Neighbourhood Resource Centre
“We see so many people here who live everyday on the edge of crisis and they come to the Centre and just…. breathe.”
~ Juanita MacKinnon, Former Minister, St. Matthews Maryland Community Ministry
For 40 years the lower level of 641 St. Matthews Avenue – the WestEnd Commons – has been a Neighbourhood Resource Centre. Different agencies and community groups work in the Neighbourhood Resource Centre to support and build up the people of West Central Winnipeg.
The 5 agencies and community groups that currently are housed in the Centre are:
St. Matthews Maryland Community Ministry which has served this neighbourhood for 40 years. The Drop-In is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.
West Central Community Program have their offices in the Centre and function in three neighbourhood schools – John M. King, Wellington and Greenway Schools.
www.westcentralcommunityprogram.com
Friendship Sewing Circle meet Wednesday mornings to do quilting and provide support and fellowship for each other.
Thelma Wynne Project has provided layettes for newborns for over 60 years.
Rob Altemeyer Satellite Constituency Office is open two afternoons a week and offers information and support to neighbourhood residents.
Altogether these agencies provide a variety of programs offering:
[1] Basic Necessities (a supplementary food program, emergency food, free telephone, baby layettes),
[2] Mutual Support and Community Building (through daily Drop-Ins and planned activities),
[3] Capacity Building ( through volunteer experiences) and
[4] After School and Summer Programming ( for 3 neighbourhood primary schools).