With the first long Canadian summer weekend upon us here is a collection of items which expand on recent postings.
Abundant Community - Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. John McKnight and Peter Block's new book is now in bookstores . You can get it for about $20.00 on line which is indeed a bargain. These two wise men and dear friends have created a manifesto for reclaiming our lives, our families, our neighbourhoods, and our power as citizens. This is a book which is bound to be quoted at gatherings, formal and informal, for years to come. Check out their companion website for stories, inspiration and ideas on creating neighbourhoods that can raise our children, sustain our health, care for vulnerable people, provide security and secure our income - something institutions find it harder and harder to do. My original book review is here.
The Boy in the Moon. I wrote a review of this award winning book by Ian Brown for Father's Day. It's the story of a father who while searching for the meaning of his son with a disability's life, discovers the meaning of his own. Last week Brown completed a 'hat trick' of Canadian non-fiction writing, winning the $20,000 Trillium Prize to set beside the Charles Taylor and British Columbia National Non-Fiction award. Brown's book is 'as pure as a father's love gets' and therefore of appeal to everyone interested in fathers!
Humanitarian Crisis Facing Aboriginal Children. The newly elected President of the Canadian Council of Provincial Child and Youth Advocates, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond declared the safety of aboriginal children lags devastatingly far behind that of other Canadian children. Her statements reinforces what I wrote about Cindy Blackstock and the First Nations Caring Society. The fact that there are more aboriginal children in foster care today than were taken from their families at the height of the residential school is a Canadian embarassment. Turpel-Lafond who is also BC's Representative for Children and Youth has asked Prime Minister Harper to develop a national strategy to address these concerns. She also called for an urgent meeting between First Ministers and Aboriginal leaders.
Eating Alone. My recent post on the growth of the food movement prompted my friend Brian Smith to send this reference to Sole Food Farms an urban farm and social enterprise in the downtown east side of Vancouver. Sole Food Farms provides organically grown food to local restaurants while offering employment, beautifying the neighbourhood and building healthy relationships around healthy foods. A great example of the reciprocal relationship between food and belonging.
The Worth of a Smile Speaking of reciprocity, my post on dinner with one of the world's most brilliant economists, Stefano Zamagni has been reprinted on Social Finance.ca Peter Deitz the new Managing Editor is quickly turning that website into a valuable resource for innovative approaches to financing the community sector.
My best wishes for a relaxing and restorative summer! For my readers in the southern hemisphere, your lovely weather will surely return very soon!
