Published in December 2005
The integrated community of St. John’s Kitchen at 97 Victoria will include:
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A Kitchen and Dining area to accommodate up to 300 meals per day. The new space will make it easy to involve volunteers in all aspects of the meal production, improve food storage and food handling, develop space for market food distribution, and create a hospitable multi-use community space for groups and workshops.
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A Medical Clinic offering services to the homeless and to those at risk of homelessness. The Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre will continue to provide primary health supports, an ID clinic, and referrals. Psychiatric Outreach will provide mental health services. Waterloo Regional Public Health will provide flu shots, immunizations, and other primary care.
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A common meeting place for Downtown Outreach Workers
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Showers and Laundry for those who are homeless or not able to access such facilities.
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Upgraded public washrooms designed to serve the downtown homeless
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Job Café on the main floor will serve to connect individuals to part-time work opportunities. The Job Café seeks to “build relationships through work and service”, developing a broad concept of work that enables wide participation by individuals in need of part-time work, but not able to work in the full time labour market.
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Worth a Second Look Furniture and Housewares Retail and Recycling Centre will provide low- cost used furniture and housewares while keeping reusable goods out of landfills. The project combines a retail store with pick-up and collection services, and space to re-furbish usable goods. Settlement packages and vouchers will be available for those requiring essentials to set up a new home. The project will create opportunities for employment, skill development and community involvement.
Renovations Recreate 97 Victoria
The work to revitalize 97 Victoria is in full swing. Renovations include a complete upgrading of electrical, heating, plumbing, roofing, insulation, and windows. In order to keep costs down, we do the construction work ourselves. The Job Creation Partnership of HRSDC has provided us with 8 workers for 6 months each. They gain construction work experience and provide valuable project labour. All of the trades and companies that we have worked with have provided significant contributions of expertise, materials and equipment.
At this time the 97 Victoria revitalization project is harnessing community support in the form of gifts of services, time, and money. Many have supported this project to help make it a reality. A contribution will be an important gift that will serve the community for decades to come.
