History of the Agency

The idea of the Second Mile Club of Toronto began in 1935 when staff of the YWCA realized a group of elderly women were spending a good part of their day at their facility. It soon became apparent that other provisions would have to be made as their needs and membership rapidly increased.

Miss Kathleen Cowan, a Board member of the YWCA was delegated the responsibility of finding other accommodations for the women. Initially she took them into her own home, but later found space on the second floor of the Occupational Therapy Workshop each afternoon.

The first Board of Directors Meeting of the Second Mile Club of Toronto was held on March 17, 1937 under the leadership of Lady Falcon. It was decided that men and women over the age of sixty would be eligible as members. A complete statement of policy was adopted and an Auditor appointed.

Membership continued to increase rapidly and new quarters were found at Scadding House – Trinity Square. In 1940 new quarters were found on St. Nicholas Street. Eunice Dyke, Superintendent, of Public Health Nurses established an administrative office for the club and membership lists were set up.

As the population of older men and women grew in Toronto, other organizations and individuals were convinced that The Second Mile Club had become an essential service for the elderly. It was not long before the membership out grew their space on St. Nicholas Street.

The search was on once again for larger quarters, a fine old house was found at 192 Carlton Street. The house was for sale for $22,000, but Second Mile had no money. The City of Toronto agreed to purchase and renovate the property at a cost of $36,500. The rent was set at $1.00 a year. In order to contract with the City, Second Mile became a corporation, without share capital. On June 2, 1947 the letters of patent were issued.

During the 1950’s Second Mile opened four new Branches the Home Members Branch and the Cheerio Branch began at Carlton United Church, and then moved to Rhodes Avenue United Church. In 1962 this Branch was renamed the East Toronto Branch and moved to Matty Eckler Recreation Centre. In 1951 North Toronto Branch opened at North Toronto Memorial Arena and in 1956 High Park Branch opened at Runnymede United Church.

In 1978 the Rotary Laughlen Branch opened at The Laughlen Centre and Second Mile’s administrative offices were moved to 110 Edward Street. The Chinatown Branch was founded in 1987 and was merged with the Rotary Laughlen Branch in 1991.  In 2002 Rotary Laughlen/Chinatown Branch was relocated to Kensington Gardens and renamed appropriately.

The Sheldrake Branch opened in 1981 in Eglinton United Church. In 2001 this Branch was relocated the North Toronto Memorial Arena and renamed the Orchard View Branch.

In the 1970’s Second Mile expanded its mandate to include home support services. This program has grown significantly over the past thirty-seven years to include services such as Adult Day Program, Congregate Dining, Friendly Visiting, Security Check, Client Intervention Assistance, Respite Care, Home Help and Medical Escort. Adults over the age of 55 and individuals with physical disabilities over the age of 18 who live in the area bounded by Yonge Street, Bathurst Street, Lake Ontario and St. Clair Avenue West may be eligible to receive these services.

From its simple beginnings in 1937, The Second Mile Club of Toronto is proud of it’s service to the community.