OUR MISSION

Nobody cares about Fernwood like the people who live right here in this neighbourhood. There is no big charity and no level of government that focuses on this neighbourhood—so that is where we come in. Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group is a non-profit social enterprise working for the awesomeness of Fernwood. We think global and act super-local.

We offer quality programs, activities, and care for the very young, young at heart, and everyone in between: innovative programs and services including childcare, recreation and senior's activities that improve the quality of life for all Fernwoodians.

We build capacity, compassion, and excitement through our programs—which spread into the neighbourhood and beyond. As staff, volunteers, and neighbourhood residents we co-create a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive neighbourhood. We are committed to social, environmental and economic sustainability, and to making Fernwood welcoming for people and nature.

And fun!

A monthly donation is the best way to support any issue that matters to you, and we would greatly appreciate you setting up an automatic donation to support the great work we do here in Fernwood. 

ABOUT FERNWOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCE GROUP SOCIETY

Fernwood NRG is run by and for the residents of Fernwood. As the Neighbourhood Resource Group, we work for Fernwood in any way we can. In some cases that means we deliver government programs—we operate the Fernwood Community Centre, where we deliver family and community programming. In other cases we support work that other people and businesses are doing in our neighbourhood.

But many of the things Fernwood needs are not covered by government grants. We had to find a different way, so we became a social enterprise to fill the gaps.

WHAT WE DO: COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Some of our core programs are funded with a combination of fees and grants. So, we provide quality infant and toddler child care, out-of-school care, and run the Best Babies program for new and expecting moms who are facing challenges in life. 

We also host youth, adult and seniors recreation programs, and provide low and no-cost meeting space for a variety of groups and clubs.

WHAT WE DO: SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

In 2004, the heart of our neighbourhood, the Cornerstone Building, was boarded up, filthy, and covered in graffiti. Fernwood had a reputation as a rough neighbourhood.

We held a Community Vision gathering, and listened to our neighbours—they said the community needed that building back… and needed affordable housing, jobs, commercial space, and improvements in food security.

So we made a big leap, from community program provider to social enterprise. We networked and fundraised and organized volunteers.

And then we bought the building.

First we opened the Cornerstone Café, the neighbourhood’s living room, where sales were reinvested in the neighbourhood.

We also developed our first affordable housing, four three-bedroom suites. Our housing portfolio has grown to include all or part of four different buildings—shockingly, in recent years our little organization has built about 10% of the family-sized three-bedroom suites in Victoria.

But in order to reinvest in our neighbourhood, first we have to make money.

We now manage two service businesses in Fernwood Village, Studio 1313 Hair Salon and the Fernwood Yoga Den. In both cases the owner of the business was not enjoying the management aspects: payroll, tax remittance, licensing etc. These tasks are required, but are not the reason entrepreneurs decide to work for themselves.

And these are tasks Fernwood NRG has to do anyway, so why do a little more? This generates revenue for NRG which we can roll back into our programming, and allows neighbourhood businesses to focus on the work they love.

The Cornerstone Café was also recently purchased by Fernwood residents Ben and Tara—you can now enjoy delicious breakfast skillets and fresh baked goods served all day long at Little June.

And the revenue from these activities goes to many more amazing programs.

We publish a bi-monthly newspaper, the Village Vibe, and bring you Fernwood's own free music and arts festival, FernFest. 

We hold weekly community dinners for families, lunches for seniors, and a weekly student dinner during the school year. We support healthy food in the city through the Good Food Box program and fundraise for the Gift of Good Food, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to families who need, every two weeks for the whole year. We grow food security in the neighbourhood through the Fernwood Community Orchard and Kitchen Garden which each produce food for use by neighbours and the Community Centre. And we are the distribution hub for the Victoria Food Rescue Coalition.

These many food-centred programs add up—we are a Community Food Hub. More than just a hot meal for hungry people, food hubs layer on community development and in-the-ground food security, to try to solve problems at the roots.

We organized a total recycling drop off that has become a monthly event.

We are active in planning and transforming the built environment of our neighbourhood. 

And so much more—the Hallowe’en Bonfire, Fernwood Bites, the Pole Painting that marks Fernwood as special and reduces tagging and vandalism.

So many of the things that make Fernwood special happen through volunteers, donations or social enterprise.

If you are able, any donation to our organization is gratefully appreciated. Unrestricted donations allow us to best respond to emerging needs while targeted donations can be put towards specific projects and programs.

With your help, what more can we achieve?