Welcome Message from Director Ethel Whitty

Carnegie Community Centre is located on the corner of Main and Hastings and is often referred to as the living room of the Downtown Eastside. It’s mission statement is “To nurture mind, body and spirit in a safe and welcoming environment. Through the leadership and participation of our volunteers we provide social, educational, cultural and recreational activities for the benefit of the people of the Downtown Eastside." The centre is open every day of the year from 9:AM to 11:PM and operates under the jurisdiction of the Community Services Group, City of Vancouver, in partnership with the Carnegie Community Centre Association.

All services and programs are offered free of charge for an annual membership of one dollar. The contribution of 150 to 200 active core volunteers who help in all aspects of the centre including the kitchen, computer room, senior’s lounge, learning centre etc and at all special events, makes it possible to offer these services without charge to the community.

Approximately 5000 residents sign new membership cards each year, making use of the Public Library, the weight room, and the cafeteria as well as art and recreation programs. The patrons are culturally diverse with Chinese and First Nations being the largest identifiable groups. The centre’s mandate is to serve adults living on a low income.

Carnegie operates two other programs in off site facilities. Oppenheimer Park staffed by Carnegie employees who welcome all residents of the DTES with warmth and acceptance, designing programming that suits their needs. The Carnegie Outreach Team walks the lanes of the DTES every day for many hours and offers assistance to homeless and street involved individuals to find housing, financial, recreational and health supports.

Capilano College offers the adult Learning and Literacy Centre on the third floor and the Vancouver Public Library operates a small branch on the main floor. Both of these partners offer outreach services to the community and are pivotal to the daily life of the centre.

The partnership with the Carnegie Community Centre Association with its 15 member Board of Directors, (primarily local residents) ensures that community needs and preferences are taken into consideration when decisions are made regarding all matters relevant to the centre. The Association advises the Director and raises funds for programs of benefit to the community.

Navigation

The white text in green along the top of each page is for navigating through the City of Vancouver web site content. For Carnegie Centre website content use any and all links (left, centre, right sections) below the green line. Clicking on the Carnegie logo will bring you back here (home) from any Carnegie Page.

Most requested Information

• Welcome to Carnegie (Mission Statement, Guiding Principles and Rules of Conduct)
• Monthly Program Guide - February February 2012 Program Guide Carnegie
• Resources in the Downtown Eastside (quick reference) updated 18 Oct 11
• Free and Low Cost Food in the Downtown Eastside updated 24 Nov 11

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