Boyle McCauley News recently spoke with Boyle Street Community League (BSCL) President Shawn Tse and Treasurer Karen Jackson. They reported that a lot is going on at the BSCL, although not in the conventional sense of organizing and hosting programs such as soccer, yoga, or a garden club. 

The league currently has a six-member working board. It has no staff, and not many volunteers – which limits its ability to do certain types of things. But, fortunately, there are ways to get around that.

Tse says, “It is difficult to manage and coordinate events. So how do we still contribute to and uplift the community?” The answer at this point, Tse says, is to use the funds available from casinos and various grants to pay someone else to do the legwork. The BSCL board extensively coordinates with and supports Boyle Street’s non-profit and charitable groups and agencies.

One of the most visible activities currently is the free Boyle Street Family Sunday Films program. Movies are shown on the first Sunday of the month at CO*LAB. The league covers the fee for the technician, and CO*LAB provides the space. Snacks are available, and the films are chosen to be family friendly (at the time of writing, the film was Kung Fu Panda).

Similarly, the league has provided funds and/or in-kind support for:

• The Togather Chinatown Art Fair at the Chinatown Multi-Cultural Centre in February 2024;
• Ociciwan Contemporary Art Centre’s Indigenous Garden Planting party in June 2024 (See the article in the August-September issue of Boyle McCauley News.);
• The Heart of the City Festival, also held in June 2024 (towards paying the entertainers);
• The aiya! 哎呀 Collective’s Chinatown Care Package, which offers workshops that explore how cultural practices offer opportunities for community sharing;
• E4C’s community garden; and,
• The Métis Housing Ribbon Skirt and sewing program (purchasing a sewing machine and project materials).

Unlike leagues in many suburban communities, the BSCL does not operate out of a building, although it has an office in the Boyle Street Plaza. But, like other leagues, the BSCL regularly provides feedback to the City about everything from neighbourhood renewal to safety to garbage cans.

 

“We are interested in hearing from agencies and groups within Boyle Street that would like to work with us,” says Jackson.

Want to get involved?
Boyle Street is a vibrant and forward-moving community. If you are a proud resident, think about helping to make things better via your community league. For information about membership, go to the BSCL website: boylestreetcl.com. If you are already a member and would like to volunteer, contact the executive at info@boylestreetcl.com.

Anita Jenkins is a retired writer and editor who lives in Boyle Street.