When the community of Dartmouth North makes the news, all too often it's for the wrong reasons. Now a Nova Scotia teenager is fighting back against the perception and stereotypes typically associated with her neighbourhood.

Cheyenne Hardy's father is a dispatcher for the Halifax Regional Police, so she is aware of what is happening in her community. However, she says it doesn't reflect the whole picture.

“I think people focus on the bad things that go on here and I might be young, but I'm not naïve. I know bad things go on here, but bad things go on everywhere,” says Hardy. “I want people to see all of the treasures in Dartmouth North.”

The 15-year-old says she was fed up with people pitying her when she told them where she lived, so she came up with an idea to have people walk in her shoes and see everything her community has to offer.

Hardy created a video that showcases Dartmouth North’s beauty, its attractions, clubs, and most importantly its people.

“I think the more people help the more the stigma will be erased,” says Hardy.

Between The Bridges is an agency trying to address the concerns in Dartmouth North, from education outcomes, to economic struggles and employment barriers. Project leader Bette Watson-Borg believes Hardy is helping facilitate change.

“This is an incredible young woman who is so committed to her community and so passionate about changing the perceptions of the community of Dartmouth North for all the right reasons,” says Watson-Borg.

Hardy’s mother remembers people telling her not to move into Dartmouth North but is glad she didn't listen. She has since raised three children there.

“I think the true beauty is in its people,” says Rowena Hardy, Cheyenne Hardy's mother.

Hardy says she’s working on a sequel as she continues to try and turn around any prejudice or preconceived notions of her home.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Marie Adsett