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LCRC's community gardens to get mayoral recognition
London's Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best will recognize the community gardens program during the Sept. 21 City Council meeting. The LCRC's garden program has seen tremendous growth over recent years and now includes 23 garden sites (597 plots) throughout the city and plays host to more than 450 community gardeners. Originally founded in 1974, the LCRC has emerged as a leader in community collaborative efforts and presently focuses on issues dealing with food security, explained Linda Davies, executive director. "While the LCRC gardens project is perhaps the most recognized, it is one of several programs aimed at bringing together individuals, organizations and resources to foster community action," Davies said. The City's Featured Community Program has been in place since 2002 and recognizes the important contributions of non-profit organizations and their volunteer members to the community. The initiative compliments the Business Recognition Program that takes place at each meeting of City Council, with both programs focusing on organizations as opposed to individuals. Criteria for organizations selected include: 1. The organization has a significant operation based in London 2. The organization must have been operational for a minimum of two years 3. Volunteers play identifiable key roles: e.g. Volunteer Board of Directors 4. Must be a non-profit organization During the Sept. 21 City Council meeting, Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best will present a mounted certificate honouring the gardens program and the LCRC. For more information on the London Community Resource Centre visit online (see link). WEB: London Community Resource Centre |
| Mayor: I think it would be appropriate during your award speech to acknowledge the contribution of Mary Yanful to the Community Gardens project. Mary brought the Gardens project to LCRC from Middlesex Health Unit in 1995 and developed the program from an original 4 gardens to its current complement of 23 gardens. Mary was summarily dismissed without cause by LCRC on June 16 of this year. The reason given was "restructuring." Whatever the current admin difficulties of LCRC, any acknowledgment of the Community Gardens program in London owes a huge debt of gratitude to Mary Yanful. |
| By: Stephen Cummings on 08/20/2009 |
| While Mary Yanful was a welcome and friendly face associated with the gardens, as a community gardener I haven't seen any real negative impact to the program in her absence. In fact, now when I call the office for assistance or information I usually get a response from a person right away. Restructuring is a fact in todays society and non profits such as the LCRC are very much affected. Besides, the success of the program is not and should not be dependent on one person -- but on the collective of those who both work and participate in the program. |
| By: John on 08/20/2009 |
| I just wanted to provide some context to the comment above from Stephen. The Middlesex-London Health Unit did not have the capacity to house the community gardens and the community food advisor program and as such found a welcome home with the London Community Resource Centre in 2002 (not 1995 as mentioned by Stephen). At that time, there was a community developer at LCRC who coordinated the gardens with funding secured by the former Mayor's Anti Poverty Action Group funding - the coordinator was not Mary as mentioned. Between 2002 to 2005, Mary's position was a community developer and she was involved in the development of the neighbourhood food depots. In 2006, she became the gardener coordinator. Just wanted to get some of the facts straight. |
| By: Heather on 08/20/2009 |
| As Chair of the Board of Directors for the London Community Resource Centre, I would like to acknowledge Mary Yanful for her years service with LCRC. As with all non-profit organizations, financial funding presents ongoing challenges, especially in today's economic climate. Through optimization, automation, restructuring and the expansion of our communication channels, LCRC has ensured stability and continued growth of the agency. We are absolutely thrilled that our program and LCRC is being recognized by the City of London and look forward to meeting London's Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best. |
| By: Karen on 08/21/2009 |
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