The Wait is Over for THRIVE Child Development Centre

Supplied…
New Waiting Area the Latest Development in Centre Rebrand
(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – OCTOBER 28, 2016) THRIVE Child Development Centre/Centre de développement
de l’enfant (formerly Children’s Rehabilitation Centre Algoma) welcomed local dignitaries, families, and the
public on Friday to unveil new exterior signage and a waiting area that reflect the organization’s new
brand.
On the exterior of the building, the new signage was unveiled by Mayor Christian Provenzano, former
member of the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre Algoma Board of Directors, local MPP and Minister of
Community Safety and Correctional Services, David Orazietti, and a representative from MP Terry
Sheehan’s office. Each spoke about the value of the Centre to the community and the opportunities it
creates for young people. The new signage proudly announces the Centre’s new name and, along with the
refurbished entry arch, adds brand colour and life to the façade, in keeping with the energy and positivity
of the new brand.
Inside, the new waiting area has been redesigned to create a more welcoming environment for families
and visitors to the centre, but more importantly for the children and youth supported by the Centre. As
they enter, they are met with the dynamic playfulness of the Centre’s name and colours. The waiting area
itself features interactive toys and spaces specifically designed to teach and entertain children and youth
prior to meeting with their therapists or health care specialists.
The waiting area was officially opened by the current THRIVE Board chair, Anna Rendell. “This is a very
exciting day for the Centre,” she said. “We’ve been working on developing the new brand, and this waiting
area embodies all of the hope and positive energy that we think THRIVE is symbolic of, and that we see in
our kids. To see it all come together in this way for our families is very exciting.”
Rendell went on to thank the staff, the families, and the children themselves for their input on both the
branding initiative, and on the waiting area. She also thanked the Stakeholder and Community Awareness
Committee, composed of staff, board members, and members of the community, for their role in seeing
the projects come to fruition, and the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie for their generous support, which
included the funding for the waiting area project.
The key motivation in this journey, reinforced by the voices of the kids and families served by THRIVE, is
to challenge the community to see kids with disabilities, first and foremost, as just kids. For the children
and youth the Centre supports, the new name will inspire them to live their dreams and build on their
diverse abilities to achieve in their own ways. The THRIVE brand was officially launched at the
organization’s Annual General Meeting in June.

About THRIVE Child Development Centre/Centre de développement de l’enfantTHRIVE Child
Development Centre helps children and youth with diverse abilities to achieve their highest potential. One
of twenty-one children’s treatment centres across Ontario, we support kids from 0-19 years of age who
are impacted by differences in physical, perceptual, communication and/or developmental trajectories. We
build on their unique strengths, gifts and talents so that they and their families can truly THRIVE!