UNITED WAY VISION OF A

PERMANENT HOME BECOMES REALITY

After 62 years of service to the Chatham-Kent community, the local United Way has a permanent home – thanks to the generosity of the Fisher Family. The organization took ownership of its facility at 425 McNaughton Avenue West on Monday thanks to the acquisition of a vendor take-back mortgage.

“We’re now making mortgage payments instead of lease payments, “ said United Way’s Executive Director, Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, “and building equity in our very own facility”. This is a 25 year ‘dream come true’”. The organization’s intention is to run a modest capital campaign over the next four years to pay off its mortgage. “Once the mortgage is paid in full,” said Kirkwood-Whyte, “there will be even more funds to invest in local charitable programs and services.”

The organization moved to its current location on 2006 APR 01 and began – in earnest -to build a vibrant multi-tenant, mixed-use community resource centre. The concept is working and those at the facility can see the benefits. The St. Clair Catholic District School Board “Step Forward” Program is one of six other tenants in the facility. Deb Crawford, Superintendent of Education, said “Our team was able to find a welcoming home for the newly established alternative school at 425 McNaughton Avenue West. The United Way has welcomed our students and teachers with open arms. They have mentored our students, provided co-operative education opportunities and helped our students achieve their community service hours within a supportive and positive
environment.”

The United Way Centre for Community Innovation, affectionately called “The 425” is currently home to several other local not-for-profit organizations – Cultural Coalition of Chatham-Kent, Chatham-Kent Block Parent Program Inc., Family Group Conferencing (a program of Chatham-Kent Children’s Services), Changing Ways, St. John Ambulance as well as United Way’s own Volunteer and Information Services and long standing Good
Neighbours Department.  In addition, the facility is also utilized, on a regular basis, by the CNIB for their Low Vision Clinics, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for their COPD classes and Chatham-Kent Drug Awareness Council, Prosperity Roundtable (aka Roundable on Poverty Reduction) and Habitat for Humanity for their monthly meetings.  These organizations benefit from shared office equipment (photocopiers, faxes,telephone and internet) and shared space (a kitchen, Board Room, Training Space and Library).

Future plans include renovation of the centre core of the building to better accommodate the alternative school and training area, a redesigned kitchen to facilitate cooking classes and meeting catering, additional file storage and a new central reception/waiting area. United Way of Chatham-Kent will be looking for community partners to assist with the proposed renovations as well as the capital campaign. Those wishing to help are encouraged to contact Karen Kirkwood-Whyte at 354-0430 or e-mail karen@uwock.ca.