NDG Reads is a literacy debate designed to highlight social issues through the joy of literature. Our target is residents whose stories are being told.

The Council created a unique program to collect formal gowns, accessories and suits for a ‘prom dress giveaway’, with the global objective of making high-school and college prom season less expensive and wasteful for local youth and their families.

Winter 101 was organised in collaboration with Jeunesse Benny to help NDG families discover fun winter activities. On a gorgeous February day, with the sun shining, 75 families braved the cold and came to enjoy cross-country skiing and skating. Thanks to the support of our MNA Mrs Kathleen Weil, all of the kids in attendance received hats and mittens. An inflatable castle, music and dancing, arts and crafts, and a soup and hot chocolate snack, completed this family activity day.

For the 4th consecutive year, the Community Council was proud to organize the Lunar New Year celebrations in NDG. Central to the success of the event since its inception has been the creative leadership of Jing Bai, the Council’s liaison with NDG’s growing Chinese community, as well as the contributions of a small army of committed resident volunteers from NDG’s Chinese and Korean communities. For 2019, the Year of the Pig, the Council undertook a new approach - moving away from a 1-day festival (like those in 2016-2018) and instead spreading the Lunar New Year activities over a two weeks period across multiple locations throughout the neighbourhood. In total, there were 11 events between January 20th and February 10th, reaching over 500 residents (see list in Annex 3). We were very happy with the results of this approach, as it allowed us to reach new partners and new residents

Each year, the Council and our partners work together to host neighbourhood festivals in the priority sectors. Residents and community partners come together to organise and enjoy free, socially-inclusive, fun events in sectors that otherwise lack community animation and engagement from residents. These events allow neighbours to meet each other, community bonds to be formed, and the most socially isolated to have a chance to feel included. In 2018, all four priority sectors held their own event: the St Raymond’s Harvest Festival, the Benny Farm Sherbrooke Forest Community BBQ, the Westhaven Neighbourhood Party, and the Fête du Quartier Fielding Walkley. A total of 362 of residents were reached throughout these events.

Inspired by the writings of urbanist and social icon Jane Jacobs, Jane’s Walks are part of an international annual festival of free, citizen -led neighbourhood tours. These tours are done by volunteers, held in early May, and encourage people to explore their local neighbourhoods while sharing stories and uncovering overlooked aspects of city life. This year, the Council worked in partnership with residents and Prevention CDN-NDG to organize Jane’s Walks in St-Raymond and Westhaven, reaching a total of 20 residents from across Montréal. Residents and Council staff also led a tour of Benny Farm-Sherbrooke Forest which ended at the new Hands and Hand space. Walkley had it’s own Jane’s walk which was a huge success with 30 residents participating.

Park(ing) Day is an international event designed to celebrate everyday choices for sustainable mobility and to advocate for favorable urban amenities by taking over a parking spot. Saint-Raymond, Benny and Walkley held their own eclectic version of parking day from coffee shops to hot dog stands to art and craft stations to a game of dominos! All gatherings were reflective of what residents wanted to see more of in the neighborhood. All three parking spots received a total of 150 residents in the area.

Halloween Decorating: A now-annual event bringing kids together to create Halloween decorations from recycled materials and decorate the Melrose Tunnel, transforming it into a haunted space. Partners – EcoQuatier, Cheap Art Collective, St. Raymond residents Association, Etoile-Filante primary school, Arrondissement CDN-NDG

Yard sales are an opportunity for residents to make extra revenue as well as meet their NDG neighbors and reinforce social networks. In 2018, we supported resident groups in the planning of the second Benny community yard sale and the first St-Raymond one. A total of 27 families participated in the yard sales.

Residents of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce are once again partnering with local community organizations in order to celebrate the neighbourhood’s diversity by showcasing various cultural traditions from Iran, China, Colombia, Mexico and many other countries. In partnership with the organization’s members of the NDG Intercultural Table (NDGIT), the NDG residents coming from different countries will present a part of their cultural traditions during the 8th edition of the NDG Intercultural Festival. This free family event will feature music, food, games and traditional dances from around the world. This yearly festival is a fantastic way for all residents to engage and form lasting partnerships within their community while learning about the different networks available to them.

Centraide is kicking off its annual campaign on October, when 20,000 people will take to the streets of downtown Montreal for Centraide’s traditional March of 1,000 Umbrellas. Join the crowd to show your commitment to the fight against poverty and social exclusion.