SCD-Society for Community Development 2601 Lougheed Hwy.
Fernwood Lodge, Holly Drive
Coquitlam, BCV3C 4J2
604-777-2394
 
Building a Strong and Resilient Community
We encourage and support participation in our community. We bring people together to: Connect – Collaborate – Celebrate.
 
Our mandate is to provide leadership and support to assist those who live, work or play in the Tri Cities to identify and address community issues.
 
We aim to increase awareness of local issues, focus on specific neighbourhood actions, and build the capacity of our partners to identify and act collaboratively.
 
Report on SCD Activities and Partnerships
April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010
 
Challenge Day
Challenge Days are offered in the Tri Cities under the leadership of Debby Murillo and the newly formed Port Coquitlam Youth Society. Challenge Day’s mission is to provide youth with workshops and programs that demonstrate the possibilities that arise from a supportive community which is inclusive and honours the value of every participant. SCD is pleased to offer support and guidance to this new community group as it works to establish their status as a charitable organization.
 
Community Dialogues
SCD worked collaboratively with community partners, such as Solutions by Design, the Homelessness Task Group, and the Coquitlam Civic League, to create a series of forums based on social issues current to the Tri Cities. Topics included youth engagement, electoral reform options, community capacity building, homelessness, and family and children’s issues. SCD assisted in sourcing speakers, venues and partners for these forums. The information gathered was made available on our website and was provided to community groups dealing with the issues identified. Alexis Easton of Spiro Solutions facilitated many of the forums for SCD.
 
Early Childhood Development Table
Middle Childhood Matters Table
Youth Engagement Table
SCD remains committed to helping the community build a collaborative approach to identifying and discussing the issues of children and families. Each of these tables look to engage the community in a process to plan, build and develop the delivery of meaningful services to children and their families. For more information on any of these tables, please contact the SCD office.  
 
Maillardville Youth Arts Project
The Youth Arts Project was completed in partnership with ArtsConnect, Place Maillardville, Place des Arts, City of Coquitlam’s Maillardville Task Force, Maillardville Residents Association, Benjamin Moore Paints, BC Hydro, Societe Francophone de Maillardville and local artist Tammy Pilon. Youth were mentored through the process of designing and creating art to decorate six power boxes in the Maillardville area. SCD worked with the community partners to organize the project needs, manage volunteers, source donations for materials and facilitate meetings amongst the partners. Alexis Easton of Spiro Solutions facilitated the project for SCD.
 
Organizational Development Network
The Organization Development Network has provided SCD with outstanding guidance and support this past year as three of it as local members led the SCD Board and the several of the society’s most active supporters through an intensive series of interviews and workshops. As a result of this work, new vision and mission statements have been developed. This work builds on the results of the community survey conducted last year. The information gathered from the survey and workshops is being developed into a new strategic plan.
 
Philosophers' Café
In partnership with SFU, these evenings attracted many to a comfortable setting for vibrant discussions on issues of the day. No formal philosophy training is required. Attendees speak from real life experiences. All cafes (September to May) were held at the Gathering Place, Port Coquitlam.
 
Shaugnessy Street Underpass Mural Project
SCD has recently joined the partnership between the City of Port Coquitlam (Parks and Recreation/Teens Against Graffiti, Engineering, Arts and Leisure), Community Policing, the Necklace Project, SD43, Port Coquitlam Downtown BIA, Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society, Arts Connect, and Friends of Leigh Square in PHASE TWO of an anti graffiti project. Area youth are creating works of art that will be used to decorate the east wall of the underpass.
 
Solutions by Design Initiative
This community partnership (Fraser Health, Douglas College, SHARE, SUCCESS, Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce, VanCity Community Foundation, Coast Capital Savings, the cities of Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam, and SCD) is in phase three of a project intending to identify specific actions that will result in improving the quality of life in the Tri Cities area. The objectives are: 1) to stimulate economic growth, create employment, increase educational opportunities and reduce poverty 2) to improve social and health conditions 3) to increase the sense of safety, security and well being for local residents.
 
Spirit of Community Awards (SOCA)
2009 has been a year of extensive planning to reintroduce SOCA to the Tri Cities. This awards evening will again bring the community together for a night of celebration, raising community spirit and civic pride. As in the past, the purpose of SOCA is to recognize and celebrate the participation of the many unsung heroes within our community. These are our residents who voluntarily contribute their time, talent and resources to make our communities more resilient and liveable.
SCD is pleased to announce that SOCA will be returning in September 2010 in conjunction with TASTE. For more information on the categories of the awards or to nominate a local hero, please go to www.societyforcommunitydevelopment.com, or contact Andrea Smith at andreasmith@telus.net.
Save the Date: SOCA 2010 - September 21, 2010 at the Red Robinson Show Theatre
 
TASTE of the Tri Cities
SCD was pleased to partner with the Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce to present this wonderful evening dedicated to fostering community spirit and honouring the uniqueness of our cities. This was an exciting example of how the non-profit sector can partner with our area businesses to present an evening that brings our citizens, service organizations and businesses together. TASTE continues to be community development at its tastiest! For the second year, Polly Krier coordinated TASTE for the Society. 
Save the Date: TASTE 2010 - September 21, 2010 at the Red Robinson Show Theatre
 
Tri Cities Affordable Housing Coalition
The Tri Cities Housing Coalition is a non partisan coalition of faith groups, community organizations, and concerned citizens willing to advocate for adequate housing for all residents of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody. SCD is pleased to partner with this committee organization, most recently in gaining community acceptance for the YWCA project at 528 Como Lake.
 
Tri Cities Homelessness Task Group
The Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group is an alliance of non-profit agencies, government representatives, community organizations, politicians and concerned citizens. Please refer to www.tricitieshomelessness.ca or www.societyforcommunitydevelopment.com for information on how the task group started, our mission and annual goals, and our accomplishments this past year. These websites also have several reports on homelessness as well as a variety of useful links.  You can find out the services that are available to homeless persons in the Tri-Cities and how you can help.  For a quick snapshot of homelessness in the Tri-Cities, refer to the Homelessness Landscape fact sheet available at either website.
 
Tri Cities Homelessness Task Group – Advocacy Committee
This is an exceptionally active committee and SCD is pleased to chair this group. The short term goals for 2009 included developing an education package for teachers, compiling a speakers’ bureau and creating power point presentations on homelessness in the Tri Cities. The long term goals continue to focus on advocating for the increase in the supply of social and affordable housing, promoting the implementation of the Metro Vancouver Regional Housing Strategy, and developing a report card for the Tri-Cities which rates progress in addressing homelessness, social housing needs, and affordability
issues.
 
Tri City Drug Awareness Task Group
In January of 2009, the Crystal Meth Task Group became the Tri City Drug Awareness Task Group. The Task Group continues to bring businesses, education, non profits and policing together to address the drug education needs of the Tri Cities. This past year, a second version of the Youth Resource card was updated, printed and distributed to the youth of the Tri Cities. The first version of an Adult and Family Resource card has also been researched and is awaiting funding for printing. 
 
United Way Workshops on Fundraising
SCD was so fortunate to have been invited to participate in a series of workshops offered by the United Way of the Lower Mainland. These workshops provided intensive training on increasing the effectiveness of our fundraising efforts.
 
2009 Family Wellness Month
Using funding from the Gaming Branch of the BC Government, SCD compiled the information required to create a calendar of summertime family oriented activities. There was something for everyone – concerts in the park, heritage walks, movie nights and so much more! The calendar of events was available at www.societyforcommunitydevelopment.com and appeared in our local press. Alexis Easton of Spiro Solutions facilitated this project for SCD.
 
 
A Glimpse into 2010-2013 – Our Strategic Objectives:
 
o       To re-evaluate the marketing and branding of SCD, including logo, pamphlets, website, blog, etc.
 
o       To identify and establish financial processes and sources of income to facilitate the ability of SCD to fulfill its vision and mission.
 
o       To build on SCD’s ability to support the community by attracting skilled volunteers, board members, contractors, partners and implementing processes that will optimize operations so SCD is a strong and resilient organization.
 
o       To build relationships between SCD and the community, as well as between community stakeholders, and to support stakeholders in addressing issues of importance to them in an unbiased and all inclusive manner.