The year 1973 saw the formation of the Credit Counselling Services of Peterborough. Frank Petrie, recently retired from CIBC, filled the agency’s first counselling position on a part time basis and held this until he retired in 1986. At that time we had roughly 20 active debt management programs and service was provided from an office located at 64 Hunter St. West.

As the use of credit has increased over the years, so has Credit Counselling. We now have 370 active debt management programs, employ four full time staff members and offer service at four locations within a four county area. Referrals come from the medical, legal and social service industries; however, self-referrals and those from friends and family still make up the single, largest portion.

It is no accident that most Credit Counselling Services, including ours, have been associated with other not- for-profit counselling agencies within the community. Credit Counselling has been, and always will be, primarily centred on helping our clients find the solutions they need in order to reduce anxiety and to find answers to their financial difficulties. Financial issues often follow other family based problems and it is not unusual for a client to access different programs within CCRC at the same time. If success can be measured in terms of gaining community trust and confidence then we have much to be proud of. We are the first and still the only not-for-profit credit counselling service in the region.