Dalhousie has always strived to offer open access to activities and facilities for communities nearby. A new online community hub will now make doing so easier than ever.
The Community Hub was created with a simple yet powerful goal: to welcome more community members into Dal and share all the resources available to them in one central space.
"We hope our new online hub serves as a virtual open door,' inviting people in and encouraging them to explore all the opportunities available to them," says Emilie Mossman, community engagement manager at Dal.
The online hub includes information about all that Dal has to offer community, including places, events, opportunities, and support services. Mossman collaborated with others at Dal and in the community to develop a site that is user-friendly and welcoming for those outside of Dalhousie.
"By meeting people where they are and inviting them in, we are working to build deeper, more meaningful connections with the communities we serve," she says. "I'm passionate about fostering community through inclusivity and belonging. Helping people see themselves included at Dal was a key goal of this website."
Mossman says many people in nearby communities may not yet be aware of the valuable resources Dal has to offer, and this initiative is designed to bridge that gap. Whether it's attending public lectures, concerts, or accessing services like summer camps for kids and legal aid clinics, Dal provides a vibrant hub for connection, learning, and enrichment.
Some key community resources include:
- Dalhousie Legal Aid Clinic - A unique partnership of community groups, law students, legal workers, and lawyers dedicated to justice. The clinic provides legal support, outreach, education, advocacy, and test case litigation to address injustices affecting low-income individuals in Nova Scotia.
- March Break & PD (Professional Development) Day Camps for Kids - High-quality programming led by Dal Tigers coaches, students, athletes, and staff. These engaging sports and recreation camps offer kids an active, challenging, and educational experience while providing parents with flexible options.
- The Dalhousie Family Medicine Clinic - a teaching facility for Dalhousie University's Department of Family Medicine and Nova Scotia Health's Primary Health Care. Using a team-based approach, family physicians, nurses, residents, and staff collaborate to deliver comprehensive care from birth to end of life, built on trust, respect, and shared expertise.
A gateway to partnerships
The community hub also serves as a gateway to connection, collaboration, and opportunity, providing meaningful ways to connect with Dalhousie and its people.
It offers ways to connect to students who are eager to give back in offering their skills through volunteer work, research, and hands-on learning experiences.
"Dalhousie is committed to Nova Scotia's social and economic prosperity. It's important that we are engaged with citizens and communities across the province," says Matt Hebb, Dal's vice-president of strategic engagement."Dal is a big institution and it's not always easy to track what we have going on, or where to go to find answers. The Community Hub is a tool we've developed to make it easier to discover the resources and programs Dal has available. We hope this will create more opportunities for connection and partnership throughout Nova Scotia."
Dalhousie is also proud to be an inclusive employer and a national leader in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) both on campus and in the broader community. Visit the Community Hub to learn more about how Dal is strengthening EDIA and making a difference.
By opening its doors wider to the community, Dal is hoping to foster deeper relationships and ensuring its wealth of resources is accessible to all.
"Whether you're looking for educational programs, cultural events, legal support, or volunteer opportunities, the community hub is here to help you engage with everything Dalhousie has to offer," says Mossman.
Visit the Community Hub now!
Explore, participate, and become part of a dynamic and inclusive community that is committed to learning, growth, and meaningful impact!
