Network 4 Change Community Resource Center Renovations

Overview:

Network 4 Change, is a non-profit, charitable organization that uses a grassroots, community capacity building approach to fostering social change in the Beausejour/Brokenhead Manitoba communities. We are excited about the newest initiative that is taking place in our community because of the work of Network 4 Change.

Network 4 Change provides a warm and welcoming home where community members; early years children, youth, adults and their families can share their experiences, find resources and discover new ways to care for themselves and each other. They offer a variety of social/emotional support programs, employment programs, wellness classes, educational workshops and child and teen support. All programs, projects, initiatives and events that Network 4 Change is involved with are offered completely FREE OF CHARGE to ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

In July 2011 two pieces of prime property worth approximately $150,000.00 were donated to Network 4 Change by a generous businessman who believes in the incredible scope of services and supports that this organization has brought to life in our communities. The properties were donated with the intended purpose to have the existing building transformed into a warm, inviting and effective Community Resource Center for which these wonderful programs/projects and initiatives could be offered without having to try to borrow space from other organization when it is available or pay significant amounts of money to leasing or renting space.

With the donation of the properties, Network 4 Change has quickly gone to work in developing a capital fundraising campaign and raising the funds needed to renovate the main building into the dream of the Network 4 Change Community Resource Center and the secondary building which will be leased to another community social service provider.

With the completed stage of the main building renovations, the organization will be able to move out of their current leased property and immediately reduce the operational overhead costs by approximately $20 000.00. This funding that is currently dedicated to rental costs will become available to be redistributed away from operational overhead and back to front line community service and supports.

With the completion of the second building they will be able to offer a suitable space to a community social service provider partner at a fraction of going rental rates while still being able to produce additional revenue that can then be dedicated to funding the Network 4 Change HOPE Project (Helping Out Parents Early). This would create a model of sustainable funding for the early intervention/prevention programs independent of government financial support.

To date Network 4 Change has been successful in acquiring the property worth an estimated $150,000.00, Network 4 Change has dedicated $12 000.00 of their discretionary funds to the capital project, and they have secured an additional $120,000.00 in funding that is to be used for the purpose of project renovations.

Being selected as one of the worthy ideas to share in the Aviva Community Fund will give the organization the remainder of the funding they need to start and complete the renovations to the main building, allowing them to move in by April 2012 and not have to renew another leasing agreement.

Network 4 Change is an established organization with an established funding bases for the services and supports offered (with the exception of the HOPE Project, which is always in jeopardy of not continuing due to a lack of funding sources for Early Years programs and projects). This is a onetime need for financial support to help them renovate their space and help them open the doors. A building maintenance plan has been developed to ensure there are financial resources put aside to maintain the building in good standing for years and years to come.

Though funding is needed only the one time to do these renovations, the renovation project will have a direct impact on the community for multiple generations of community members.
For more information on the Network 4 Change Community Resource Center please watch the video attached or visit their website www.network4change.ca

I thank the Aviva Community Fund for the opportunity to enter this outstanding organization into such an innovative contest as well as all the supporters who VOTE for the idea. Here’s hoping they are turning the key to the door of their new facility next April.