In the Community

Transformation at the Richmond Housing Estate ‐ Lyn Dixon (former North Richmond Tenants’ Association Chairperson)  

The church’s influence at the Richmond Housing Estate has been extremely
positive. As the residents got to know that the church was coming there
voluntarily, they embraced them more openly because to start with they didn’t
really know who all these people were who were coming.

The residents look at it as an extremely positive thing and they are just so
grateful that the church puts on things like the Christmas party and barbecues;
events that bring the community together.

The work with the estate’s children, particularly through Bridge’s Sunday
morning kids outreach program, is a real highlight. A lot of these kids never
leave the estate so to get in a bus and go somewhere, even if it is only five
blocks away – and to have a chance to get out and be themselves – is just
great. The kids just love it and they’ve grown to see some of the people as
mentors, which is fantastic.