Our History
50 years Serving WellandSince 1974, The Hope Centre has been fulfilling our mission to assist, support, empower and advocate for the most vulnerable members of the Welland community.
Our History
Since 1974, The Hope Centre has helped to build and to strengthen Welland and the surrounding area by providing access to services that help individuals and families that are facing challenges related to poverty including mental health, addictions, food insecurity and housing instability.
The Hope Centre is committed to assisting and strengthening our community by attending to the basic needs of its vulnerable citizens.
In 1974, concerned citizens and organizations within Welland saw that there was a need to bring people together to create solutions for the many social issues the community was facing. Driven by the mission to assist, support, empower and advocate for the most vulnerable members of their community, these volunteers mobilized to form several organizations, including The Hope Centre (previously known as the Welland Community Resource in Advocacy Centre (CRAC).
In the early years, The Hope Centre was based at All People’s Church was run by dedicated volunteers and offered basic food assistance, childcare, and housing advocacy. Learn more about our Origin Story from one of our founders, Betty Ann Baker.
Today, the Hope Centre remains committed to providing all fellow citizens the services they need with compassion and understanding.
The early success of these volunteers gave birth to such agencies as:
- Women’s Place
- Niagara Regional Youth Homes
- Community Legal Services
- All Peoples Day Nursery
- Niagara Peninsula Homes
- Canal View Homes
- McLaughlin Community House