If you are based in Cote-des-Neiges and looking for a reliable after-school or fun-filled summer day camp for your son or daughter, then you really shouldn’t look past the Westhaven Elmhurst Community Recreation Association. Located in nearby N.D.G., our community-run centre is made up of a dedicated team of highly trained resource staff as well as an enthusiastic group of skilled and knowledgeable volunteers.
Taking what we do very seriously means that we will always strive to make sure that all the participants—both kids and adults—who use our centre are as engaged and included as possible. In brief, our two greatest values are social inclusion and community engagement. We are very proud of where we are from and want to make sure that families in neighbourhoods like Cote-des-Neiges have the opportunity to get the most out of where we come from.
We believe that increasing access to the Westhaven facility nourishes the dynamic nature of the organization. This extends our capacity to be socially innovative and enhance our impact in the local community, increasing the number of inter-generational relationships between children and their parents, grand-parents and other family members.
So, if you want to make sure that you and your kids experience an increased sense of belonging in your community while also learning some new and practical skills then why not come by Westhaven Elmhurst Community Recreation Association today. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.
Constant Evolution
At Westhaven Elmhurst Community Recreation Association, we know that standing still is simply not an option. To constantly grow and be a meaningful community and recreational association for families in Cote-des-Neiges and nearby neighbourhoods, we know that we need to stay relevant. We do that by constantly looking to encourage the participation of a greater diversity of our members.
For instance, the seniors’ computer class that we offer is a prime example of these changing trends and shows how we can help older residents in Cote-des-Neiges bridge the technology gap and provide them with a viable opportunity to discover areas of interest.
On top of that, we are also looking to diversify our sports program, which has seen us grow our basketball program with the Westhaven Knights from strength to strength. We have also recently added a soccer program to the sports and recreation service that offers boys and girls the opportunity to improve their shooting, dribbling and passing skills in a safe and secure environment. Our trained and certified staff and volunteers are passionate about what they do and can foster a sense of self-confidence and empowerment in a nurturing environment.
Our Amazing Volunteers
In recent years, a total of over 500 verified volunteer hours were accomplished by our dedicated team. On top of that, our volunteer-led Board of Directors as well as individual parents also commit their time freely to partake in and lead committees and other important activities at Westhaven. While impossible to confirm the total number of hours of our voluntary Board of Directors, we are confident that these hours easily add up to over 250.
Westhaven has made a concerted effort to identify and bring through many of its own volunteers. Many of our after-school participants have progressed through our system and as they have grown older and entered their teenage years, they have volunteered in a variety of our youth programs and some have even stayed on and become full-time staff members
In doing so, they have gained valuable experiences working with young kids from areas like Cote-des-Neiges and set very good examples to younger children about the joys of volunteering and giving something back to their community. We, at Westhaven, take pride in knowing we have contributed to the production of these fine youth.
Westhaven Elmhurst Community Recreation Association is a community-run organization in more ways than one. Our dedicated team of organizers and coordinators and support staff work very closely with our amazing volunteers to deliver the suite of services that we are proud to offer. To put it simply, we would not be where we are today without the selfless effort and commitment of our team of volunteers. We are so grateful for all they do and know that we will never truly be able to repay them for their incredible work.
That being said, we know that the sense of satisfaction that we receive from one of our kids overcoming a challenging task is rewarding enough to justify this hard work—and we hope you think so too.
How to Find Us
The area designated as “Westhaven-Elmhurst” is located in the western end of Notre-Dame-de-Grace, between Sherbrooke Street West to the north, St. Jacques Street West to the south, Connaught Ave. to the west and West Broadway to the east. It is mainly comprised of apartment structures, most of which were built in the 1950s.
The area south, along St. Jacques West is a thriving commercial street that has seen increased businesses in recent years.
The average rent is somewhat lower than the Notre-Dame-de-Grace average, making the area an ideal place for low-income, economically disadvantaged, single-parent families, seniors and Concordia University students. Most apartments are fully rented and the waiting lists are long. Recently, many landlords have been upgrading their buildings, thus making the area more attractive. The community is diverse and multicultural and all this makes the area a distinctive and integral part of N.D.G.
As well as N.D.G., our community association also caters to the needs of kids, teens and adults in surrounding areas like Cote-des-Neiges, Lachine and Montreal West.
Why Not Get Involved?
At Westhaven Elmhurst Community Recreation Association, we are always looking for new kids and adults both to participate and contribute to the running of the diverse suite of services we offer. If you want to get involved or simply would like to learn more about what we do then why not call us today? You won’t regret it!
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