About the SPRC
The goal of the SPRC is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Hamilton through strengthening the community's understanding of social problems, developing strategies and the community's capacity for addressing these problems and assisting community groups to implement these strategies.
The Council does this in four ways:
- Research
- Community development
- Community planning
- Developing services
In our research, we identify social trends and issues emerging in our community. The SPRC is a source of research for our community, providing data and analysis of conditions to a wide range of groups and organizations. A good example is the Community Trends in Hamilton-Wentworth Information Sheets which we publish. (see Reports page).
Our community development work includes assisting local groups and organizations to develop plans to address community problems and concerns. Examples include supporting the development of programs for children at risk through the Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) services of Hamilton, as well as helping the formation of organizations such as Volunteer Hamilton and the Settlement Integration Services Organization (SISO).
Our community planning includes providing advice to organizations such as the United Way of Burlington, Greater Hamilton, the City of Hamilton and local communities on the types of services and strategies required in the community to meet local needs. The SPRC was, for example, instrumental in the development of the Community Action Plan for Homelessness in Hamilton.
Developing and delivering services is one of our more limited roles, but has been an important role in strengthening the capacity of Hamilton in responding to issues such as child poverty. We have for example, led in the development of Partners for Nutrition Breakfast Programs for children and the Housing Emergency Loan Program in order to pilot test the value of such programs.
WHAT IS THE SPRC?
The SPRC is a non-profit, registered charitable organization. We are located in Suite 103, 162 King William Street in Hamilton. We are governed by a community-based Board of Directors and carry out our daily work through full-time staff, special project staff and placement students.
WHO DOES SPRC SERVE?
SPRC is mandated to assist a wide variety of community groups and organizations in Hamilton. The following groups receive our services.
- non-profit organizations within the Hamilton municipality
- community groups, neighbourhood associations and special interest groups within the region
- City, Regional, Provincial and Federal Governments.
WHAT DOES THE SPRC DO?
As an independent voice in the community, we believe we facilitate/encourage healthy community change. In working with a variety of community groups, organizations and levels of government, the SPRC: - assists groups to carry out their own research projects including help with drafting surveys through to comprehensive needs assessments and program evaluations; - assists new groups to develop their own goals, objectives and action plans; - carries out policy and trend analyses and informs the community of potential impacts; - supports groups that are organizing themselves to lobby for change; - encourages public participation in local decision-making which affects the community; - facilitates planning and coordination among social service providers.
HOW DOES SPRC DO ITS WORK?
- The SPRC works with groups, rather than individuals, toward achieving healthy community change.
- The SPRC strives to share its skills and experiences so that others can apply these in subsequent work.
- The SPRC encourages equal participation among all citizens in community affairs.
- The SPRC offers the community use of its resources which include Statistics Canada data, "how to" manuals, research reports, etc.
- The SPRC sells the publications which it produces; these can often be used as guides for other community groups processes.
HOW COULD SOMEONE USE SPRC SERVICES?
- Call and ask to speak to one of the planners and explain what you need.
- Call to make an appointment to access the materials and resources - Call to ask us about our current publications list.
- Write us a letter with the details of your request.
The SPRC was established in 1961 and incorporated in 1966. The United Way of Burlington, Greater Hamilton is the Council's primary funder. Additional funding is obtained from the Municipality of Hamilton, purchase-of-service agreements with agencies and other levels of government, membership fees and publication sales.
Read the most recent Annual Report of the SPRC of Hamilton
