Helping children in the Ogden/Simpson neighbourhood is the goal of a motion coming to City Council tonight.
Northwood Councillor Shelby Ch’ng is proposing giving $20,000 to Evergreen – A United Neighbourhood. The south-side community hub used to get support from the province through the DSSAB, but that was axed when the province shuffled its funding.
Ch’ng says it’s a worthwhile cause to support, although she would like to give more.
“It’s so important to make sure that we have good connections, and kids are fed and healthy and happy. However, we’re under such budgetary constraints that right now I think we have to be really tight, and I’m hoping the other funding comes through for them.”
She’s crossing her fingers that the motion will be passed tonight. “My sense is that most of them will understand what this means, either from a social perspective or from a fiscal perspective,” Ch’ng says. “It’s front-loading the services so that we don’t have to spend on crime mitigation and [addressing] the effects of poverty later.”
Ch’ng notes there are no other groups in the Simpson and Ogden Street area that work directly with children. If Evergreen isn’t able to continue, she says it will hurt the kids who attend and put more burden on other organizations in the city.
“What would it mean if Evergreen isn’t in the neighbourhood? I think kids are going to be disenfranchised, I think we’re going to see the effects of poverty, and social stigma on kids will show in other ways.”
