Program manager Mélodie Cousineau shared some photos from recent months that highlight the wonderful support from friends in the Cornwall community.

In June, Centre 105 invited Kaptain MacDonald and Hayden Hamilton, also known as Two Strong Christian Boys Who Can Move Heavy Things, to a small ceremony to thank them for making Centre 105 a beneficiary of their 63-kilometre walk-a-thon. They presented a cheque for $2,750 to Centre 105, and staff enjoyed the opportunity to meet them. The Boys spoke about their journey, the challenges they faced along the way, and how rewarding the experience was. It was a great opportunity to recognize their hard work and thank them for their support of Centre 105.

In July, the Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI), through the Cornwall Police Service, held a food drive in support of Centre 105. Their efforts resulted in several carts full of food donations, along with $1,200 in monetary donations.

And in In August, Raymond and Victoria Eady celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and chose to support Centre 105 as part of their celebration. Instead of gifts, they asked guests to make donations to Centre 105. Thanks to their generosity and the support of their family and friends, they donated $900 in groceries and $5,289 in monetary donations for Centre 105.

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That’s the long but self-explanatory name that Kaptain MacDonald and Hayden Hamilton adopted for an outreach program they created, offering their help to anyone in need in the Cornwall, Ont. area.

It all started last year after a winter storm when the two friends helped a woman who needed to change her tires to winter tires so that she could drive to a hospital to see her dying mother. “Hayden and I felt very blessed to be a tool of God, really a wrench in in God’s toolbox,” MacDonald told Perspective in an interview. They felt it was a calling.

People who knew them didn’t take them seriously at first, but MacDonald says they decided, “Just for fun, let’s blow it up on Facebook…We ended up as a joke calling ourselves the Two Strong Christian Boys That Can Move Heavy Things, just because it was funny… but it’s stuck like glue and everybody knows us as that…Since then, we’ve done full moveouts, simple furniture moves…. Then we started doing landscaping, offering snow removal. It’s us that’s truly been blessed that people have these needs and that were used by God to be actually able to go out and help them.”

They don’t ask for payment. MacDonald says they use any donations they receive to help pay for supplies such as gas or equipment to enable them to help others.

Now, they have a plan to help Centre 105 and Lighthouse Drop-in Centre in Cornwall.

“We heard so much about Centre 105… but going there and actually seeing the gravity of what Centre 105 does, it blew us away. The fact that they sit 100 people four days a week, the laundry, the food, everything. I was holding tears back as I was there…. It’s our pleasure to try and help them,” says MacDonald.

The Boys recognized that what is most helpful to Centre 105 and the Lighthouse is not lifting heavy things but money to fund their operations, so starting on May 29, they are doing a two-day, 63-kilometre fundraising walk to benefit both centres. They are walking from Cornwall to Maxville and back again.

MacDonald says they don’t expect many people to walk the whole distance with them, but they have identified checkpoints along their route where people could join in and walk part of the way with them. By the end of March, they had raised about $4,000. They also hope to raise awareness and support in the community for the important work done at both Centre 105 and the Lighthouse Drop-in Centre.

“Centre 105 would like to thank Kaptain and Hayden for all the effort they’ve put into organizing this 63km walk in support of Centre 105 and the Lighthouse Centre,” said Mélodie Cousineau, a social service worker at Centre 105. “When I met with them a few weeks ago to talk about the fundraiser, it was clear how committed they are to helping Cornwall Ministries and the community. They were great to speak with and genuinely passionate about what they’re doing,” she said. “It’s really amazing to see our community come together like this. We’re looking forward to their walk in May and are very grateful for their efforts, as well as for everyone who continues to support them.”

For more information or to donate, look for Two Strong Christian Boys That Can Move Heavy Things on Facebook or contact Centre 105.

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“Almost 200 meals were served … [to] a mix of Centre 105 donors and program participants,” executive director Taylor Seguin said, adding that the event raised just over $10,000.

“On behalf of Centre 105’s management board, staff team, and volunteer team, we would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended and donated,” he said. “Times are tough in our communities, but with your support, Centre 105 is able to continue to provide essential services … to the most vulnerable individuals in our community.  Thank you!”

Centre 105, one of five Community Ministries of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, is located at 105 Second Street in Cornwall in the parish hall of the historic Trinity Anglican Church.  It began under the leadership of the Rev. Peter Cazaly (now retired) in 2017 and continues to provide a sanctuary and support for those in need of a hot meal and a safe space to rest or socialize, and referrals to other essential services. The Centre also provides a place for people to do laundry, and in 2024, renovated to add showers.

Amongst those enjoying a delicious breakfast and the social event were members of Cornwall City Council and administrative staff.  “One can never underestimate the value of the contribution of the work done by Centre 105,” said councillor Denis Sabourin.

In attendance were several Anglican Diocese of Ottawa clergy, including the Rev. Canon Dr. Peter John Hobbs, director general of Community Ministries; the Rev. Mark Lewis, the Ven. Peter Crosby, and the Rev. (Retired) Peter Cazaly.

“God’s favourite people are the marginalized, so that is where the church should always be,” said the Rev. Jon Martin, incumbent of St. John’s Kanata North Anglican Church.  Mentioning crises in housing, financial instability and mental health, Martin said, “I think it is essential that Christian communities do everything they can to address those issues and support those struggling with them.”

The next Centre 105 fundraising activity is the Centre 105 Annual Christmas Concert and Holiday Reception Fundraiser, scheduled for Dec. 15 between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church.

For more information on Centre 105 or to donate,please go to: www.centre105.ca

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“The turnout, as always, was incredible,” said Centre 105 executive director Taylor Seguin.  “The Cornwall community is always willing to step up and support the charities in our city.”  He mentioned in a post-event email that 167 meals were provided at the fundraising event which ran between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.

He explained the funds raised will be used for general operations, noting, “Funding, especially government funding, is often tied to new or special projects.  At this time, most charities in this area are actually in need of funds for regular operations.”

Seguin added that fundraisers such as this are important for the organization as it increases public awareness of its work with city employees, local politicians as well as the general public.

Guests at the fundraiser were able to tour the centre, including its “food storage space, laundry room and newly built shower space.”  Seguin mentioned that Centre 105 provides essential services such as the use of laundry facilities, showers, referrals to agencies, a safe social space and hot meals.

“Thank you SO much to our amazing community for showing Centre 105 so much love and support.” said Seguin.  He said staff were anticipating the summer of 2025 would be a very busy one, but noted that the Centre 105 team feels they will be able to meet the challenges ahead because of the support provided by the local community.

The next fundraiser for Centre 105 will be the annual Fall Breakfast Fundraiser, scheduled for Oct. 23, 2025.  More information can be found on their social media pages or website located at www.centre105.ca.

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“The turnout, as always, was incredible.” commented Centre 105 executive director Taylor Seguin.  “The Cornwall community is always willing to step up and support the charities in our city.”  He mentioned in a post-event email that 167 meals were provided at the fundraising event which ran between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.

He explained the funds raised will be used for general operations, noting, “Funding, especially government funding, is often tied to new or special projects.  At this time, most charities in this area are actually in need of funds for regular operations.”

Seguin added that fundraisers such as this are important for the organization as it increases public awareness of its work with city employees, local politicians as well as the general public.

Guests at the fundraiser were able to tour the centre, including its “food storage space, laundry room and newly built shower space.”  Seguin mentioned that Centre 105 provides essential services such as the use of laundry facilities, showers, referrals to agencies, a safe social space and hot meals.

“Thank you SO much to our amazing community for showing Centre 105 so much love and support.” said Seguin.  He said staff are anticipating the summer of 2025 will be a very busy one, but noted that the Centre 105 team feels they will be able to meet the challenges ahead because of the support provided by the local community.

The next fundraiser for Centre 105 will be the annual Fall Breakfast Fundraiser, scheduled for early September.  More information can be found on their social media pages or website located at www.centre105.ca.

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Centre 105 executive director Taylor Seguin thanked all who organized the drive and those who donated.  Centre 105 had worked previously with the Cornwall Police Service, but this was the first initiative with the Cornwall Islamic Society, he told Crosstalk in an email after the event.  “At Centre 105, our management board and entire team are huge supporters of interfaith work. We have worked closely with various faith groups, especially on joint fundraisers. We are stronger when we all work together. This includes the Presbyterian, Pentecostal, United, Catholic, and of course non-faith-based groups,” he wrote.

“As always, the Cornwall community came out in high numbers, to support Centre 105. The public are always extremely supportive of local food agencies, like Centre 105, the Agape Centre, the Salvation Army Food Bank, and the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank,” Seguin said.

More information on Centre 105 is available at www.centre105.ca

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Centre 105 had been offering residents of Cornwall, Ont., breakfasts, a safe social space and other services three days a week, but starting on Sept. 12, they began operating four days a week, from Tuesday to Friday.

This increase in service was made possible by a generous grant from the United Way/Centraide of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, said Centre 105 executive director Taylor Seguin, thanking the organization for being Centre 105’s strongest financial supporter.

“Centre 105 participants have already let us know how excited they are that 105 will be open for an extra day each week,” Seguin told Perspective. “Along with the meals, folks are happy to be able to have a place to hang out, for an additional morning each week.”

Earlier this year, Centre 105 also added a shower facility to its space. “We are so proud of opening the first public shower program in our community,” said Seguin. “We would have loved to offer these services at an earlier time, but funding was always difficult to obtain. Thankfully, through a capital construction grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we were able to secure the funds to build the shower program.”

Centre 105 has been running a Sponsor a Shower Tile Fundraising event, inviting individuals and businesses to sponsor a shower tile with a $100 donation. About $4000 has been raised so far to help with costs associated with this new service.

“There continues to be a large amount of need in our community. Food insecurity and homelessness are two very significant social issues in Cornwall,” said Seguin. “We hope that with the addition of a shower program, as well as an additional day of meals / safe social space, Centre 105 will be able to do our part to help our community.”

Centre 105 also provides laundry facilities and hosts a mobile health clinic once a week.

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“This project will help improve the health, hygiene, self-esteem of the increasing number of vulnerable citizens in our city of Cornwall,” said Taylor Seguin, the executive director of Centre 105, an Anglican Community Ministry that provides a hot breakfast three days a week, a variety of other supports and a sense of community for hundreds of people who visit it every week.

Justin Towndale, mayor of Cornwall, and MPP Nolan Quinn attended the celebration and offered their congratulations. “Centre 105 is doing such amazing work for our community here and to be able to have the shower, I think that really makes a big difference for the lives of everyone that uses the services here at Centre 105,” Quinn said, adding that it will be a great complement to the washer and dryer that the centre already has and that the accessible washrooms are an extremely important addition.

The Rev. Canon Peter John Hobbs, director general of the Anglican Community Ministries, thanked the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the elected officials for their support. “I really want to thank the parish of Trinity Church, Father Adam Brown, and the support and the collaboration that Centre 105 has enjoyed with the parish, and we look forward to that relationship just continuing to deepen.” He also thanked all the staff and volunteers at Centre 105 “who each day, day in and day out, make it all happen.”

Hobbs brought greetings and congratulations from Bishop Shane Parker of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, who wasn’t available to attend the event.

Seguin gave a special shout out to shout out to Matthew Daigle and Shawn Kyer and the whole Millennial Contracting team. “We just want to thank them for their dedication to this project. They’ve been so awesome to work with.”

Eric Charlebois of Millennial was working on finishing the shower room on the day of the celebration. He told Perspective that working on this project meant a lot to him because only a few years ago he went through a very hard time, became homeless and stayed at The Mission in Ottawa. During the pandemic when restaurants were closed, it was sometimes difficult to find a public washroom.

He talked about the importance of kindness people showed and how much it meant when he took shelter from a rainstorm in the entry of a store and a woman who also stepped in to escape the rain took the time to listen and talk with him. She gave him some money for coffee and food, which was wonderful, he recalled, but “that conversation, to have a stranger listen and to get empathy from the other person, that stuff is life-changing.”

That’s what he sees happening at Centre 105. “There might be 100 people here, but if there’s one person in there who leaves thinking ‘That meal, that conversation I had with whoever, that made me last till tomorrow,” all their efforts have paid off. “At the end of the day, it’s kindness, right?,” he said, “to give them a shower, to give them a cot for five hours to sleep on, rather than the ground.”

Working on this project, “makes me feel so good,” Charlebois said. “To be able to help another person, because someone’s going to walk in one day here, and they’re going to take a shower in the shower that I built, and they’re going to sit there and look at themselves in the mirror and think, I feel so much better.” He thanked Millennial for hiring him and giving him a fresh start.

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The Rev. Dr. Anne Quick is retiring (for the second time), effective April 15, 2024.

Staff News

Staff from Ascension House visited and helped out at Centre 105 in Cornwall, Ont. in late January. 

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