Gilchrist Memorial United Church

The three circle concept

The Gilchrist Memorial United Church (GMUC) has embarked on a journey to build a new church facility in the West end of Edmonton, Alberta, hoping to build on a three- overlapping circle concept. A preliminary Environmental Scan showed that this is a unique concept and there are no examples of the three-circle concept in North America (GMUC and CBR 'How Firm a Foundation', July, 2001).

This comprehensive feasibility study was undertaken to:
1. Further inform, gather contacts and connections, garner support philosophically, and find and encourage ways to pool resources so the three-overlapping circle concept could become a reality.
2. Determine the feasibility of the three overlapping circles concept, in particular the' Youth with Potential' concept.
3. Provide substantive information from which requests for funding could be made.

The three phases of the Feasibility Study included: a congregational consultation, a community consultation (including youth serving organization, funders, youth, community residents and community organizations), and an integration and interpretation of the consultation data.

The congregational consultation reached over 50 congregation members through in-person and phone interviews and regular meetings with the Futures Task Force. The community consultation gathered local statistics about youth in transition, in-person interviews and focus groups with 18 youth, in-person interviews with 31 Edmonton youth-serving or related organizations, telephone interviews with various other national and international groups, interviews and meetings with nine local community residents and interviews with three local community organizations

Results

The three overlapping circles concept of Gilchrist Memorial United Church is feasible. There are financial resources, in-kind resources and connections, and professional and volunteer resources to make it a reality.

The local community residents and the congregation both want to build a shared community space and it is feasible! The interview and focus groups data indicated that the community residents and the congregation are excited about sharing a community space and that the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) could assist in building this space. The community is keen to partner with Gilchrist in pursuing this funding source.

'Youth With Potential' is feasible! Statistical data, along with the congregation and community consultation data, indicate that there is a gap in transitional housing for youth over 18 -24 years of age, and that the 'Youth with Potential' would not duplicate any service in Edmonton. Youth serving and related agencies, the GMUC congregation and community members have resources, services and programs to share that can be pooled to make the 'Youth with Potential' a reality. There are many collaborators who would refer youth to the facility and there are three or more agencies that would be interested in managing the facility for GMUC

Solutions were found for the five concerns that emerged from the consultation with the youth serving and related organizations and other groups, community organizations in close geographic proximity to the facility, community people, congregation members, and youth. The concerns were 1) the church/religion stigma, 2) the facility location and therefore transportation challenges regarding distance from services, 3) ensuring community support in particular, and congregation support, and 4) zoning changes required for the 'Youth with Potential' facility and 5) the finances.

The eligibility and selection criteria developed for youth coming to 'Youth with Potential' meet the critical need/gap identified and are consistent with the mission of the congregation. The criteria appear to be acceptable to the local community as long as they are kept well informed and there is community representation on a tri sector planning and management board.

The consultation data suggests that the 'Youth with Potential' facility be built to fit into the architectural "look" of the surrounding homes, house 20-40 youth in 13-26 apartment units with a house parent or proctor living on site. It would have two or three offices, a laundry facility and a lounge area. It would be a place which is spiritually, emotionally, and physically supportive of youth.

Recommendations

• Form a Tri- Sector Planning Board to coordinate the project and to keep the lines of communication open.
• Phase in the three circle concept using either of two options: Option 1 planning and building the church and the community space in the first two years and planning and building the YWP in the second and third year OR Option 2 planning and building all three components in year one and year two.
• Create a three year project plan which includes space planning, fundraising, building and implementation
• Create a communication plan to keep the congregation and the community well informed
• Form a Fundraising team and find a project champion. o Adopt the YWP Eligibility, Selection criteria and Facility Process Points as drafted by the GMUC Futures Task including: Youth requesting acceptance to the facility would be:
  - In a situation where they are unable to afford reasonable accommodation
  - enrolled/accepted into an education or employment program or are actively seeking employment/education.
  - free from drug/alcohol addiction, not pregnant and any mental health issues are under control and treated.
  - Sign an agreement to participate in the program and be willing to contribute an agreed amount towards housing (money and labour).
• Contract with a Service Provider with proven expertise with youth should mange the day-to-day operations and programming.
• The Tri Sector Planning Board work with the local Parkland and other community residents submit a Community Facilities Enhancement project
• The Tri Sector Planning Board call for proposals from Edmonton agencies to manage the YWP operations and the programs
• The Tri Sector Planning Board evolve into Tri Sector Management Board once the facility is up and running
• Formulate a governance structure that describes the terms of reference, roles and Responsibilities of the Tri Sector Management Board and its relationships with the GMUC Board, the community residents association, and the managing service provider agency of the YWP project
• Set a budget from which to build the fundraising campaign for the project's sustainability, accompanied by a timeline for funding proposals.

Contact Information:

Rev. John Henry Weinlick, Minister
Gilchrist Memorial United Church
Phone: (780) 481-1406
Fax: (780) 484-4174