Toronto's Harbourfront Community Centre Celebrates 15 Years Special

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By KJ Mullins

Sep 19, 2009 in Lifestyle

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By KJ Mullins.

On Saturday the Harbourfront Community Centre in Toronto hosted their 15th Anniversary Celebration. The celebration shows the strong community ties that have been formed in the area.

Like many community fairs the 15th Anniversary Celebration featured activities for the entire family. With hot dogs, baked goods and lemonade residents settled in to enjoy a beautiful sunny day with other members of their community.

This day was especially powerful for one of those residents. Marilyn Roy moved to the area in 1986. She begun fighting then for community services for those that lived in the area. Marilyn was a member of the Founding Board for the Harbourfront Community Centre from it's start in April, 1991. She was there when the first portable building opened on October 15, 1991. She chaired the committee to make Harbourfront Community Centre a permanent structure. That became a reality in October 1997.

KJ Mullins

Harbourfront Community Centre Celebration Marilyn Roy, local hero

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"This delights me in so many ways. This is what a normal community centre looks like. Harbourfront Community Centre gets bigger and better every year.

It took us 15 to 20 years to fight for this privilege. The Harbourfront Community Centre has a huge impact on the neighbourhood and it continues to be part of the growth of this community."

Roy's love for the community is well known in the area. She is a local hero.

KJ Mullins

Harbourfront Community Centre Celebration

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The community centre is the community hub. Housed within the building is the local elementary school, an alternative high school and a busy community space for everything from childcare to cooking classes. Local politicians are often meeting with residents in the meeting rooms to keep everyone up to date.

The youth of the area have plenty of choices for after-school activities. Younger residents often are enrolled in programs that make sure they are safe in the hours between school and the end of their parent's workday. Older youth can learn skills from the friendly staff members that will stay with them for their lifetimes.

KJ Mullins

Harbourfront Community Centre Celebration

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One of those special staff members is Natasha Francis, Community Development Worker.

KJ Mullins

Harbourfront Community Centre Celebration volunteers with Natasha Francis

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"This is really great and the whole community comes out. Overall the community is there when we do things like this."

KJ Mullins

Harbourfront Community Centre Celebration

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The day was filled with music, public speakers, local merchants, and more. Most importantly, though, the community was in force, showing the deep bond of the area.