Federal funding grants Thornhill centre greater accessibility


Yorkregion.com
Jan. 28, 2015
By Simone Joseph

The Jewish Russian Community Centre is about to get much more accessible following a $50,000 funding announcement by Thornhill MP Peter Kent.

On behalf of Jason Kenny, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, Kent announced he was awarding the Enabling Accessibility Grant to the centre.

This grant will be used to eliminate barriers to accessibility in the building by constructing an access ramp, installing a barrier-free washroom and making the doorways and hallways safe for people with disabilities.

The grant will provide more than just a better, more accessible centre, said Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman, the branch’s director.

For some, it will provide much-needed companionship and activity.

“This will give them the ability to come out, be part of society, be less isolated,” he said.

The community centre is currently located inside the Gallanough Resource Centre in the area of Centre and Yonge streets in Thornhill.

However, the new centre will be located inside a Minto low-rise condo in the Yonge Street and Arnold Avenue area, north of Mr. Lube.

Rabbi Zaltzman predicts the new location will make a big difference to people shut out by the old location’s barriers. For example, one woman in her mid-60s had been coming to the centre, but stopped when she had two minor strokes in the last couple of years.

“She’s looking forward to the centre. When it re-opens, she will start coming,” Rabbi Zaltzman said.

She used to come to the centre with a walker, which eventually gave way to a wheelchair. Stairs at the current centre prevented her from attending.

The new centre is one level and will be 100 per cent accessible, the rabbi said.

The centre took over the new space in August.

It will offer a seniors program once per week.

The new centre is about 5,000 square feet and will likely be home to 100 or 200 visitors per week.

Renovations to the new location are expected to be finished by the end of March or early April.