About The Project

By bringing services together on one block—child care, food programs, counselling, and play—we’re creating a safe, inclusive place where families can connect, learn, and grow.

What We’re Building

Situated in a safe, vibrant neighbourhood many of our families call home, The Building Block will unite an entire block in Thunder Bay into a single, family-focused hub—renovating existing sites and adding new spaces to bring licensed child care, expanded food security programs, and an outdoor play area together all on one block.

    • Expanding our existing child care program with modern classrooms for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

    • Upgrading outdoor learning spaces for safe, supervised play.

    • Installing accessibility features (ramps, wider doorways, accessible washrooms) to welcome every family.

    • Relocating and enlarging our Community Kitchen, equipped with commercial-grade prep stations, a walk-in pantry, and expanded cold storage.

    • Creating a dedicated Kids in Community Kitchen area where children learn cooking skills alongside family cooking workshops.

    • Upgrading our Emergency Food Cupboard to streamline distribution and increase storage capacity.

    • Building a fully fenced, age-appropriate play area for children of all abilities.

    • Adding sheltered seating and picnic zones for family meals and neighbourhood gatherings.

    • Converting adjacent space into walk-in counselling rooms, flexible workshop areas, and training suites for parenting and life-skill programs.

    • Equipping rooms with the latest audio-visual tools for virtual learning and community presentations.

    • Installing security cameras, key-fob entry, and alarm systems across all buildings.

    • Ensuring every entrance, pathway, and restroom meets universal design standards.

Budget Breakdown

    • 735 Simpson St. (Community Kitchen & Family Hub)

    • Outdoor Play Area & Site Redevelopment (735 Simpson)

    • 708 McKenzie St. (Training & Program Space)

    • 704 McKenzie St. (Licensed Child Care Centre)

    • Contract Staff, Marketing, Branding & Media

    • Contingency Fund

  • $2,700,000

Funding Secured
To Date

Out of the total $2.7 million project goal,
$595,350 has already been raised—
that’s 22% of the way there.