Parkwood Gardens Neighbourhood Group (PGNG) has launched a free weekly cafe program for adults to connect and build new friendships.
PGNG’s The Friendly Bean: Free Neighbourhood Cafe is open year-round every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. It offers a drop-in experience for individuals or friends to come and enjoy free coffee, tea, juice and snacks while connecting with others in the community. The main focus of the cafe is to connect adults, but children can also be accommodated.
The Friendly Bean is located at 50 and 60 Fife Road in the Ecott Community Centre, said Lindsay Duncan, program coordinator with Parkwood Gardens Neighbourhood Group.
PGNG was established in 1996, and is one of 13 neighbourhood groups within the City of Guelph which were all established under the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition.
“Our boundaries are from the Hanlon, Fife Road, Whitelaw, and Willow Road. Although these boundaries are our main service area we welcome anyone to participate in our programs, access our services and join us for community events,” Duncan said.
The purpose of the free weekly cafe is to offer adults a leisure experience without any cost, as well as to bring people together who would have never connected before, said Duncan.
Duncan added that so far people have connected and had a chance to form new friendships that go beyond the weekly cafe. As well, community members are supported and able to find new activities and support services offered through PGNG and throughout Guelph.
The Friendly Bean is just one of many programs and activities organized through PGNG.
Other activities include PD Day camps, the most recent coming up on Friday, Oct. 27; free evening children's programs, including Get Moving Mondays and Lab Rats: Science Discovery Program; ESL classes; an emergency food cupboard and a community clothing closet.
“We have many upcoming events and services for the winter season, such as our annual coat drive and holiday toy drive,” said Duncan.
For those interested in learning more about PGNG’s program, services or events, they can contact PGNG at 519-824-6340, e-mail [email protected], or check out the neighbourhood groups’ website.
To find information about the Neighbourhood Groups throughout Guelph click here.
