Greene Avenue Community Centre, more commonly known as Centre Greene, is an independent local Montréal-based non-profit organization which aims to directly service the community with quality social, cultural, and recreational services. We spoke with Executive Director Heather Hodges to learn more about their services which include educational and informational programs, cultural activities, sports activities and more.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Centre Greene is an independent, not-for-profit charitable organization with a strong commitment to the community. We are dedicated to providing quality inclusive social, cultural and recreational services for ages 0-99. We provide many different programs and services supporting education, and informational programs on issues of interest, and aim to improve community physical and mental well-being through sports, recreational and leisure activities. We offer programs like After-School Programs, Summer Camp, Seniors’ programming, Body Neutral fitness, and much more!
What problem does it aim to solve?
This is such an interesting question in the context of Centre Greene’s history. The building that became the Greene Avenue Community Centre was actually once a Unity Boys’ & Girls Club. The building was constructed in the 1940s due to the community’s demand for a space to keep their youth occupied and safe. When the building was sold to the City of Westmount, a group of concerned residents made a case to the city. This building has historically operated as a space for families, youth and gatherings and became the Greene Avenue Community Centre in 1989, with much the same mission. We aren’t necessarily aiming to solve any one problem. We offer programs, workshops, and activities for all ages that reduce social isolation and provide connection to individuals with their community, or even a sense of community for those who may be lacking one. We aim to help, to be a good neighbour, to be the friend you need and we find ways to actively do that, like providing free childcare to families in need amongst other valuable offerings.
When did you start/join it?
I joined Centre Greene in 2014. My first role within the organization was to coordinate the After-School Program and then Summer Camp.
What made you want to get involved?
The genuine kindness that I received from everyone at Centre Greene made me want to get involved in the organization. It became clear very fast that something special was happening within this building. Every person who enters space is important to us. Every interaction is important and it’s in the little things we do every day. There is so much conflict and turmoil out in the world, but Centre Greene is a space where you can always find a little slice of kindness. I get to make a career out of creating moments that inspire the magic behind a senior citizen’s smile, or the excitement in a child’s eyes even for just a moment. It’s such a special place. How could I not want to be involved?
What was the situation like when you started?
It was a much different organization 10 years ago. Our mission has not changed in those 10 years, but there is significantly more demand than there was prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Not only has the demand increased, but the types of services that our participants are in need of have changed.
How has it changed since?
The needs of our community have changed a lot since the pandemic. There are so many more pockets of isolation that we work to reduce. People have a lot of anxieties that didn’t exist prior to the pandemic. We saw a lot of academic anxiety and issues with emotional regulation in children when we resumed operations. There’s a lot more food insecurity popping up too. As a community centre, we have people come to us looking for resources, referrals, and anything that can help. We used to receive people for mainly leisure and recreational activities but in more recent years have been doing a lot more intervention work. Our programs and staffing reflect those changes. It’s a really exciting time to be part of this organization.
What more needs to be done?
Centre Greene and organizations like ours are always desperately looking for continuous streams of funding. There are tons of valuable programs happening all the time, but once the funding source has run out for the project year, we see gaps in those offerings when we can’t secure other funding sources.
How can our readers help?
Advocate and speak up for your local charities! If you see a place that’s doing really great things, let them know. It makes a huge difference for us to get that feedback. Continued interest keeps us going. We only exist to benefit the community. We thrive when people care about us and we care deeply about the people we get to serve. Of course, we are always grateful for donations whether they’re financial contributions, supplies to support community programs, or volunteering.
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes! Centre Greenes invites you to take part in: “The Great Sandwich Marathon” in partnership with Bread & Beyond, a grassroots organization dedicated to addressing hunger and homelessness through community awareness and mobilization. The goal is to make 5000 sandwiches in one day (one for every visible unhoused person in Montreal) to be distributed by Bread & Beyond to 8 local shelters. This sandwich-making marathon will take place on Monday, September 16th. Multiple shifts are available.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local community organization you love?
We have so many incredible community partners that make this so hard to choose! I would have to say our wonderful community partners at Bread & Beyond.
