By Stephanie Harrington
Armed with paintbrushes, power tools, and a vision of community, five of the 29 organizations at the Bronson Centre have left to renovate a new home on Chapel Street.
Heartwood House was created after the owners of the Bronson Centre, the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and its appointed board of directors, refused to allow the five organizations to sit on the board and be a part of the decision-making process.
“It was a very upsetting and painful experience …Community was very important to us. We wanted to be part of the board of directors,” says Hoppy Roy, a counselor for adult literacy at People, Words & Change.
The five organizations were also upset about the controversial firing of executive director, Maureen Moloughney, who the organizations described as a dynamic and caring woman that played a vital part in making the centre a community. Moloughney was fired because she did not support the management direction of the board. No other reason has been given for her dismissal that is described by the former tenants as “a terrible injustice.” Heartwood House has rehired Moloughney as its community co-ordinator.
According to the former tenants, after Moloughney’s departure the relationship deteriorated into a hierarchal landlord-tenant one instead of the “supportive community environment” the centre’s pamphlet boasts.
Keenan Wellar, co-founder of LiveWorkPlay, a program for developmentally challenged youth, says this became apparent when one of the board members described Bronson Centre as a rented “container.”
“You can’t have a community unless members have accountability, responsibility, and involvement … [Originally], we thought we were working toward self-management,” says Wellar.
So, Aphasia Centre; People, Words & Change; LiveWorkPlay (formerly the Special Needs Network); English Language Tutoring of Ottawa-Carleton; and Project 301 decided to pursue self-management at a different location.
Wellar says the Grey Sisters had no reaction to the five organizations’ departure.
Yet other organizations at the centre say they feel the void.
“It’s sad to have seen those groups go. We had a nice community,” says Sonja Cronkhite, community coordinator of Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa.
“Maureen did more than just keep the building running … There’s a sense of friendliness and belonging I think is lacking,” says Cronkhite.
Cronkhite says there are no more monthly meetings or birthday celebrations.
She says it’s been left to the individual groups to create a community.
Sister Zita O’Grady of the Grey Sisters is the new executive director. She declined to be interviewed.
However, Jodie Golden, acting executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society, insists the remaining organizations are working towards a sense of community and have put uncertainty over the centre’s future behind them.
“There were fears in the beginning of what could be a hidden agenda or business plan but those have been put to rest,” says Golden. Some tenants were concerned the Bronson Centre was in financial trouble and could be sold. The board dismissed these rumours.
Golden cites cleaning, painting and extra maintenance work as evidence of a positive new leadership.
The Elizabeth Fry Society and Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa say their clients are unaffected by the other organizations departures. Meanwhile, new agencies like the Aboriginal Rights Coalition and Nonviolent Peaceforce Canada have moved in and other applications are being negotiated.
Despite these changes, the music still plays at the centre.
There are dance lessons taught and band recitals in the evening. Hellos and smiles are still exchanged in the high hallways.
The new home for 12 non-profit groups has been christened Heartwood House, after a purple heartwood guitar that was purchased for Moloughney last year. Beth Shalom Synagogue agreed to rent the old Jewish Community Centre at a discounted rate of $9.50 per square foot, a rate similar to the Bronson Centre’s fee.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation granted Heartwood House $25,000 to study if it was possible to open it.
The rest of the process has been a whirlwind and by June, organizations began moving in.
Its grand opening is October 25, but there are four vacancies still available.
Meanwhile, blackboards, walls, and shelves need to be torn down. Drywall and power tools litter the hallways. Dark plywood lines the walls of the envisioned art gallery and boardroom.
Despite the financial risk and extensive renovations ahead of them, the ten founding board members insist they’re happy.
“We have control of our own destiny. We can say how we want this place to develop and grow. It’s key for everyone to have a voice,” says board member Chris Girard, a counselor for People, Words & Change.
And they have won back a paint-splattered and grinning “Moe” Moloughney.
“I’m absolutely privileged…It’s something I expected never to happen,” says Moloughney.
Other board members are just as happy with her return.
“The second her feet hit the floor it’s been go, go, go,” says Wellar.