theworkingcentre.org The Working Centre was established in the spring of 1982 as a response to unemployment and poverty in downtown Kitchener. The Centre grew roots in the Kitchener downtown through the dedication of Joe and Stephanie Mancini, a young married couple who had just graduated from St. Jerome’s College at the University of Waterloo. They saw the potential for building a community of interest around responding to unemployment and poverty, developing social analysis and engaging in creative action. The Working Centre relied on two community animators at Global Community Centre – Margaret Nally and Patrice Rietzel for support, direction and organizational development. Eventually a board of directors was established and the centre’s projects began to develop. In Ken Westhues book The Working Centre, Experiment in Social Change, he describes the centre in this way. “Two decades later, it has survived as an independent instrument of self-help community development, and has woven itself into the fabric of Kitchener-Waterloo. It has also achieved a certain maturity, coherence and confidence in its approach to work and unemployment and in its conception of itself.” The Working Centre’s main projects give people access to tools to create their own work combined with continuous ways of learning and co-operating. The Working Centre organizes its projects into six areas; the Job Search Resource Centre, St. John’s Kitchen, Community Tools, Access to Technology, Affordable Supportive Housing and the Waterloo School for Community Development. The Working Centre is a nonprofit organization with charitable status that is governed by a Board of Directors. This group of dedicated individuals typically serve the organization in this capacity for five to ten years. Our mode of operation is the building of relationships and trust where each member becomes involved in one or two aspects of the Centre’s work in a way that develops first hand knowledge and understanding. We have been fortunate to be served by individuals who have provided long-term stability and foresight for the Centre. The Board members over the past year have been: President: Arleen Macpherson Vice President: Dennis Eaton Treasurer: Ken Westhues Secretary: Margaret Motz Carol Taylor Andrew Telegdi Bob Nally Visit our Ideas and Influences and Influential Thinkers pages for some of the ideas and people who have shaped our work. Our sources of income include: Employment Services - Province of Ontario, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Targeted Initiative for Older Workers - Province of Ontario, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and Service Canada Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network Regional Municipality of Waterloo Service Canada Youth Skills Link Program United Way of Kitchener/Waterloo and Area Community Tools Projects income Annual Mayors Dinner Annual Golf Tournament A significant portion of our funds comes from the generous donations of individuals, groups, service clubs, events, businesses, churches and schools How to Reach Us For more information about The Working Centre, contact : Phone: (519) 743-1151 E-mail: [email protected] Where and When We Are Location: 58 Queen St. S. Kitchener, Ontario Canada N2G 1V6 Fax: (519) 743-9452 Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Wednesday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm For information about paid and free parking near the Working Centre, view our map. Related Articles Permalink to Article Andrea Horwath visits The Working Centre Posted: Fri, May 31 2013 A short film by Good Work Productions @ The Multicultural Cinema Club documenting Andrea Horwaths visit to The Working Centre in the Spring of 2013. Expand Article Permalink to Article Online Donations at The Working Centre Posted: Fri, Nov 9 2012 We are pleased to launch our online donations website. Expand Article Permalink to Article Article: 30 Years of Community Building Posted: Wed, Aug 1 2012 As seen in Good Work News, Issue 109, June 2012 - click here for the full issue Editor’s note: This year’s 25th Mayors’ Dinner celebrated the 30th year of The Working Centre and recognized the 25 Guests of Honour. Expand Article Permalink to Article Article: Fruits of the Spirit Posted: Wed, Aug 1 2012 As seen in Good Work News, Issue 109, June 2012 - click here for the full issue By Joe Mancini We all recognize when peach, pear and apple trees beautifully flower and produce fruit. Expand Article Permalink to Article Permanent Job Posting Posted: Wed, Aug 1 2012 “If we are serious about creating a sustainable society, then we must ask “What new practices will expand our ethical imagination?”. We have too easily accepted the notion that our economy works best when we are individualistic and competitive in our actions. Expand Article Permalink to Article Doing Good Work Posted: Wed, Jul 25 2012 For those interested in exploring work at The Working Centre, we have prepared an article which provides some background about our approach to work and our Salary Policy. Expand Article Permalink to Article 20 Years at The Working Centre Posted: Thu, Jul 19 2012 By Joe and Stephanie Mancini, Good Work News, June 2002 Expand Article Links Article: Working Centre born of community spirit at TheRecord A retrospective: thirty years of The Working Centre at TheRecord Link Info
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:30:06 +0000
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