Transformation Benjamin Road
Lutherwood's Most Exciting New Project
Construction of the Benjamin Road Children's Mental Health Centre began in 1967 and opened with 10 troubled teenage boys. It now serves 250 children each year. We are ranked #1 in the province of Ontario as well as being nationally recognized and respected.We accept the most difficult children and youth and have a remarkable record of success in helping them cope with and manage their mental health challenges. The Centre was built at a time when troubled children and youth were "hidden" from their community and society -- in a manner of speaking, they were "put away".
Our current facilities do not easily support a modern service delivery system -- our success is actually achieved in spite of our physical plant. We have been struggling in this facility for years and have planned how we need to change the structure of the Centre and add key new service delivery modalities requiring purpose built space. We knew it would take a lot of financial resources to realize our dream for the future for these children.
We were delighted when the provincial and federal governments chose to support the transformation of the centre with a $4 million infrastructure grant. Fortunately, we had done a lot of the site planning and initial design work before the government grant was announced so we have been able to move quickly on actual plans. We worked intensively with architects (Stantec) and the construction firm (Van-Del Contracting) to start construction in July 2010. The project must be completed by May 2011 in order to receive the infrastructure dollars.
We must raise $2 million from our community to complete the project
When our transformation is complete, you will see a centre rich with children, activities, classrooms and supportive learning.The once dark and cramped spaces that "hid" the children and youth will be opened up and filled with light, reflecting excellence and optimism -- while removing the negative stigma that these children should be "put away".
Above is the architect’s external rendering of the Transformed Children’s
Mental Health Centre on Benjamin Road.
Dominated by our "Main Street" Atrium, new therapeutic spaces will be added including: Psychological Counselling Room, Children's Health Centre, Calming Room (Quiet Space), Music Therapy Space, Art Therapy and Play Therapy Space, Recreation and Fitness Area, Indoor/ Outdoor Environmental Classroom.
The mental health stigma will also be decreased by increasing onsite community activity such as our Mental Health Speakers Series and the creation of The Family Resource Centre.A dramatically expanded research role will be created through The Centre of Excellence for Children and Families. Closely associated with local universities, this Centre will work to advance the field of service to children with complex mental health needs. And, of course, the first beneficiaries of these service improvements will be our children and youth.
If you drive by our centre on Benjamin Road you will see that our new building is quickly taking shape! Demolition, foundation digging and construction began in July 2010.
As of April 11, 2011, we have secured commitments of $1,492,480 (75% of goal).
A clear fundraising plan has been developed with a plan to invite all of our loyal donors to participate in realizing this dream. We are just beginning to present the opportunity to our friends and supporters. We have identified naming opportunities within the Transformed space ranging from $50,000 to $2 million as listed below. We invite you to consider a naming opportunity that would fit with your interests and values. We would be delighted to bring you a detailed case for support booklet which tells the story of the project including a floor plan of the expanded space.
Naming Opportunities
- Main Street Atrium (secured)
- Community Room $250,000 (secured)
- Centre for Excellence $150,000
- Environmental Classroom $150,000
- Recreation/Fitness Area (excluding equipment) $125,000
- Psychology Clinic/Play Therapy Room $100,000
- Health Clinic $100,000 (secured)
- Art Therapy Room $100,000
- Therapy/Counselling Rooms (2 @ $50,000) $100,000
- Outside Spaces/Gardens $100,000 (secured)
- Calming Room $50,000
- Family Resource Centre $50,000
- Staff/Administrative Centre $50,000
- Music Therapy $100,000 (secured)
Overall Children's Mental Health Centre $2,000,000
