Historical Notes
West Nepean Ecumenical Residential Projects (WNERP) is a charitable non-profit corporation which received its charter in March 1984. The Corporation was founded by four churches in the Bells Corners area: Bells Corners United, Christ Church Anglican, St. Martin de Porres Roman Catholic and the Salvation Army Nepean Corps. In 1988 Bethany Baptist Church became associated with WNERP activities.
WNERP has successfully implemented five projects. The first was Harmer House, a 60-unit apartment complex for seniors. With financial assistance from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as public fund-raising, Harmer House was completed in 1986 on schedule and under budget. It was fully rented within three months of opening. Harmer House continues to have an extensive waiting list as a result of its excellent reputation.
The second project was the development of the Nepean Seniors’ Home Support program. This was inaugurated in November 1986 and was financed by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the City of Nepean and local fund-raising. This successful program expended rapidly meeting the needs of seniors in Nepean. This resulted in Nepean Seniors’ Home Support becoming separately incorporated with its own Board of Directors in 1989.
The third project was an expansion to Harmer House. In 1989, land adjacent to Harmer House was acquired. An application for government funding for a proposed extension was submitted but was not approved. After having studied several alternatives, the goal for the land was achieved in 1991, by the construction of 17 life-lease (right to occupy) purchase units.
Shortly thereafter the Court Yard Club began in 1992. This one day a week Adult Day Program brought community seniors into Harmer House for a meal and activities for the day. In 2001 the program received funding from the Ministry of Health, Long Term Care whereby qualified staff was hired to oversee the program and its expansion to four days per week. The program was renamed, the Outreach Adult Day Program.
The final project was the building of E-Wing, with its 10 bed-sitting rooms in 1995.
This section offered frailer seniors independent living with some support, that included meals and housekeeping. Today, the Board has obtaining a lease for the building with the In Community, which supports adults living with disabilities.
