Community Engagement

The core values identified by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) 2009 are the most comprehensive and relevant guiding principles. LBC embraces these principles including those which indicate community engagement:

• is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.

• includes the promise that the public's contribution will influence the decision.

• promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants.

• seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.

• seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.

• provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.

• communicates to participants how input affected the decision.

As soon as land is available, this project will be considered a 'go'. At that point, we will visit and discuss the plan with the local unhoused community. The next stage will be encouraging the public, local businesses, organizations, service providers and local churches to get involved. This is how an Advisory Committee will be created. Kevin Taylor will have meetings with stakeholders, the general public and special presentations to organizations and churches to encourage involvement.

LBC’s community engagement is intended to be an interactive planning and implementation process. LBC will be in constant contact with all stakeholders including the local community and tenants to understand voiced concerns. LBC will then work with the appropriate stakeholders to implement those solutions and communicate to the people who voiced the concerns as well as all stakeholders.

Community Engagement activities already in progress:

• Kevin Taylor, LBC Community director has engaged with other Cabin Community leaders, who have been graciously sharing information, research, surveys, documents and more. This has been and will continue to be extremely valuable

• Two meetings with Mayor Jenkins and Charles Mullet (and several emails) brought about full town support.

• A preliminary proposal has been presented to a local organization for the consideration of a donation of land for a land-use agreement for 10 years. A second meeting is scheduled

• Several potential board members and Advisory Committee participants have been approached

• A database of potential volunteers and partners is currently being created

• Three other individuals have been enlisted to help with the editing of this and other documents and to share ideas and suggestions

• A website has been developed which contains the proposal. This is better than sending out a 50+ page document through email.

• A FaceBook page and other forms of social media will be developed with the sole purpose of communicating with the public, local community and other stakeholders

• Plans and computer diagrams have been created, which will help greatly in budgeting construction costs

• Several local contractors are being asked to help with budgeting material and labour costs for the construction of all the buildings, and other contractors are helping to come up with optimal heating solutions

• A logo has been created for Little Blue Cabins by local artist, Liz Raymond

LBC recognizes many community members will have limited experience with trauma responsive organizations as this is a newer approach in Bancroft. To help community members understand internal operations, LBC will offer the following:

Screenings of documentaries & educational videos addressing:

• homelessness

• resilience

• trauma and crisis prevention

• injury prevention

• mental illness

• drug addiction

• poverty

• systemic discrimination

LBC will collaborate with the Town of Bancroft and local service providers/partners to develop events and communications specific to the needs of the local community.

These could include:

• A community engagement event to discuss the initiative.

• Educational opportunities such as speaker series, trauma informed courses, naloxone training, meet and greets to learn about businesses, services and people in the local community

• Volunteer opportunities, both in the cabin community and in the local community

• Communication tools such as newsletters, email lists, social media with guidance from the local community about preferred content and frequency

In order to facilitate meaningful communication aimed at collectively and proactively anticipating and collectively resolving issues, LBC will set up regular meetings with the Town of Bancroft (and/or whatever township the site is located) staff and Councillors. LBC also has ongoing communication through traditional channels such as phone calls, texts and emails.

Stakeholders

LBC recognizes the importance of engaging with all stakeholders impacted by the Little Blue Cabins project. Each will be encouraged to participate in meaningful ways with the cabin community, and to provide input towards evaluation measurements to help determine the success and challenges.

• Cabin Community Residents

• Community of people without homes

• Local COUNCILS

• LBC Employees

• LBC Advisory Committees (Housed and Unhoused)

• LBC Board of Directors

• Site Community Neighbours

• Indigenous Community Service Providers

• Town of Bancroft Community Members

• Town of Bancroft Council

• Township of Site Location Council

• Town of Bancroft Staff

• Service Providers

• Volunteer Organizations