For more than a decade, the Forum for Youth Investment has helped communities map, convene and align coalitions and initiatives focused on the interlocking issues that affect young people's futures, from premature births to college completion.
Read More
I love visual tools. Taking the time to draw a process or idea helps me better understand it. Visual stories have the ability to magically capture a whole lot of complexity in a snapshot. They are fast and slow at the same time. You are given an immediate impression that you can then settle on and consider. I've used the collaborative continuum from Tamarack over the past few years as a communication tool to explain and explore partnerships. It has helped focus conversations about the constant fluid nature of our partners relationship internally, within the partnership and the movement of their capacity to contribute. Being honest about the TURF to TRUST polarity is critical to keep on the table because its never helpful to hide that discussion.
Read More
There have been a number of reports published in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan about the costs of poverty. We can determine the net impact on the GDP from maintaining a persistent level of poverty in Canada. But beyond the net costs, there are the moral and ethical costs that happens when high levels of inequality happen in our communities.
Read More
The other day I did the unthinkable. I went to Walmart.
Read More
Jim is in his 50s and had been homeless on and off for much of his adult life. He was known by many on the street and in our drop-in centre. Our housing first workers began talking to him about getting his own place and he was, to say the least, excited about that. It took a while but it happened and one day our staff person – let’s call him Jack – took Jim to his new place, handed him the keys. Jim said to Jack, “I can’t remember a time when I had keys.”
Read More
I find myself thinking in metaphors a great deal. Its geeky and amusing and how my mind works and wanders. As a partnership broker I get stuck pretty often and when I arrive home at the end of the day I'm not sure how to answer the affectionate question: "How was your day love?" On bad days I summarize it with a grrr and tiger paws and on great days I profess my brilliance. But what do I say on 99% of the time? Well I'm useless and want a nap.
Read More