Grants at a Glance
A look at three of the projects the Hamilton Community
Foundation is supporting through Tackling Poverty
Together. With the grants provided through HCF’s
“TPT” program, the Foundation continues to focus on
effective ways to reduce, prevent and alleviate poverty
in the community.
Bringing together youth,
community and creativity
A brainstorming session and a desire to collaborate on a
community project led to the production of “Writing All
Wrongs,” a collection of songs and a video depicting the
experiences and struggles for youth living in the
McQuesten neighbourhood of east Hamilton.
The music project involved 17 teenagers from McQuesten
Elves in the community
who, under the supervision of the neighbourhood youth
Sometimes just a new coat of paint can give a home – and
engagement leader, wrote the lyrics and produced and
homeowner – a refreshing uplift.
recorded “Writing all Wrongs.”
Thanks to the Property Elves program, low-income home-
The goal of the group was to create something that reflected
owners will be able to spruce up their homes and receive
the youth perspective in McQuesten through original
help with small repairs and property maintenance.
music and dance. It also taught determination
Property Elves is one of six programs being funded in the
and teamwork and provided an outlet for
Crown Point neighbourhood that surrounds the Centre
creative expression to share with other Mall in Hamilton – an area heavily populated by seniors
young artists. who live in their own homes.
The results of their hard work were revealed at a The need for Property Elves was identified by the
celebration in August, and the video was also
residents themselves and involves a wide range of
shown at the McQuesten Block Party in
community organizations, businesses, local residents
September, to rave reviews. The
and volunteers. Some of the projects include cleaning
project was supported by Youth
eaves troughs, sanding and painting, fixing doors and
Engagement and Action in
porches, and tree trimming.
Hamilton (YEAH!) and also
The grants are part of the neighbourhood hub component
received funding from HCF’s
of the HCF’s poverty-reduction program that is designed
Youth-Led Community Action Projects. to improve quality of life, build community pride, and
increase safety and security in the community.
Dreams can come true
For low-income entrepreneurs who have always dreamed credit to start a home day care, more than 100
of starting their own businesses, but don’t have the Hamilton women successfully launched day care
finances to get started, a new innovative program called
centres in their homes.
micro-credit can help them reach their goals.
As a result of micro-credit, individuals are getting the
The program offers small loans to people – those who
tools they need to create a source of income and meet
lack access to conventional credit – to create or grow
an important community need, while contributing to
their businesses. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get a
Hamilton’s economic development.
dream off the ground, and help individuals and their
This program is being spearheaded by the Social
families to become financially self-reliant. A recent Planning and Research Council, a partner in Hamilton’s
pilot project showed this when, after receiving micro- Social Enterprise Network.
LEGACY • Fall 2009 Newsletter • Hamilton Community Foundation
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