Downtown Toronto’s Bleecker Street Co‑operative Homes did well at the CHF Canada AGM, winning both the Award for Management Excellence from the Federal Co‑operative Housing Stabilization Fund and CHF Canada’s own Jim MacDonald Award for Social Change.

Bleecker Street was first developed by Toronto’s housing company, Cityhome. It was converted to a co‑op through the efforts of the residents. Since then, the co‑op has improved its financial management, funded its reserves, and upgraded the property.

Bleecker Street co‑op members have worked hard over the years to nurture a community within the co‑op. Since 1990, for a number of apartments, they have given priority on their waiting list to people living with HIV/AIDS and persons leaving abusive relationships. Their small community room is home to such groups as the Kids’ Karate Club, Gay Line Dancers, and Adult Art Class. Their Computer Learning Centre, with 15 Pentium III workstations, is used after school by children and in the evenings for adult classes. In the summer, the co‑op runs a day camp that is free to all co‑op kids.

The major social event of the year is undoubtedly the Annual Dog Pageant, held every December. The pageant is designed to bring members together and help resolve the problems that pets sometimes create in co‑ops. “The dogs get dressed up in fabulous costumes and win prizes, and everyone has a really great time,” says Diane Frankling, Bleecker Street’s manager.

Bleecker Street Co‑operative Homes premiered its latest video at CHF Canada’s AGM in Ottawa in May 2000. Life is Bleecker is a tongue-in-cheek look at everyday life in the co‑op. Living IS Diversity, Bleecker’s earlier video, was first shown at last year’s AGM in St. John’s.

Frankling says the co‑op hired two Toronto filmmakers to create the latest video. The film features candid one-on-one interviews with co‑op members who share a little of their personal lives, their feelings about Bleecker, and their belief in the importance of co‑op housing. “The video really shows our very diverse membership,” says Frankling, “and we want to encourage other co‑ops to start talking about their own communities.”

Bleecker Street didn’t spend much time congratulating itself after the AGM. The co‑op got busy creating a float for Toronto’s upcoming Gay Pride Parade. The float’s theme was “Bleecker Street Co‑op: Built on Heroes” in honour of everyone who has played a role in making the co‑op what it is today – a caring community. This year’s co‑op Pride Committee boasted 20 members, and many more joined in the march alongside the parade float. To cap the celebration, about 200 members attended the Friday-night pride party. Many of the members present are not part of the gay community, but wanted to show support for their co‑op and its commitment to diversity. Congratulations, Bleecker Street.

Check out the co‑op’s Web site at www.bleecker-street.com.