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2011 Centennial Year

January 27th

Suhanna Meharchand of CBC News presides over the media launch of 100 years of Neighbours, marking the centenary of Central Neighbourhood House.
February 13th

Central Neighbourhood's first annual Winter Festival takes place in Riverdale Park West. With horse drawn sleigh rides, popcorn, hot chocolate, live music, tobogganing, hotdogs, hamburgers and other offerings - entirely free -this is the second in a series of at least twelve centenary celebrations of the House. Many participants, staff, and local neighbours join in and a good time is had by all, young and old.

March 27th

Central Neighbourhood House hosts a special afternoon of storytelling in the community. It is co-sponsored by Storytelling Toronto and features Clare Muireann Murphy, an international storyteller from Ireland; Carol Ashton and Sally Jaeger with stories for your children; Bilingual French stories told by Donna Dudinsky; and informal story sharing in a multicultural and multilingual community.

April 28th

The CNH Spring Concert is held at Lord Dufferin Public School in celebration of the creativity of its young community. Regent Park, Cabbagetown and St. James Town youth and children perform musical, dance, drama and spoken word pieces. In addition, 100 pieces of art prepared in celebration of CNH's centennial are unveiled.

May 5th

100 Years of Mothers: Motherhood from there to here; CNH hosts an afternoon tea and panel discussion with diverse perspectives on how mother hood has changed over the last 100 years. The panel is moderated by Pamela Couture of Emmanuel College, University of Toronto.

May 7th

CNH Jane's Walk: 100 Years of Social Inclusion led by CNH's Toby Mullally. This walk includes visiting CNH's first home, once a brothel; the Elizabeth Street Playground, focus of the famous CNH Children's Marches of the early years; and two other of our five locations over the last century, including its current home at 349 Ontario Street. The talk includes the history of the House and its neighbourhoods, its beginnings and early days, the battles in the neighbourhood, with City Hall and sometimes from within.


May 28th and 29th

CNH participates in Doors Open Toronto with droves of visitors admiring the building, facilities, and rooftop playground; as well as an archival photo exhibit prepared by the Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum, showcasing the first four decades of the 100 year old Central Neighbourhood House. Historians and local photographers are on hand to offer insight into the organization's rich history.

Later in the day on the 29th, a 100th Birthday Reunion is enjoyed by the CNH Alumni - staff, volunteers and participants - who know the value of CNH, and the unique approach it has always taken, working side by side with its neighbours to improve life in the community.

June 4th

100 Years of Social Change! is sponsored by CUPE 4308 and workers join with members of the CNH Youth Program to create a large and striking mural along the length of the building, representing 100 Years of Social Change.

July 16th

World of Neighbours - Celebrating 100 Years! multi-cultural fair is held in Allen Gardens with cultural entertainment, free food, and activities for the whole family. Some of the stage performers include: drumming sensation, Muhtadi; Nhapitapi, Afro-Zim Mbira and Dance; Bollywood sensation, Shweta Subram; and many others.

August 14th

Ontario Street Birthday Party is held by CNH and Cabbagetown South Residents' Association. Ontario Street is closed from Gerrard Street to Dundas Street so that people can safely stroll the area. Music is provided by Jazz Generation-5; and entertainment includes artists and artisans, children's activities, and historic walks.

September 24th

CNH presents The Jump Back Ball at the Thunderbird Café, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts on Leslie Street. The event is hosted by media legend, Jojo Chinto, along with 100 Years of Neighbours Chair, Barbara Hall, for an evening of great entertainment and fine food in celebration of a century of service to Toronto's downtown east end.

November 3rd

An intimate evening with world renowned pianist, Anton Kuerti, is held at the St. Lawrence Hall, Toronto. The event is organized in support of the Central Neighbourhood House Innovations Fund, which creates programs and services that address issues of our aging population, food security, poverty, homelessness, and the needs of children.

Nov 17th

A Century of Photography from the archives of CNH, with photo restoration courtesy of Carol Moore-Ede and the Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum, opens at Mark Gleberzon's new gallery, MJG Gallery, at 555 Parliament Street. Many people drop in to this lovely new Gallery to enjoy a look back in history and enjoy a chat with owner. The speakers for the evening, are past Mayors David Crombie and Barbara Hall (Barbara was also Chair of the 100 Years of Neighbours Steering Committee). Barbara and David share their own memories of building community in downtown Toronto, and the role in history of Settlement Houses like Central Neighbourhood House.

December

A feast for the Holidays is held in December for the many program participants of CNH. In addition, Shamba Night is organized at Shamba Space for the volunteers who worked on the 100 Years of Neighbours project with great food, music and people celebrating the hard work that went into 15 fabulously successful events. It is a great end to a year of monthly celebrations.

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Happy Centennial Central Neighbourhood House by Eric Morse
1911
Downtown Toronto


Credits:
Central Neighboourhood House
Eric Morse