Our board has had a busy few months since our AGM, with getting our committees developed and organized.

We will be having a community walkabout with Councillor Scott McKeen in late June to review our past year in the community and to make notes for upcoming projects and initiatives in and around Boyle Street.

We have had some great conversations between BSCL members as we have looked forward to our growing and changing community. One great idea we discussed was that Boyle Street needs a rebrand. There are really great things that happen here in our community, but people rarely see them. People from outside (and we are sure some residents of Boyle Street themselves) see the lineups for homeless shelters, the broken down houses, and vulnerable people walking around and superficially believe that is all we have to offer, or that it is a dangerous area.The result that getting residents involved or getting people to come here for an event or initiative can be a challenge.

We need to show people the good, and help people understand the real heart of the neighbourhood – not just what they see on the street. It still won’t be for everyone, but it can open some eyes and ultimately ignite a change of heart city-wide – a more positive image will bode well for the inevitable numerous developments in the near future. If people see Boyle Street in a more positive light, things like “the hole” in the ground might not be there quite as long.

We need to paint a picture of progress and inclusion, both the value and benefit for all in being a true neighbour and a human being concerned about the whole, not the few. It’s who we are – let’s tell people, create understanding, start to shake the misconceptions, and judgements and show what we truly are about.

We need passionate community members to help us reach our goal. You don’t have to sit on the BSCL board, but you can sit on a committee or just volunteer some time to any of our community-building events or initiatives. We would even just love to hear your thoughts or ideas! Contact us at info@boylestreetcl.com or karenbscl@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you!

Karen Jackson and Jason Reiniger are BSCL Board Members.