Newcastle, Ont.—ADRA Canada (The Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Canada), the official humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, is moving to Newcastle, Ont., on Aug. 28, 2013. The move comes after a multiyear planning and negotiation process to renovate or build a facility on the Kingsway College Campus in Oshawa, Ont. Unfortunately, the request for a new facility could not be accommodated.
ADRA Canada has been operating from a building at the Kingsway College Campus in Oshawa, since the 1980s. However, ADRA Canada has outgrown the aging facility. Given the expenses associated with the current facility, ADRA Canada will experience cost savings by moving to Newcastle. With the improved workspace of the new facility, the staff at ADRA Canada will be better able to manage projects and programs in Canada and numerous countries around the world.
James Astleford, executive director of ADRA Canada, said, “This move represents a big step for us. Our facility in Newcastle has been renovated to meet the needs of our expanding organization, and we welcome the opportunity that this will afford to improve our operating efficiency and capacity. We also believe this new facility will better reflect our organization as a dedicated team of professionals with a passion for excellence in helping those in poverty.”
An open house is planned for Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, from 3:00 to 5:30 pm. The general public is invited to attend, tour the new facility, meet the staff and enjoy some refreshments.
Daniel Stojanovic, ADRA Canada board chair and vice-president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, said “We wish all the best to the ADRA Canada team in their new facility. ADRA Canada was one of our first neighbours. Although this move increases the distance between our operations, we are happy to prioritize the interests of the ADRA Canada team and, ultimately, the thousands of people reached by their disinterested actions. The new ADRA Canada office will certainly enhance the capacities of this institution so essential to our identity. We will never forget that we exist to demonstrate God’s love and compassion, what ADRA does so well.”
Starting Aug. 28, 2013, please contact ADRA Canada at 905/446-ADRA (2372). The organization’s new home is located at 20 Robert Street West, Newcastle, Ont., L1B 1C6. From Thursday, Aug. 22, through Tuesday, August 27, we may experience temporary, intermittent interruptions in phone and website access while computer servers are being moved and re-established. All staff will be assisting with relocation activities to minimize this interruption. For more information, or to join ADRA Canada in helping those in need, please call, write, or visit www.adra.ca.
About ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is a global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with an official presence in 120 countries. On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, ADRA Canada works with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive change.
Contributed by: Ryan Wallace, Communications Specialist, ADRA Canada