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Durham Children’s Aid Society is non-profit, community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect.
Durham Children’s Aid Society strives to ensure the safety and well-being of the community’s children and youth, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through culturally-competent services, with the support of the community, we help parents and caregivers build healthy families and provide a safe environment for children and youth.
Call us. We are here to help. We are available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Have a safe and happy long weekend. If you have a concern about a child our youth at risk, you can reach us 24/7 at 905-433-1551.
There is an urgent need for foster homes in Durham Region. Join us at an upcoming info session to learn how you can help. Our next info session is virtual — no need to drive to a meeting!
Even if fostering isn`t right for you at this time, you can help by sharing this urgent message. How will you be There to Care?
#FosterCare #Fostering #ThereToCare
Our strategic plan for 2025 to 2030, `From Insight to Action` is now available on our website. This plan was developed through extensive consultation with staff, families, youth, board members and community partners. As part of this process, we also updated our agency Vision and Mission. These are not just words; this are our commitment to continually learn and evolve to ensure that children are safe and families are supported.
A huge thank you to Bhavana Varma who guided us in the strategic planning process. Your insight, patience, and dedication were fundamental to the success of this process. We thank you for helping us distill the extensive consultations with such clarity and wisdom into the final strategic plan.
#StrategicPlanning #StrategicPlan #Community #DurhamRegion #CommunityEngagement
https://durhamcas.ca/publications/
https://bhavanavarma.ca/
In our strategic plan, we have emphasized our commitment to ethical and innovative leadership, as well as to community-centred partnerships. One way we are fulfilling this commitment is through our collaboration with Egale Canada.
We recently had the honour of presenting Egale Canada with a community partner recognition award for their partnership with us on customized training focused on working with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Egale staff were extremely helpful, creative, and passionate in developing this training, which was tailored to meet the specific needs of the child welfare sector and enhance our capacity.
Building on the success of this partnership, we are pleased to announce that the program is now being developed for province-wide delivery.
Thank you to Mark Fellion, who joined us to accept the award on behalf of Egale. We look forward to continuing our collaboration.
#2SLGBTQIA+ #2SLGBTQ #Egale #equity #inclusion #ChildWelfare #DurhamRegion #EthicalLeadership #CommunityPartnerships #InnovativeLeadership #EgaleCanada
October is Canadian Islamic History Month, first proclaimed by the Canadian government in 2007. This month honours the rich history and significant contributions of Muslim communities across Canada.
Let’s take this opportunity to learn about and share the history of Islam in Canada, and to recognize the achievements of Muslim Canadians in the arts, community service, sports, academia, science, literature, and within local communities.
This is also a time to foster compassion and inclusion, as we learn about and discuss ongoing challenges faced by Muslim Canadians.
#MuslimHistoryMonth #MHM #MuslimHeritage #DurhamRegion
We have an urgent need for foster caregivers. Join us for an upcoming info session to learn how you can help.
#FosterCare #ThereToCare #DurhamRegion
Today, our staff gathered for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, and ideally every day, we reflect on the lasting harm of residential schools and the continued impact of the child welfare system on Indigenous families and communities. Our staff gathered to share very personal stories and their own commitment to learning, sharing and growing.
This day is also known as ‘Orange Shirt Day’; we encourage everyone to wear orange to affirm that Every Child Matters and acknowledge the trauma experienced by generations of Indigenous children. The orange shirt represents the stripping away of culture and forced assimilation of Indigenous children through the residential schools. Wearing an orange shirt is a symbolic step towards reconciliation and building stronger relationships.
#trc #truthandreconciliation #JordansPrinciple #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honour survivors and those who never returned from residential schools, along with their families and communities who have been impacted by this legacy.
Commemoration of the tragic, painful history and the ongoing impact of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. This day is dedicated to fostering understanding and promoting healing, a time for us to listen and learn about the traumatic loss of culture, freedom and language experienced by Indigenous communities.
We are committed to sharing the truth about our collective past and the harm that the child welfare system has caused. As residential schools were closed, child welfare services became more intrusive in Indigenous communities. The removal of thousands of Indigenous children from their homes, families, and communities became known as the Sixties Scoop. The child welfare is the successor of the residential school system.
The impact of the child welfare system on Indigenous children and families has been profound. Indigenous children continue to be disproportionately represented in the child welfare system, often facing separation from their families and communities. This has led to further trauma and disruption of cultural connections. As an agency dedicated to continuous improvement, we are actively working to transform our practices.
#TRC #TruthandReconciliation #ChildWelfare #JordansPrinciple #OrangeShirtDay
September 25 is Franco-Ontarian Day. The day is a time to celebrate contribution of the Francophone community of Ontario to the social, economic and political life of the province and the community’s importance in Ontario’s culture. Please join is in celebrating the language, rich heritage and accomplishments of the Francophone community. Today our staff gathered to raise the Franco-Ontarian flag as a gesture of our ongoing commitment to enhancing our Francophone services.
#FrancoOntarianDay
One of the pillars of our Strategic Plan, 2025- 2030 is Community-Centred Engagement and Partnerships. At our Annual General meeting we were honoured to welcome Dr. Vidal Chavannes, Director – Strategy, Research and Organizational Performance at DRPS. With humour and his inspirational spirit, Vidal reminded us all why we do the work we do and he exemplified the value and impact of community partnerships. Thank you Vidal for such an engaging demonstration of the value of collaboration!
Visit our website to read the full annual report and strategic plan: durhamcas.ca
#community #AnnualGeneralMeeting #DurhamRegion #communityengagement #CommunityPartnerships #LeadershipInAction #InspiringCommunities
We have an urgent need for foster caregivers. Join us Thursday, Oct 2 at the Ajax Public Library (Main Branch) to learn how you can help.
Contact us at foster@durhamcas.ca to learn more.
#fostercare #DurhamRegion #AjaxOntario #ThereToCare
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Annual General Meeting. We are so grateful for the support of so many staff, board members and community and governement partners. We couldn`t do our work without you. Supporting families and protecting children truly does take a village. At the meeting we released our 119th Annual Report for 2024-2025, which is now avaible on our website. Print copies are also available. Read the full report on our website: https://durhamcas.ca/publications/
#AnnualReport #DurhamCAS #CommunityEngagement #DurhamRegion