Thanks Anne for the story
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE MOVEMENT
A neighbourhood house creates a space where people feel safe and are part of something. The Manager, Tracey Martin, understands what people need and the essential purpose of the Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre. The two essential goals - 1. to create a community 2 to banish social isolation. Being an independent incorporated association running a neighbourhood house requires dedication, patience and commitment.
This particular neighbourhood house began its life with a small group of women in the local Baptist Church. Nowadays, the neighbourhood house is one of six hundred and is a thriving organization.
It was a wonderful idea to have the meeting of The Rotary Club of Canterbury at the Canterbury Neighbourhood House. We all learned about the way the network started and how it evolved. We also began to comprehend the range of age groups, activities and cultural groups who attend and participate in the range of programs.
As Rotarians, we have a basic view of helping other people and empowering them to become more skilled and knowledgeable about what Rotary can achieve. In the same way, the Neighbourhood Centres/ Houses give individuals, for a reasonably small fee, an opportunity to become part of a community, to become involved in what it is all about.
If you want to come to a free event, on Saturday 18th May, between 10.30am and 12.30pm, at 2 Kendall Street, Canterbury, VIC, 3126, to enjoy the Open Day for the new Canterbury Community Precinct. There will be activities, food, entertainment and fun for everyone.
Anecdotally - the neighbourhood community centres do a lot of things similar to what Rotary does - albeit on a daily basis. It was heartwarming to see the passion that Tracy has for this venture (the Ed.)
