News

KITCHENER, ON - Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCCO) has big plans for the future.

 “We are re-visioning our current head office to create a much more active and welcoming centre where people touch, taste and participate in MCC’s practical response to the needs of the world,” says Rick Cober Bauman, Executive Director of MCC Ontario. 

Cober Bauman’s enthusiasm for a full redevelopment of the current 50 Kent site is born of a vision of greater impact and capacity locally and around the world.

This visionary project plans to combine two current, overcrowded Kitchener and Waterloo thrift shops into one large and innovative shop in an excellent retail location. A Waterloo presence for thrift and volunteer involvement will remain in a different, but meaningful way.  Acknowledging the expected increase in income generated from the expanded thrift shop, Cober Bauman adds, “Investing in thrift is investing in the work of MCC.”

MCCO’s current building was constructed in the 1950’s.  Since that time accessibility standards have changed drastically, as has MCCO’s response to needs in international material aid and local programming.

Several Anabaptist partners, including Mennonite Savings and Credit Union, Mennonite Foundation of Canada, Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, will join MCCO and the thrift shop to create a community of Anabaptist agencies with shared stewardship of physical resources and a collective witness to the local and global community.

Having acquired adjacent vacant school board land, MCCO will build an entirely new, two-story building totalling 51,000 square feet on its current 50 Kent Avenue location.  The $12 million dollar project is expected to be completed in October 2013, with demolition and ground-breaking beginning in mid-2012.

Exciting features of the new building include a welcoming and interactive atrium, Kent and Charles street exposure, close proximity to public transit and a commitment to sustainable design.

Cober Bauman is excited to see enthusiasm spreading to others as they capture the vision behind this building project: “This is more than a building. It’s about boldly proclaiming and inviting others to MCC’s commitment to relief, development and peace, in the name of Christ. Let’s build for the future, while making a difference today!”

MCCO invites its supporters to hear more of the dream and vision on October 24, 7:30PM at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church (57 Stirling Ave. N., Kitchener).