Central Neighbourhood House
Encyclopedia
Central Neighbourhood House (CNH), was founded in 1911 by social reformer J.J. Kelso and is Toronto's second oldest settlement house. It is currenlty located in the Regent Park
area of Toronto
at 349 Ontario Street.
CNH was originally established at 84 Gerrard Street West as a settlement house for new immigrants to "The Ward
", a slum area between College Street
, Queen Street
, Yonge Street
, and University Avenue
which was, until the early decades of the twentieth century, a reception area for newly arrived immigrants. As The Ward was gradually demolished and redeveloped, CNH moved east, relocating in 1929 to Sherbourne Street where it remained until 1970 when it moved to its current location of 349 Ontario Street.
Today, it provides a broad range of vital services to young people, seniors, new Canadians and all members of the downtown east community. The CNH Mission is to "Engage the skills and talents of the people of our community to foster social justice, and to build a vibrant neighborhood where everyone lives with dignity and respect". To that end, CNH provides spaces, services and opportunities that engage all community members in enhancing their quality of life and in building healthy, inclusive neighbourhoods.
Central Neighbourhood House now serves a catchment area which includes the neighbourhoods of Regent Park, Moss Park and St. Jamestown. These neighbourhoods are among the lowest income but also most culturally diverse in Toronto, Canada and North America, and are the first place of residence for thousands of new Canadians each year.
CNH is a member of Toronto Neighbourhood Centres
, an association of over thirty multi-service, non-profit neighbourhood centres in Toronto.
Regent Park
Regent Park is a neighbourhood located in Old Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Regent Park is Canada's oldest and largest social housing project; built in the late 1940s. Formerly the centre of the Cabbagetown neighbourhood, it is bounded by Gerrard Street East to the north, River Street to the east,...
area of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
at 349 Ontario Street.
CNH was originally established at 84 Gerrard Street West as a settlement house for new immigrants to "The Ward
The Ward
The Ward can refer to:*Ward *The Ward , a horror film by John Carpenter*Children's Ward, a British children's television drama series...
", a slum area between College Street
College Street (Toronto)
College Street is a principal arterial thoroughfare in downtown Toronto, connecting former streetcar suburbs in the west with the city centre. The street is home to an ethnically diverse population in the western residential reaches, and institutions like the Ontario Legislature and the University...
, Queen Street
Queen Street West
Queen Street West describes both the western branch of Queen Street, a major east-west thoroughfare, and a series of neighbourhoods or commercial districts, situated west of Yonge Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Queen Street begins in the west at the intersection of King Street, The...
, Yonge Street
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of...
, and University Avenue
University Avenue (Toronto)
University Avenue is a major north-south road in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. At its north end, University Avenue is the site of the Ontario Legislative Building. The eight-lane wide street is the location for several hospitals, numerous office buildings, Osgoode Hall and the Four Seasons...
which was, until the early decades of the twentieth century, a reception area for newly arrived immigrants. As The Ward was gradually demolished and redeveloped, CNH moved east, relocating in 1929 to Sherbourne Street where it remained until 1970 when it moved to its current location of 349 Ontario Street.
Today, it provides a broad range of vital services to young people, seniors, new Canadians and all members of the downtown east community. The CNH Mission is to "Engage the skills and talents of the people of our community to foster social justice, and to build a vibrant neighborhood where everyone lives with dignity and respect". To that end, CNH provides spaces, services and opportunities that engage all community members in enhancing their quality of life and in building healthy, inclusive neighbourhoods.
Central Neighbourhood House now serves a catchment area which includes the neighbourhoods of Regent Park, Moss Park and St. Jamestown. These neighbourhoods are among the lowest income but also most culturally diverse in Toronto, Canada and North America, and are the first place of residence for thousands of new Canadians each year.
Programs and Services
CNH provides a range of services grouped under Childcare, Children and Youth Services, Women's Program, Family Support, Street Survivors, Housing & Community Support, and the Stroke Survivors Club. CNH is supported by the United Way, City of Toronto, Ministry of Health, and numerous foundations and individual donors.CNH is a member of Toronto Neighbourhood Centres
Toronto Neighbourhood Centres
Toronto Neighbourhood Centres is an association of multi-service nonprofit neighbourhood centres located in communities across Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
, an association of over thirty multi-service, non-profit neighbourhood centres in Toronto.