Urban Community Development: Field Experience

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Urban Community Development: Field Experience

The Ralph Thornton Centre has partnered again with Ryerson University to offer students and local community members a course in community development. The course is titled Urban CommunityDevelopment: Field Experience, and is based on the principles of interdisciplinary team work and experiential learning, allowing participants the opportunity to get hands on experience in the field of community development.

The students are selected from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds, including Architecture, Nursing, Social Work, Politics, Sociology, and Urban Planning. Local community members also become students, adding extra knowledge and experience to the course. The idea for the diverse group of students arose from a sense that community development training should reflect the interdisciplinary nature of real world issues.

The course was first offered in 2005 and focused on the provincial government’s announced intent to build a new energy plant in the Port Lands area of South Riverdale. This original class was considered a success and led to a continued commitment from both Ryerson University and the Ralph Thornton Centre.

This year’s course will focus on the broad theme of housing vulnerability. Currently, Toronto, and in particular South Riverdale, are experiencing an increase in housing costs, which can lead to an exclusive community. The students have just finished a semester of background research and preparation for an intense spring. The students have been hitting the streets for the month of May to engage with the Riverdale Community and discuss the issue of housing vulnerability.

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Good Food Box

Did you know that there is a Good Food Box drop off point in The Ralph Thornton Centre? The South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre on the first floor is a Good Food Box stop. Every other week, there is a delivery of boxes filled with fresh produce. They come in large and small boxes as well as filled with conventional or organic produce. There are fruit boxes and wellness boxes too. If you are interested in ordering a box, please contact Kirsten at 416-469-3776 to find out more or check out the website at http://www.foodshare.net/goodfoodbox01.htm
The Good Food boxes always include a newsletter with recipes for some of the box contents. Here is a quick and easy recipe from a recent newsletter. You add some cubed cooked chicken if you wish.

MEAL of the MONTH

Asparagus and Strawberry Salad (MAY)

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

3/4 cup chopped red onion

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds

1/4 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon Worcestire sauce

1/4 cup olive oil

1 pound fresh asparagus (cut into 1 inch pieces)

1 pint sliced strawberries

Combine first 8 ingredients - shake - add olive oil - shakerefrigerate dressing for one hourBlanche asparagus, cover with dressingadd strawberries

Italian Rutabaga Soup (MARCH)

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound rutabagas, peeled and cut in to a 1 to 2 inch dice

6 cups vegetable or chicken stock

½ cup rice, arborio if you have it

¼ cup fresh parsley

¾ cup parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter and oil in a large saucepan and bring to a froth. Toss in the rutabagas and sauté until brown, about 5 minutes. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, and cook, covered, for about 10 minutes. Stir in the rice and cook, covered, over medium heat for about 15 minutes. When ready to serve, stir in salt and pepper to taste and then parsley and ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley and grated parmesan and pass any extra parmesan separately.

Ralph Thornton Community Centre - NEWS

Tuesday, May 20, 2008