Community centre for St. John’s Kitchen gets federal boost
A new home for St. John’s Kitchen and community space is one step closer to opening thanks to a grant from the federal government and community donations.
Operated by The Working Centre, the Victoria Campus Community Centre is meant to be an inclusive, sustainable and welcoming space for drop-ins, shared meals and activities for those in need.
It will be built at 97 Victoria St. N. in Kitchener and supposed to include 44 transitional housing units.
Waterloo MP Bardish Chagger was at the site Thursday to announce a $2.2 million investment in the project, through the federal government’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
“The food service area will have large windows to bring in light and contribute to an open concept atmosphere that is welcoming and allows more flexibility for use of the space,” she said. “Public bathrooms, laundry facilities and on-site storage will also be included.”
The Victoria Campus Community Centre is expected to help around 2,000 people who are experiencing homeless and precarious housing conditions in Waterloo Region.
The Working Centre was established almost 40 years ago in response to the poverty and unemployment seen in the community.
Joe Mancini, The Working Centre’s director, said they’re contributing $6,101,481 through community fundraising to the project.
“The contribution ensures that through the use of heat pumps, electric appliances, insulation, solar panels and energy efficiency, the new building will achieve substantial reductions in carbon emissions,” Mancini explained in a news release.
The Working Centre also got a $150,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to purchase kitchen equipment in July 2024.
They broke ground at the new site in August 2023.
The Victoria Campus Community Centre is expected to open sometime in 2025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Real GDP per capita declines for 6th consecutive quarter, household savings rise
Statistics Canada says the economy grew at an annualized pace of one per cent during the third quarter, in line with economists' expectations.
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
Class-action lawsuit on 'opioid-related wrongs': Court to rule on drug companies' appeal
Canada's top court will rule Friday on the appeal of a class-action lawsuit meant to recoup some of the costs associated with British Columbia's opioid crisis from major drug makers and distributors.
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.
Irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attack and stroke, study suggests
Sleeping and waking up at different times is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even for people who get the recommended amount of sleep, according to new research.
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
Trudeau Liberals' two-month GST holiday bill passes the House, off to the Senate
The federal government's five-page piece of legislation to enact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised two-month tax break on a range of consumer goods over the holidays passed in the House of Commons late Thursday.
Nick Cannon says he's seeking help for narcissistic personality disorder
Nick Cannon has spoken out about his recent diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, saying 'I need help.'
Notre Dame Cathedral: Sneak peek ahead of the reopening
After more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, Notre Dame Cathedral showed its new self to the world Friday, with rebuilt soaring ceilings and creamy good-as-new stonework erasing somber memories of its devastating fire in 2019.