3 Places We Went & Their Effects on the Community

What is a community? Is it simply a group of people living in the same place, or is a deeper
connection and feeling of fellowship required in order for the label to be true? While on our
recent trip to downtown Hamilton, the ideas of how certain downtown buildings are helping
to shape the community and what affects their actions are having, were explored. Our trip took
us to five stops. Though each location varied in purpose and atmosphere, it was obvious that a
community was present, and flourishing due to the actions of these buildings and the people
involved.
Our first stop was to the Collaboration Station powered by Evergreen. Though possibly not the
most intriguing or vibrant building on James Street, the inside packs a lot of information to
those adventurous enough to step inside. Here, we discovered the art of city planning, and how
Evergreen is changing communities across Canada both environmentally, and economically.
Their ideas to build communities that integrate a mixture of low income families with those of a
higher income in an up and coming lakeside district, proved that economic class does not have
to be the basis for how neighbourhoods are formed. This idea could lead to the elimination of
economic division in a community, and allow for new relationships to grow amongst people
who wouldnt normally interact. This reminded me of a video I researched for a presentation
about Nomadic Community Gardens. The idea was to put wasted space to good use, and the
project ultimately provided a beautiful space in a downtown part of London for citizens to
hang-out. This project helped reconstruct the community in a positive way, provided fresh food
to tenants, utilized forgotten space, and connected people who wouldnt normally relate. This
project left me wondering if there are communities like this in other parts of the world, or if
Canada is the leader in building community relations. It also made me wonder why it took so
long to put ideas like these into action. Ultimately, it made me wonder how many people are
open-minded enough to support the idea of a community like this, and the reasoning of those
who dont. Visiting the collaboration station opened my eyes to how communities can benefit
economically, and environmentally from an organization like this one.

Next, our journey took us to the beautiful, historic, Anglican Church on James Street. Honestly,
when I first heard that we were visiting a Church, I was a bit skeptical about what their ideas
and views might be about poverty and community in downtown Hamilton. After visiting this
Hamilton landmark, and the people who help keep it in business, my eyes were opened, and I
realized that a Church shouldnt necessarily be connected with religion, but rather community
and support. I realized that the Anglican Church positively affects the community politically, and
spiritually. The Church offers open house for the homeless on Tuesdays, and participates in a
meal plan with six other Churches to provide daily meals to those in need. They also provide
clothing and winter accessories when it becomes cold, and allow a place for people to gather,
eat, and talk if they wish. Something that really stood out in my mind was that they dont push
the religion on those who attend for the resources, and that they want people to see them as
just a building, not as a religious centre. Visiting the Church made me realize my previous
misconceptions about Churches and their methods of helping those in need. For years I have
always thought that yes, a Church is welcoming to those less fortunate; however, they must be
low-key pushing their religion on those who attend. This may be true in some cases; however, it
opened my eyes to discover the good deeds being done in my home city. Visiting this Church
made me wonder if other religious centres are this welcoming and easy-going. It also made me
question what other religions are doing to help those in need, and if they present themselves in
the same way as this Anglican Church. Finally, I wonder on a global scale if religious centres like
these are reaching out to those in need on other continents. In summary, visiting the Anglican
Church changed my perception on how Churches are run, and made me realize the positive
effects they have on a community, politically and spiritually.
Our third and final major stop on our downtown Hamilton journey lead us to Mission Services.
Before arriving here, I imagined that they must have a positive impact on the community, but I
didnt realize that they do more than just provide a warm meal and used winter coat. Through
their methods of providing resources to those in need, they impact the community in both
social and emotional means. I think the biggest thing that stood out to me is the language and
terms they encourage people to use. Instead of exhausting words like homeless or needy,
they used terms such as community member and clients to remove the negative stigma that

comes with being below the poverty line, and to ensure the dignity of those using the services.
Being at Mission Services, and seeing how they treat people in need made me think of the
movie, The Motorcycle Diaries, that we watched in class. What made Ernesto, Che Guevara
different from so many people is the way he saw everyone as equals, and proved that through
his actions. Taking time to help those in need of medical attention, embracing and adapting to
local life, and refusing to wear gloves in the leprosarium, are a few ways that he promoted
equality in the places he visited. As we saw in both the movie, and at Mission Services, simple
gestures such as acknowledging someone can make them few like part of a community, and
fulfil their social and emotional needs. Why does it seem so acceptable in society to refer to a
certain person in such negative ways, when there are much more appropriate terms that we
could be using? Who decides that it is socially acceptable to use such hurtful terms? I wonder if
by changing the language we use when referring to those in poverty, could we provide a more
welcoming community, and would it be easier for someone to then get out of poverty. Is it the
stigma surrounding poverty that is holding so many people back? Ultimately, visiting Mission
Services made me realize the simple changes I can make to help build a positive community,
and how Mission Services is helping meet the social and emotional needs of individuals.
Travelling to the downtown district opened my eyes to the poverty that lays so close to home,
and what local organizations are doing to help build and encourage the growth of community in
this area. It takes more than money to build a community, and the positive effects that these
organizations are creating are undeniable. So, what is a community? I realized that a
community can be either positive or negative; however, the most important thing is what you
make of it. When the environmental, economic, social, emotional, political, and spiritual needs
of a community are being met, anything is possible.