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Accordingly, the church began advocating for suitable space for activities and, in cooperation with local residents, launched three programs: clothing distribution, the Woodland Nursery School, and a teen drop-in centre. Later, in 1968, the Church joined with Family Services Association, Children's Aid Society and Public Health Department to form the Warden Woods Community Services Unit, a co-operative inter-agency effort virtually unique in Canada at that time. The Community Centre at 74 Fir Valley Court was built in 1970 with leadership and capital funding supplied by Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. This facility provided the opportunity to improve, and added important new services such as crisis intervention and support services followed.
Today, Warden Woods Community Centre is no longer run by the Mennonite Church or other external agencies. Since incorporation in 1985, it has been governed by a local board of directors, with continued financial assistance from the Mennonite Church, all three levels of government, the United Way, and others. This change reflects the strong conviction held by the Centre from the beginning; which is, the importance of "being with" the local people rather than "doing for" them. In practical terms, it has meant seeking local input, hiring local residents, promoting local leadership, and implementing local decisions. It has also meant striving to build interdependent relationships based on mutual respect and a wholistic appreciation for each person's social, psychological, educational, cultural, physical and spiritual development. |
Our hearts have been in the community now for more than 30 years. We are committed to long-term solutions - not quick fixes. 1973 - Established the Elderly Persons Centre, Meals-on-Wheels, Home Support 1977 - Major new satellite program was launched at Teesdale Place 1985 - Incorporated & became a United Way Member Agency 1996 - Addition of an Adult Day Service for the Frail Elderly 1998 - Early Childhood Services expanded to include a caregiver & child drop-in program 2001 - Started a Supportive Housing program at Byng Towers 2003 - Added after-school & family support programs at Birchmount & St. Clair |
Warden Woods Community Centre began as a Mennonite Church response to the needs of residents in a new government housing project in southwest Scarborough. Built in the early 1960s to accommodate 347 families and 392 senior citizens, Warden Woods had no recreational facilities and few public amenities.
Over the years, the Centre has kept pace with the changing needs and profile of the community through the delivery of cultural, social and recreational programs to various ethnic communities by staff that reflect the rich cultural mosaic of the neighbourhood.