There is a movement afoot at the Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington, one that is intended to continue to provide services to the community, including new opportunities.
“It was time to review the future of the agency,” said executive director Ron MacKinnon, who noted the lease for the current location at 160 St. Andrew Street had come due.
“Our staff reviewed the possibility of working from home,” he said, adding recommendations were made to have staff work from home offices as a cost-saving measure. Presentations were made to the organization’s board of directors as “a new way to offer our service.”
The not-for-profit community benefit agency offers three major programming services: licensed child care at J.D. Hogarth School, and before and after school child care at St. Joseph’s Catholic School; the Ontario Early Years (OEY) program in both Fergus and Mount Forest; and outreach and support services for the community.
The agency helps clients, both families and individuals, in Centre Wellington, Wellington North, Minto and Mapleton.
“Our service really is out in the community, helping people,” MacKinnon said. “It’s nice for a not-for-profit to be able to use the money entrusted to us, used to go to our services [instead of rent].”
Initially, the three outreach staff – Francis Livingstone, Karin Gerreman and Lauren Petty – moved out of the St. Andrew location, but MacKinnon noted these front-line positions were rarely in the office anyway.
“Our outreach support staff work with individuals and families most in need in the community,” MacKinnon said.
It is the role of these workers to help clients either have access to the organization’s resources or help locate other resources to support their client’s needs.
MacKinnon said the outreach support staff will continue to provide “the best support we can offer,” and will be easily and quickly accessible through one simple telephone number.
By calling 519-843-7000, clients will have the option to leave a voice mail message for their respective outreach contact, a message which will then be sent directly to the email of the staff person (both their Blackberry device and computer).
“The most important thing is to ensure that clients leave a message,” MacKinnon added.
So far, the transition out of the permanent office for the outreach staff has been successful, he said.
“It’s going well. Our staff has been able to be receptive to peoples’ needs.”
Two transportation coordinators will also move to home offices starting May 23. They organize volunteer drivers who take people to medical appointments, food banks, appointments at Ontario Works or Ontario Disability, and other services.
“People can call one number, 519-843-7003 and will be put in contact directly with one of the coordinators,” MacKinnon added.
Perhaps the most exciting move is the relocation of the Ontario Early Years Centre to the Melville United Church, which will take place June 25, he said.
“We are extremely happy to be working with Melville Church. The space is bigger than what we have here and also there is parking available right there.”
Assistant executive director Naomi Melnick says programming will begin at the Melville location on July 2.
“We think it will be a wonderful place for families to come together to participate in the Early Years programs,” she said, adding the programs cater to children up to six years of age, along with their parents, grandparents, childcare providers or anyone with young children.
Last year, the Fergus OEY welcomed in 523 children in 6,838 visits to the centre, along with 425 parents or guardians, with visits totalling 4,931.
“We hope we will be able to offer more spaces for the registered programs and more spaces for the drop-in programs,” said Melnick.
The final office moves will be MacKinnon, Melnick and bookkeeper Mary Ann Hillditch, who will leave the St. Andrew location at the end of June. Like the other staff, they will be reachable through the main phone number. There is no interruption in service expected.
To stay connected as a team, the staff of Community Resources have sought out meeting spaces throughout the communities they support.
“The community has been awesome about the offer to help,” MacKinnon said, noting that the University of Guelph and Centre Wellington Hydro are locations that offered space.
“Some are partnering agencies and some are agencies that we’ve never worked with.”
MacKinnon stresses the commitment to centre services remains the focus.
“There will be no decrease in services at all,” he said. “As a matter of fact, we expect to be able to increase our services in fall 2013.”
MacKinnon referred to a new initiative to support families and single mothers of younger children, creating a package of services specific to that group.
“Not only does that group need support, but they need to be able to help their children get a better start.”
Beginning in September, the organization will offer before and after licensed child care services at Elora Public School.
To contact a member of the team, call 519-843-7000 and follow the instructions. Be sure to leave a message.
For a range of services offered at the Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington, or a list of family programs available at the OEY, visit www.communityresourcecentre.org.
