It is finally here...the time to celebrate!

The doors to CSI Regent Park are now open to the public.  It has been a very successful opening, all systems working and no major issues!  We had our first external meeting room booking last Thursday—Pathways to Education Canada, held their strategic planning session in our wonderful facility.

Project Canoe was the first member to move in at 10am on a very wet and windy 4th of September.  This was significant and symbolic. I first met Melanie Redman, the Executive Director of Project Canoe, at the information session I attended back in November last year when I wanted to find out more about CSI and the role of Manager for the Centre for Social Innovation Regent Park!  Then when I got the job, I met her again on my first day, and when I found out the organization was going to move to Regent Park, I knew there must be a collaboration in the making.  Project Canoe is now collaborating with the Inner City Social Circus School.

Over the last few days the following members have moved in:

• Project Canoe
• The African Canadian Social Development Council
• Hutchinson Group
• Inner City Social Circus School (ICSCS)
• UforChange
• Peacebuilders
• Ten-Four
• MadeYouThink

Then there are the wonderful Community Animators, Faith and Hamid, who have stepped up and relished the challenges of launching a new CSI location.  CSI Regent Park is indebted to the commitment and willingness of the Volunteer Community Animators without whom the space would never have come together the way it has. CSI Regent Park has a committed and diverse team—a cross section of cultural and ethnic groups and a strong Regent Park representation.  

I hope as many of you as possible can attend the official CSI Regent Park Launch Party on Tuesday, September 25, 5pm-7pm, and a series of events being held over the next couple of weeks to celebrate the launch of the Arts and Cultural Centre in Regent Park.  Keep on the look out for the event listings!