ACS and Habitat for Humanity with partners help upgrade local co-op homes

A ceremonial cake cutting was held to mark the re-opening of a revitalized community room at Frank Long Co-Operative Housing.

Two co-operative housing communities in Amherstburg have seen some revitalization thanks to some local agencies.

Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) and the Pathway to Potential (P2P) Neighbourhoods program have received funding for have worked with other groups to revitalize areas within the Rosewood Crescent and Frank Long Co-operative Housing communities. Both co-ops have seen their common rooms revamped and other amenities added, including netting around sports courts within the Rosewood co-ops to better contain balls in the playing surface.

The P2P Neighbourhoods Program is funded by the County of Essex and the City of Windsor. It is geared towards bringing residents, volunteers, and community partners together to enhance shared spaces, strengthen neighbourhoods and foster a great sense of belonging.

“The P2P Neighbourhoods program is about empowering residents to shape the places they call home,” said ACS executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo. “By working alongside Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex, volunteers and community partners, we’ve created improvements that will have a lasting impact for local families.”

Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex provided project management, skilled labour and volunteer co-ordination. Improvements to common rooms at both co-ops involved new paint and flooring, kitchen repairs and upgrades to the spaces.

Rocket Innovation, Amherst Supply, Computers for Kids, residents, volunteers and community supporters were also thanked for their efforts at both sites.

DiBartolomeo said that ACS staff member Jessica Pedlar has been putting forth a lot of effort and thanked her and all staff members involved with the projects. She said the P2P Neighbourhoods program is funded through 2028 and they look forward to even more projects.“We still have a few more surprises up our sleeves,” she said.

Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex got involved, in part, due to the build they are undertaking in Amherstburg on Middle Side Road.

“We’ve been part of the Amherstburg community since 2013 and every opportunity to work here matters to us,” said Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex CEO Fiona Coughlin. “We’re proud to partner with Amherstburg Community Services to revitalize these shared spaces while continuing to invest in a community that has welcomed Habitat’s work for more than 13 years.”

ACS and Habitat for Humanity with partners help upgrade local co-op homes

By Ron Giofu