Our History

The first homes in Malvern were built. As the population grew over the next decade, community services struggled to keep up. Public transportation links were limited, and social support programs were nearly non-existent.

A community survey involving more than 800 residents revealed urgent gaps in local services. That momentum led to a series of public meetings calling for a non-profit hub to serve Malvern residents. The groundwork for what would become Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC) was laid, and a volunteer Board of Directors was formed.

MFRC officially opened in the basements of Malvern Presbyterian Church and the Church of the Nativity.

Also in 1982 Girmalla Persaud became MFRC’s first Executive Director. In partnership with community members, the team expanded programming to include EarlyON and after-school support, women’s and youth initiatives, and services for seniors and those facing food insecurity.

A grant from the Ontario Government enabled MFRC to move into its first permanent location at 90 Littles Road.

MFRC continued to grow, offering a range of programs that included early learning, youth leadership, and newcomer integration. Our Malvern Urban Farm was established to improve food access, and our Youth Hub became a trusted space for connection, recreation, and mentorship.

We expanded our wraparound supports—from mental health counselling and gender-based violence response to newcomer settlement, employment, and digital access. Our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) team deepened its work across programs, ensuring that equity wasn’t just a goal, it became a practice embedded in everything we do.