Five Questions with Taylor Seguin – Centre 105 Executive Director

Interview by The Seeker | Submitted Photo

Cornwall, Ontario – Taylor Seguin, Executive Director for Centre 105, is a graduate of the Social Service Worker program at the Cornwall campus of St. Lawrence College. His role is split between the administrative duties linked to the organization, and front-line social service work, working directly with the population Centre 105 serves.

Centre 105 is a Drop-In Day Program is a community ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, located at Trinity Anglican Church in Cornwall, Ontario. Centre 105 offers a free breakfast, a hot drink, and a safe place to socialize every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. Centre 105 was founded in 2017 and has been serving hot, nutritious meals ever since. Along with meals and a social space, Centre 105 also offers sign-up laundry services, referrals to other agencies, and a Mobile Clinic.

Five Questions with The Seeker

1 – What is the goal or mission of your organization?

“Our mission is to offer a safe, welcoming place for all who come seeking food and refreshment, social recreation, community, and, if requested, referrals or assistance to those seeking help for any challenges they are facing. We welcome all who come without discrimination or judgment. We treat everyone with courtesy and respect, only asking that all who come do the same for us and for each other”.

2 – Tell us about your community partners.

“Partnerships are our key to success. Our existing partnerships are with a variety of different sources, including other non-profits, local businesses, and local schools, among others. Our team believes that to offer the best services to our participants means connecting them with all of the resources in the community. We are stronger together. One partnership that I would like to highlight is between Centre 105 and the Recovery Care Mobile Clinic. The Mobile Clinic visits the drop-in every Friday, from 9 am-12 pm, offering a nurse and an addictions counsellor; a shoutout to Jimmie and Mel!”

3 – What is your organization’s most significant accomplishment?

“In 2021, Centre 105 was named the top not-for-profit in Cornwall, by Cornwall Community Votes, and again in 2022. This was a huge honour for our team. However, our greatest accomplishment has been our ability to remain flexible and adapt throughout very challenging times. One example was during the pandemic when we created a “Breakfast Take-Out Window.” As more and more individuals face various social issues, like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness, we see a much higher number of people using Centre 105’s services”.

4 – Tell us about volunteers and what they mean to your organization.

“At Centre 105, we absolutely love our volunteer team. We could not provide the same level of service to our participants without the help of awesome volunteers. Our volunteers care deeply about the community and the most vulnerable individuals in our community. Our volunteers listen, and I mean truly listen, to the individuals who visit the drop-in, some of whom are going through very tough circumstances. Centre 105 volunteers, thank you for everything you do!”

5 – What needs or issues does your organization address in our community?

“Centre 105 offers much more than a hot meal. Centre 105 works with individuals who are often dealing with several social issues, including homelessness, precarious housing, mental health issues, poverty, food insecurity, addiction issues, isolation, etc. Accessing the required services can be quite complicated, so we take the time to chat with folks and help them navigate the social services in the area. Finally, isolation has grown to become one of the leading social issues in our community, especially with seniors. Centre 105 offers a safe, social space for all.”

Over 17,000 meals were provided to the community in 2022, an increase of over 5000 meals compared to 2021. For more information about Centre 105, visit their website. https://www.centre105.ca/