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 residents access to our Community Lunch Program, Food Bank, Housing Stability programs and many other services.
Hope is an individual’s virtue, and personal empowerment is the essential element that fuels The Hope Centre’s approach to delivering one-on-one services. Our involvement in community development and advocacy work is guided by our core values: Stability, Direction, and Empowerment.
The Hope Centre was formed in 1974 (originally known as Welland Community Resource and Action Centre – WCRAC) by a group of concerned citizens and organizations who recognized that there were several people who were falling through the cracks of the social welfare system.
Originally housed at All Peoples United Church, The Hope Centre was entirely run by dedicated volunteers and offered food assistance, childcare, and advocacy.
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 and Tenants Association