Reimagining Our Schools as Community Hubs

For decades, the school building was defined by the hours of 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. But as our families' needs evolve, so must our spaces. Under the guidance of our Senior Leadership team and me, we are moving toward a model where our schools serve as "Mission Hubs": vibrant, integrated spaces where education, faith, and community support intersect.

The "Hub" concept is built on the belief that a school should be the beating heart of its community and neighbourhood. By co-locating services like childcare, workshops and other supports for all family members, gathering spaces, recreation, and parish outreach within our existing buildings, we are making it easier for families to get the help they need in a place they already trust.

A Collaborative Effort

This vision is being brought to life by the tireless work of the Community Hub Team and Executive Superintendent Lantz, who have spent the last several months setting up accessibility systems and auditing our spaces to see where we can open our doors wider. It is a complex puzzle of logistics, safety, and community partnership. We aren't just looking at square footage. We are looking at how a hallway can become a bridge to a community partner, or how a vacant classroom can become a resource centre for a family in crisis or a newcomer family.

The Impact of Partnership

These hubs are not a solo endeavour. They rely on the strength of our relationships with local agencies and our parishes. By sharing our "bricks and mortar," we are practicing a form of Radical Stewardsh to serve the common good.

Whether it is a track or gym available to local community groups or a shared space for parish youth ministry or a budgeting workshop for parents or a gathering space for a family reunion, these hubs ensure that our buildings are never empty, but always full of the "Unity" for which our board strives. We are introducing more childcare options through our hubs, including PD Day and March Break camps as well as babysitting courses for our youth.

What’s Next?

As I continue to work with our Senior Leadership to oversee the rollout of our 2026-2027 goals, we are currently in the 'Listening and Design' phase for our first pilot hub. In the near future, we will be working closely with our Catholic School Advisory Councils to ensure that the services offered in each hub reflect the unique needs of that specific school and neighbourhood community. I look forward to sharing more updates as these spaces transform from blueprints into places of healing and help.