John Bradford has become the 27th chairman of the Lansdowne Children’s Center board of directors.
Bradford has been a board member for Lansdowne, which provides services and supports to children and youth with communication, developmental and physical needs, since 2015.
“It’s all about the kids,” said Bradford. “If I can be a part of the effort to make change for someone, or a number of children in the area, then I feel I’ll have a sense of accomplishment. I look forward to that.”
A longtime Brantford resident, Bradford previously served on several Lansdowne committees. He also is chair of the Brantford Family Physician Recruitment Committee and is a former city councilor.
He succeeds outgoing board chair Rob Simmons, whose two-year term began and ended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“John has long been a champion of the young people Lansdowne supports,” said Rita-Marie Hadley, executive director of the centre, which has sites in Brantford, Caledonia, Dunnville and Simcoe. “His leadership comes at a critical juncture, heading into 2023, the 25-year mark for Lansdowne occupying its current (Brantford) headquarters.”
Hadley said Lansdowne has been looking for years for a new building in Brantford, raising awareness with government officials and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that the agency has outgrown capacity at its 39 Mount Pleasant St. site.
Last year, city council’s development committee supported a memorandum of understanding between the city and Lansdowne to work toward the purchase of land in the Mohawk Lake District, a revitalization of a section of Eagle Place.
The committee also approved the start of survey work of about 9.7 acres in the district that are designated for institutional development. Lansdowne would take about 6.2 acres.
“Successful growth in numbers of clients and staff to serve them has pushed capacity well beyond its original estimated limits,” said Hadley of Lansdowne’s Brantford building. “Limitations are felt daily with increasing wait times for assessment and service.
“With John at the helm, we are continuing our journey to secure appropriate premises to provide essential services. We currently serve over 3,000 children and youth annually and have an additional 2,200 currently waiting for access to service. We owe it to all these families to make sure their needs are known and addressed.”
Lansdowne is one of 21 children’s treatment centers in the province and is a member of Empowered Kids Ontario. It provides government-funded rehabilitation and respite services, along with recreation programs to those with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, chromosomal disorders and neurological conditions. Services include speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and social work.
Hadley said staff and volunteers have been challenged by fluctuating pandemic precautions. After lockdowns abated, she said all six of their locations “buzzed as Lansdowne pediatric professionals logged almost 50,000 visits to serve over 3,000 unique children and youth through a combination of in-person and virtual service.”
Lansdowne had a 2021 operating budget of just over $11.3 million, with funding provided by the province, the City of Brantford, Hamilton Health Sciences and the agency’s foundation.
In addition to Bradford and Simmons, other members of the board are Lloyd St. Amand, Rick Sterne, David Gowling, Ashley Veldkamp, Will Bucholtz, Mike DeBruyn, Mike Gatopoulos, Anne Noyes, Jim Parrott, Joe Persia, Rick Rozak, Karen Towler -Adams, Dr. Ben Klein and Jamie Hitchon.