OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD.
A big part of the Railyard program is to create meaningful opportunities for students and recent graduates. This kicked off with an initial challenge to bridge the two diverse community hubs separated by Alexander Street.
On one side of the street is a local business community filled with creative professionals, and on the other side of the street live residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a low income neighbourhood with homelessness, poverty, drug trade, and crime.
The idea to bridge the gap between these two diverse community hubs was sparked in 2014 when a new social housing building was under construction.
Railyard’s 2014 cohort was posed with the challenge of supporting an ongoing, positive relationship between Alexander Street Community residents and the local business community.
HELLO NEIGHBOUR
After brainstorm sessions and interviewing many stakeholders, a welcome campaign called Hello Neighbour was born with the objective to warmly welcome the social housing residents as any neighbour would want to be welcomed. Railyard’s 2014 cohort raised considerable donations, support and the attention of the Globe and Mail. Most significantly, Hello Neighbour succeeded in commencing ongoing relations between the two neighbourhood groups.
More:
The Globe and Mail
Welcome Video
Hello Neighbour - The Welcome Blog!
A Place to Live Blog
POOL SCHOOL
In early 2015, after hearing about Hello Neighbour, a neighbourhood church offered proceeds of their annual Improv Comedy show to go towards the Alexander Street Community. Consultation with one of the residents on what to use the funds for resulted in the purchase of a pretty skookum snooker table. Soon after, the challenge was sent to the business community for a pool game.
Railyard 2015 and 2016 cohorts quickly embraced the opportunity to learn the game of snooker from a pro. Weekly pool lessons commenced by Alexander Street Community resident and master pool player Dennis. In between cohorts, pool playing members of Dossier look forward to the weekly schedule of sharpening their skills and building friendships with their neighbours.
Pool School and Dennis were covered in Megaphone Street Magazine’s December 2016 YIMBY series called, “Yes! In My Backyard!”
FACES OF ALEXANDER STREET
The Faces of Alexander St. was launched by Railyard’s 2016 cohort; the team collaborated with local photographers and videographers to create a unique interactive initiative. With the theme of further deepening the connection, residents from both the Alexander Street Community and business community were photographed and had their video taken, while being paired and connected with each other remotely. A celebration and launch bbq brought together the two communities while showcasing the photos and the video compilation.
Special thanks to collaborators:
Ian Sheh
Wakefield Production
Britney Berrner