Letting Kids be Kids - The A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA

Behind the scenes the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA strengthens our community by providing opportunities for personal growth and active involvement for children, youth, adults, and families, but really, they're just letting kids be kids.

The Membership Services program is at the heart of the work of the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA. The program ensures that everyone is able to access YMCA programs and services. Regardless of financial situation, YMCA memberships allow children and youth to participate in summer camps, swimming lessons, and drop-in programs that not only develop their physical and social health but are also vital parts to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. One out of three memberships at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA is subsidized. Through these subsidies, local children and youth from low income families are able to participate in afterschool programming, aquatics, and other activities that they would not normally be able to afford.

In early 2010, Kathy Wilson, VP of Financial Development received word that regular funding for their Membership Assistance Program was significantly cut. "Citizens were losing their jobs and we found out that funding wasn't available when the need was greater than ever," says Kathy.

The KWCF was approached with an application to provide membership subsidies helping 516 local children and youth attend programs running between July and September. Acting as a connector, The KWCF was able to grant close to $31,000 from five different funds held at The Foundation.

Kathy is thankful of the support shown by The KWCF and adds, "The Foundation has always been a great supporter of ours. They truly understand the value of what we do."

For more information on programming at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA visit: http://arkfamilyy.ca

Connecting Two Worlds- Alzheimer Society Creative Arts Program

Through their new Creative Arts Program, The Alzheimer Society of Kitchener-Waterloo is hoping to connect two worlds - arts and culture to health and wellness.

Often, those with Alzheimer's feel cut off from their family and suffer a loss of self-worth. The goal of the Creative Arts Program is to help participants regain their confidence. Not only will they be expanding their own abilities, they will also be connecting with others living a similar lifestyle. Carol Taylor, Acting Executive Director for the Kitchener-Waterloo branch, is excited about the program. "This is an opportunity for individuals dealing with dementia to interact with each other in a safe and stigma-free environment," she explains.

Over the course of the next year, five 10-week creative arts sessions will be held. Targeted at the different stages of dementia, the goal is to improve quality of life. Professional art educators will encourage participants to learn new artistic skills ranging from painting to clay modeling. At the end of the year a community art exhibit will display the work. Taylor hopes the exhibit will spread the word about Alzheimer's and also bring the joy of art into the lives of others.

Support was needed to hire the educators and purchase supplies, so the Alzheimer Society connected with The KWCF and shared their plans. Adds Carol, "this program is a unique opportunity for people dealing with early stages of dementia and their care partners to experience and appreciate the power of art and creative expression. Having the support of The KWCF means that we can show one of our most vulnerable group of citizens that their contributions are still of value."

For more information on the Alzheimer's Society and the Creative Arts Program visit: www.alzheimerkw.com

Facelift For a New Beginning - Ray of Hope Morning Glory Café & Bakery

Morning Glory Café & Bakery opens most mornings at 7:00 am. Staffs are busy interacting with customers, but what those customers might not realize is that staffs are also learning life and work skills.

Morning Glory began 10 years ago as an initiative of Ray of Hope, an organization dedicated to engaging youth and adults alike who are struggling to make their way in life. Ray of Hope now runs a six-month life skills training program for those aged 16-30. It focuses on the basics, like showing up to work on time and calling in when you're sick, all without the fear of losing work because you've made a mistake. Those enrolled in the program are supported and guided each step of the way. Harry Whyte, Ray of Hope's Executive Director, describes it as, "a way to help people integrate themselves back into normal life."

Because of the success of the program (with over 190 graduates), the Café found itself in need of a facelift. Additional counter space and seating were required for Morning Glory to continue along its path of sustainability.

Ray of Hope applied to The KWCF and with grants awarded of over $10,000, Morning Glory was rejuvenated and is seeing new customers every day. "Changing just those few things made a fundamental difference in the feel of the Café," adds Harry.

Ray of Hope volunteers finished the entire renovation in one weekend, but Harry says that it wouldn't have been possible without support from The KWCF. "The grant really made it all happen. They saw what we needed to do and believed in our work. They made an effort to listen and learn about us."

For more information on the Morning Glory Café & Bakery visit: www.morningglorycafe.net

Nurturing Our Community's Playwrights - Pat the Dog Playwright Development Centre

Pat the Dog Playwright Development Centre is proud to be the only incubator for theatre in Waterloo Region and the only playwright centre in Ontario. Their work has drawn the attention of playwrights from around Ontario, also making Pat the Dog a home for innovation in the arts sector. 

The Centre began as a small organization, running on gift-in-kind donations. When the need to expand and grow became too great to be covered by those in-kind gifts, Lisa O'Connell, Pat the Dog's Artistic Director, sought out support from The KWCF.  "We hit the wall with what we were given," she explains.  "Receiving a grant from The KWCF has allowed us to realize our vision." 

Pat the Dog was awarded two grants from The KWCF. One grant allowed for the purchase of new equipment and support for their marketing initiatives. The other to allocate support to the Predella Project - a project that "uses models from sports, science, and art to create and develop excellent writers," describes Lisa. 

Support from The KWCF also helped to showcase the Predella Project to the public. Open studios for this project are currently being held where everyone is able to practice and develop their writing. 

The growth of Pat the Dog has been tremendous. They have grown from a small organization to a respected voice in the arts community. The KWCF believes in the work that Pat the Dog is doing and how it has already impacted arts and culture in Waterloo Region.  "We share the idea of 'community' with The KWCF," finishes Lisa, "they are more than just a funder, they are partners."

For more information on Pat the Dog Playwright Development Centre and the Predella Project, please visit: www.patthedog.org

Innovative Capacity Building 

With their vision to create a vibrant non-profit sector, Capacity Waterloo Region is paving
the way for cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge sharing like we've never seen before.

Being watched closely by national think-tanks, the five-year pilot project hopes to deepen our Region's capacity for social innovation. By providing mentorship, peer-to-peer learning, and governance training, Capacity Waterloo Region will augment existing programs and services, encourage collaboration, and bring the for-profit and non-profit sectors closer together. "People will get smarter when they talk to one another," shares Tim Jackson of Tech Capital Partners and Capacity Waterloo Region Steering Committee Member.

The project is itself a result of collaborative action. For-profit community leaders and funding organizations including the Ontario Trillium Foundation, United Way of K-W and Area, and The KWCF came up with the idea when meeting to discuss how social innovation could be improved in our community. Most recently, The KWCF provided seed capital in the amount of $75,000 over three years for the project.

This type of business model has been extremely effective in the for-profit sector and for local tech hub Communitech. Capacity Waterloo Region's three main initiatives include an Executive Director-in-Residence to provide coaching and connections, a Peer Learning Network, and Board Governance Education to improve quality and performance in non-profit boardrooms.

Jackson applauds the forward-thinking of The KWCF - thanking The Foundation for taking what he identifies as a 'leap of faith' by recognizing that cross-sectoral collaboration is critical for the health and vitality of our community. While there will likely be some hiccups along the way, Jackson adds that "the only way we innovate is by learning from our mistakes."

To learn more visit www.capacitywaterlooregion.ca

Leaving Behind a Volunteer Legacy 

As a premiere Canadian theatre celebration, the Magnetic North Theatre Festival has developed a strategy to support volunteer capacity, but with a local twist.

The festival, featuring mostly Canadian performances, tours around the country, returning every other year to its hometown of Ottawa. "The theatrical pieces help interpret Canadian life and engage local audiences - creating an opportunity to share stories from across the nation," shares Ann Connors, Managing Director of the festival. In June 2010, Magnetic North will visit Kitchener-Waterloo for its eighth edition with 10 audience-interactive encounters along with professional shows, symposiums, guest speakers, and presentations. Also attached to the festival is a conference for university students - some of whom will get a chance to meet their favourite Canadian playwrights.

Understanding that volunteer recruitment and retention is a common difficulty amongst arts organizations, Magnetic North has teamed up with the Volunteer Action Centre to create a volunteer management system. The Volunteer Gateway Legacy Program provides an opportunity for the theatre festival to recruit new volunteers into the 'art' realm. A toolkit to assist with tracking and managing volunteers will be created to ease the development of policies, procedures, and sample forms.

"A volunteer coordinator will provide an evaluation after the festival and train local arts organizations with the program," adds Gina Holstead, Festival Manager."Essentially, we will be leaving behind a volunteer base for
the local arts sector in the cities we visit."

Ann and Gina appreciate the support shown by The KWCF. Adds Holstead, "Partnerships are so important - having the grant from The KWCF is a strong show of encouragement for the work that we do."

Visit www.magneticnorthfestival.ca for more details.

Active Living in Wellesley

When a group of parents decided to make recreation a priority in their small town, others listened.

Canadian summers can be hot. Without a lot of trees at the park to provide shade, some parents from the town of Wellesley decided that a splash park would be a great incentive for their children to spend time outdoors, get some exercise, and stay cool, all at the same time. The group approached the Wellesley Lions Club and formed a Splash Park Committee consisting of club members and parents.

Fundraising is well underway for the Wellesley Splash Park -which will break ground this fall. The splash park will include a 40 x 60 foot concrete pad, three to four above-ground features (e.g. dumping buckets), and four to five in-ground elements (e.g. water sprayers).

One of the most unique characteristics of the splash park is its capacity to re-circulate water. "Not all splash parks have this ability - we wanted to make sure we were being environmentally responsible," says Jennifer Kays Sommer, Splash Park Coordinator and Lions Club member.

The committee hopes the park will encourage children to become more physically active and provide a gathering space for families, neighbours, and friends. All of which will enhance a stronger sense of community and belonging in the small town.

Although funds still need to be raised, the committee is planning to have the splash park fully operational in the summer of 2011. "Receiving The KWCF grant has contributed to the enthusiasm ofour campaign," adds Kays Sommer. "It has reinforced our belief in the project and we are so pleased that others like The KWCF can see the importance in what we are doing for our community."

A Sister Circle - Welcome to Canada

Building a bridge between cultural communities, The Muslim Social Services of Kitchener-Waterloo offers spiritual and culturally-sensitive support and services to refugee women and children.

Seeing a need to engage and integrate the Muslim community, Idrisa Pandit started the volunteer-led organization close to three years ago. Welcome to Canada was one of the programs recently implemented by Idrisa. Geared to assist refugee children and their mothers from war-torn places like Myanmar, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the program provided an avenue for sharing and expression.

While the children were engaged with storytelling and crafts, the women learned about Canadian culture and talked about important issues like anger management, abuse and domestic violence, parenting, self care, and finance skills. "A lot of the women suffered from post-traumatic stress. Our 'sister circle' established an atmosphere of trust and a chance to share our stories," says Indrisa. " It was very powerful to watch."

Working with the program were four interpreters, a therapist, psychology students from Wilfrid Laurier University, Fran Pappert-Shannon who ran the children's sessions, and Idrisa herself. Welcome to Canada was run out of Mosaic Counselling and Family Services and participants received bus tickets to help get them to the weekly sessions.

"Without The KWCF we would not have been able to provide crafts and storytelling for the children, bus passage, nor would we have been able to pay for the interpreters," adds Pandit. "I am thankful that The KWCF sees the importance in supporting refugees and newcomers in our community."

 Have You Had Your 15 Minutes of Fame? - Andy Warhol's Factory 2009

Since his untimely demise in 1987, Andy Warhol - famous painter, filmmaker, and a leading figure in the pop art movement - has continued to encourage others to see the world from a sense of commonality and mass production.

"Art is what you can get away with." Andy Warhol

Recently, the Waterloo Regional Children's Museum hosted Andy Warhol's Factory 2009. The exhibition showcased more than 60 original works by Warhol, some of his films and screen tests, works by contemporary artists, and several photographs taken at Warhol's famous Factory.

"Pursuing Warhol was a risk, but its success has helped propel our Region to the next cultural level," shares David Marskell, CEO of the Waterloo Regional Children's Museum. "We couldn't have even considered Warhol without the generosity and support of partners like The KWCF."

Close to 40,000 people visited the $700,000 exhibit that ran from early January to mid May. From school children learning hands-on how his works of art were created to corporate fundraisers and events, Warhol was a cross-generational hit. Due to the caliber of the exhibit, the museum was also able to bring in speakers from around the world including the director from the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

Bringing in a world-class exhibition like Andy Warhol's Factory 2009 made an impact on our local economy as well.  The museum consistently had 14% of their weekend visitors come from out of The Region, while downtown Kitchener businesses like the Walper Hotel cited increased bookings while Warhol was in town.

"Hosting Warhol has been an incredible accomplishment and has added to our own 15 minutes of fame, just like the phrase coined by Warhol," adds David.  "We are truly thankful to The KWCF for being there with us as we achieve our cultural vision for this community."

 A Resource Binder that Changes Lives - Children's Mental Health Resource Guide

One in five kids in Ontario struggles with their mental health. Finding the services and tools to help children diagnosed with a mental health problem has been a daunting task in Waterloo Region, until now.

The Children's Mental Health Resource Guide is a comprehensive, user-friendly guide that answers many of the "who, what, where, when, why, and how" questions parents and professionals have regarding mental health services and treatment in Waterloo Region. The guide was created by the Waterloo Chapter of Parents for Children's Mental Health (PCMH).

"The guide was written by parents, for parents," says Barb Ward, Manager, Child and Family Therapy Program at KidsLINK, the organization that supports the efforts of PCMH.  "Their life experiences have made them professionals in the area of children's mental health in our Region."

With little to no help for parents who have children with mental health problems, the guide saves busy parents the leg-work of finding support. However, it is also written for a very broad audience, including those new to mental health services and those who have many years of experience working with the children's mental health system. Adds Barb, "Words of praise and encouragement keep pouring in."

Only 300 resource binders were created and already 250 copies have been distributed around the community.  Copies are free to parents and a nominal fee is charged to organizations to help raise funds to put the guide online - a request PCMH is getting more and more often.

In total, it took over 500 hours of volunteer time to produce the 132 page resource. "It sure was an enormous amount of work, but so worth it," says Liz Nicholson, one of PCMH's volunteers. "Now parents have everything they need to know about children's mental health right at their fingertips. Thank you KWCF for funding us and for believing in us!"

 A Feeling of Belonging - New Canadian Partnership Program and the African-Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Area

The New Canadian Partnership Program (NCPGP) was established by The KWCF and the United Way of K-W and Area to support integration of ethno-cultural groups and to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in our community.

The program helps to build stronger relationships with local grassroots organizations like the African-Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Area (ACAWRA).  The Association is made up of members of African communities in Waterloo Region interested in enhancing mutual support among Africans in the area.

Two years ago they started a soccer program to engage African Canadian children and their parents.  While the children were engaged in healthy recreation, their parents had the opportunity to interact with each other. "The program has helped to reduce the isolation felt by many of our parents and given them an opportunity to mingle and share their experiences," says Gebre Berihun, one of the ACAWRA coordinators. "One mother told me that this was the first time she and her children felt that there were other people just like them."

Several African adults and youth have also volunteered for the soccer program to improve their leadership and social skills.  "Ultimately, the program has been a successful stepping stone in integrating the African community into the Region," adds Gebre. "We are thankful for the support shown from the community such as the NCPGP grant."

Another organization being supported through the NCPGP is the Afghan Association.  They saw a need to host a language and culture class for young Afghanis. Traditionally, Afghani boys and girls do not learn in the same class, nor do they have female teachers.  The language and culture classes provided both opportunities and helped to break down some barriers associated with schooling in Canada.

The Afghan Association, much like the ACAWRA, found that, while the parents were waiting for their children they began to socialize and network.  Says Dr. Ashraf Hazraty of the Afghan Association, "Not only have the classes helped with integrating Afghanis into this community, they have provided the parents with a place to talk and learn from one another. We couldn't have done this without a grant from the NCPGP."

"Supporting diversity in our community is something near and dear to us," adds Rosemary Smith, CEO of The KWCF. "We need and want the newest members of our community to feel accepted and valued.  Funding organizations like these two, helps us to accomplish that objective."

Inter-generational Learning - Project READ - Get Set Learn 2

Targeting the most vulnerable of our community, Get Set Learn 2 is bringing families together to learn alongside one another.

Project READ Literacy Network, best known in our community as a collaboration of member organizations that promotes and encourages the growth of literacy and essential skills in Waterloo-Wellington, is engaging families from our community where both children and their parents struggle with literacy skills. 

"We have three key messages for our parents," says Anne Ramsay, Executive Network Director of Project READ.  "Read with your child every day, play with your child in ways that are literacy and math rich, and let your child see you using reading, writing, and math in your everyday life."

Get Set Learn 2 brings in a wealth of expertise to work with the families. Students from Wilfrid Laurier University's Students for Literacy teach the school-aged children, while Our Place Family Resource & Early Years Centre staff work with the pre-schoolers.

Families meet once a week for eight weeks. The children learn basic literacy fundamentals and Project READ works with the parents on topics including helping their child with homework, educating their child about television and other media, and how to best talk to their child's teacher. At the end of each session, parents and their children come back together to practice their new-found literacy skills with each other.

Ontario is one of the only provinces in Canada that does not provide funding for the type of inter-generational literacy that Project READ is providing with Get Set Learn 2.

"We are thrilled that The KWCF has joined us in our quest to improve family literacy in Waterloo Region." adds Anne. "The grant from The KWCF has enabled us to try out this new, preventative program that is set to make a big impact with our community's most susceptible families."

Four Agencies Join Forces to Serve their Clients Better

RAISE Merger - Four Agencies Join Forces to Serve Their Clients Better.

It's not easy to merge four independent, not-for-profit agencies into one. But that's what is happening to RAISE, the Kitchener-Waterloo Friendship Group, KW Meals on Wheels, and Cambridge Meals on Wheels and Community Home Supports. United, these community support service groups can provide more and better services for their clients to improve their quality of life.

John Baer, a RAISE board member, says merging makes it easier for seniors, disabled persons, or relatives who are trying to help to get information about services. The new organization will provide meals for adults, homemaking, shopping, transportation, caregiver relief, security calls, crisis intervention, and more.

Two KWCF funds are contributing: the Community Fund supports the merger process, while the Anonymous Flow-Through Fund covers documentation, legal, and advisor costs.

Brian Nowak, of the Meals on Wheel Cambridge board, notes that the grant money helped keep all the employees in the four organizations content. "We couldn't have done it without The KWCF." Baer adds, "The KWCF is very progressive and forward looking. It has a strong voice and adds value."

Visit the RAISE website

One Community in Need, Many Helping Hands

Paulander Drive : One Community in Need, Many Helping Hands

The KWCF supports groups interested in building stronger communities. Safety concerns and poor living conditions on and near Paulander Drive in Kitchener brought together a group of community partners. Neighbourhood residents, the Region of Waterloo, Community Fund grants, and an assessment by the Centre for Research & Education in Human Resources (CREHS) contributed to neighbourhood planning.

Mary Janzen, Community Engagement Coordinator with the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council of Waterloo Region didn't know what would work best and wanted residents to decide. During meetings, she discovered their goals included changing negative perceptions. "Another goal was to increase resources for the people on their street," she said.

Rich Janzen, Research Director at CREHS, said it was important for "people to talk to each other about their community and dream together about a stronger neighbourhood." The neighbourhood converted a townhouse to a community centre for bi-weekly meetings, homework clubs, after-school programs, and adult workshops.

In 2006, a KWCF grant also helped fund the playground equipment beside the community centre. Janzen noted, "The grants boosted the community members' self esteem, letting them know there's support and concern for the Paulander Drive community."

Visit the Region of Waterloo website
Visit the Safety and Crime Prevention Council of Waterloo Region website
Visit the CREHS website

Skills Canada Works for Youth

Today's demand for trained tradespeople far outpaces the number of students entering internships or trade programs. Skills Canada is a not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting careers in skilled trades and technologies to youth.

Supported by a $5000 grant from the Lyle S. Hallman Fund at The KWCF, the "Skills Work® for Youth" event was held on November 7, 2006 at the Conestoga College Waterloo campus. The event promoted skilled trades to grade seven and eight students through speakers and hands-on workshops.

The event provided hands-on exhibits demonstrating to parents and youth the benefits of training to be a skilled trade worker and the employment opportunities that exist.

The students, along with their parents/guardians, participated in two one-hour workshops presented by youth working towards their specific trade certificates. Workshops included a crepe-making lesson and taste test with a culinary chef, as well as a soldering lesson from a student studying plumbing.

With 100 percent of the attendees noting they would now consider a career in a skilled trade, Skills Canada plans to offer the event again in 2008.

Visit the Skills Canada website
Visit the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation website

School Greening Program

Schoolyards are for learning, playing and socializing - when they're designed with kids in mind. Traditional schoolyards can be "ugly and barren". Without seats, quiet areas or trees for shade, bullying, social isolation or over-exposure to the sun and heat can increase.

The School Greening Program, facilitated by Evergreen, helps the Waterloo Region District School Board and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board create schoolyards that are safer healthier and more useful educational tools. Three grants from the Community Fund and a grant from the Waterloo Region International Plowing March 1995 Fund have assisted with four greening projects across both school districts this year.

Evergreen, a not-for-profit organization, helps boards and parent groups create better, nature-rich outdoor areas. Led by Evergreen, greening teams look at what exists, a schools' needs, kids needs and then design a space, find funding and develop maintenance schedules for a greener schoolyard.

"We're trying to add diversity to a learning ground," states Evergreen Greening Consultant Dennis Wendland. "We also want to get the kids involved spreading mulch and taking care of the plants. It gives them a sense of stewardship." The one time cost to buy trees, rock benches and shrubs needed to create a greener schoolyard is a gift that creates a lasting difference - a richer, safer experience for our children for as long as the trees grow and shelter them.

Visit the Evergreen website

Partnership Empowers New Canadians

The K-W Counselling Services Partnership Program is empowering new Canadians to help themselves-and each other. By providing access to what's available in the city, helping to develop resource guides and promoting cultural pride days, the program brings ethnically-diverse groups together to build friendships and support networks.

Through a joint grant from the KWCF's Community Fund and the United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo and area, the K-W Counselling Services Partnership Program creates a healthy environment so that families and new citizens can participate fully in our economy and maintain cultural pride and links to their homeland. Groups and activities such as the Tamil Association, Salvadorian Association cultural event, Bosnian Association, Guatemalan Children's chess event, Russian Association programs for seniors, and the African Association have benefited from this grant and are building a sense of belonging within the KW community.

Visit the Web site of K-W Counselling Services
Visit the Web site of United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo & Area

New Canadians make our Community Stronger

Our community is attracting more and more new Canadians each year. On April 28, 2005, the Centre for Research and Education in Human Services (CREHS) held the Immigrant Skills Summit to help community members better understand the needs of this rapidly growing segment of our region. The one-day summit was made possible by a grant from the Community Fund, and focussed on the issues required to attract skilled immigrants, build connections to social services and labour opportunities, and make our community more accessible.

"We want businesses to be more aware and better able to hire immigrants, At the same time, we want immigrants to be able to find a home in this community and work in a trade they feel passionate about," says Rich Janzen of the CREHS. "We want to make the Waterloo Region a richer, more welcoming and inclusive community."

The outcomes from the Summit generated a need to promote the well-being of new Canadians; find ways to contribute to a prosperous regional economy; and build healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities. Building the infrastructure to address these needs is the newly-formed Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN). With grants from the Jim and Sue Hallman Fund and the Merv Lahn Community Development Fund, the council is working on the initial project development.

"It's about individuals, families, employers and community," says Todd Letts from the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. "It's helping highly-talented people with communication and orientation to make a more prosperous community and improve the quality of life for all of us."

Since the launch in 2006, the WRIEN has been a vital component in our vibrant and welcoming community.

View WRIEN's new videos below and for more information visit: www.wrien.com

Celebrating our Culturally Diverse Community

Integrating varied groups, art forms and artists, The MT Space celebrates our culturally diverse community. Inspired by Canada 's vast multiculturalism and the lack of heritage-based community theatre, Majdi Bou-Matar founded The MT Space to connect people and encourage communication through productions that reflect the realities of our community.

Through performances that combine music, movement, improvisation and translation, the company aims to create an understanding of our true Canadian culture-a culture of diversity.

The grant, sponsored by the KW Multicultural Centre, through the Community Fund, allowed The MT Space to transform their warehouse environment into a "black box" studio ideal for theatre productions, literature readings and workshops. "I wanted people to identify with the empty space, as well as the opportunity to interact. Having the physical space is very important-space for communication and expression," says Bou-Matar. By involving newcomers to the community in arts and culture, The MT Space hopes to minimize the differences felt by newcomers to our community and to build a shared vision of multiculturalism.

Visit the Web site of The MT Space