Longstanding partnership exemplifies the best of what colleges contribute to their communities

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) is proud to announce its receipt of the Community Care Durham (CCD) 2020 Corporate Leadership Award. College president Don Lovisa received the honour during CCD’s annual general meeting, which was held virtually using Zoom, on June 16.

“This award honours and highlights the longstanding, mutually beneficial partnership between Durham College and Community Care Durham,” said President Lovisa. “This is a partnership that truly exemplifies the best of what public colleges can inspire in their students and employees, and contribute to their communities.”

Nominated and selected to receive the award by CCD senior leadership and its board of directors, DC is being recognized for its longstanding partnership with and contributions made to CCD, which include:

• Regularly providing placement students from programs in DC’s School of Health & Community Services (HCS) to support CCD’s Adult Day Programs and mental health support program, known as COPE, as well as providing students from the School of Business, IT & Management occasionally.
• CCD’s participation in orientation events at DC to promote volunteer opportunities to students and employees. More specifically, CCD has worked with DC’s Police Foundations program to match students with their Friendly Visiting program.
• DC Corporate Training Services creating a Personal Support Worker (PSW) Training partnership to provide CCD’s PSWs with important education specific to their clients needs, in addition to other customized training for CCD staff.
• Most recently, the team from the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF) contributing to the successful launch of CCD’s Community Food Box program. Not only did the CFF help launch the program with a generous donation of food in the midst of the college’s COVID-related campus closure, the CFF gardens continue to provide fresh herbs and produce for the weekly food boxes.

“Community Care Durham is an exemplary organization that provides vital services to vulnerable residents in our community,” said Dr. Judeline Innocent, executive dean of HCS at the college. “It is with great appreciation that Durham College receives this honour, which marks our latest milestone as we continue to lead the way in educating students to deliver community-based care, partnering on innovative ways to respond to community needs and building a brighter future for the residents of Durham Region.”

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About Durham College

With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, Durham College (DC) offers approximately 13,400 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and nine apprenticeship programs, including the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management.

DC enables students to develop the career-ready skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market by connecting them with expert faculty and offering quality programs. With a focus on experiential learning through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads have the skills and knowledge employers need.

The Oshawa campus features DC’s newest building, the Centre for Collaborative Education, which represents the college’s commitment to working with local business and community partners while bringing together local, Indigenous and global communities and members of key business sectors.

DC’s Whitby campus is home to the Skills Training Centre, where students receive hands-on training and instruction in industrial-grade shop labs for carpentry, HVAC, welding, elevating devices and crane operation, among others. The campus also features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:

Melissa McLean (she/her/hers)
Communications and Marketing
647.880.6363
melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca