If Riverdale residents had their way, they would clean up the neighbourhood, improve their housing and eliminate the crime that festers throughout the community.

And since Hamilton's latest slogan is "the best place to raise a child," parents said they need better education, higher incomes and more and improved parenting programs.

"There is a significant gap in the awareness (residents have) in what is available to them," said Don Jaffray, executive director of the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton. "At the top of the list is the (Riverdale) community centre. They don't understand how to get inside or how to access (the information and services) there."

The information comes from a study spearheaded by the Social Planning and Research Council called "Kids & Community Hamilton: A Parent Readiness Project."

The April 2008 project was funded by the Social Planning Network of Ontario, from Human Resources and Social Development Canada.

The SPRC sent four teams of residents to talk to their neighbours about their views of the community, which is bounded by Centennial Parkway, Barton Street and Queenston Road.

About 50 per cent of residents are foreign-born, with many recent immigrants. Eighty-one per cent of students speak more than 31 different languages.

According to the 2001 Census, the average household income in the Riverdale community is $20,000 lower than the rest of Hamilton and has the second highest number of individuals living in poverty - nearly 3,000.

The area also has the highest percentage number of immigrants and visible minorities living in poverty.

Most residents work in low paid jobs, even though they have earned high education credentials not recognized by Canadian businesses nor most levels of government.

The teams found about 91 per cent like living in the area because they are close to commercial and retail areas. Another 71 per cent liked the fact they were near schools, especially Lake Avenue Elementary School and another 53 per cent liked being close to services and transportation routes.

But 77 per cent were concerned about their children's education, 68 per cent complained about crime and 47 per cent were concerned about housing.

"People have housing issues," said Mr. Jaffray. "How (the housing) is managed and maintained."

Even though the report does not provide recommendations, Mr. Jaffray said the first step in a long-term strategy is to get residents involved in solving the community's problems.

"The people know the issues," he said. "We need to spend more time talking to them, learning from them and getting people to share in the solutions. We need to make the services available to them."

Mr Jaffray said the team members who conducted the interviews were so distressed about the problems they held a community information evening last month to bring residents and city agencies together. But, said Mr. Jaffray, it is only a first step.

Since the report, the Project Advisory Committee has created a Cultural Interpreters' Cooperative to provide services to agencies that could lead to job opportunities for residents. A Tenant Act Committee, with assistance from the Housing Help Centre, has helped form the Riverdale Tenant Action Group to provide information to residents about their rights as tenants.

Moonlit Memory Walk with Dr. Bob Kemp Centre

The Dr. Bob Kemp Centre for Hospice Palliative Care is holding a Moonlit Memory Walk, June 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Parking and registration will take place at Mount Hamilton Christian Reformed Church, 1411 Upper Wellington. The walk will conclude at the hospice, 277 Stone Church Rd.

Participants are invited to a reception after the walk, including candle lighting, music and refreshments.

For information, call (905) 387-2448.