How we got to where we are!

The Heatherton Activity Centre today has become a modern facility, serving the same purpose for which is was established back in 1972. Its humble beginning emerged from the hopes and dreams and hard work of several enterprising mothers who had children at home with learning disabilities, and for which, at the time, the Department of Education had no provision in place for them. 

A long-time vacant K.O.C. building was situated in the village of Heatherton, so it was procured to form plans for a proposed Centre for these becoming young adults. We interceded with the Government, who advanced a cheque of $4000 to our cause. with a strong community interest, volunteers worked and donated to our small building to make it suitable for daily classes or gatherings of this small original group of 9. The official opening of our Centre was November 1, 1972.

Our first manager was Sister Sylvia MacDonald. She worked with love and care with these students, as she called them, and they became more confident and outgoing, learning little tasking in homemaking. She brought in a small cot, where they learning how to make a bed. They played games and went out for little walks, and they had chat time and tea time. Volunteers soon joined Sister and they added a a bit of baking and some cooking to their agenda. 

It wasn't long before a well was dug and a small bathroom was added, which eliminated the bathroom trips to our next-door neighbours, Theresa and Lauchy MacDonald. We sold Christmas Cards Flowers of Hope and help card parties to bring in extra money in addition to the generous donations from the Lions Club Antigonish, and finally government grants. 

As our baking program expanded, so did the number of participants and thus our building needed to grow, and so it did! 

The baking project involved most of the clients, from preparing ingredients, forming the rolls, timing the ovens, washing the dishes, etc. In the meantime, others carry on with crafts, make trips to the post offices, sometimes make deliveries to close neighbours and all assist in the end of the day's cleaning. Added to all this, we introduced the Centre to recycling cans and bottles which community members drop off. 

From our humble beginning we are so proud of our present facility. We are so thankful for our wonderful past staff who have done so much to bring each client so much happiness and progress throughout the years and to the current staff that keep the legacy of the Heatherton Activity Centre alive and continuing.