Report

This report summarizes the findings from a needs assessment conducted for Community Justice Initiatives (CJI) of Waterloo Region, a non-profit organization offering restorative justice services. Through a focus group and individual interviews with members of various sectors, organizations and businesses, researchers collected information about the need for mediation services in Guelph-Wellington. The report also discusses possible obstacles to the implementation of such a service. 

Starting in 2016, the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute has taken on a number research and knowledge mobilization projects to support the efforts of the Guelph-Wellington community to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for immigrants in the context of the Syrian refugee crisis. These projects are part of our commitment to provide timely and engaged research supports, and leverage the University's research expertise for community benefit.

This report was completed for Farm and Food Care Canada. It analyses six case studies from various initiatives in order to better understand what facilitates the diffusion of innovation and pro-environmental behaviours. Doing so, this report also identifies predictors of behaviour change and popular theories of behaviour change and discusses general trends and potential obstacles for organizations trying to promote environmentally friendly behaviour.

This report presents the results of a needs assessment conducted in partnership with the East Wellington Community Services and the Rural Seniors Advisory Group. The main objective of the project was to understand the needs of older adults (50+) in East Wellington in order to inform future service improvements and allocation of funds received by the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat in the region. A survey was conducted to assess respondents' participation in activities such as social activities, volunteering, health and wellness, support groups and educational activities.

This project was conducted in partnership with the Guelph Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women. It was conducted to inform the Federation's programs to support women in Guelph-Wellington in seeking public leadership roles and running for political office. The report builds on a literature review produced by the Department of Political Science at the University of Guelph. It shares findings from 16 interviews and 3 focus groups looking at obstacles and motivations for the participation of women in politics, as well as possible solutions and supports.

This research was conducted to assess the value and overall effectiveness of the Ontario Municipal Energy Managers Community of Practice, founded by the City of Guelph. The report summarizes the results of surveys and interviews conducted with members of this community of practice in order to better understand ways in which this group could be improved and expanded in the future.

This report was developed for the Guelph Community Health Centre. The needs assessment looks at addressing food insecurity in the Grange Hill East neighbourhood of Guelph through a mobile food market. There is evidence that mobile food markets have been successful in increasing food access, particularly fruit and vegetable intake. Most participants of this community-based research project indicated at least some interest in attending a mobile food market. There were clear findings with respect to participants' preferences for the form and function of the mobile food market. 

The MiC conference organizers and the Guelph Lab partnered with the Research Shop to prepare materials for the conference that would be used to enable attendees to see themselves as “innovators,” and encourage discussion among attendees surrounding their respective experiences with and perspectives on innovation. The community partners identified a need for conference attendees from diverse professional backgrounds to be able to identify different kinds of innovation in order to recognize their work as innovative. 

This report presents findings from a literature review of programs in North America that provide fresh produce in convenience stores. More specifically, this review sought to identify programs that utilized convenience stores as a channel through which to provide fresh produce and healthier food options at more accessible and affordable prices in lower-income neighbourhoods that were situated within food deserts. The main goal of this report was to contribute to the development and expansion of food access programming led by The SEED, a community food project based out of Guelph, Ontario.