Chalmers Community Services Centre has made a return to downtown after bringing their services for the vulnerable people of Guelph to a newly-renovated space on MacDonell Street.
For about three months, CCSC was operating only out of their west end location after the closing of the previous downtown location at 40 Baker Street, said executive director Peter Gill.
CCSC began operating out of the 41 MacDonell Street location on Aug. 18.
“We have a few last-minute things to do but overall we are happy to be here and our guests are happy to be here as well,” said Gill.
The centre provides various services for the vulnerable people of Guelph, which may include providing food, clothing, hygiene products or household items or the mending of clothing and other items — all free of charge.
No proof of need or income is required, said Gill.
“They come as they are and we hope that we can treat them with respect and dignity — that’s what we try and do,” he said.
A café will open in the front of the downtown centre soon after Labour Day, said Gill — the result of a survey of programs people said they would like to see at the new centre.
“The one thing that came up is social time. People who are vulnerable end up living very isolated lives in some cases,” said Gill.
Refreshments will be provided at no charge and available to take out or to enjoy in the centre.
“They can have coffee, snacks, read the paper,” said Gill.
The need for the services the centre provides is critical for downtown, he said, and the new MacDonell storefront will give the centre much more visibility.
“I hope out of that, businesses and individuals will see how important this is and we can drum up more support and open our doors to as many people who want to avail themselves to our services,” said Gill.
The food provided by the centre is distributed every two weeks in boxes containing enough to last two to three days — intended to supplement what guests can get elsewhere.
“Our philosophy from day one was to give as healthy a basket of food as we could. We had a registered dietician that drew up a basket of things that are needed — produce, fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, etc,” said Gill.
The downtown centre employs two part-time staff, who share 30 hours between them. The rest of the work, including Gill’s executive director role, is done by volunteers.
CCSC also maintains a west end location on Willow Road, behind Three Willows United Church.
Gill notes demand for the centre’s services has gone up since the 2008-09 recession, in part because of an increase in immigrants and other newcomers to Guelph.
“Those people are finding their way, so the demands have really taken off. I don’t think that’s just Chalmers, I think most of the agencies across town would say the same thing,” said Gill.
He added, “everybody has a story. Some of them are heartbreaking, but some of them are inspiring.”
Gill began volunteering with the centre about eight years before eventually taking on the executive director role.
Volunteering gave him a new purpose to his life after retirement, said Gill.
“Being able to connect to people that I never would have known before — or are part of our society that I never had much to do with — I find it very rewarding. I also find it very challenging. There are times I think, ‘man, we have to be doing more,’” he said.
Renovations continue on the third and fourth floors of the building on MacDonell Street and scaffolding still stands in front of the facade.
The centre uses the MacDonell entrance, but the building extends to 42 Carden Street.
CCSC occupies much of the main floor and have storage in the basement of the building.
After renting the previous Baker Street space, the Chalmers board approached 10 Carden (10C), the ownership of the building, to be co-owners by purchasing the portion they occupy.
“We’re a minority owner, but it has given us the stability and the permanence we needed,” said Gill.
