Past-president Hubert, filling in for President Vince, currently on vacation in Italy, welcomed all to the meeting today
Our guest speaker today was Joe Mancini, director of The Working Centre. Joe was part of the group that established A Better Tent City back in 2020 and over the past several years our club has developed a strong relationship with ABTC.
Joe was introduced by Secretary Bill.
Joe and Stephanie Mancini established The Working Centre in the spring of 1982 as they were completing university. They made a long-term commitment to develop a community-based response to unemployment and poverty. Rooted in downtown Kitchener, the project areas of The Working Centre serve well over 1000 people each day, including employment and financial problem solving, meal production and distribution, St. John’s Kitchen and outreach, affordable and supportive housing, emergency shelters, and social enterprises. The 30 projects of The Working Centre operate out of 14 commercial buildings and multiplex houses. Joe and Stephanie have been widely recognized for the creation of The Working Centre including the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Francis, the Order of Canada, and Honourary Doctorates from the University of Waterloo.
Here are excerpts from Joe’s presentation.
The Working Centre is a volunteer inspired venture that seeks to give access to tools and opportunities to build community
Building Community for Over 40 Years
The Working Centre started in May 1982 as a response to unemployment and poverty in downtown Kitchener.
40-plus years later we have survived as an independent instrument of self-help community development, which now includes:
- 30+ projects
- 170+ workers
- 14+ buildings owned and renovated
- 400+ volunteers
Building Blocks of Our Living System
The Working Centre acts as a dynamic living system that grows and evolves from fundamental building blocks. The building blocks make up the DNA of our living system.
Our Community of Projects
Our projects, staff, and volunteers work together in an interconnected village of supports.
Our projects, staff, and volunteers work together in an interconnected village of supports.
Locations in Downtown Kitchener
- St. John’s Kitchener & Making Home Project – 97 Victoria St. N.
- Job Search Research Centre & Maurita’s Kitchen – 58-66 Queen St. S.
- Fresh Ground & Market Lane – 256 King St. E. / 37 Market Lane
St. John’s Kitchen
St. John’s Kitchen welcomes 400+ people daily to access a variety of supports:
- Meals served inside, and prepared meals are distributed
- Washrooms, showers, and laundry
- Outreach supports, medical and dental care
Since July 2026, SJK is now open 22 hours each day 7 days a week offering further shelter, safety and support.
Outreach & Healthcare
Our Outreach Teams and Health Supports help those who are homeless and at-risk of homelessness
- Street Outreach
- Fixed Outreach
- Housing Outreach
- Specialized Outreach Services (SOS)
- 87 Victoria
- Community Dental
- Medical Clinic (Making Home Project)
The Work of Shelter
- 24/7 staffing and all the complications that brings
- dealing with the results of addictions and mental health episodes like delusions, anger outbursts, catatonic states, paranoia, and violence
- dealing with the long and short term effects of overdoses such as acquired brain injury
- providing meals all day long
- responding to visitors and those who need a bed when we are constantly full
- building housing outreach teams to help people get connected to the minimal housing opportunities
- building medical outreach even while people in the shelter have major medical needs such as congested heart failure, diabetes, punctured lungs, incontinence, amputations, frostbite, cancer
Housing and Social Medicine at 97 Victoria
- 22 units on second floor are held in partnership with the Region of Waterloo
- 22 units on third floor are held in partnership with Waterloo Region Health Network to provide housing for those with complex health and mental health challenges
- Housing is offered with 24/7 on-site supports for harm-reduction, trauma informed support, access to healthcare and community support
- 3000 sq. ft. Social Medicine Clinic provides a range of services and supports through clinic nurses, outreach teams and community partners
Cabins on Ardelt
- A Better Tent City established in 2020 by Ron Doyle and Jeff Willmer
- In July 2026, TWC partnered with Region of Waterloo to takeover and manage the site on Ardelt Ave.
- Renovation work is needed and a washroom will be added
- Cabins are home to 55 individuals
- TWC provides meals, maintenance, housing and outreach team support
Meal Preparation and Distribution
Our Commissary Kitchen on Queen Street prepares 700 meals each day and 200,000 meals annually for distribution to St. John’s Kitchen, and to community based housing projects, plus hampers to motel rooms.
Work and Livelihood
The busy Job Search Resource Centre at 58 Queen St. S helps thousands of job seekers annually, connecting them to work opportunities, job search support, meetings with employment counsellors, writing resumes, and researching career paths.
The Money Matters Hub connects people with a Financial Inclusion Outreach Worker for assistance with income tax, budgeting, community resources, government support programs, and problem solving. Our 2024 Tax Clinic helped to secure $9.4 million in benefits for individuals and families.
Queen Street Commons Cafe
- Queen St. Commons Café re-opened in 2026 after renovations and upgrades
- A friendly and inclusive community hub in Downtown Kitchener that welcomes all
- An events space that hosts community discussions, live music, catered gatherings
- Plant-based food and fresh roast coffee are served daily
Enterprise at 256 King St. E & 37 Market Lane
- Steps from the Kitchener Market, our Fresh Ground location includes two separate buildings, three Community Tools projects, and housing units on the upper floor.
- Fresh Ground Café offers a plant-based whole food, freshly roasted coffee and vibrant gathering space for friendly conversation.
- Recycle Cycles is a community bike shop with volunteer assisted do-it-yourself bike repair and maintenance. Refurbished bikes are available for purchase.
- Worth A Second Look is a thrift shop that re-uses and sells items at affordable prices. Items include furniture, housewares, small appliances, electronics, games, toys, tools, jewelry, and much more!
Visit our website:
www.theworkingcentre.org
Explore our projects and ideas in depth:
www.twcinteractive.org
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