The Village Resource Centre Inc. In Wheatley
Since our July/August issue, Biz X magazine is now delivered to all businesses and organizations in Chatham Kent (CK) by Canada Post.
Branching out to this area was a natural progression as many companies in Windsor Essex also have locations in CK. We received lots of positive feedback on this addition including an editorial request from a CK organization that is a good fit for our Small Business Month coverage.
“The phrase ‘It takes a village’ is spoken by many people, but for Wheatley, Ontario, Canada, it’s how we do life!” indicates Susan Fulmer, Founder and CEO of The Village Resource Centre Inc. “We are a tight knit community that brings together our various strengths to work through the challenges that come our way.”
The Village Resource Centre Inc. — operating under the phrase Lighting The Way For A Better Tomorrow — was created in March 2022 to formally continue the ongoing assistance for their village, by meeting the practical needs that arose from the August 2021 environmental disaster.
During the weeks and months that followed, connections and relationships were forged with the residents and businesses of their village, who came to trust and rely on the central location for equitable access to information and connection to various resources and spaces within, allowing them to begin to move forward with life and recovery.
Over two years later, according to Fulmer: “In Wheatley proper there are over 30 businesses, some of which have returned after the explosion, some of which can never return, and a few new businesses that have begun.”
While continuing to assist with the process of rebuilding, the centre is poised to continue growing and expanding. Strong networking is ongoing, and other relevant services are being secured to begin as space becomes available for them.
Spaces and access to services include . . .
- Village office spaces host professional services that currently include government document completion, with language translation available, and counselling.
- The Village Boardroom offers meeting spaces being utilized by local service clubs and support groups. They house art classes, life skills training workshops, and even yoga classes.
- The Village Internet Café is a great technical space with computers for browsing the internet for research purposes, or document preparation, and a printer.
- The Village Pantry operates as both a space to offer food assistance to their neighbours experiencing food insecurity, and a micro grocery for their village. Each time someone comes into the Village Pantry and selects items for their family and gives the suggested donation, all proceeds generated are then returned to sustaining the program and restocking the inventory.
This non-profit charitable organization is volunteer led and operated and relies on the generosity of people and businesses for donated funds and items to continue its vital service to the village. If you are able to help in any way, please log on their website.
