Community: What is it and Where is it?

About two months ago I was asked to comment on "What Makes a Canadian Community Great" for a cross-Canada Globe and Mail article. The article said that: "In Nova Scotia, 24-year-old Swantje Jahn is trying to make her city more accepting of newcomers through her work as the community engagement co-ordinator for the Halifax Refugee Clinic." and "...  she works to create new communities by introducing her clients to the people of Halifax and vice versa. Next week, she will hold a baby shower for a newcomer from Iraq, the gifts provided by local moms motivated by a shared experience that transcends nationality. “We have so many differences, but at our core, we all want the same thing: We all want to belong,” Ms. Jahn says. “That’s what community is.”


The interview made me think hard about community. Is it just another feel good word used to give meaning to an undefinable experience? Does the act of defining community actually cause division rather than inclusion? What communities do I belong to? And the really hard question....What have I done for my community lately? I don't have all the answers. But, in my heart I know that  it is not possible to build community alone. Just because I believe in and work for stronger, safer and sustainable communities does not mean that they magically appear. Just because it Should be so, doesn't make it so. Community is a collective effort. Community means nothing unless we give it meaning. 


The baby shower mentioned in the article, was made possible by a community of caring women, volunteers, friends, and people who wanted to help. Busy moms took the time to trek to our store front office pushing a stroller and bags of baby items. Impressive, not just the amount of items that were generously given, but also the amount of energy that was invested. There was music, there was food, there was laughter. Love is in the details and our community loves to help.  They walked the distance, they made a difference. The result? Well I think this thank you note we received from the expecting parents a few days later, says it all: 


"It's really sweet of you, the clinic and the people who helped us and
gave us the happiness and comfort and made us forget the stress and
sadness we had before. We don't feel we are alone any more.

Now, we are really waiting to see the baby. You (All the people who
helped even with a smile) are making this experience really awesome.
Thanks our dear friends."

What makes a community great? When people no longer feel alone. When stangers become friends.


Community is what you make it. So lets make our communities the best they can be, lets welcome those who are new, lets help those who need help,  lets foster friendships rather than enemies, lets grow rather then hide, lets love rather than fear. 


Community is everything, and not possible without you.  


Have a great weekend and Happy Friday to you :)






To learn more about the work of the Halifax Refugee Clinic please check out: www.halifaxrefugeeclinic.org


To read what Community means to lots of inspiring young people across Canada check out:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/what-makes-a-community-great/article2082694/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=National&utm_content=2082694

Sweet Justice

Community. Unity.  Charity. Justice.

There is a saying, popular in religious teachings that states “Charity gives but justice changes”. As a registered charity, the Halifax Refugee Clinic relies on charity to promote social justice. The two are interconnected, interdependent, and inseparable.   The Clinic could not exist without our community giving.  From community members who donate large and small amounts to our Emergency Settlement Fund.   Generous people, just like you who reach into their pockets knowing that their change can actually bring about social change.  But people give in other ways too, this week many of you freely gave much of your time, you put a shoebox in your office and collected personal care items, one of you dropped off enough money to buy 100 bus tickets for clients, you met for a one on one tutor session after working all day, you stood for community and justice through your charity.

Yes, love is in the details, but today I found love in cupcakes.  I did not know how happy cupcakes could make people. Melt in your mouth goodness, leaving you wanting another bite.  These particular cupcakes were made from scratch, using the cook’s grandmother’s recipe in her kitchen out in Prospect. Baked in polka dot paper they could not have been anymore charming. They traveled to the Seaport Farmers Market where I came across a booth operated by someone who is really passionate about making good things and doing good things by giving to her community. I happened to mention that I was on my way to a mini spa for female refugee claimants held at the Halifax Refugee Clinic.  Cupcake genius,  owner and operator of Little Red Kitsch’n, Jenna Durling offered to pack up a big batch of cupcakes for the women attending.  Jenna insisted that these would be her treat, free of charge.  There would be beauty services (offered by two great volunteers), relaxing music, a chance to chat with other women, a moment to forget about everything going on.  The cupcakes made everyone smile, a four year old ate hers just as eagerly as a forty four year old who tasted one for the first time in her life.

When Jenna heard about the fundraiser bake sale at the SUB at Dalhousie from 9:30-5 pm tomorrow, she started baking, dark chocolate cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese icing to be exact. Maybe its charity, but putting love into something without expecting anything in return, that to me is the foundation of justice. Sweet justice, with icing on top.

Thank you for reading, baking and caring.

~Swantje Jahn

BSW, Community Engagement Coordinator 

From the Desk of the Community Engagement Coordinator

Who Are We? 

The Halifax Refugee Clinic does amazing work. For the past ten years the Clinic has offered no cost legal and settlement services to refugee claimants who are unable to afford a lawyer. Our core funding comes from the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia (Thank you!) and wonderful volunteer and community assistance and support (Thank you!)

The Clinic is more than a small office in downtown Halifax; it is a lifeline to the most vulnerable, and a place where hope for a new life is restored. Through tireless work of the volunteers, board members, legal counsel and dedicated staff, clients of the Clinic are treated with respect and dignity so social justice can be achieved.

Who Am I?

I fell in love with the Clinic when I started volunteering two years ago. This led to a opportunity to do my field placement 

at the Halifax Refugee Clinic.  As a social worker, I strongly believe in the power of community and am so pleased to have a position as a  "Community Engagement Coordinator" 

This role allows me to build partnerships, friendships, networks, make connections, inspire and be inspired.

If you would like to become involved in any way, please send me an e-mail halifaxrefugeeclinic@gmail.com

If you have a moment check out our website www.halifaxrefugeeclinic.org

Please stay tuned for events, stories, opportunities and ideas. 

Thank you for reading!

~Swantje Jahn

                                     

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