About Greater Dorchester Moving Forward
Moving Forward is a non-profit, member-driven, co-operative established in 2016 in response to the threatened closure of the Dorchester Consolidated School. Our mission is to help build an inclusive, vibrant community where people, families, and businesses thrive. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and anyone who shares our vision and wants to be part of our Co-op are welcome to apply for membership by writing admin@station8nb.ca.
To sustain our organization, we use a social enterprise business model, starting with the purchase and development of Station8 property in 2019. This beautiful Victorian house is our headquarters and where we deliver most of our programs. It has been renovated from top to bottom and generates revenues by renting out program space and short and medium term accommodations. The next phase of our social enterprise development is the new Community Food Hub that will soon be piloting several innovative social enterprise activities including a cafe, retail outlet for local food, commercial kitchen rentals, a farmers market, and more.
As a co-operative, we practice the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity and are guided by 7 key principles practiced by co-ops around the world including: Open and Voluntary Membership; Democratic Member Control; Members' Economic Participation; Autonomy and Independence; Education, Training, and Information; Cooperation Among Cooperatives; and Concern for Community.
To achieve our mission, we offer a wide variety of programs and activities under three key strategies: Food Security and Sovereignty; Community Inclusion, Engagement, and Development; and Local Trails Development. More info on each is below.
Food Security and Sovereignty
Although this was not one of our original goals, with the impact of COVID that has led to huge increases in food prices, many people in our community were struggling with access to healthy food that we felt we needed to help. We started in 2021 with a provincial bulk-food purchasing program called Community Food Smart and that same year built and installed a large community aquaponics lab at the Dorchester School. In 2022, as the food security situation worsened, we established a Community Fridge that, through the generous sponsorship of a corporate donor, today provides up to 100 local people with a regular and free supply of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and other food items. In 2023, we began developing an innovative Community Food Hub and have now installed a fully-equipped commercial kitchen and space for a wide range of community activities and events. The soft launch of the Community Food Hub is in May 2024 so stay tuned to our social media and News and Events page for announcements! And be sure to check out our special Food Sovereignty and Security page to learn about all our food security and sovereignty initiatives!
Community Engagement, Inclusion, and Development
Moving Forward hosts and partners on a HUGE range of events and activities that bring people together to celebrate our beautiful community, have fun, learn together, and talk about important issues. Come to one of teaching kitchens or workshops, join us for the Sandpiper Festival, start the New Year at the famous Polar Dip, or participate in community dialogues on tourism, climate change, pets, local politics, and more! Better yet, join us as a volunteer or member and have a voice in the co-op! And be sure to follow our Upcoming Events page and social media so you don’t miss all the fun activities!
Local Trails Development
Greater Dorchester has some breathtaking scenery and hiking trails along the Fundy Bay and dotted throughout the community. We have been busy mapping, clearing, promoting, and organizing hikes along these trails and we have several others in development. Check out our Local Trails Page with details of the first ten trails we’ve mapped along with directions and information about parking, what to see, and what to watch out for. Be sure to stay tuned to our News and Events page for announcements about upcoming hikes and trails activities and if you’d like to get involved in our amazing Trails Committee just write us at admin@station8nb.ca
UPCOMING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: JUNE 6 @ 6:00 PM
Contact us today to learn more about how you can become a member or get involved!