London’s long-awaited Community Hub will open its doors on Monday

The new facility, located at 602 Queens Ave, will service people experiencing homelessness and other dire circumstances that create barriers to wellness.

Three years in the making, the Community Hub is designed to be a “supportive environment and based on the core values of dignity, hospitality, inclusion, community, social justice, persistence, and hope,” as described by its creators.

Four local agencies came together to create this space: London Cares Homeless Response Services (London Cares), the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC), and the Thames Valley Family Health Team.

The site, located at the intersection of Queens Avenue and Adelaide Street near downtown London, has a long history in the city of London. According to Sister Margo Ritchie from the Sisters of St. Joseph, the building belonged to Info-Tech before being converted into the Community Hub. Before that, it had been a Baptist church and a private family home. The structure was built by former Mayor of London, Benjamin Cronyn Jr., who originally named the property “Oakwood.”

The exterior of London’s Community Hub. Photo by Rebecca Chouinard.

Brian Lester, the executive director of RHAC, says his organization and London Cares were looking for new office space about four years ago. At the same time, the Sisters of St. Joseph were searching for a new site for their hospitality centre.

“We discovered the beautiful space we’re standing in today, and we began to see the possibility of creating something that has potential to be greater than the sum of its parts,” Lester said. “Rather than just become tenants within the same building, let’s imagine an approach, a collaboration with a vision to create a place to belong for marginalized members of our community.”

The building has now had $3-million worth of renovations. It holds a kitchen, dining area, community meeting space, and an elevator for accessibility. Community members will have access to hot meals, laundry, and showers through the centre. Pets will also be welcome in the hub.

Dining space at London’s Community Hub. Photo by Rebecca Chouinard.

Laundry facilities at London’s Community Hub. Photo by Rebecca Chouinard.

Sitting area at London’s Community Hub. Photo by Rebecca Chouinard.

The main floor has been equipped with office and clinical spaces that will become available to other service providers in the community.

A Flex Office at London’s Community Hub. Photo by Rebecca Chouinard.

Clinical Space at London’s Community Hub. Photo by Rebecca Chouinard.

According to Anne Armstrong, executive director of London Cares, the Community Hub will be a one-stop shop offering an “integrated service delivery model.” Some of the services they would like to offer include mental health and addiction support, income support, and healthcare.

“To address the homeless population, we need to help in a dignified manner. We may not eliminate homelessness, but to give someone the services they need to get out of poverty, will make a world of a difference to that individual,” Armstrong commented.

Mike McMahon, executive director of the Thames Valley Family Health Team, said his organization can bring a wide range of healthcare services that marginalized people have long been alienated from. For many, the Hub will become a home-base for primary care, McMahon believes. 

The Sisters of St. Joseph hospitality centre is already up-and-running. Staffed by a team of volunteers, Coordinator Tracey Morton-Sader says their kitchen offers hot meals charging $0.25 – $1.50 for a full sized meal. If their customers can’t afford the price, Morton-Sader says they would never be turned away. The food is provided by local donors – most notably Metro.

Kitchen at London’s Community Hub. Photo by Rebecca Chouinard.

According to Ritchie and Morton-Sader, the hospitality centre can serve upwards of 400 meals per day.

Starting on Monday, even more services will be offered in the Hub. Armstrong says they will start slowly, welcoming about 10 people at first but soon working their way up to 25 at a time.

The Community Hub will not offer overnight accommodations, but they do plan to connect their clients with other shelters throughout London.

An open-house of the full building will happen later this year, likely in the spring or early summer.