($10,000+ donation)
Bill Noble
The United Centre
The Centre is an innovative, visionary, community-based project of the United Way of Perth County wherein a variety of not-for-profit and social service organizations share space, equipment, and human resources. The shared economies decrease overhead costs, ensuring that maximum budget dollars are allocated to direct service and ultimately enhancing our collective ability to respond to community needs.
Located in the heart of the downtown area, the United Centre provides much needed office and meeting space, up-to-date technology and support staff for a number of organizations. Other community based groups, such as the Affordable Housing Action Committee use meeting rooms and administrative meeting space and administrative supports to many others.
With the support of the community, the United Centre will become a model for sharing resources, developing partnerships and maximizing potential.
Vision
We envision a community wherein not-for-profit, charitable, and community organizations maximize their potential to assist citizens throughout the county to realize an exceptional quality of life.
Mission
The United Centre exists to provide low cost rental space and shared staff, facilities, and equipment to local organizations in order to enable them to focus their limited resources on serving people in need in our community.
History
In 2001 the Board of Directors of the United Way of Perth County realized that the building that had served them well for five years was becoming overcrowded and lacked public visibility and facilities necessary to operate in the best interests of funded agencies, donors and volunteers.
Recognizing the long standing financial struggles of its member agencies and other community based organizations, Board Members envisioned a centre that would accommodate a number of organizations in a central locations, provde them with equipment and facilities that they would be unable to fund individually and encourage partnership and collaboration in a variety of ways. With this vision in mind, the Board began its search for a new location.
In March of 20003, the Board of Directors voted to invest its endowment fund in a three storey building at 32 Erie Street, eliminating the need for a commercial mortgage and its associated interest. In September of 2003, the Property Committee began an extensive audit of the building to identify rennovation priorities.
To date, much has been accomplished. Office spaces have been rennovated and made available to tenants. Shared facilities (media/technical room, lunch room, meeting rooms, phone system) have been added. Shared resource and administrative staff support tenant organizations and community based groups.
($2,500 - $9,999 donation)
City of Stratford
David J. Barenberg, Barrister and Solicitor
Bickell's Custom Flooring and Decor Centre
Festival Furniture
Fred Groenestege Construction
Ideal Supply
Lloyd's Electric of Stratford
Parson Associates
Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation
Woodecor Ltd.
Builders:
(up to a $2,499 donation)
Bruce E. Kropf Masonry
Crane Plumbing Corporation
Dr. Kenneth Marshall
Hudson's of Stratford Ltd
Logan Contracting
Nicholson Concrete
Union Gas/Duke Energy