North End block party provides optimism amidst concerns over violence

Through a sharedlove of hot dogs, cotton candy and a bouncy castle, a youth organization in the North End is trying to counter negative stereotypes about their community.

"I think we just want to show that at the core there's some really, really good people in the North End," said Andrew Braun, Marketing Manager at Inner City Youth Alive, who organized the event. "People who love their community, care for their community and are working hard to see their community get better and do better."

Braun said it was a record-breaking turnout, with nearly 1,000 people at the 15th annual North End block party, which highlightsthe positivesof their community.

The party shut down Aberdeen Avenue between Salter Streetand Powers Street and featured live music, paired with a discussion about increasing violence in the neighbourhood.

The party gave people a safe space for families to get together, amidstheightened concerns about meth use, vandalism and gun violence.

"The community often gets a bad rap, and it does have its challenges... at its core is just a small town," said Braun.

The trick for Braun was getting families to come out and engage, but with attendance at an all time high, he said there is optimism for change in the future.

"Once everyone is out here it's just a place where kids are laughing, having fun...families are reconnecting."

The block party was the first for Chris Smolders and his son Ash, who was especially excited about having his facepainted.

Smolders and his family decided to move to the North End in December 2018 after living in different areas of the city.

"Its not all violence and drugs and gangs in the North End...we wouldn't have moved here if we didn't think it was a good place to raise our son," he said.

Since moving to the neighbourhood, Smolders has heard several unpleasant remarks about the North End from family and friends, but he believes theblock party is one of the days where the community's true colours are on display.

"There's definitely a stigma to the area and it's nice to see people out here as families, getting together and being a community," he said.

For long-time residents, like Angela Abdillia, the event isa chance for her to take her five grandchildren out for some fun, without any concerns about safety.

"They're not allowed outside because of all the violence, drugs and gangs," she said.

Abdillia said events like this are important in helping people feel safe and said the North Endneeds more of them.