These community centres are vital in crisis contexts, facilitating recovery and resilience by addressing the social and emotional needs of affected individuals.Ward, a Presbyterian minister, joined the Extension Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, organizing the Wisconsin Bureau of Civic and Social Development.Despite concerns expressed by politicians and public officials that they might provide a focus for alternative political and social activity, the idea was successful.In the United Kingdom, the oldest community centre is possibly that which was established in 1901 in Thringstone, Leicestershire by the old age pensions pioneer, Charles Booth (1847-1916).Extended in 1911 and taken over by the Leicestershire County Council in 1950, this centre still thrives as an educational, social and recreational community resource and was the inspiration for numerous others of its kind.