Financial constraints at Centretown United Church have prompted congregation members and officials with Centre 507 to consider relocating the outreach service that recently marked three decades of providing support to the city’s most vulnerable people.
For the past 31 years, the adult drop-in centre housed in Centretown United at the corner of Bank and Argyle streets has provided valuable assistance and resources to the local community, specifically those who live without adequate housing, health or employment services.
But, the increasing cost of building repairs and the declining congregation have put financial pressures on the church.
Centre 507 was initially planned as a temporary measure but then expanded to a permanent one after the founders realized there was an ongoing need for such a service in Centretown.
A church committee was formed and modeled the service after a popular drop-in centre in Sandy Hill called Centre 454.
Even though Centre 507 has established itself as an important institution for the community, it’s still supported by the United Church of Canada and closely tied with the congregation members of Centretown United.
People who use Centre 507 receive food, water, coffee and hygienic products, for example.
However, the centre has been exploring new ways to help the community by offering workshops or programs on finding employment, managing emotions and resume writing.
Despite establishing its role as a key Centretown institution, the idea of relocating Centre 507 for financial reasons is a possibility.
“Moving Centre 507 is one of many options,” says Nancy Desjardins, the church’s office administrator. She adds, however, that “there are no definite plans to move the centre.”
However, two committees have been struck in order to discuss ways for the church to ensure its long-term financial stability.
The committees are specifically looking into a five-year plan for managing the church, Desjardins says.
Centre 507 relies on the City of Ottawa for most of its funding, but also receives financial support from the provincial government and community donations.
Other ideas being bounced around include charging honorariums from groups that use the church’s space and asking choirs for donations when they give a concert at Centretown United, Desjardins says.
According to Centre 507 board executive member Ross Snyder, officials at the centre have been keeping at watchful eye on the various issues the church has been considering.
“Obviously, since (Centretown United) is the host of the organization, there’s a lot of interest on what outcome will be,” he says.
Snyder insisted that the church and Centre 507 had enjoyed an amicable relationship and is confident that Centretown United would immediately inform the centre on its potential options.
Still, Snyder says that Centre 507 is prepared for any plans the church pursues.
“Once they have made their decision, then we will act accordingly,” he says.
For Jeff Allen, Centre 507 is more than just a space at Centretown United Church.
Allen says he’s been coming to Centre 507 for two years and considers its location to be ideal due to its proximity to the downtown core.
Relocation of Centre 507 would create a void for the community and would even prompt people to look at risky ways to receive basic items.
“It would result in probably more people on the street begging for money (and an) increase in crime rate since people would do things illegally for food,” he says.
To him, Centre 507 represents a feeling of belonging and a chance to learn from other people with similar circumstances.
“(There is) a social aspect in coming here and being able to socialize with people who are in the same social situation,” he says.