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Category: Other

Sofia on the shoreline

Sofia on the shoreline

Twenty years later, Walter’s granddaughter Sofia Mucci was able to enjoy the waterfront at Murray Street Park. Walter’s own children had known the spot as a great place […]
ISA students as co-op builders

ISA students as co-op builders

It’s important to note that the students of the ISA were motivated by social action, not by the building of houses. The ISA night courses encouraged thought, discussion […]
Co-op homebuilding, Reserve Mines, Nova Scotia

Co-op homebuilding, Reserve Mines, Nova Scotia

The co-operative homebuilders in Reserve Mines studied and prepared for two years, arranging the finances and finally building their first home together, and then the second. All 11 […]
The original co-op families, 1989

The original co-op families, 1989

While many of the original builders still lived in the neighbourhood, others travelled from around the province to participate. This effort was a testament to the esteem in […]
Dominic and Rita Marrocco

Dominic and Rita Marrocco

Dominic was the brother of Francis Marrocco. Rita had worked with the Father Marrocco (later Bishop) in Ottawa at St. Patrick’s College, and there she met her husband, […]
Teamwork was key

Teamwork was key

Working 30 hours on the co-op site per week, over and above their regular jobs, the builders focused first on grunt work. Eventually, they took on some of […]
Sweat equity begins with land clearing

Sweat equity begins with land clearing

The men were so anxious to begin the building phase, they cleared the land themselves. Later, they would mix their own concrete, haul and lay bricks for basements […]
Main Street Grimsby 1950’s, facing west

Main Street Grimsby 1950’s, facing west

More than half the co-op families did not own a car, so it took coordination for 81 men to carpool between Hamilton and Grimsby. Some also worked two […]
Social gathering in 1954

Social gathering in 1954

They would soon embark on the project of a lifetime – building homes together. Although people of all ages participated, many were young and newly married, some with […]
St. Patrick’s College, Ottawa

St. Patrick’s College, Ottawa

The ISA played an active role in promoting the social justice activities of the Catholic Church. The papal encyclicals of the day, letters from the Pope directing the […]