History

August 1993  

The idea for a seniors’ education centre for Cornwall originated with Encore’s founder, Beverly Hincks. Eugene Cardinal (Director of Continuing Education) at St. Lawrence College was then approached with a very rough draft proposal to start a seniors’ academic program at the Cornwall campus.

September 1993 to January 1994 

Research during this stage included a needs assessment study. The conclusion was that there were no daytime academic programs available to the seniors in this area.

January 1994 

A formal proposal was made, with the assistance of Randy Swedburg (from the Elderhostel Institute Network), to the St. Lawrence College Administration, for the formation of the Encore: Seniors’ Education Centre.

August 1994 

The program was started on a trial basis. The College agreed to give Encore the jump start it needed, and the opportunity to see if it would be well-received by the community. An Advisory Committee of Seniors was formed. This group worked very hard, and within eight weeks, Encore was ready to open its doors.

September 1994 

The Advisory Committee promoted the program and invited area seniors to an Open House. Ninety-five interested seniors took part in the festivities that day.

October 1994 

Encore had its first classes, with a grand total of 70 members registered. All six study groups were full.

May 1995 

Encore was awarded the prestigious Provincial “Conny Award for Best Program, 1994” in the Continuing Education Departments of Ontario’s 25 Community Colleges.

October 1995 

During a continuing education conference in Kansas City, Encore received the “Outstanding New Program Award, 1994” from the Association for Continuing Higher Education, an international organization that promotes excellence in education.

2002 

Encore Seniors received the “Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism in Ontario”.

2016 

After sixteen successful years spent at St. Lawrence College, Encore re-locates to the former General Vanier Secondary School building on Cumberland Street as tenants of the Upper Canada District School Board.

2018 

Encore moves again in June 2018 to the Centre Charles Emile Claude building on Chevrier Avenue.  The move provides Encore with a larger, brighter classroom and improved accessibility for Encore participants.

2023

Centre Charles Emile Claude needed the space, so we re-located once again, this time to our current site at 800 Twelfth Street East, Cornwall (the Knox St. Paul Church building). This location provides both ample parking and ample seating capacity for hosting of our sessions.