aboutus
We at Creative Community Hive are very grateful to have received support from various artists and crafters from amongst our community over the years. Without their generous offer of space, time and skills we would not have been able to host our pop-up crafting sessions at various locations in Oakville, Ontario.
The Hive provides a creative ‘Zen’ environment for facilitators, as well as community participants, to unwind and recharge.
At this point in time we are a volunteer-led group, raising funds through our fee based programs to fund our FREE community crafting sessions.
We are also fortunate to have a Board of Advisors who give us their valuable advice and suggestions to help steer our program in the right direction.
OurMission
Engage, Enable, and Empower communities through creative expressions.
OurVision
Provide an inclusive, safe and creative space that fosters social and emotional wellbeing for community members from different backgrounds with diverse skills and abilities.
Jennifer Jalal
Founder-Director, Creative Community Hive
"As far back as I can remember, I have always been drawn towards anything to do with visual and spatial design and arrangement, as well as social research, teaching and working in the community. Born and raised in India, I have had an early exposure to various aspects of community development, social entrepreneurship, especially in the field of handmade crafts. My professional and academic experiences accumulated over the last twenty-five years along with a new curiosity to engage and learn from the fields of Art Therapy and Mental health, helped me in initiating a community arts platform like the Creative Hive in Oakville since 2017."
Sigrid Kajiwara
Facilitator, Creative Community Hive
"I worked in fair trade retail and as a companion for a home health organization.
Arts and crafts have been part of my life since childhood. Sharing time with people and inspiring a craft project that triggers a smile is what I am striving towards."
Diya Gill
Board Member, Creative Community Hive
Diya Gill has over 20 years' understanding and experience of not-for-profit organizations, including working with and on boards. With a past in urban planning studies, Diya brings an understanding of the critical role of a robust social fabric in building vibrant communities. She is also an avid crafter herself, and joined the CCH board to champion the organization' unique philosophy of using crafting and craft-based community-building to increase mental well-being in the community.
Archana Vyas
Board Member, Creative Community Hive
Archana, an urban planner by education and profession, has 17+ years of experience working in the government sector supporting various Human Services related initiatives. Throughout her career, Archana’s work has focused on conducting research and developing strategic plans and policies that lead to creating innovative solutions to tackle housing affordability challenges and promoting vibrant healthy neighborhoods and overall community well-being. Archana brings in her knowledge and experience that prove to be an asset to set long-term strategic goals and objectives for the CCH. Archana is an artist herself and enjoys music, baking, and crafting in her spare time.
Javeria Jafri
Board of Director Creative Community Hive
" I have extensive experience working with groups with increased risk of mental health issues, particularly seniors and children, both in India and Canada. As a teacher in elementary school, I employ the power of art to alleviate stress among children and provide them with effective coping mechanisms for managing anxiety. Inspired by the success of these methods, as a Board Member of Creative Community Hive, I am committed to supporting its mission to use creative tools to alleviate anxiety, address loneliness, and promote overall mental well-being among community members."
Board of Director Creative Community Hive
" I have extensive experience working with groups with increased risk of mental health issues, particularly seniors and children, both in India and Canada. As a teacher in elementary school, I employ the power of art to alleviate stress among children and provide them with effective coping mechanisms for managing anxiety. Inspired by the success of these methods, as a Board Member of Creative Community Hive, I am committed to supporting its mission to use creative tools to alleviate anxiety, address loneliness, and promote overall mental well-being among community members."
Shahrzad Dehsarvi
Facilitator, Creative Community Hive
Shahrzad (Sherry) Dehsarvi is a Burlington-based Artist. While she comes from a science background with a Masters in Physiology, her true love has always been in fine arts. As part of her Cancer Survivor journey, Sherry turned to Art to heal and recover and subsequently acquired a Fine Arts degree from Sheridan College, Oakville. Many of her paintings have been showcased at Solo Shows at Queen Elizabeth Cultural Centre in Oakville, MacMaster Innovation Park and Art Gallery of Burlington. She is passionate about sharing her skills especially with the youth through art lessons at her home based studio and with seniors as a dedicated volunteer .
Board of Director Creative Community Hive
" I have extensive experience working with groups with increased risk of mental health issues, particularly seniors and children, both in India and Canada. As a teacher in elementary school, I employ the power of art to alleviate stress among children and provide them with effective coping mechanisms for managing anxiety. Inspired by the success of these methods, as a Board Member of Creative Community Hive, I am committed to supporting its mission to use creative tools to alleviate anxiety, address loneliness, and promote overall mental well-being among community members."
Ourimpact
Our Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, actively identifies the skills, talent and knowledge that participants bring to our sessions, boosting self- confidence, uplifting spirit and reinforcing a positive outlook towards life.
We prioritize accessibility, ensuring ground level access for physically challenged participants. We adapt our crafting skills based on the capacity and interests of the users. We take our programs directly to the identified low-income communities to reduce any barriers of access for residents.
We are diverse and inclusive; our team of facilitators and volunteers represent cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity. Our workshops are open to community members from any faith, race, gender and sexual orientation.
Our upstream approach helps foster social and emotional well-being, reduces the need for incident response and acts as preventive for people at risk of victimization and or harm.
