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The North End Family Centre helped reunite Theresa McKay with her children. (PHOTO BY CRYSTAL LADERAS)

Theresa McKay knows first-hand the importance of the North End Family Centre — it helped bring her and her children together after nearly two decades apart.

 McKay, 44, started using the centre’s computer lab last year to help her reconnect with her two daughters via the Internet.

She had been in an abusive relationship and was still healing from the emotional scars when her daughters were given up for adoption.

"They didn’t know I was their mom. I didn’t want to pressure them by pushing myself into their lives so we started on Facebook," she recalled.

McKay used the social networking site to answer questions and slowly build a relationship. After 18 years, she reunited with her daughters last year.

"They didn’t even know they had brothers until last Christmas when we all got together. It was a very emotional day but it was so beautiful to have all my kids together again."

More than  500 visitors walk through the doors of the North End Family Centre on a daily basis.

The centre’s most popular service, according to its executive director, is the workstation that offers the use of three computers free of charge.

"It’s a huge resource," Kyle Mason said.

"So much of the world now functions online, but if you don’t have access to the Internet you’re cut off. You’re disconnected from the world."

The centre, located at 1322 Main St., offers computer training workshops, a clothing exchange and other free programs. It is supported largely through donations and doesn’t receive government funding.

Mason said the centre’s aim of building relationships in the community will help the area in the long run.

"It’s much harder to break into that apartment down the street if you know them by name, or know that’s my mother’s friends’ place," he said.

"Being a young native kid, growing up with a single mother in the North End, I should have turned out very differently. But because I found a community that loved and accepted me I was able to avoid all the negative aspects of the area."

The centre plans to hire one additional staff member to help expand its hours of operations to five days a week. It’s currently open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An open house will be held on Wed., Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. to celebrate the centre’s second anniversary.
For more information, visit www.northendfamilycentre.org

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