A Community Place for Everyone
For many years, 115 University Avenue served as a lively center for community participation activities. The building supported day activities, horticulture programming, group learning opportunities, and social gatherings for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its well developed garden areas and flexible indoor spaces helped foster connection, routine, and a sense of belonging for many people.
When the COVID 19 pandemic began, everything changed. Public health restrictions, the shift in program models, and the changing needs of the people we support resulted in the building being used far less frequently. Although the structure remained fully accessible, its aging layout and infrastructure no longer aligned with modern needs. As a result, the space became significantly underused. The gap between what the building could offer and what the community needed has grown wider each year.
Today, that story is shifting. KW Habilitation is reimagining 115 University Avenue and bringing new life back into a space that has always held tremendous potential. Essential upgrades like the roof and windows have already been completed, and work on a new and accessible kitchen is about to begin. These early improvements are the starting point of a much larger vision to create a flexible and welcoming community place.
The renovated building will support a wide range of opportunities that reflect the diverse areas of need for our community. These include senior drop in opportunities, expanded options for adults with complex needs, horticulture therapy, onsite training opportunities, and community events held in the multipurpose spaces. The renovation will not increase the size of the building, instead, it will transform how the building is used and open the door to meaningful engagement for many more people. Once finished, we believe this will create a stronger sense of connection for people, families, and the broader community.
We’re off to a strong start thanks to a generous family donation and partial funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, but to reopen our community space this fall, we need more financial support. Every contribution will help us finish what has begun.
As progress continues, we’ll share updates, stories, and ways to get involved. Together, we can bring this renewed vision to life and create a space where everyone feels welcome and connected.