Compassion and Kindness is my passion. As an artist, I often come in touch with a lot of perspectives that heightens my awareness of my surroundings, society, people and other living beings. I like to help create a more compassionate and kinder community locally and internationally that is self-sustainable.

The Strathcona BIA wants to create community gardens throughout Strathcona to promote local food production, beautify the area, reduce crime, create green jobs for inner city youth and people facing multiple barriers to employment, and instill pride in the community.

We've applied for an Aviva Community Fund grant to create a Micro-Gardening program in Strathcona. The grants are given to the winners of an online voting contest, so if you are interested in the idea, please give us your vote!

Here's what the Micro-Gardening program is all about:

We propose to create 20 to 30 community micro-gardens throughout Strathcona. The gardens would be installed on private properties adjacent to public spaces in highly visible, underutilized areas.Depending on the nature and size of each location, the gardeners and the property owners would decide whether the plot should be a community garden, single-owner garden, or a living wall. Vegetation would consist of native perennials and edible plants.

The gardens would be installed by qualified landscapers of Mission Possible Enterprises, a local non-profit (and BIA member) that provides employment opportunities for individuals with job readiness barriers and assists in breaking the cycles of poverty, homelessness, and addiction. Local youth would also be employed as partners with the landscapers to learn valuable food production and community development skills.

Please help us make it happen by voting today: http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf5454