Five Counties Children’s Centre Unveils Plans For 50th Anniversary Celebration

It’s the golden anniversary for Five Counties Children’s Centre as they have released details to celebrate its 50th anniversary since opening its doors in 1975.

Five Counties Children’s Centre speech-language pathologist Diane has a little fun with one of her clients. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The milestone is being marked throughout the year at its sites in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Minden; stories of support and success are the centrepiece of the Centre’s 50th-anniversary festivities.

Five Counties will share stories from current and former clients, families, staff members, volunteers and supporters who will detail their different experiences at Five Counties. The stories will be available on the Five Counties’ 50th anniversary web page and social media. Individuals who have a memory to share can still submit their story.

“The Centre is made up of much more than bricks and mortar, as it’s really been built on the magical memories and moments of thousands of clients and families,” said Scott Pepin, Five Counties CEO. “We’ve been fortunate to collect some amazing stories from members of our Five Counties family and look forward to sharing them with our communities.”

The first story featured from Five Counties is Mike Hannah, a Kawartha Lakes resident who was born with cerebral palsy. Well-known for his athletic exploits and charity work, Hannah remembers as a child in the 1970s being bused from school twice a week to the newly-opened Five Counties in Peterborough. He was bused there to receive speech and occupational therapy, as this type of treatment was unavailable in his school and Five Counties did not yet have a location in Lindsay.

“I would probably not be where I am today. Five Counties changed my life,” says Mike, recounting the treatment and support he received at the Centre.

Since its first year serving 126 kids/clients, the Centre has expanded to support more kids and families in Peterborough, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes, and Minden/Haliburton. That growth is reflected in the 6,103 kids/clients in the area who received services last year through the Centre.

“While the numbers have changed, our commitment to enhancing children’s independence, well-being and quality of life has remained a constant for 50 years,” said Pepin.

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