25 Years of Achievement

The objective of our organization : To acquire, maintain and operate a Centre to foster and sustain the Latvian heritage and cultural tradition and to provide social and cultural exchange with the various cultural communities in Canada. To provide facilities for meetings, concerts, dances, seminars, theatre & film shows and similar social/recreational activities for the general public and members.

We have achieved our objectives and are "going strong". The Centre was selected and purchased in 1977 with the help of a Wintario grant. We incorporated in 1977. The Building was remodeled for our requirements and was opened to the public in 1979. It was formally opened in 1980 by the Honorable William G. Davis, Q.C. Premier of Ontario and by the Mayor of the City of North York, his Worship Mel Lastman. Funds ($1.4 Million) were raised from the Latvian community and the mortgage has been paid off in full. A debt free cultural entity! We are proud to say that since its opening, it has been self-sustaining. It has not only sustained, but improved. Access ramps and an elevator have been installed to help the elderly and disabled. For the children, a playground was created.

To raise funds we have created Sunday Brunches run by volunteers. We have created a commercial catering arm The Birches at the Latvian Canadian Centre - The Birches offer catered facilities of the Centre to Corporations, weddings, private parties, etc. These supplement the many functions created by our social and ladies committees to raise funds. We also have lotteries and participate in bingo's.

The Centre is home to heritage language schools, choirs and several folk dance groups. It is home to many student academic groups, as well as to about 800 pensioners who come for aerobics, discussions, singing, card playing etc. Craft groups, art groups as well as other hobby groups find the Centre as their home. The Lions, Toastmasters and Ladies At The Centre, meet here as do many many other groups from unions to political parties to line dancers.

The Centre could not sustain its activities without constant and dedicated work of it's volunteers. The aging demographics are known to all, but new members are being added. Members are those who have donated a minimum of $1000 to the centre. New activities are sought out and all those volunteers running these activities are excellent examples to the younger generation. The Board structure, all volunteers, is such that it demands change annually. We have created the process for longevity. It has worked for us for 25 years. We will change or adjust it to assure the next 25.

The LCCC is a "best practice" institution. Its annual budget of $300,000 is volunteer created and administered. It is $300,000 that the United Way does not have to fund. It is $300,000 that the Government does not have to finance or administer. It is $300,000 that achieves the goals of the LCCC to provide an environment that fosters the Latvian Culture and provides Community service at large. The LCCC is a vibrant volunteer organization with a history of twenty years of achievement!