is also a convenient a drop-off zone , atrium and meditation garden , public resource centre andmeeting rooms to accommodate up to 600 people .
There ’ s also a large outdoor deck at the rear of the building used for various functions and events and from which there is public access to the incredibly bright and inviting atrium and meditation garden created in memory of Janzen . Further expansion is planned for the centre to be announced at a later date .
A great deal of planning went into the construction and layout of the environmentally friendly facility . For example , the CNIB is located on the first floor near the front entrance where it can easily be accessed by visually impaired individuals while a medical clinic is located at the back of the centre for privacy .
Now , 12 years later , the centre continues to thrive and take on a life of its own .
“ It ’ s a beacon of light for people seeking peace in their lives . This place was built and belongs to everyone and I believe it will evolve as the
community needs it . It ’ s a people place where everyone is welcome no matter their circumstances .’’
Looking to the future , Vautour feels the centre will continue to evolve with future generations .
“ For me , the warmest feeling I get from the project is that it ’ s a place where people can decide what goes on here and everyone feels welcome . If we ’ re going to change the way people think , we need to start with the next generation .’’
Janzen passed away suddenly in 2005 before the centre opened but Vautour is confident he left this world knowing that the project would be completed .
“ He knew it would happen because he knew we would make it happen .’’
Community Peace Centre of Moncton has been serving the people of Southeastern New
( Gouchie-Terris photo ) Brunswick for the past 12
years . Located at 22 Church Street in the heart of downtown Moncton , the 80,000 square foot facility is a place for everyone no matter their circumstances . Shown here is Founding Chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Peace Centre , Annette Vautour , who says the doors are always open to those in need .
Centre communautaire de la paix
Par Jennifer Gouchie-Terris
L ’ accueil au Centre communautaire de la paix de Moncton est on ne peut plus cordial et chaleureux . En effet , l ’ ambiance conviviale qui y règne est conviviale et tous sont bienvenus et acceptés sans préjugés .
Situé en plein centre-ville , au 22 , rue Church , l ’ immeuble de 80 000 pieds carrés abrite divers groupes sans but lucratif , leur permettant de partager des ressources et d ’ améliorer leur efficacité opérationnelle et ainsi de mieux servir la collectivité .
Le Centre regroupe présentement cinq organismes : la Central United Church , Centraide de la région du Grand Moncton et du Sud-Est du Nouveau- Brunswick , le Centre du bénévolat du Sud-Est du Nouveau Brunswick , Stimulation à l ’ enfance et l ’ Association multiculturelle du Grand Moncton .
La directrice générale et présidente du conseil d ’ administration du Centre communautaire de la paix , Annette Vautour , a œuvré 42 ans dans le secteur des services communautaires , y compris 30 ans au sein du Centre du bénévolat .
Elle souligne que le Centre est la concrétisation de l ’ aspiration de Siegfried Janzen , un citoyen de Petitcodiac qui était mécontent de la direction que prenait le monde et avait communiqué avec le Centre du bénévolat pour lui faire part du rêve qu ’ il caressait .
« Il a demandé au Centre du bénévolat de mener à bien la réalisation de sa vision , soit la construction d ’ un endroit qui refléterait la collectivité
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