In spring 2019, in collaboration with the NDG Tax Coalition, the Council had the opportunity to provide free tax clinics across the neighbourhood. The Council partnered with the Depot, Walkley Centre, Westhaven Centre, St Raymond Center, Sherbrooke Forest, Habitation Tango and Benny Library to host tax clinics and serve residents close to home, making the tax season a little bit easier. A total of 559 tax returns were completed and submitted through the 10+ clinics. One ‘Do it yourself’ workshop was also organised in partnership with Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi for residents to learn how to complete their own tax returns online. The Council was supported throughout by 70 extraordinary volunteers who did amazing work. The Council trained the volunteers through short training sessions (16 offered), in both French and English, allowing all our volunteers to develop new capacities and serve the clinics. This program, therefore, serviced not only the residents but also the volunteers - many of whom were new immigrants seeking to gain work experience and self-confidence.

NDG Resource Centre Making sure our residents are aware of the available services and activities in the neighbourhood is one of the Council’s mandate since its creation. We provide information and referrals by phone and emails. We use different methods to reach out to different people: door to door, Facebook, newsletter, printed notices, posters and mobile kiosks.

To ensure the proximity of services, the Council provides residents with the services of a Commissioner of Oaths. These services are free and available without appointment- 19 people benefited from this service this year.

2018-2019 Our second language conversation groups were created to be an inclusive space for residents to practice necessary language skills and make social connections with fellow residents. The groups now run 5 days a week with thanks to 5 fabulous volunteer animators who help connecting residents from various background together through a common goal: developing their language abilities. English classes, animated by Carol Lakoff and Lindsay Morrison, are by far the most popular with an attendance going up to 20+ participants on some days. French classes, animated by Alzubra Sheikh, Nicole Kamdem Nguenchie, Nabila Bourezane, Cadja Diarra and Francis Giguère, are not to be forgotten either with an average of 6 residents attending, and more joining all the time

The Council’s 3 meeting rooms are extensively shared amongst our staff and the community, for example with the english/french second language classes, resident gatherings and meetings, AGMs, training sessions, and more! This space lending service keeps our office a bustling hub of activity.
We also share office space with smaller organisations: LogisAction, PEP, Table 0-5 , Senior Citizen Council and Y4Y are all working with us in this vibrant atmosphere.
Our members are always welcome to use our space for free - we know that some residents groups and organisations have trouble accessing free space and we are proud to be able to provide this service. Through 2018-2019, neighbourhood groups were welcomed in our space for a total of 532 hours.