[Editor's note: The following is a press release I received a couple of days ago which was issued jointly by NCJW, The Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre, and the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.
There are a couple of questions that arise out of the release sent below.
1.Once NCJW sells the Gwen Secter building on 1558 Main, what will its next "next big project" be?
2. Where will the seniors involved with Gwen Secter hold their future programs once the building on Main Street is sold? (They will need access to a kosher kitchen, and a social hall, and will no doubt want to hold programs in the South End where the heart of the Jewish communty resides)
-if the Community buys the Herzlia synagogue building (negotiations are continuing and I am told that progress is being made), could the Gwen Secter seniors hold programs there?
-or alternatively, will Gwen Secter seniors hook up with the Simkin Centre to hold programs there? (The Simkin Centre has land next to its existing building. Will that land be developed?)
-Could Gwen Secter hold its programs at the Rady JCC, or another synagogue building? ]
PRESS RELEASE
Since 1897, the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, the first Jewish women's organization in Canada, has been a catalyst for change and a powerful pioneering force on behalf of children, the elderly, families, the disabled, new Canadians and the disadvantaged in both the general and Jewish communities.
NCJWC is a network of thousands of dedicated volunteers committed to using leadership, financial resources and collective energy to improve the quality of life in our communities.
In 1949 NCJWC- Winnipeg Section started Canada's first senior's drop-in centre then known as the Golden Age Club. Twenty-five years ago, NCJW purchased the property at 1588 Main Street and the Golden Age Club became the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre at that address.
Gwen Secter is a multi-purpose senior centre which promotes the physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing of older adults. The main goal of the Centre is to foster independent living and participation in community life through social, educational, cultural, fitness, healthy lifestyle and recreational programming including book clubs, community internet access, cultural programming, Kosher Meals on Wheels, fitness classes, bingo and others.
The building at 1588 Main Street houses the offices of NCJW, Winnipeg Section, the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre (GSCLC) and Jewish Child and Family Services (north).
A lease agreement between the GSCLC and NCJWC – Winnipeg Section was signed about 4 years ago and originally expired on May 31, 2014. This lease is on a cost recovery basis only and NCJW does not make any profit on this lease.
In order to meet the current and future needs of both NCJW and Gwen Secter, an agreement has been reached whereby the current lease has been extended until May 31, 2016.
Although NCJW retains title to the property, it has agreed not to sell building with possession date prior to May 31, 2014 without Gwen Secter's consent. NCJW may sell the building with a possession date following May 31, 2014 with 6 months prior notice to GSCLCand it is acknowledged that Gwen Secter has the first right of refusal.
It is NCJW's intention to sell the building at 1588 Main Street, and to use the sales proceeds to fund its "next big project". The NCJW Board has commenced its strategic planning process, and is excited at the prospect of being able to contribute to the community in a new way, and to tackle a different area of perceived need. Anyone interested in helping NCJW to map out its next philanthropic project is welcome to contact the NCJW office at (204) 339-7291.
The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, the representative body of the Winnipeg Jewish Community, has stepped in to provide NCJW with a monthly advance against sales proceeds to allow for ongoing NCJW programming, and to give Gwen Secter the additional time it needs in the Main Street location to plan its exciting future.
The Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre board of directors has been advised of NCJWC – Winnipeg Section’s intention to sell the building and has been working with the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg regarding the needs and provision of community services to Jewish older adults and suitable placement of same. The future of the Gwen Secter program forms part of these discussions. Anyone interested in participating in the strategic planning of Gwen Secter’s “next chapter” is welcome to contact the Centre at (204) 339-1701.
All parties are looking forward to a bright future of contributing to the vibrancy of Jewish Community life in Winnipeg.
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