Minivillage

With the rise in social isolation and loneliness post pandemic, there is an urgent need for collaborative solutions. Minivillage and Salsbury Community Society worked together on a pilot project with the residents of Co:Here. Our fresh approach resulted in positive outcomes: -33% increase in community participation -10% rise in resident well-being scores -22 resident-led gatherings (with double the anticipated attendance)! Read the case study here: https://lnkd.in/gztavaeU. Minivillage exists to support housing providers, like Salsbury Community Society, transform buildings into vibrant, happy communities with an evidence-based system.  #Minivillage #Community #Casestudy #Vancouver

In this edition of It Takes A Village, we highlight the community efforts at More Than A Roof and how Lenora Mosley’s genuine care and leadership support Minivillage’s model for fostering stronger, more connected communities. #CommunityBuilding #ABCD #ResidentEngagement #SocialImpact #ThrivingCommunities #MoreThanHousing #ConnectionMatters

🏘️ Housing with Heart: A New Milestone with New Chelsea Society At Chelsea Gardens & Marine, we’re witnessing something remarkable: True communities are being formed! Through our partnership, we’re seeing: - Deep friendships blossoming - Residents breaking out of isolation - A stronger sense of shared ownership and belonging We’re proud to partner with New Chelsea Society in this journey, and special thanks to these leaders: Ahmed Omran (CEO), Jennifer Walsh (CFO), Scott Stewart, REBECA ROBLES (Projects), Gaby (Site Manager), fouz Mohamed and Spyros Theodoridis (Snr Site Managers), the Minivillage Coordinators and Volunteer Champions - for making it happen. At Minivillage, we know housing isn’t just about spaces — it’s about creating environments where people feel they belong, are supported, and grow together. Our model delivers measurable outcomes over three years - both socially and financially. Communities like New Chelsea Gardens and Marine are expected to see: - Neighbours supporting neighbours, creating stronger, connected communities - Improved resident well-being, with better social health and less isolation - Financial returns for property operators through lower maintenance costs, fewer disputes, and higher retention rates 🌟Calling Nonprofit Housing Leaders in BC: Are you ready to create vibrant, engaged communities in your housing populations? We’ve just opened new partnership spots starting in early 2025. Contact mark.boardman@minivillage.ca to find out more. #CommunityFirst #HousingWithHeart #SocialImpact #HousingTransformation

We’re excited to announce the release of "A Healthier Canada: An Analysis of the Potential Economic and Social Impacts of Social Prescribing."    The findings of this report, conducted by KPMG Canada, confirm that #socialprescribing can be transformative in addressing the social determinants of health, reducing healthcare costs, and improving the quality of life across diverse populations.    Key Findings:  🔹 Every $1 invested in social prescribing can return $4.43 to society.  🔹 It can support aging adults by reducing healthcare utilization, leading to an estimated $268 million in annual savings.  🔹 It has the potential to enhance youth wellbeing, contributing to an additional $59 million in employment income per year.    These results highlight the significant impact social prescribing can have in Canada, from fostering meaningful social connections to supporting those with chronic conditions. As we build on this robust evidence, it's clear that social prescribing is a vital tool for improving the health and wellbeing of Canadians.    Read the full report to dive deeper into the analysis: https://bit.ly/47i9X2Y Kate Mulligan Canadian Red Cross 

Minivillage is unlocking the secrets of community impact, and operational and financial success in community living! We're thrilled to share our latest project at Minivillage, where we've developed a groundbreaking custom evaluation framework. Using our behaviour change method, this innovative tool is designed to: ✅ Assess our model's impact on resident well-being ✅ Measure financial outcomes for operators We're proud of paige cummings supported by Brynn Williams and grateful for the support of wonderful tenants and staff at More Than a Roof Group of Societies. 📥 Download our PDF now to discover our evaluation framework summary and see what we're doing to measure community transformation! #CommunityImpact #ResidentWellbeing #HousingInnovation

Last Saturday we celebrated our own community champions, not in Paris, but right here in Vancouver! Meet Marianne, Brenna, Tatiana, Mhrojeel, Gustavo, Lavanya, and Marvin. These incredible residents are nurturing connections among 800 tenants across 5 multi-unit buildings. Here's our agricultural-inspired approach to fostering happier, more connected communities: 1. Till the soil: - Host info sessions - Conduct surveys and focus groups for deeper insights - Launch events to spark engagement 2. Plant seeds: - Partner with property managers - Strengthen ties with resident services - Invite early enthusiast residents 3. Water the ground: - Empower Minivillage community coordinators - Coach community-building techniques - Assign 3 missions: opportunity analysis, asset mapping, community activations 4. Nurture green shoots: - Evaluate impact and outcomes - Grow the strongest shoots 🌱 Join us in cheering on our coordinators as they build social trust and belonging where they live. Let the Connections begin!

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day! June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to honour and celebrate the rich history, culture, and traditions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities throughout the country. To mark this important month, we are excited to share these fantastic resources: -Rise Consulting's Resource Guide: Explore a comprehensive guide for National Indigenous History Month - https://lnkd.in/g9dpbUyv -Belleville's New Housing Project: Learn about the innovative housing project by three First Nations partners - https://lnkd.in/g9Nv3WpU -BC Non-Profit Housing Association's Special Webinar: Join Mary Teegee for a special webinar on honouring Indigenous stories - https://lnkd.in/gy6JWCtJ . Keep an eye out for more learning opportunities and resources in our newsletter, Mini Mail – launching soon! #Nationalindigenouspeoplesday #Community #Vancouver #Minivillage

What sets a Host apart from a Facilitator in community gatherings? Understanding the difference can transform the way we build and nurture our communities. Facilitating is a job independent of hosting. Facilitators organize activities and guide discussions, ensuring everyone has a voice and the process runs smoothly. The role of a Host is deeply rooted in community care. A Host invites people in, offers tea, and connects people, creating a warm and welcoming environment. At Minivillage, we focus on creating gatherings where everyone feels valued and included. We believe that having distinct yet complementary roles for Hosts and Facilitators is essential. What’s your take on the distinction between a Host and a Facilitator? How do you see these roles shaping your community? Don’t miss our exciting updates in the soon-to-be-released Mini Mail newsletter! #Minivillage #Community #Vancouver

On a recent episode of Urbanism Vancouver - From Neighbours to Community, our Founder, Mark B. and Head of Growth, Alyssa S. joined Helen Lui to discuss: -Shared experiences of living in different cities and communities -The impact of physical neighbourhoods on social connections -Practical tips for building authentic relationships in a post pandemic world Urbanism Vancouver is a local podcast that explores how our built environment shapes our everyday lives and community experiences. Join Helen, as she uncovers where we live, work and play - and how we can shape better communities together! Listen to Urbanism Vancouver today - https://lnkd.in/gE_NPD7Q. #Minivillage #Community #Urbanism #Vancouver

Last week interns paige cummings (UBC Sustainability Scholar), Naz Atay and Navya Monga swapped stories and shared hot drinks with tenants at More Than A Roof's Karis and Kindred buildings. They spent the day learning about tenants' experiences, challenges and hopes for the future. The highlight? A thrilling tenant dance-off where everyone showcased their Latin dance moves! We’re proud to support More Than a Roof Group of Societies inspiring mission. With a remarkable 30-year history of developing inclusive communities, they are leaders in providing innovative housing, community-led activities and tenant support for 1,700 tenants. “While we provide affordable, secure housing, we seek to do so in a context that builds community and develops life skills as a means of assisting tenants to build a better life. Our goal is to provide ‘More Than a Roof’.’’ Thank you for your warm welcome and hospitality. We’re thrilled to partner with you to support happier, healthier communities. #Morethanaroof #Community  #Vancouver #Minivillage