West side organization plans to strengthen involvement within community

 

by Felicia Patterson

 

The Windsor West Citizens Organization is working to strengthen their influence in the community by re-establishing programs and creating new ones.

The WWCO is a community group which has been in existence since the 1970s and now operates out of a small one-story building located on Bloomfield Road, which is owned by the Windsor Essex Housing Corporation. The centre is surrounded by subsidized housing and inhabited by low-income families. Many residents of the community are new to Canada and some board members wish to create an adult English as a second language program.

Clarice Carter, 36, chair of the WWCO said the focus is to help the children.

“We like to focus on literacy because we have a multicultural community,” said Carter. “The children are getting the help they need at school. Parents can’t help their children with their homework.”

According to Kim Elliott, who is a construction worker, deacon and a WWCO board member said the building where the WWCO operates was almost closed a year-and-a-half ago. He and others responded to the situation by working together to reform the board and raise awareness. Elliot said it took around six months to reform.

“It was basically done. They were coming to mothball the place,” said Elliot. “The old board probably did a lot of great things but once you don’t have a sizable body making decisions and programming or taking responsibility, it’s no longer legitimate. You can’t have a one person organization.”

The WWCO acts as a hub to the community, connecting with other organizations such as STAG – another community based organization, geared at helping teens. The WWCO also helps refer families in need to programs like Coats for Kids and Computers for Kids. They are also involved in the organization of the yearly West Side Reunion.

Carter said she wishes to further their involvement in the community, re-establish programs and create new ones but the WWCO needs volunteers.

“We want to create an after school homework program, but we are understaffed. We are looking for volunteers to help with ESL’s and homework help,” said Carter.

Since the WWCO was almost shut down, board members continue to raise awareness and work on establishing programs and recreate new ones.