‘I’ll always be a part of it’: Montreal’s On Rock founder retires after nearly 35 years, daughter takes over
Posted March 25, 2026 12:59 pm.
Last Updated March 26, 2026 4:39 pm.
After more than three decades at the head of a West Island organization focused on food security and community support, Kim Reid has stepped down from On Rock Community Services, passing leadership to his daughter in a transition years in the making.
Reid, the group’s founder and now retired president, officially stepped away March 1, closing a chapter that began with a small youth drop-in centre and grew into a food bank serving more than 300 families each week.
Humble beginnings, unexpected direction
When Reid launched what would become On Rock in the late 1980s, the goal was not to tackle food insecurity but to create a safe space for young people.
He described the early days as informal and energetic, recalling that the centre functioned as “basically an arcade, greasy spoon, loud music, lots of kids running around.”
The organization’s pivot toward food security came gradually — and somewhat unexpectedly — when a volunteer running a small food bank began using the space. As her visits became less frequent, Reid and his team realized they had effectively taken over the operation.
At the time, the program supported just a few dozen families each week. That number would steadily climb, particularly in the mid-2000s and again during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand surged sharply.
“We never saw this going in the direction that it did,” Reid said, reflecting on the organization’s growth.
Growth brings complexity — and change
As On Rock expanded, so did the demands of running it. What began as a grassroots effort evolved into a large-scale operation with staff, volunteers and significant infrastructure.
Reid said the increasing administrative and technical responsibilities made it clear that a transition would eventually be necessary.
“It just started to get to the point where I was wonderful when it was this size,” he said, referring to the organization’s earlier years. “But then we grew to the point where we had to add IT and all kinds of other complicated stuff that I have no interest in.”
At the same time, Reid was thinking about the organization’s long-term future. Ensuring its survival beyond his leadership became a central priority.
“A big thing for me was this organization had to keep running after I retired otherwise I failed,” he said.
A successor steps forward
That future took shape within his own family. Kayla Reid, now executive director, became involved during the pandemic after helping launch On Rock’s thrift store.
With her previous work disrupted, she accepted her father’s invitation to build something new within the organization — a decision that quickly evolved into a deeper commitment.
“My heart was here,” she said, explaining why she chose to stay rather than return to teaching art classes.
After several years running the store, she moved into an operations role and began preparing for leadership, working closely with her father to learn the organization from the inside out.
“It became more and more clear to me that I definitely wanted to fill his very big shoes when he was ready to retire,” she said.
A changing organization, a constant mission
Under Reid’s leadership, On Rock adapted repeatedly to meet shifting community needs — from youth programming to emergency response during floods, and later to large-scale food distribution.
Today, that focus on food security remains central, particularly as demand continues to grow in areas often perceived as affluent.
“There is a misconception that the West Island is a wealthier part of Montreal,” Kayla said. “But the reality is we do struggle with food insecurity.”
The organization has expanded its reach in response, now serving communities beyond its traditional base, including Dorval, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Lachine and LaSalle.
Looking ahead
As she steps into the role, Kayla said her immediate focus is stability — maintaining services while continuing to grow.
“Honestly, I would just like to have a smooth transition as possible,” she said, adding that sustaining recent initiatives, including the organization’s market, will be key in the near term.
She also emphasized the importance of community involvement in sustaining On Rock’s work.
“As I step into his shoes, we need to continue to make sure that we’re doing it as a community,” she said.
Letting go — without stepping away
For Reid, the transition represents both an ending and a measure of success. He said knowing the organization will continue — and remain grounded in its original mission — made it possible to step back.
“It feels pretty satisfying to walk away going all right these guys got this,” he said.
Though retired, he does not expect to be far from the work he helped build.
“I’ll always be a part of it,” he said. “She can pick up the phone and say ‘dad I need help’ and I’ll be here.”
