Our Dream

The following outlines the principles to guide the work and creation of a comprehensive Business Plan to make the Community Centre a reality. This is our dream!

  1. The Community Centre for People of Low Income (forthwith, Centre) will offer a service that provides a place to get a meal, shower, do laundry, socialize, skill development opportunities and get information.
  2. People involved with the centre will work collectively to create a community that is safe, respectful, inclusive, and in which everyone is treated with dignity.
  3. The Centre will be accountable to the public; actions will be transparent and defensible.
  4. The Centre should be located within walking distance of the downtown core and sited on a secondary artery, and shall be housed in an accessible building.
  5. The Centre will be for persons who need or want a place to go to get access to shelter, food, companionship, skill development, information, and referral services
  6. The Centre will offer a warm place to go during the winter months and a cool place to go during the summer months.
  7. The Centre will be multifunctional, inviting and will have:
    a kitchen with suitable fridge and freezer space
    private rooms
    laundry and shower facilities
    space for food donations and storage
    space for computers and other office equipment such as a photocopier and multimedia equipment space for medical/health purposes
  8. The Centre may accommodate on site, other community services and supports by invitation and/or negotiation to meet the identified needs of the communities being served.
  9. The Centre will operate as a local not-for-profit, charitable organization and plans to become incorporated.
  10. The Centre will operate under a collective model of governance, empowering those who participate to make all decisions about how the centre is run.
  11. Staff and Volunteers
    The Centre will ensure there are sufficient resource people, with at least one male and female available on a 24-7 basis and adequately trained to meet the needs. Peer- to-peer mentoring, support and assistance are fundamental to the running and working of the centre.
  12. Education and Training
    The centre and the larger community will benefit from the collective life experience, skills and training of the people who use and facilitate the running of the centre. In addition, knowledge based skills/personal life skills training may be provided at the initiative of the people who use the centre.
  13. The Centre will provide on-site medical, health and other support services such as a nurse practitioner, dental hygienist, and foot care specialist through regular visits. A doctor and dentist should be available on-call. Individuals should also have access to other services as required or desired and will be assisted to make these connections when requested. (E.g. housing, financial, legal, education, employment, treatment).
  14. The Centre will serve individuals from throughout Peterborough County.
  15. Assuming a separate, stand-alone facility, the preferred option is to secure a suitable (existing) building in the downtown area either through purchase or a long term lease.