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The seeds for the Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living were first planted in 1965 when the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), with the financial support from a grant from UJA Federation, established the Creative Living Program.  In this dynamic program, seniors planned and directed their own activities with help from volunteers of the NCJW.

In 1973, the program was incorporated as the Centre for Creative Living.  Eight years later, a significant financial contribution by the Betel family made possible the construction of a building at 1003 Steeles West Avenue. By the end of 1982, the organization had moved into the new Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living located at 1003 Steeles Avenue West in Toronto, Ontario.

Other milestones...

1983 marked the establishment of the Russian Golden Age Club as part of the Centre.  Today 1/3 of the Centre's paid membership are Russian-speaking seniors.  This club was made possible with funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health as a "Russian Elderly Persons Centre".  The Centre provides the only comprehensive recreational/ educational program for Russian-speaking seniors in Toronto.  

Since 1984, the Centre receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health to operate a community health promotion/ wellness program.  This program called the La'Briyut Wellness Centre, provides lectures on disease prevention, treatment and management; alternative health modalities; fitness classes; and support groups (i.e. Osteoporosis, Low Vision, Parkinson's', Sleep/Wake Disorders), nutrition counseling, heat smart cooking classes, social work counseling and a special program for older adults in hurtful relationships.

Since 1987, the Centre receives funding from the Ontario Community and Social Services to offer community support programs provided by volunteers under the direction of professional staff.  Services are available in English, Russian, Yiddish, Hebrew and French and comprise of At Home Respite Care, Client Intervention, Congregate Dinning, Friendly Visiting,  Meals on Wheels and Telephone Reassurance (also known as Dial a Friend). 

The Centre's Israeli Club named "ETROG" was established in 1989 and currently represents approximately 15% of the Centre's paid membership.  This group meets weekly (Tuesday evenings) and conducts programs of special interest to Israelis conduced in Hebrew.