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This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on June 1st, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

This weekend, the Saint John YMCA-YWCA will join its Y counterparts across Canada to celebrate the second annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day.

This community event aims to encourage young people and their families to embrace healthy habits and adopt activity and health as a way of life.

Between 2003 and 2006, the rate of obesity for young people in Canada has increased by 35.7 per cent. This is becoming an increasingly significant issue as more and more children are growing up with sedentary lifestyles.

This event will introduce families and youths in particular, to some of the activities they can access in the city.

“Our children’s health is very important to us, and our aim with this event is to show families, children and youth that making healthy choices can be fun and easy,” said Shilo Boucher, chief operating officer at the Saint John Y. “We hope the people who participate in this event will help us spread this message by sharing what they learn with their friends and families.”

This day-long event is being held at the Glenn Carpenter Centre, a 220-acre property located on Ashburn Lake in Saint John that provides summer day-camp opportunities for young people in southern New Brunswick. Attendees will be able to participate in the activities that are available on-site, including archery, water trampoline, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and hiking. Saint John Y staff will be on hand with information on camping and other Y programs. Lifeguards will also be on-site for those who want to participate in water activities. There will also be a barbecue.

For many young people, regular activity and healthy living choices are a foreign concept. Giving them the opportunity to see and experience the different activities that are available to them will serve as motivation to get outside and make the most of their surroundings.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day places special emphasis on teaching children their families about exploring healthy living habits that will make a difference throughout their life. The Saint John YMCA-YWCA will celebrate YMCA Healthy Kids Day Sunday at the Glen Carpenter Centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on May 25th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

This month’s Party with a Purpose will highlight condo living – a trend that is becoming increasingly popular in many urban centres and one that is building momentum in Saint John.

“There is often a misconception as to what condo ownership is,” says listing realtor Bob McVicar, who is sponsoring the event with Sue Cairns McVicar. “A condo is not just a term that describes the style of a property, but is a very specific form of ownership.”

Condominiums vary in terms of size and style, from townhouses, to garden homes, to a standard building complex or tower. It combines the amenities of renting with the benefits of property ownership – owners hold legal titles to their units, the same as if it were an actual home. They also share ownership of the common areas outside of their actual units – lobbies, yards, roofs and parking lots, which are maintained through monthly fees.

“The fact that condo ownership is not that common in the Saint John market has left this option off of the list of potential home ownership options for many people in this market,” McVicar says. “FUSION was the perfect partner for this event because first-time home owners are often the primary purchasers of urban condo units and FUSION represents this demographic in Saint John.”

The party will take place at the condo development at 207 King St. E., in the building’s show suite, a two-bedroom condo apartment that has been fully staged by design expert Judith Mackin. Two other units will also be available for those interested in taking a closer look at the condo options available in this particular building. Bob Kelly, one of Canada’s pioneer experts on condo development and ownership, will be on hand to answer questions, as well as representatives from the mortgage industry and the Kings Court Condominium developers.

Although more and more people are moving to the city centre, there are many renters who are eventually drawn away from the uptown because of a desire to own property. Condo living allows people the opportunity to own their own property while enjoying the uptown lifestyle. Such was the case for Greg Cutler, who has recently moved back into the city from Hampton, having bought the very same unit he had rented before it was converted to a condo. “This is more of a lifestyle. It’s the perfect place if you’re busy, but still want to own your own property – I hope it catches on,” Cutler says.

May’s Party with a Purpose will take place Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 207 King St. E., Unit 2. For more information, please visit www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on May 19th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

Over the course of the spring and summer, FUSION will be working with the Population Growth Secretariat to develop a pilot mentorship program for youth and newcomers in the city.

“When the Population Growth Secretariat approached us to work on this program, we quickly realized that this was an initiative that aligns with our mandate to attract and retain people to Greater Saint John,” said project co-ordinator Sarah Craig. “This will be a great opportunity for people who are interested in staying in Saint John to network and receive one-on-one support from an individual who’s already fully integrated in the city.”

The program will be targeted primarily at university and college students and newcomers under 35 years of age who are passionate about effecting positive change in the community, and interested in learning from established community leaders.

Mentors will be drawn from a variety of professional and volunteer organizations so as to provide a broad spectrum of experience and counsel. A similar pilot project is also underway in Bathurst.

This initiative will differ from more traditional career mentorship programs in that it will be largely informal, to allow for those involved to define how and when they meet on their own terms, whether it is on the phone, through email, or over regular face-to-face meetings. Though the program itself will only be six months in duration, it’s intended to foster long-term relationships, so that mentors and proteges alike can continue to learn from one another based on their experiences and insights on career development, volunteer work, civic engagement and other aspects that contribute to Saint John’s quality of life.

“Our hope is that this program will increase retention in both the university and newcomer population, while giving the leaders in our community a better understanding of the challenges this demographic faces,” Craig said. “We’d like to see the mentorship relationship become a source of inspiration for both sides to make the city a place that welcomes young people and provides opportunities for them to be engaged.”

Whether they’ve grown up here, or are completely new to the city, people who are considering putting down roots can draw from a wealth of knowledge by simply being exposed to people who have found success living and working in the city. Conversely, mentors stand to gain from being plugged into the new ideas and fresh perspectives their proteges bring to the table.

Project planning is currently underway, and interested individuals will have an opportunity to apply this summer. The program will launch this fall, and regular updates will be available online at www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on May 11th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

This Saturday, a group of Saint Johners will volunteer their morning to help spruce up one of the area’s important waterways during the 14th annual Marsh Creek Cleanup.

“This is a popular event – a lot of our volunteers are people and families who come back every year,” says Canaport LNG’s Kate Shannon, whose company has hosted the event in partnership with ACAP Saint John for the last three years. “Getting people involved in cleaning up the community is a great way to increase awareness and environmental stewardship.”

The Marsh Creek Cleanup gives volunteers the opportunity to team up with family, friends and colleagues to make this area a little greener, but it also serves as the catalyst for a conversation on litter, why people leave their debris in areas like Marsh Creek, and ways to prevent litter at its source. The debris collected each year does not get there on its own, and starting the dialogue about who put it there and why, and more appropriate methods for disposal, is an important step in tackling this issue.

“Our hope is that participants will realize how important it is to take care of our community, and think about it next time they need to dispose of waste,” says Shannon. “We want people to be more aware of the waste people create and how they should dispose of it.” Increasing public awareness on the seemingly insignificant action of litter and how it impacts our environment and visual beauty of the city is a good first step toward changing individual behaviour when it comes to waste disposal.

Many of the issues that threaten our environment can seem larger than life, but working together to collect litter is something anyone can do, and if last year’s number is any indication, the result of this collective effort is pretty impressive: more than 210 volunteers collected about five tonnes – 92 shopping cards, 352 bags of garbage, 23 tires and loads of construction debris and other items.

Prizes are awarded to the team that collects the most garbage and the team that finds the most unique item, but all volunteers share the sense of accomplishment that results in seeing not only how much waste can be collected in such a short amount of time, but the difference in how the areas looks and feels because of it.

The 2010 Marsh Creek Cleanup will take place Saturday, 9 a.m. till 12 p.m., rain or shine. Volunteers should register by Friday. For more information, please visit www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on May 4th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

This Friday, FUSION will celebrate local leaders and FUSION’s role in cultivating leadership in the next generation at the 6th Annual Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION networking dinner.

This year’s theme, Inspiring Leadership, reflects the willingness of many Saint Johners who have taken on leadership roles to bring progress and positive change to the city.

This event will focus on the future leadership capacity that’s necessary to move our community forward and will feature a keynote address from Gemini-winning CBC news anchor Diana Swain.

By “inspiring leadership,” FUSION hopes to help lay the foundation for a culture of mentorship to allow the city’s emerging leaders to grow and eventually take on the new responsibilities that will be required to sustain our current rate of growth.

“Leadership is an important part of FUSION Saint John,” said Shawn Peterson, chairperson of FUSION Saint John. “Our members show leadership every day through their ties to the community, be it involvement on boards, committees, or in organizing events. These are leaders who want to live here and make things happen, which is vital not only to FUSION, but to the entire community.”

With issues associated with the aging population and demands to be a more sustainable society top of mind, FUSION’s focus at this year’s event will be on the future of leadership in our community, and new ways to engage prospective leaders to encourage progress and growth.

“Saint John is a city on the move, and it is because of the leadership that individuals are providing to community initiatives – both big and small,” Peterson said. “If we want to keep moving in this direction, we need to make sure we are inspiring the future leaders in our community. To me, the best way to become inspired is to get into a room with many other established leaders to see what they are doing, and how they are doing it.”

Saint John is a city brimming with potential; fortunately, there exists a large pool of established leaders, individuals who are willing to offer their time, energy and expertise to ensure the next generation is poised to face challenges and move the city in a positive direction. With Faces of FUSION 2010, the organization hopes to create an opportunity for both emerging and established leaders to share thoughts and ideas, and instill a passion for creativity, change and action in the city.

Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION 2010 will take place this Friday at the Saint John Hilton Trade & Convention Centre. Tickets are $60. For more information please visit www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

More information on Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION 2010 can be found on FUSION’s website!

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on April 27th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

Saint Johners are known for their willingness to reach out to help others, and in some instances that reach extends far beyond the borders of our city, province and even continent. Such is the case for a group of Saint Johners who are working to raise funds and provide supplies for a group of orphans on the other side of the world.

The Providence Orphanage, located in Lokossa, Benin, West Africa, is home to 56 children who have been either orphaned or abandoned, and is operated by volunteers. The orphanage is currently housed on public property, but is preparing to move to a cement enclosure, constructed on a donated parcel of land with access to electricity and close to both a local school and a community well.

“Our connection to this orphanage formed a few years ago when my siblings travelled through Benin,” said Dave Gamble, who along with his family and friends oversees fundraising efforts for the orphanage. “They had met up with some volunteers from Canada World Youth who recommended they visit the orphanage. After a quick visit, exchange of information and donation they returned home, but felt they had to continue to help.”

Benin is home to about eight million people, and currently ranks as one of the 20 poorest countries in the world, with 33 per cent of the population living below the poverty line.

Since then, word has spread and a community partnership was formed to support the orphanage by way of monetary donations and supplies.

“We are all amazed at how much such a seemingly small amount of money can do for the children at the orphanage,” Gamble said.

Monthly donations of $300 are sent to the orphanage, and used to cover the costs of such items as food, firewood, hospital fees and clean water. Extra money raised is set aside for building projects – last year $10,000 was used to build a cement enclosure on the orphanage’s new property. This year, the focus of the fundraising efforts is to build cement dormitories on the new property within the enclosure. The estimated cost of this project is $65,000, of which $24,000 has already been raised.

To that end, the Phoenix Dinner Theatre is putting on a performance of Woodstock, a three-act musical comedy, along with a three-course dinner, on May 15. The performance will be followed by a live auction and 50/50 draw. Proceeds from this event will be used in building the cement dormitories.

“The idea for this particular fundraiser came from a community member who contributes regularly and had attended another event at the dinner theatre,” Gamble said. “She thought this would be an excellent way to raise additional funds. She talked to the owners, who thought so as well and generously donated ticket proceeds from this show to the orphanage.”

The “Kick In for Benin” fundraising event will take place at the Phoenix Dinner on Saturday, May 15. Tickets are $55.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on April 20th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

This month, FUSION’s Party with a Purpose is being hosted by the Saint John Community Loan Fund and will be an opportunity for party-goers to learn more about how investing with this organization improves quality of life in greater Saint John.

There will also be information available on the training programs offered through the organization.

The Saint John Community Loan Fund is built on investments made by individuals and groups in the city since 1999. These investments are converted into loans to help individuals create income, build assets and attain greater self-reliance by providing business, employment, affordable housing and non-profit loans. It is the only organization of its kind in our region, and the money invested with the loan fund stays in the city, which positively impacts our overall economy.

“We’re going to focus on the investing side of our organization at this event,” says Saint John Community Loan Fund board member Abby Colwell.

“Micro-lending is a really rewarding thing to do. Rather than putting your money into a savings account, you can invest with us and watch it doing good in our community,” Colwell said.

Micro-lending is the extending of small loans to people in need, designed to spur entrepreneurship and encourage fiscal independence in those who do not have the income, assets, or credit history to access traditional credit. People can invest money with the loan fund for as little as $250, for terms of two years or more. Investors have the opportunity to choose where their money is going, to either housing or business and work.

“At the loan fund, we lend small amounts of money out to help people better their situations – often it is to help them get into a better living situation, a new job or help them start a small business,” Colwell said. “We then continue to work with the applicants to make sure things are going well and help them out with any advice we can offer.”

The loan fund offers training programs, which are a support mechanism for those who have received loans, and also a resource open to anyone looking to learn more about creating income, building assets and developing their financial skills. Programs include Enterprising Women, a 20-week program for women who want to start a business in the community; Money Matters, which examines assets, budgeting, banking, consumerism and credit; Power Up!, a 10-week neighbourhood leadership training program for women; YES!, a summer training and business launch program for youth; and the Assets Training Program, a nine-month skills development course.

April’s Party with a Purpose, hosted by the Saint John Community Loan Fund, will take place this Friday at Steamer’s Lobster Co. from 5:30 to 7 p.m. For more information, please visit www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on April 13th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

This weekend, Harbour Station will be transformed into an interactive space for children and parents to experience hands-on learning as it plays host to the Exploratorium Interactive Kids Fun Fair.

This afternoon-long event is being put on by Touchstone Community School, an independent co-operative elementary school in Rothesay. The school’s learning experience is based on an educational partnership among students, parents and teachers, and emphasizes interactive learning. The exploratorium is an extension of this experience, an effort to bring the creative learning style to children throughout Greater Saint John.

“We believe so strongly in our approach,” said Touchstone Community School principal Jeff McAloon. “We’ve tried to match this event to our learning philosophy. We want to open up this experience to kids from all over Greater Saint John.”

There will be more than 20 exhibitors and performers at the event, each with its own interactive offering. Canadian Blood Services, the Huntsman Marine Museum, Ducks Unlimited, the Saint John Chinese Cultural Association, Hooper Studios, the Healthy Eating Suitcase, Literary Corner and the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra and others will have exhibits, learning displays and activities that encourage visitors to learn by doing. Over the course of the afternoon, those at the event will have the opportunity to fully engage in new experiences, whether they are learning about healthy eating, the art of Chinese paper cutting or trying out a wheelchair obstacle course. Midway through the afternoon, there will be a European-style circus performance by the Bindlestiff Cirkus, a non-profit performing arts organization from New York.

“Every kid is a sponge,” McAloon said. “They are hands-on, so why not do it with their education? Learning is a concept we want them to experience, by feeling it, building it and so on.”

Local businesses and organizations that serve Greater Saint John children and parents will also be on hand with information about their services, including: Go-Go Gymnastics, Circle Square Ranch, Music for Young Children, InterAction Children’s Theatre, Stylin’ Momma, Baby & Tot, Paddington Station, Imperial Theatre, Daytripping at Rockwood Park, Benjamin’s Books, Tutor Doctor, Caton’s Island Camp, St. David’s United Church and others.

More than 2,500 tickets for this event have already been sold. In addition, local businesses have purchased bundles of tickets so 450 tickets can be distributed to community organizations including the Saint John Boys and Girls Club, the Saint John YMCA-YWCA, Hestia House and Second Stage Housing, the Joshua Group, and community centres in the city.

The Exploratorium Kids Fun Fair will take place Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Harbour Station. Tickets are $10 each and available at the Harbour Station box office.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on April 6th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

Plans are currently underway for Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION 2010, FUSION’s annual networking dinner. Each year the event examines a relevant issue and opportunity as it relates to quality of life in greater Saint John. Since its inception six years ago, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of our members and community, and has explored issues surrounding immigration, provincial licence plate slogans, Vision 2015, population growth and the new face of Canada.

“After our fifth birthday last year, FUSION has worked hard to find new ways to reach our members and we are using this same approach with Faces,” says event co-chairman Eric Savoie. This year’s theme is Inspiring Leadership, and will aim to give emerging Saint John leaders an opportunity to connect with established community leaders.

With an aging population and pressures to become a more sustainable society, Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION 2010 will focus on developing the future leadership capacity that is necessary to move our community forward. By “inspiring leadership,” the event will aim to lay the foundation for a culture of mentorship to allow emerging leaders to grow and take on new responsibilities that will be required to sustain our growth into the future.

This year’s keynote speaker is Gemini-winning CBC news anchor Diana Swain, who will address the “Inspiring Leadership” theme by focusing on what she describes as quiet leadership, in her talk The Big Impact of Quiet Leadership: A Challenge to Lead in Ways You Never Thought of. Kenneth Irving, CEO of Fort Reliance, is honorary chairman.

Sponsor support extends far beyond the event itself because it will help FUSION cover its operating costs over the coming year.

“Lawson Creamer believes that FUSION represents a very unique demographic in Greater Saint John,” says Lawson Creamer’s Nathalie Godbout of the firm’s involvement. The firm has been the presenting sponsor since the event began in 2005. “FUSION members are citizens that are engaged in the issues that affect us all, that are committed to the prosperity of our region and that speak up when there is a real issue to be debated.”

Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION 2010 will take place Friday, May 7 at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre. Tickets will be $55 until April 23 and $60 thereafter. For more information, visit www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.

More information on Lawson Creamer Faces of FUSION 2010 can be found on FUSION’s website!