Housing Social Worker
CCRC has received a one year grant from the City of Peterborough to establish a new program aimed at developing and maintaining safe, healthy communities and retaining tenancies in social housing communities.

Working with the Housing Administer of the City of Peterborough, CCRC’s Counselling Services has hired a Housing Social Worker to assist households in selected social housing communities. We are pleased that Maisie Watson who has been a counsellor with CCRC for 9 years has been hired for this new position!

Rent Bank
The Housing Resource Centre is operating a new Rent Bank service initiated by the provincial government through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the City of Peterborough. This program assists eligible clients within the City and County of Peterborough to avoid eviction for rent arrears. Goals for this program are consistent with those of the ongoing Emergency Assistance Fund operated by the Housing Resource Centre. Clients wishing to apply for assistance from the Rent Bank can call the Housing Resource Centre at 743-9122 or come to 229 King Street to arrange for an appointment.

DART Program
Working with the Peterborough County Domestic Assault Review Team (DART), CCRC is overseeing a coordination project to support the work of this committee over the next year. Funded by a grant from the Ontario Victim’s Services Secretariat of the Ministry of the Attorney General, the DART Coordinator will assist the committee to clarify its direction, develop and distribute a resource guide for victims of domestic violence, implement a community training event, and support the ongoing work of the committee. We are pleased that Janice Wuerch has joined our staff on a part time basis to coordinate this project!

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - For Businesses Large and Small
Local businesses, government offices and non-profit organizations, large and small, can offer employees confidential counselling through our Employee Assistance Program. Provided by experienced, professional counsellors, these services can help resolve problems before they affect health, family life or job performance. Wellness seminars, crisis intervention services and organizational consultations are also available. Emergency services can be contacted 24 hours per day.

We offer these services as part of the Family Services Employee Assistance Program (FSEAP), a national network of service agencies across Canada working through community based counselling agencies.

Anyone interested in learning more about our FSEAP service, please contact us at: 752-4258

National Child Benefit Reinvestment Fund (NCB)
The National Child Benefit (NCB) is a federal program targeted to low-income families, providing approximately $940/year per child. In Ontario, these funds are deducted from families on social assistance - Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

This is the third year of CCRC’s participation in the National Child Benefit (NCB) Reinvestment Initiative. Through this initiative CCRC, in partnership with the City and County of Peterborough, returns the municipal portion of the NCB Supplement dollars to eligible families on social assistance.

Families with dependent children under the age of 18 who were in receipt of OW or ODSP benefits as of June 30, 2004, were eligible for assistance from the NCB Reinvestment Fund. Through this Fund, almost $350,000 was available to over 2,500 eligible children in Peterborough City and County this fall. Over 80% of eligible families responded, with a total repayment of $156 per child.

While we are pleased to report on the successful return of these funds, it is our hope that the commitment made by the Ontario government to ensure that families on social assistance receive their full NCB Supplement be honored as quickly as possible, so that these families, the poorest of the poor in Peterborough and across the province, can receive their full benefits directly.

Credit Counselling - Education & Prevention
We are pleased to announce that our Credit Counselling Services have received a grant of $2460 from the City of Peterborough to extend education and training on money management and consumer debt to students in local high schools. These funds will assist us in obtaining up to date budgeting and educational materials.

It is our belief that students learn best from receiving hands-on instruction, role playing and hearing the counsellor relate actual true client circumstances. Young people can suddenly find themselves being flooded with credit card applications and offers of credit. It is our hope that these sessions will give them the knowledge needed in order to treat credit with caution and respect.

Community Service Orders - 25th Anniversary
On October 27, 2004, the CSO Program celebrated 25 years in Peterborough City and County at the Peterborough Lion’s Club. The Honorable Madam Justice Johnston and Mr. Joe Woodgate, Area Manager for Probation and Parole spoke about the benefits of community service in providing troubled youths and adults with a sense of pride and means of contributing to their community.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to non- profit organizations that provide support and placements for our clients. Additionally, some community partners received door prizes donated by local businesses including the Pizza Factory, Tyme on Your Hands, The Body Shop, Shish-Kabob Hut, Peterborough Arms, Fandango Hair and Nails, Nu Bodies and Galaxy Theatre. We thank them for their support!