Providing a helping hand: WICRC aids the community and local organizations

BY MELANIE SCHULER

The West Island Community Resource Centre (WICRC) provides support and lodging to numerous West Island based organizations including ADD family resource centre, L.O.V.E (leave out violence) and the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. The WICRC started back in 1982 when it supported 60 local groups. Since then the amount of groups supported by WICRC has grown as well as the database that contains over 3,000 files on programs, community activities, services and support groups. The services offered at WICRC are aimed towards the community’s citizens in need such as seniors, low-income families, youth and citizens living with disabilities. WICRC’s main objectives include providing referral information, researching the health and social needs within the community, educating the population on available assistance and resources and offering space for other groups and organizations to meet. “A large part of our mission is to promote community initiative. We see the needs of the individuals coming in to the centre and that’s how we know what programs we need to develop,” said WICRC co-ordinator Ann Davidson.

The West Island Community Resource Centre has multiple publications to provide the community with information. Accessible West Island is a resource guide for people living with special needs and is available in book form or on CD-Rom. The West Island Seniors Index is a reference guide providing information on services for seniors. The Tips and Resource Guide is a booklet organized for any one living on a low-income salary. In addition to this booklet, WICRC offers a budget strategy system in which volunteer and staff provide income information to West Island citizens. West Island Youth Resources contains information on CLSCs, local police, criminal offences etc. for young teens living on the West Island. The CRC holds networking lunches that provide an informative discussion by professionals on youth development and gives community leaders and the public the chance to build a partnership with one another.

“The networking lunches began as a way for community leaders to come together and offer a multi disciplinary gathering and to look at issues that are relevant to address at the present time,” Davidson said.

Centraide of Greater Montreal, West Island Communities Shares and local municipalities such as Pointe Claire primarily sponsor WICRC. All the services offered at the WICRC are free.

To find out more information or upload one of the above mentioned guides and resources visit www.crcinfo.caor or call 514-694-6404. The centre is located at 114 Donegani Ave., Pointe Claire.