Vignettes from Welcome Inn Community Center

Joel* refers to his brothers and sisters as his “kids.” He is six and the oldest of five children. Joel has become the parent figure in a family which is financially and emotionally stretched.

The Learning and Fun after school mentoring program at Welcome Inn Community Centre is a place where he can relax and be with friends.
He eats an enormous amount of snacks at Welcome Inn because he does not get enough to eat at home. We encourage Joel to take the leftover snacks home to his “kids” so that they can eat too.

School is a trial for Andrea*. In grade four, she cannot read or recognize letters. The teachers in her school do not have time to give her the attention she needs, but pass her on to the next grade so she can stay with her peer group. She often acts out, embarrassed by her lack of facility with reading. Margaret*, a retired teacher and volunteer at the Learning and Fun program works with Andrea to develop her reading skills. With Margaret, Andrea has found both a teacher and a friend who has given her hope.

Hamilton’s north end is an unusual place to find a program to help with small business development, but for Joanne, Welcome Inn’s ‘PLAN’ is a dream come true. Like many others living in the north end of Hamilton, Joanne, struggles to make ends meet. ‘PLAN’ has allowed her to develop business ideas in a safe and supportive place. According to Joanne “You need to know that you can better yourself and that your ideas are important. I was in a real shell and this program brought me back out. I am so thankful for everything they have done.”

Other north end residents also testify to the success of this program which helps to build a resilient community.

“I realize I am a worthwhile person. I don’t need to believe that I can’t do it, because I am going to make use of my talents and my abilities, I am doing something worthwhile.” - Betty

“This program helped me build the confidence to articulate what I need and to ask for what I want. This is by far the best opportunity out there to help you get focused on your idea. If I’d been working on my own, I might’ve just given up.” – Ted

*not their real names