THUNDER BAY – Over the past year, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay has helped improve the lives of 3,000 children and youth. Serving communities within the District of Thunder Bay, the Centre is improving the quality of life for children and youth within their family and community environments, and the agency is ready to tell its story.
Diane Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Centre Thunder Bay states,“We are an agency that cares for children and youth as our first priority. This past year, more than 3,000 courageous children and families have asked us for professional help to address emotional, behavioural, developmental and social difficulties. We want to better share our story and show that by making a difference in the lives of children and youth, and supporting families and caregivers to understand and respond to their child’s needs and behaviours, we can build a stronger and healthier Thunder Bay.”
Children’s Centre Thunder Bay was created on April 1, 1988 with the merger of Lakehead Family Services Centre (LRSC) and the Regional Children’s Centre (RCC), with roots going as far back as 1980 with organizations like Teen Family, Kinark and Browndale. Over the past several years, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay has evolved from a children’s mental health care centre to much more.
“Today we have evolved to become one of the leading children’s services agencies in the province of Ontario,” continued Walker. “Our commitment to knowledge-informed practices and partnerships is moving our agency forward in delivering prevention, assessment, treatment, research and education programs for infants, children, youth, parents and caregivers. We now employ over 175 staff and our reach continues to expand.”
In light of this new momentum, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay launched a new brand strategy and visual identity today to better communicate its mandate in the community. A new brand was introduced with the message ‘Improving lives together’, and a more user-friendly and accessible website was launched at: childrenscentre.ca.