The Working Centre

The Working Centre We are not on Facebook very frequently - please visit our website at www.theworkingcentre.org, give us a call at 519-743-1151, or drop-in to visit us.

The Working Centre is a non-profit, community-based, volunteer inspired venture that seeks to give individuals and groups access to tools and opportunities to become involved in the building of community projects in Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas.

The Working Centre is proud to be one of the 400+ community organizations across Canada who received a 2026 Neighbourhoo...
08/25/2026

The Working Centre is proud to be one of the 400+ community organizations across Canada who received a 2026 Neighbourhood Grant from . This grant was made possible thanks to a nomination from a local Starbucks partner who has come and volunteered with St. John's Kitchen monthly, helping us offer welcome and hospitality to community members connecting with the hub of resources offered at St. John's Kitchen.

Volunteers, donations and grants such as the make it possible for St. John's Kitchen to open its doors even wider - timely, as St. John's Kitchen begins its second month of being open 7 days a week and overnight!

We welcome all volunteers, including corporate groups to come volunteer during the day and other community groups (churches, clubs, reading groups, neighbours) to get together one evening a month to serve dinner. Interested? Reach out to [email protected] for more information.

For 40+ years, St. John’s Kitchen has served as a gathering place and hub of support in downtown Kitchener for people ex...
07/31/2026

For 40+ years, St. John’s Kitchen has served as a gathering place and hub of support in downtown Kitchener for people experiencing homelessness or living in vulnerable circumstances.

This past winter, in the middle of frigid weather, the community’s generosity helped St. John’s Kitchen to offer overnight shelter. Hundreds of people were able to come inside each night to find warmth, safety, companionship, and a place to rest.

As a result, we have recognized that operating St. John’s Kitchen as a drop-in warming and cooling centre throughout the evenings, overnights and weekends is now a necessity.

As of July 27, St. John’s Kitchen is now open seven days a week and as an overnight drop-in space for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Drop-in hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. From 9:00 pm onwards, we will be welcoming those without shelter for rest and stability overnight. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will now be served 7 days/week.

Volunteers are welcome, including on weekends and evenings! We are also extending a special invitation to groups (churches, clubs, reading groups, neighbours) to sponsor one day a month to provide 8-10 evening volunteers to serve dinner (provided by TWC), do clean up, and/or to share a dessert for about 200 people eating the evening meal (desserts must be store bought or made in a commercial kitchen).

Reach us at [email protected].

Today, Kitchener Centre MPP joined us to announce and celebrate both a Seed Grant and a Grow Grant from the provincial ...
06/05/2026

Today, Kitchener Centre MPP joined us to announce and celebrate both a Seed Grant and a Grow Grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Fund, as we relaunch the Queen Street Commons Café as a vital placemaking model for community connections, diversity, inclusion, and democratic dialogue.
 
The Queen Street Commons Café has a long history of being an affordable and inclusive meeting place, where people from all walks-of-life gather in common. At a time when public spaces are diminishing, and our feelings of isolation and loneliness are growing, the Commons is needed more than ever.
 
Joe Mancini, Director, shared, “The Queen Street Commons is a place to help strengthen community and a way of living that sustains our social fabric. We are grateful for OTF’s support in helping to strengthen this dynamic community space.”
 
We will be celebrating 20 years of the Queen Street Commons of Friday June 12 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm – please feel free to join us!

Thank you to everyone who made yesterday at St. John’s Kitchen possible.If you would like to help out over the holiday s...
12/19/2025

Thank you to everyone who made yesterday at St. John’s Kitchen possible.

If you would like to help out over the holiday season at St. John’s, there’s still plenty of opportunity!

On Christmas Day, we will be opening the dining area for to serve our Christmas meal. If anyone would like to join team on December 25th from 10am-12pm, or 12-2pm – you are most welcome!

While Christmas Day often draws many willing volunteers, the days surrounding December 25th are just as important (and often much quieter). With many of our regular supporters taking some well-deserved rest, there is meaningful work to share during this stretch.

If you have time to join the team at SJK on more typical weekdays—Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.—you are warmly invited to drop in for a couple of hours and be part of the daily rhythm of St. John’s Kitchen.

If you’re interested or would like to connect further, please reach out at [email protected].

Join us tomorrow! Saturday December 13th, 6:00pm-8:00pm for a collaborative and diverse Open Mic Coffeehouse. Drawing in...
12/12/2025

Join us tomorrow! Saturday December 13th, 6:00pm-8:00pm for a collaborative and diverse Open Mic Coffeehouse.

Drawing inspiration from music, poetry, and sacred scriptures from all wisdom traditions and philosophies. All are welcome and if you feel inspired by our theme, we invite you to submit your ideas to us by Dec. 6th (see below for details)!

Saturday December 13th, 6:00pm-8:00pm
At Fresh Ground café
256 King St. E. Kitchener
Admission: $5

SJK has recently moved and the team is looking for volunteers to help us in our newly renovated space! At St. John’s Kit...
12/09/2025

SJK has recently moved and the team is looking for volunteers to help us in our newly renovated space! At St. John’s Kitchen, we practice deep hospitality, kindness and generosity; We work together to share resources and make the space work for everyone, enabling everyone to feel safe and accepted.

If this sounds like a space you’d like to join, come join the volunteer team at SJK!

Join us Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Stay for an hour or the whole day - every minute helps!

Email us at [email protected] to get started.

Address

58 Queen Street South
Kitchener, ON
N2G1V6

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+15197499177

Website

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