Whitehorse Community Houses bring people together to connect, learn and contribute in their local community. This is achieved through social, educational, recreational and support activities, using a unique community development approach. Community development is about enabling communities to identify and address their own needs. It starts from the assumption that communities have existing strengths and assets that make them part of the solution. Community development practice is about doing with, rather than doing for. Neighbourhood/Community Houses welcome people from all walks of life. This inclusive approach creates opportunities for individuals and groups to enrich their lives through connections they might not otherwise make.

There are 10 Neighbourhood/ Community Houses in Whitehorse. They each respond to locally identified needs and priorities. This diversity is reflected in the different names they are known by, which include:

• Neighbourhood House

• Community House

• Learning Centre

• Community Centre

The Whitehorse Neighbourhood/Community Houses are governed by volunteer committees and run by paid staff. Some provide quality, affordable childcare. Four of the Whitehorse Community Houses provide pre-accredited adult education courses and one is a Registered Training Organisation that offers certificate courses. All offer opportunities to participate, learn, volunteer and get to know your community.

Activities are generally run at low or no cost to participants. Among the most common are: