HISTORY OF LIFETIME LEARNING CENTRE SOCIETY

As we reflect on our accomplishments over the past 22 years, the special recognition given by the District of Mission in 2006 holds a high place of honour. The Community Service Award was presented by the District of Mission’s Mayor James Atebe and Council on May 11, 2006 at the Clarke Foundation Theatre “in recognition of the extraordinary contributions.....made [by Lifetime Learning Centre] towards enriching the lives of Mission residents through educational, wellness, and intellectual pursuits” over the past 20 years. This award recognizes the growth of the organization from a seniors’ college model to a learning and wellness centre offering participatory, intergenerational programs in arts, culture, the humanities, as well as events, forums and lectures.

Award from the mayor 2006

2006 - Award presented by Mayor and Council to Lifetime Learning Centre for providing 20 years of community service in adult and community education. On this photo:  Cathie Marcellus, Charlie McPherson and Mission Mayor James Atebe. 

Lifetime Learning Centre Society was founded in 1986 by a group of Mission seniors in partnership with Fraser Valley College, now the University of the Fraser Valley. Due to the rapid growth and popularity of the new organization, coupled with space limitations at the UCFV Mission campus, Lifetime Learning moved to new quarters at St. Andrew's in 1989.  This space provided a comfortable, transit and wheelchair accessible and affordable office, lecture, fitness and event space for the centre until 2009, when LLC moves to new classrooms at Fraserview School. Over the years the organization has grown, increasing its membership, its programs and participation. Lifetime Learning Centre Society is a fully independent organization with its own board of directors and staff, who work closely together to carry out a shared vision.

LLCS responds to community needs by innovative program development. The highlights of major program developments from past years include:

Community Adult Education Programs:

  • 1991: Fraser Valley College Community Service Award for “extraordinary contribution to Adult Education and Community Development.”
  • 1998: brought new directions to programming, the highlight being the 50th Anniversary event commemorating the Fraser Valley Flood of 1948 on May 27th. A LLCS partnership with the Knowledge Network & Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks that produced the documentary film “A Flood of Memories”.
  • This paved the way for our oral history programs which developed into a special Millennium Project for 1999 to 2002. The video documentary received “Honourable Mention” at the International Columbus Film and Video Awards in the autumn of 1999.
  • A partnership with Mission Community Services started with the development of an intergenerational School outreach project based on the Flood history. Its role: The importance of remembering our community history and keeping it alive with interaction between the generations.
  • This led to 2000/2001 Millennium Project consisting of special events, focusing on history of the area, and the importance of preserving our community stories. Following a presentation to Council by a Lifetime Learning delegation in November 99, the District of Mission recognized the Centre’s contribution to adult education in Mission, with the approval of an annual fee for services grant (first received in 2000).
  • In 2005 the District further recognized the role played by Lifetime Learning in providing programs for the area by granting a three year renewable fee for services contract “for providing adult education and community programs” for Mission; this was renewed for an additional 3year contract for 2008 – 2010.
  • 2006: District of Mission Community Service Award in “recognition of the extraordinary contributions ...towards enriching the lives of Mission residents through educational, wellness and intellectual pursuits” over the past 20 years.