The Redwood Round Up
On Thursday June 3rd, a group of eight Edelman employees gathered at a west-end Toronto Vietnamese restaurant to discuss their Little Give task. Unlike many of their colleagues, who had been asked by their not-for-profit partners to put their PR know-how to work, this group would flex their muscles, budget and stamina over the next 48 hours to revitalize the community courtyard at The Redwood – a home for abused women and their children.
As a crisis centre, The Redwood is on alert 24/7, with staff and residents welcoming new comers on a continuing basis. One of the most important aspects of any home such as this is not only providing women and children with a safe and secure place to reestablish their lives, but also a place that feels like a home and inspires a sense of belonging and community. Vital to engendering these feelings is The Redwood’s outdoor courtyard – a common area where residents can come together to speak to each other, rest and gather to eat and a where children can be children and play and create. It’s an area without fears or anxiety.
Although the courtyard is a cherished place, it does need constant maintenance and care. And given the regular, myriad challenges The Redwood staff face, caring for this space isn’t often the top priority. As a result, the vitality it once held has diminished over the years. Many of the children’s toys and much of the courtyard furniture are losing lustre from extended use; bricks and mortar are crumbling with age; and gardens that were once the centre of attention have either withered or over grown.