The Working Centre – TWC Interactive

Remembering Arleen Macpherson (1937 – 2026)

Joe Mancini June 5, 2026

On May 9th 2026, we celebrated Arleen Macpherson’s immense contribution to the development of The Working Centre community. For over 30 years from (1987 – 2017) Arleen offered unwavering commitment to support those who have been left out. Her work was marked by her natural ability to combine prayerful reflection with thoughtful action. Her practicality was demonstrated by taking on St. John’s Kitchen and creating a place of welcome and hospitality. This work stretched from organizing and cooking in the kitchen, to walking gently with those facing struggles, to writing and reflecting on poverty and relationships.

A Retrospective on My 17 Year Journey at The Working Centre

Susana Escamilla June 5, 2026

I had the privilege to work for The Working Centre, a truly amazing organization, which feels like a living, breathing organism, with all its parts deeply interconnected. One of those parts is the Job Search Resource Centre, where I spent 17.6 incredible years learning from and giving back to the wonderful community we serve.

St. John’s Kitchen and A Community of Supports

Roger Gilbert March 1, 2026

If you stand by the doors of the new St. John’s Kitchen, you see the constant flow as people come in and out. Some go immediately left to access showers, washrooms, laundry; others turn right to enter the dining room and select a table either alone or with friends. Each day some 350-400 people visit the space.

Building Community with Your Support

The Working Centre December 1, 2025

Dear Friends, It was heartening to welcome 800 people to the 97 Victoria Open Houses. While we celebrated the completion of construction, the stark realities of the struggles people face continue to weigh on us. Our community has so much to give, but the many challenges people face are ever present.

Hope Is A Choice

Stephanie Mancini September 1, 2025

Hope is a choice. Hope is a disciplined and spiritual practice that sustains our work. These do not feel like hopeful times as we witness the despair of people living without shelter or housing, as we receive the growing anxiety of people looking for work in a tightening labour market, as we witness the tightening of funding options and increasing administrative burdens

Open Hearted Work

Roger Gilbert September 1, 2025

I have worked for 25 years in many roles with agencies and services providing support to the community and particularly to those most vulnerable and marginalized. It was always a calling for me from an early age. Throughout those years I worked with so many wonderful people and had experiences and growth from the community I was present with. While the work was always well intentioned, there were systemic blockages which hindered truly aligned work. You could feel the blockages and the dissonance it created for individuals – a dissonance between your work-self and your true-self.

Building Community with Our Neighbours

Joe Mancini June 1, 2025

Remarks by Joe Mancini at the 36th Mayors’ Dinner: There are so many people who are here tonight who contribute to The Working Centre. It is overwhelming to think about the deep generosity that has helped sustain TWC’s village of community supports.

The Working Centre Receives Community Housing Award

The Working Centre March 1, 2025

The Region of Waterloo National Housing Day 2024 Planning Committee acknowledged The Working Centre Family with this year’s Christine Wilson Outstanding Housing Community Worker Award!

40 Years of St. John’s Kitchen

Joe Mancini December 1, 2024

In early January 2025, St. John’s Kitchen will mark 40 years of serving a daily weekday meal in downtown Kitchener. The journey to ensure that the door of St. John’s Kitchen is open each day to continually serve the daily meal and to be a place that people count on, is a major part of our 40 year story. It is also a story of a changing place, of responding to dramatic changes on the ground.

A Year of Movement and Renewal

The Working Centre December 1, 2024

Dear Friends, this past year has been a year of movement and renewal. The structural steel beams creating a third floor for the 44 new housing units at 97 Victoria symbolizes the energy throughout The Working Centre, directed towards building and shifting spaces that make a difference in people’s lives.

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