If it weren’t for the Spence Neighbourhood Association (SNA), Linda Bird might not be able to cut her grass.

“I (probably) would be using my scissors to cut the lawn,” the 47-year-old social work student said with a laugh. “I couldn’t find a lawnmower (of my own) that was in good shape and lawnmower services were $20 a week. I don’t have $20 a week in my budget for that.”

Bird is just one of the people who benefits from the SNA’s tool lending library, a project aimed at improving the image of the community, assisting inner city residents with completing odd jobs and supporting the community gardens to grow food locally. Whenever Bird needs to cut the grass at the property she rents, she just borrows a lawnmower from the library.

Located at 459 Furby St. and open to the community year round, this year marks the third summer since the tool lending library started. For an annual fee of $25, people who present the proper identification can sign up to use the library. If they don’t want to pay the $25, or can’t, they can sign up for the sweat equity option. In exchange for three hours of volunteer work, they can have access to the library.

Having access to the library helps people develop skills, says Cortney Sinclair, the SNA’s skills bank co-ordinator.

“ What we are trying to do is create innovative ways for people to be involved – ways that are meaningful to them.

Cortney Sinclair, skills bank co-ordinator, Spence Neighbourhood Association

“What we are trying to do is create innovative ways for people to be involved – ways that are meaningful to them,” said Sinclair. “We really believe in having these different segues for people to have access (to skills and tools) that is comfortable for them.”

The library began as an outgrowth of the association’s skills bank. Two hundred people have registered their various skills, so if someone comes in needing help installing drywall, for example, the SNA connects them with someone who can help.

Sinclair says that the SNA also offers workshops where people can learn new skills, as well as a library of books where they can learn how to do household projects themselves.
“We really want people to feel empowered,” said Sinclair.

Through the connections they make and the skills they learn, Sinclair added, people with lower income can find work in the community.

The skills bank and tool library fit in with the SNA’s mandate to improve the housing, employment and image of the Spence Neighbourhood.

“Ever since the organization established itself, the community already had a lot of distressed properties,” Sinclair said, adding that many people in the area rent. “By being able to fix their own property, they don’t have to rely on their landlord all the time.”

The tool library is currently in the midst of a tool drive. Anyone interested in donating can call the skills bank at 783-9401.