Course:Course:LFS350/Projects/F2023/JFS
Project Title
Food Justice Storytelling: Learning from Lived Experiences of Food Insecurity
Organization Information
Organization Name
Mission and Vision of Organization
Vision
Lives uplifted: a world repaired
Mission
Guided by the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), JFS supports the social, physical, and emotional wellness of all people.
Guiding Principles + Values
- We welcome everyone
- We honour the individual journey
- We are courageous and creative
- We take pride in our work
- We care deeply about people
- We treat everyone with dignity and respect
Contact Information
- Primary Contact Person(s): Stacy Friedman (she/her), Director of Food Security
- Email: sfriedman@jfsvancouver.ca
- Phone: 604-558-5705 ext. 230
- Address: 54 E3rd Ave., Vancouver BC
- Website: https://www.jfsvancouver.ca/
- Alternate Contact Person: Aviya Kones (she/her), Community Programs Coordinator
- Alternate Contact Person's Phone: 236-521-8263 ext. 298
Preferred Method of Contact
- Best method(s) to contact: Email is generally preferred. Phone (9am-5pm) is best for time sensitive response.
- Best day(s) to contact: Monday-Thursday
Preferred Platform(s) for Collaboration and Student Meetings
- Zoom
- MS Teams
- In-person meetings also possible
Project Description
Note: This project will take place online and in person
Context/Background
"...the hundreds of stories could be understood as descriptions of how unconnected local assets got connected. This understanding emphasizes the importance of ABCD work focused on connectors in contrast to leaders. While some leaders are connectors, most connectors are not thought of as leaders."
-John McKnight, Asset Based Community Development: The Essentials
JFS Food Security serves nearly 1000 food insecure community members in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Shore, and Surrey through our Grocery Program, Meal Delivery, and Community Programs. More than 50% of our clients are Jewish, but we serve people of all religions, races, and culture. While food insecurity affects everyone, those who are elderly, LGBTQ+, people of colour, and those with disabilities are disproportionately impacted.
Food Systems Issue(s) Addressed in this Project
To help us understand the impact of our food programs from the perspective of our clients, we would like to hold one or two focus groups with interested clients. This will it will be an opportunity for us to learn from clients about their experiences with our existing programs and for them to provide input on programs that could be developed in the future.
Main Project Activities
- Work with JFS staff to develop a list of questions about food justice and food insecurity
- Facilitate one or two focus groups with clients to listen to, and document, their stories
- Draft a report including individuals' stories, as well as overall learnings and emerging themes
- Reflect on/share a written reflection of their personal learning (discuss with community partner whether the reflections are public-facing, or limited to small-group sharing)
Main Project Deliverable(s)
- 1-2 client focus groups with JFS Food Security clients (recruited by the community partner)
- 1 draft report that incorporates client stories, as well as overall learnings and emerging themes (the report is intended to be inward-facing, but discuss with community partner if some parts of the report might be shared with funders to communicate JFS' impact)
- A short written reflection on the students' learning and experience through the project
Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)
- Respectful of client confidentiality
- Able to embody JFS Values (care deeply about people, treat everyone with dignity and respect, etc.)
- Good interpersonal skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?
- Focus groups (dates to be determined with the community partner)
- We encourage students to come, as possible, to experience our programs in person. Most programs (packing groceries, cooking, meals, community kitchens), happen M-Th in the mornings
Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?
- Yes
- CRS should be initiated before the first community partner meeting
- CRS instructions will be posted on Canvas. Contact your TA or the Course Coordinator if additional support is required
How much self-direction is expected from the students?
- Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Mostly led by community partner, with some student input
- Developing the activity plan and timeline: Equal leadership between students and community partner
- Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
- Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
- Finalizing the deliverable(s): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
Related Volunteering/Community Service Opportunities for Students
- Monday-Wednesday mornings (except for Sept 25-Oct 12)
- Packing grocery orders Mondays and Tuesday mornings (except for Sept 25-Oct 12)
- Cooking Assistant for our Meal Delivery Program Thursdays
- Occasional special events (please inquire if interested)
Required Reading
Project/Partner Orientation Materials
Students should review the following materials prior to the first partner meeting. Additional orientation materials may be provided at the first partner meeting.
- Check out our services on our website https://www.jfsvancouver.ca/services/food-services/
- Read our Food Security Brochure (request the .pdf from community partner)
- McKnight, John. Asset-Based Community Development: The Essentials (4 page document)
- Community-Centered Food Support and Care for All: A Convening Report (2021)
Additional Materials
- Reimagining & Decolonizing Charity (Indigenous Climate Action)
- Respectful Dialogues Guide (UBC Equity and Inclusion Office)
- Kretzmann, J.P. & Knight, J.L. (1993). Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets (available from UBC Library)
- "Assessing Community Needs and Resources," Community Tool Box (University of Kansas)
- Riley, D.A. (2018). Place-based Storytelling as a Foundation for Neighborhood Planning and Community Development
- Resilient Neighbourhoods Toolkit (City of Vancouver)
Expected Outcomes
Intended Short-term Project Outcome
- JFS staff have greater insight into the lived experience of our clients and the impacts of our food security programs, helping us strengthen our programs and potentially communicate impacts with our funders/donors
Learning Outcomes
Through this project, I think students will learn about...
- The lived experiences of people experiencing food insecurity
- The impacts of community food programs
- Dignified access to food
By working on this project, I think students will develop skills and/or awareness of...
- How to communicate with others with dignity and respect
- How to listen deeply and with intention
- How to communicate impactful stories effectively
By the end of the project, I believe students will come to appreciate...
- The systemic nature of food insecurity and gain respect for those individuals facing systemic barriers to food security.