Spaces According to research conducted by Constable Tom McKay of Peel Regional Police Crime Prevention Services, “A public place that lacks significant ownership interest is often perceived by prostitutes, drug dealers and others as an environment which may tolerate and support their activities. These and other under-utilized and empty spaces are readily recognized and exploited by criminals. Often referred to by environmental criminologists as “good” (for the criminal) environmental cues, they draw the offender's attention with their apparent lack of activity, ownership, maintenance or care.” In addition to decreasing emptiness that breeds crime, green spaces have also been proven to reduce aggressive behaviour.
- Green Jobs Creating green jobs while “greening the ghetto” has been extremely successful in other cities. Folks, such as Majora Carter have paved this path and proven why this approach is so valuable. The most profound benefit of this project in Strathcona would be the generation of green jobs for individuals with job readiness barriers and inner city youth. The Strathcona BIA is partnering with Mission Possible, who will train individuals who are overcoming poverty, addiction and homelessness. These trainings will help them secure and maintain meaningful work. They would also be hiring and training youth to give them tangible work experience and skills.
- Prevention There will also be opportunities for intergenerational interactions with Mission Possible’s employees and youth in a safe environment. Many of the landscapers will be able to share stories about how important it is to make good decisions. Please watch the video below to learn more.
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