Our Story & History

Establishment of Social Planning Council Ajax-Pickering: Community Development Council Durham formerly known as the Social Development Council of Ajax-Pickering, a not-for profit charitable organization, is rebranded as the Social Planning Council Ajax-Pickering.

Family Counseling Service Transition: In August, Family Counseling Service, which had already been established under the auspices of the Social Planning Council, was placed under the Pickering Township Social Service Department. The Social Planning Council also becomes aligned with the Municipality’s Social Service Department, but retained its independent Board of Directors.

Transition of Social Services to the Region of Durham: On January 1, all Social Services became the responsibility of the new Region of Durham. The Region offers to continue the close association with the Social Planning Council by providing office space in its new Centre at 138 Commercial Avenue in Ajax.

Launch of Host Program: The HOST Program is born to support newcomers. It was funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada with additional financial support from United Way of Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge.

New Office Location: As the agency secured new projects, larger accommodation was secured at 32A Commercial Avenue in Ajax.

New Office Location: The Agency expands its office space to include 134 Commercial Avenue as well.

Durham’s Child Nutrition Project begins: Initially funded by the Region of Durham and by the Canadian Living Foundation, this breakfast/healthy snack program is delivered to schools in Durham Region.

Introducing the Agency’s New Name: Having only Ajax and Pickering in its name was self-limiting, so in November, the council changed its name to Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) to reflect the work being done across the Region.

New Office Location: The agency expands to include the whole of 138 Commercial Avenue.

CDCD Launches its first One-Stop Newcomer Centre: CDCD moves into its new premises at 458 Fairall St, as it is tasked to take the lead role in establishing the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in Ajax, offering a one-stop service option for newcomers to the Durham community.

Ajax Pride House: is held at the Ajax Welcome Centre in partnership with the Town of Ajax to provide a temporary location offering a safe space for the LGBTQIA2S+ community during the 2015 PAN AM Games.

Leadership Durham program is launched: a community leadership program that is intended on increasing collaboration throughout the Region and in building capacity within the non-profit/charitable sectors.

CDCD conducted a a living wage study examing the cost of living throughout Durham and what a family of four needed to meet its basic needs

Discover Your Durham Newcomer Bus tour: This event was a way for newcomers to become familiar with their community, while celebrating our heritage through Canada 150 activities.

Point-in-time (PiT): CDCD produced Durham’s Point-in-time (PiT) Count, which provided an estimated snapshot of the extent and nature of homelessness in Durham Region.

CDCD changes its logo: The new logo reflects a more diverse and vibrant entity, as well as the community it supports.

First Resettlement Program: The first Resettlement Program was launched in Durham. The program assisted refugee families with children in becoming resettled and housed in the Region and surrounding communities.

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS): Celebrated 10 years of helping newcomer families navigate Durham’s Catholic and public elementary and secondary school systems.

Ajax Homelessness Task Force: CDCD’s Housing Department co-developed and facilitated the Ajax Homelessness Task Force with Ajax Counselors Lisa Bower and Joanne Dies. This brought together churches, local businesses, BIA members, service providers, mental health agencies, the local youth shelter, social workers, paramedics, and people experiencing homelessness in Ajax, and led to the implementation of locker storage for the homeless population, Doors of Compassion – Out of the Cold supports, and a Hygiene Hub.

Technology & Infrastructure Revitalization: CDCD implemented a comprehensive infrastructure update in response to COVID-19, equipping all staff with mobile and computer devices to ensure business continuity, employee safety, and operational efficiency.

Opening Doors Durham Pilot: Launched a first-of-its-kind program in Durham to engage landlords in south Durham to provide units below market rate for clients experiencing chronic homelessness and are on the By-Name list.

Sector Research: Funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation, assessed the impact of COVID-19 on non-profits across Durham Region through research and reporting, highlighting challenges and opportunities for the sector.

Chalmers Durham APP: Launched the app, a chatbot powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide real-time referrals to homeless services – the first of its kind in the region. CDCD received a Certificate of Recognition from Regional Chair John Henry for this innovative initiative, underscoring the organization’s leadership in leveraging technology for community support.

Virtual Women Entrepreneurs Marketplace: Hosted the first online marketplace for newcomer women-led businesses at CDCD’s virtual AGM, providing a platform to showcase their products, expand reach, and build community engagement.

Housing Settlement Workers: Introduced Housing Settlement Workers to Durham Region to help newcomers navigate the housing system.

Building Bridges Program – Orange Shirt Day: Recognized Orange Shirt Day through a virtual forum featuring a Residential School survivor’s testimony, fostering meaningful dialogue between Indigenous Peoples and newcomers about Canadian history.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence: In response to the rise in gender-based violence, CDCD expanded its prevention and support initiatives. Through the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) Program, CDCD launched the “Let’s Talk About Relationships” initiative, providing education, resources, and safe spaces for newcomer youth to discuss healthy relationships and challenge harmful norms.

Opening Doors Durham – Annual Funding Secured: The pilot program’s success resulted in it becoming a fully funded initiative, continuing to provide sustainable housing opportunities for those experiencing chronic homelessness.

Care for Newcomer Children (CNC): Began operations offering free on-site childminding for up to 10 children (ages 19 months to 6 years) while parents or guardians attend in-person IRCC-funded programs at the Ajax Welcome Centre.

Strengthening Humanitarian and Mental Health Supports: CDCD was selected by IRCC as the focal point service provider to coordinate and deliver settlement services for Ukrainians in Durham Region. OCASI also selected CDCD to integrate Mental Health Promotion into settlement services, which built the agency’s capacity to deliver short-term therapeutic counselling to newcomers.

Durham Humanitarian Program: Launched in response to the Ukrainian crisis, initially with one site and later expanding to three locations. In partnership with the Region and other community partners, the program supports asylum seekers from around the world.

Staff Appreciation Day: Introduced the first full-day appreciation event, recognizing employee contributions, boosting morale, and strengthening agency-wide team building. This is now an annual signature event.

Collaboration with Lived Experience Community: CDCD continued to serve as the Agency Lead for the GAP Committee, leveraging the expertise of people with lived experience, service providers, and partners to strengthen community-building efforts aimed at ending homelessness in Durham Region.

Launching Digital Community Resources: CDCD further developed the Homelessness in Durham: Hope in Our Community website, a community-led and co-designed online resource for individuals experiencing homelessness and the service providers who support them. This tool aimed to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and encourage collaboration across the Durham Region.

Workforce Growth: For the first time, CDCD’s staffing levels peaked at 100 employees working concurrently across all programs.

Back-to-School Partnership: Nearly 900 backpacks were distributed to school-aged children through a partnership with UWAY Durham Region.

Holiday Toy Drive: In partnership with Durham Police Services and the Town of Ajax, 183 toys were donated annually for low-income and newcomer families. In 2024, 263 families signed up, and 182 families received toys, benefiting over 700 children with the help of 13 volunteers.

Provincial Funding for Asylum Claimants: Received one-time funding (2024–2025) for Settlement and Labour Market Integration Services for Asylum Claimants to address the growing influx of asylum seekers in Durham. Contributed to the development of the Newcomer Housing Journey Map in partnership with the Durham Local Immigration Partnership.

Oshawa/Clarington Welcome Centre Immigrant Services and RAP House: Opened the second CDCD Welcome Centre in Oshawa, along with Durham’s first IRCC-funded Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) House, significantly expanding capacity to support newcomers and government-assisted refugees.

Durham Refugee Hiring Event: In partnership with WES, DRUHC, and the Region, hosted Durham’s first Refugee Hiring Event. The event saw 127 participants, 14 employers, and 148 onsite interviews, achieving an 89% success rate. Twelve candidates were hired on the spot, and 101 attendees were retained for the next stage of the interview process.

Championing the Durham Not-for-Profit Network (DNN): CDCD continued to champion the newly established Durham Not-for-Profit Network (DNN) in partnership with 8 founding member agencies. The DNN brings together nonprofit organizations across the region to strengthen collaboration, share resources, and advocate collectively on sector-wide priorities. By serving as a central hub for coordination and knowledge exchange, DNN amplifies the voice of the nonprofit sector and builds stronger connections with government, funders, and community partners.

Newcomer Women’s Leadership Program: CDCD launched a Newcomer Women’s Leadership Program, funded by IRCC, to empower newcomer women through mentorship and peer support, fostering confidence and stronger community engagement.