Rotary Opens Doors for Collective Garden
In 2021, the YEG Passport and North East Rotary Clubs, the Bosco Foundation and the Sinkunia Community Development Organization (SCDO) started a successful collective garden in the Balwin neighbourhood in NE Edmonton.
The Bosco Foundation owns a 50,000 square foot building including a former Catholic church on 3.5 acres of land and supports many non-profits through low rent and capacity building. Rotary approached Sinkunia, then Bosco about using their land for a garden and learned that they are developing an affordable seniors housing project on the site. The garden proposal was seen as a great intergenerational and intercultural project to bring people together for their mutual well-being while growing food. The garden is also within walking distance for many living in affordable housing.
The SCDO supports African immigrant families to develop their talents and capacities to participate fully and equitably in Canadian life, through grassroots initiatives. Youth development is at the heart of their work.
In 2021, the team secured a $25K Canada Healthy Communities grant that in turn leveraged other grants and in-kind resources including a $20K neighbourhood revitalization grant from the City of Edmonton. Hundreds of volunteer hours were donated to the project, starting with a design workshop facilitated by Rotary. Peace poles were co-created and erected by Rotarians and Sinkunia youth the first season. Jennifer Jones made this a stop on her cross Canada tour.
Rotary also sourced freezers, water tanks, a large garden shed and tools. Permaculturists Dustin Baijer and neighbour Clint Porrit provided much appreciated technical advice.
Seniors required seating to rest. The Southeast Men’s Shed made and donated benches. The Alberta Immigrant Women and Children’s Centre is creating a seniors program as many come from agricultural backgrounds. Aboriginal Head Start is donating raised beds so their preschoolers can garden with seniors. English Language Learners from Balwin school work in the Garden on Friday afternoons. Rotary initiated a reading program and NE Club member Germaine Chau distributed over 1500 books to schools and organizations in the Balwin neighbourhood.
The African philosophy of Ubuntu and the Cree word wicehtowin both value good relations that are nurtured collectively with respectful dialogue and consensus building. The garden is becoming a gathering place for learning and encouragement.
Dr. Elizabeth Onyango from the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health is working alongside the SCDO. She is also a Rotarian and a member of the Edmonton Food Council.
“My interest is in empowering immigrants and their families to enhance health and sustain community well-being. I do so by generating evidence to promote engagement in collective community gardening to support social connection, mental health and well-being, knowledge exchange and local production of culturally familiar vegetables and fruits”.
The garden is located behind the St. Francis Centre at 6770 129 Avenue in NE Edmonton.
Shelley Sabo
Co-Executive Director
Bosco Foundation
Co-President
YEG Passport Rotary Club
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
587.783.8778
shelley.sabo@telus.net