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Community Hub Initiative
Overview
PURPOSE OF THE INITIATIVE
The Community Hub Initiative (CHI) is a component of UWT s Neighbourhood
Strategy, aimed at creating community hubs in neighbourhoods where none currently
exist. The Neighbourhood Strategy identifies eight (8) such neighbourhoods and the
goal of the Community Hub Initiative is to create a new community hub in each of
these neighbourhoods.
What is a community hub? A community or neighbourhood hub, of the type
envisioned by this initiative, is a central place that brings together local residents and
service providers. A hub offers a broad range of services and programs that respond
to community issues, needs and priorities as well as building on the assets, strengths
and opportunities in the community.
Why are Community Hubs Important? Community Hubs are an effective
mechanism for promoting strong neighbourhoods. The Strong Neighbourhoods Task
Force report identified the need for local non-profit organizations that anchor the
community and that address the needs of their area in a multi-purpose, holistic way.
Such organizations promote strong neighbourhoods because they provide
community space, are controlled by local, community-based boards, facilitate the
involvement and development of all sections of their community, and provide
essential services and programs.
FEATURES OF A COMMUNITY HUB
There are many models of hubs. Large, multi-service agencies function as
community hubs, providing a broad range of services and functions to the local
population. Community centres and community health centres can also serve as
hubs, with a special emphasis on recreation in the case of the former, and an
emphasis on health and social support services in the latter. The Storefront model
brings together existing service providers to deliver services in a shared meeting
space.
Community hubs all share three key features:
A broad range of relevant and accessible community services and activities:
Services and programs draw a diversity of residents into the centre (different age
groups, cultural and racial community, differently abled people, etc.).
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Community space: Hubs provide a meeting and gathering place for community
groups and individuals and provide flexible space to meet changing neighbourhood
interests and needs.
Community engagement: Hubs facilitate the involvement of a broad range of
community residents and stakeholders in activities as well as governance structures.
They serve as a catalyst to bring diverse residents and groups together to effect
changes in their neighbourhoods.
PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY HUBS
As UWT attempts to bring together other funders and community partners to create
community hubs where none currently exist, it will be guided by four fundamental
principles:
Neighbourhood based and locally responsive: Hubs reflect the needs and
interests of the local neighbourhood. The design, development and on-going
operation of community hubs will include participation from neighbourhood residents,
service providers, local institutional leaders, and other community stakeholders.
Accessible and engaging of diversity: Hubs will involve the diversity of people
who live in the local area including: different age groups, racial, cultural and linguistic
groups, and differently-abled people. Hub programs and activities are designed to be
accessible for people who face barriers to other services and to address the interests
and needs of marginalized and racialized people living in the neighbourhood.
Community involvement in decision making: Hubs have transparent decision
making and accountability structures that encourage local residents to participate and
determine priorities and directions.
Partnerships: Hubs include partnerships among service and program providers as
well as local residents and stakeholders.
GOVERNANCE
Hubs are managed by non-profit boards of directors with strong representation from
community residents. If the lead agency of the hub has a broader catchment area or
mandate than that of the hub services, an advisory group or other structure may be
developed to facilitate local input and accountability. There may also be processes
and structures to facilitate planning among partners and community members and to
ensure accountability to stakeholders at the local level.
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HUB COMPONENTS
Hub models may vary but will include one or more of the following:
Multi-service lead agency: The process of hub development and management is
led by an agency with the capacity to involve a broad range of stakeholders and
uphold the principles outlined above. Agencies that have an established record of
offering a wide range of services to a diversity of people can play a leadership role in
the hub. The lead agency, not only provides services and programs through the hub,
but is also responsible for managing partnerships and facilitating on-going planning
and involvement of residents, service partners and stakeholders. The lead agency
must have the capacity to manage capital construction and on-going property
management.
Anchoring service partners: Lead agencies may seek other anchoring partners for
the hub in order to ensure that a hub offers a broad based range of service and
programs that are rooted in the local community. These partners have an on-going
stake in the hub with dedicated office or program space at the hub. Anchoring
partners may also contribute to the sustainability of the hub as they contribute to
operating costs through rent or staffing and may have planning, community
engagement or other responsibilities related to the management of the hub. Ideal
service partners offer programs that bring people to the hub site, facilitate community
development or opportunities for people to meet their neighbours and have a flexible
approach to programming that can change to meet changing community needs.
Community space: All hubs have programming room(s) that are suitable for groups
of people to meet and participate in community activities. These spaces are
designed to be flexible and accommodate different and changing groups.
Community groups, service partners and other community stakeholders can use this
space on a rotating basis. Guidelines for management and use of the space are
developed by each hub and should include some kind of community planning to
determine priorities for use and equitable access.
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Welcome and first contact: Residents who come to the hub site should be
welcomed. Information specialists will engage with individuals to assist them to find
services and programs they need within the hub or the broader community. There
should be an open space or lobby where people are invited to rest or engage with
others even if they do not want to participate in a structured program or service.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
UWT has identified eight (8) priority neighbourhoods that lack a community hub. The
following five hubs are being developed in conjunction with Community Health
Centres (CHCs):
Eglinton-East/Kennedy Park
Weston/ Mt. Dennis
Westminster-Branson
Jamestown
Crescent Town
These three hubs are being developed with other partners:
Victoria Village
Dorset Park
Steeles L Amoureaux
Non-CHC Hubs
Community Health Centre* + Community Hub
*Community Health Centres offer primary health care and health promotion.
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