Halifax’s Hope Blooms looking to expand after reaching capacity

A program aimed at engaging youth in marginalized communities is at capacity and is now looking to grow.

Hope Blooms started in 2008 with just six youth but now have over 60 youth actively taking part in the various programs.

In addition to a small kitchen on Cornwallis Street, the program has a community garden and greenhouse in Murray Warrington Park. It’s there they are hoping to expand.

“Our new proposal is that we are trying to have a global kitchen at the centre of our community,” said Bocard Wade who has been with the program for eight years.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Our new proposal is that we are trying to have a global kitchen at the centre of our community," said Bocard Wade who has been with the program for eight years.

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READ MORE: Halifax kids raise money via door-to-door lemonade sales for basketball court

The idea is for the urban kitchen to be built on the edge of the park near the greenhouse. Some of the programs it will host include youth-led programming, community dinners, culinary classes and film events.

A group of youth along with Hope Blooms founder, Jessie Jollymore, presented their pitch to the community planning committee on Thursday. The committee passed a motion to have a staff report look into it.

District 8 Coun. Lindell Smith said everything about Hope Blooms is great.

“My biggest concern is that they will be asking to take away some of the green space, so as long as the community is on board and are happy with whatever the square footage is then we’ll be good.”

WATCH: Hope Blooms at Canadian Roots Exchange 2018

4:14 Hope Blooms at Canadian Roots Exchange 2018