With the direction of Father Gerald Duchene, funding was received under the Canada Works program to distribute a survey to identify area needs.
1985
With the help of the United Way along with generous donations and grants, the Belle River and District Community Information Centre opened at 554 Notre Dame St. in Belle River.
It was found that a transit vehicle would benefit the community, therefore, posters that read: Wanted $35,000 were placed around Town.
1987
Transit services began thanks to funds attained with the help of local service groups to purchase a 12 seat accessible passenger van.
1989
A grant from the province and Community & Social Services allowed us to open a Foot Care Clinic run by a registered nurse.
Essex County Council reached an agreement for field workers and program support staff from County Social Services to use the Centre as a site where they could meet with local residents in need of specific services – ultimately leading to an office expansion. Hiatus House, Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Windsor-Essex Bilingual Legal Clinic, Essex County Crisis Intervention and Social Services made use of the new office space.
1991
Belle River Community Council and Stoney Point’s Club L’Age d’Or co-sponsored the new Meals on Wheels program. At a cost of $4.00, hot and cold meals were prepared then delivered by volunteer drivers to the homes of each client five days per week.
Free literacy classes for the North Shore-Laubach Literacy of Canada/Essex County Board of Education are offered by six trained volunteers teaching youth and adults how to read and write.
Our Friendly Visiting program, funded by the Ministry of Health, was added to our menu of services. This program matches volunteers with seniors based on mutual interests, needs and location.
1993
As transportation needs increased, we were able to purchase a new accessible 12 passenger, air conditioned vehicle with a hydraulic lift for $85,000 through fundraising efforts and with the help of private donations.
1996
Human Resources Development Canada installed a job bank computer to service area residents looking for employment. Additional services for typing resumes, faxing and photocopying became available to our clients.
1997
The Centre moved to 571-B Notre Dame Street.
We have over 40 volunteers assisting with Meals on Wheels and Friendly Visiting.
2002
With the amalgamation of the municipalities, Belle River and District Community Information Centre changed its name to Lakeshore Community Services.
2003
$90,000 was raised to purchase a new transit bus able to transport 12-17 passengers and 4 wheelchairs.
2004
Meals on Wheels expanded to meet the needs of Tecumseh residents thanks to a joint venture with the LCS and VON by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
2006
Lakeshore Community Food Bank opened in partnership with the Essex Food Bank. During this period, boxes of food were shuttled in from Essex for pickup by local residents.
2007
LCS officially became independent from Essex and now relies solely on food and cash donations. The volunteer run Community Food Bank delivers both canned and fresh foods and begins to double and quadruple local clientele.
A $60,000 donation was made by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to replace one of our vans with a new transit bus.
LCS becomes part of the new Windsor and Essex County 211 Information System.
LCS begins to work closely with the Town of Lakeshore on various projects. These include: the Accessibility Committee, Senior’s Advisory Committee, the Wellness Expo and various training workshops to be utilized in current and future partnerships.
2008
Lakeshore Community Services celebrates 25 years of serving the community. A free dance for seniors was held to thank them for the support over the years!
2009
LCS adds more services: Home Maintenance and Repair, Essex Meals on Wheels, Tecumseh Transit.
First Annual Polar Splash is held and raises $7,000!
2010
As our clientele grew past Lakeshore and into Essex and Tecumseh, Lakeshore Community Services became the Community Support Centre of Essex County.
The CSC brings seniors together to share lunch and soup twice per week through our Congregate Dining Program, hosted at Essex Retirees Centre.
CSC establishes a coordinated dialysis transportation system and expands delivery county-wide, serving patients requiring dialysis treatment from Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital and surrounding satellite sites.
The CSC receives the LHIN Valuable Own It Award.
CSC hosts its first annual Peanut Butter Jam in an effort to increase Food Pantry supply of needed items.
2011
The CSC celebrates 28 years of service and honours 4 dedicated volunteers for their 20 years of service.
The volunteer team at the CSC delivers over 40,000 hours of senior services.
We lost a valued member: Pat Hayes. He taught us: “Great is the man who dedicates his life to making a difference in the lives of others without expectation of credit or recognition.”
CSC hosts its first annual Golf Tournament and raises just over $9,000.
2013
We are celebrating 30 years of service to our community!
The Comprehensive Core Health Assessment was implemented throughout the province to begin work toward electronic health records.
We celebrated and honoured two of our dedicated volunteers for their 20 years of service.
We were named the lead transportation agency serving Windsor and Essex County.
2014
67 of our volunteers were recognized and received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award.
Lyle Morris steps down as Chair of the Board of Directors after 10 years of service and dedication.
CareLink Health Transit is formed to tie medical transportation providers together for Essex, Kent and Lambton counties.
2015
CSC’s Executive Director, Tracey Bailey, is named as recipient of the St. Clair College Alumni of Distinction Award.
The Community Food Pantry moves to a new location to give clients enhanced access to food security and support.
We begin offering transportation for Lakeshore and Tecumseh students to St. Clair College.
20 of our volunteers receive the Ontario Volunteer Service Award.
2016
CareLink Health Transit partners with the Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County to ensure high quality transportation for their clients.
Our volunteers are awarded the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism at a ceremony at the University Club in Toronto.
3 of our volunteers celebrate 25 years of volunteer service at the CSC..
2017
CSC launches its non-urgent stretcher transportation model providing local and long distance transportation to and from home, hospital and long term care facilities.
We begin the road to accreditation through FOCUS Accreditation.
2018
CSC holds its 10th and final Polar Splash event. The final splash down brought in $11,145 bringing the lifetime total of the event to $117,555!
A partnership with BK Cornerstone, In Honour of the Ones We Love and Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital form The Dream Project whereby BK Cornerstone will build and sell a home with all proceeds going to In Honour, HDGH and CSC, marking the organization’s first ever six figure donation
2019
The CSC launches its I Care Campaign providing an alternative way to buy and donate to the Food Pantry.
We begin hosting our Cornerstone Hangout for youth.
The CSC moves to 4-962 Old Tecumseh Rd enabling all services to be provided under one roof.
The CSC expands its delivery of services to offer the full menu to residents of Essex and Harrow. These services were previously under the operation of Essex Community Services.
