Neighbourhood Awakening

The RAFT works with communities throughout Niagara by generating initiatives to create a positive impact in the neighbourhood and with young people.

Community development initiatives seek to empower individuals and groups to make positive changes in their communities.

They target stressed neighbourhoods and are designed to strengthen communities, engage young people and foster empowerment, independence and self-esteem.

In the past these initatives have included:

neighbourhood gardens
greening initiatives
neighbourhood conversations
neighbourhood houses
community events

The RAFT works with neighbourhoods across Niagara to bring communities together and make sustainable change.

Project Reclaim - Update

Project Reclaim is a social enterprise initiative that combines employment training, green initiatives and community development to improve the lives of at risk youth. The program addresses unemployment through job training, education credit recovery and LICO through the creation of a social enterprise to reinvest funds generated from product sales back into the participating community.

Community Development - Western Hill

Awakening Neighbourhoods Initiative has been working in St. Catharines over the past year to revitalize stressed neighborhoods by making positive changes. Through the Community Animator the RAFT is working with individuals in St. Catharines to help build healthy and strong communities.

Market Garden

Participants learn about urban farming, while becoming active in their neighbourhoods. The program is funded by Niagara Prosperity Initiative.

Life Unscripted Interview

May 11th, 2022

Our Executive Director Mike Lethby was interviewed by Janice Arnoldi from Life Unscripted. "I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Janice Arnoldi on her show “Life Unscripted” on CKTB. The interview covered the RAFT’s history and our unique and successful service for youth in Niagara." - Mike Lethby, RAFT Executive Director