The Thessalonikeans Society of Metro Toronto has embarked on the task of establishing an educational foundation and research centre in the vicinity of Metropolitan Toronto. This foundation will be equipped with adequate resources and facilities to promote the study and research of issues relating to Northern Greece (Macedonia, Epirus, Thrace). The foundation will:

• Operate a resource centre (a library consisting of academic manuscripts, books, journals etc., pertaining to the above subject areas), which will be open to students, scholars and the general public.
• Support academic level research through grants and scholarships.
• Sponsor the publication and distribution of academic research related to Northern Greece.
• Educate the general population and establish links with the Canadian academic community through lectures, talks, seminars etc.

The motivation for this initiative stems from the following considerations:

• There is no resource centre in the province of Ontario dedicated to the study of Northern Greece.
• None of the Toronto Universities have a Hellenic studies program.
• There is a large Greek community (in excess of 100,000) in the Metro Toronto vicinity.
• To date there has not been a focused effort by any other organization of Hellenic origin to specifically promote the interests of Northern Greece through academic venues.

The Thessalonikeans Society of Metro Toronto has recently purchased a one story building situated at a very prominent location (55 Danforth Ave.) in between the Greek town and the Downtown core of Metro Toronto It is easily accessible by car or transit. The building has been designated as a historic site by the Historical Society of Toronto. It will be renovated and used as the home of the Cultural Centre.