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Eid al-Fitr

Eid Mubarak! 

Eid is the Arabic word for “festival” or “feast,” but also commonly means celebration. Eid al-Fitr, the feast of breaking the fast, is one of two major Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims around the world. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan each year and is determined by the sighting of the new moon. Muslims observe in many ways, including through prayers, sharing gifts, engaging in worship and other celebratory activities with family, friends and loved ones.  

Durham College is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful learning and working environment. Familiarize yourself with the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy, and check out the Muslim Community Resources section on the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion website. You can also follow the Durham College Muslim Students’ Alliance on Instagram to keep informed of their ongoing Ramadan events.

Holi

Holi, known as the “Festival of Colours,” is celebrated by many Hindu communities across Canada and the globe in grand fashion, and was given special recognition by the Canadian government in 2017. Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil and celebrates various deities across various traditions. Holi also celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of the spring season. During Holi celebrations, people light bonfires, fellowship together, eat traditional foods and splash colourful dyes at one another. Join us in wishing all those who celebrate a vibrant and joyful Holi.  

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

February 22 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. As a community committed to safety and awareness-raising, we encourage everyone to take time to learn more about the signs of trafficking and challenge the myths that allow it to continue and support individuals and communities that are impacted.  

Human trafficking is a complex issue that thrives in silence. By educating ourselves and others, promoting empathy, and recognizing the realities of exploitation, we can all contribute to creating a community where every person is safe, valued, and free from violence. Here at Durham College, it’s important to recognize that human trafficking is not a distant issue, it is happening within our surrounding community. According to The Chronicle, human trafficking remains a growing concern in the Durham Region due to the area’s proximity to Highway 401, which allows traffickers to move victims between cities. 

There is help— Victim Services of Durham Region in collaboration with the Durham Regional Police Service developed the HALT Model, which brings social services and law enforcement together, coordinating support to provide compassionate, survivor‑informed, and survivor‑led responses that prioritize safety, dignity, and long‑term healing. 

On campus, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website is a valuable resource for Human Rights and Sexual Violence supports on campus, as well as broader community resources. Our office offers services to address human rights concerns, access training and educational resources, and receive guidance on policies that protect community members from discrimination, harassment, and violence. We also provide confidential disclosure options and connections to both on‑ and off‑campus support services. 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing trafficking, please call the Durham Regional Police Human Trafficking Hotline at 9055791520 ext. 4888. 

International Women’s Day

On March 8th, 2026, we join the global community in recognition of International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls everywhere. This year’s United Nations theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” calls on us to champion equity in every space, confront the systemic barriers that persist, and affirm the rights and dignity of women and girls across all identities. 

The first International Women’s Day was held on March 19, 1911, in Austria and Denmark, marking the beginning of a global movement for women’s rights. In 1975, the United Nations proclaimed International Women’s Year and officially designated March 8th as International Women’s Day, solidifying its place as a global day of recognition, advocacy, and collective action. 

Durham College remains committed to fostering a learning and working environment grounded in respect, inclusion, and equity. To support this commitment, we offer on–campus resources such as the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy  and the Sexual Violence Policy, which outlines your rights and the pathways for reporting concerns. You can also familiarize yourself with women’s community resources on the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion website as well as those from the Ontario Human Rights Commission to further deepen your understanding of all our rights and responsibilities. Join us in reinforcing our shared responsibility to building a campus community free from harassment, discrimination, and hate.  

On March 8 and beyond, we celebrate the achievements, resilience, and leadership of women and girls everywhere. We honour the progress made and the women and girls who continue to drive change. Happy International Women’s Day!

Action against Islamophobia: A Panel Discussion

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion invites all DC students, staff, and faculty to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia on Thursday, February 5th, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Global Classroom (CFCE 145). Halal refreshments will be served.

This panel discussion is held in collaboration with Durham College’s Muslim Student Alliance. Local advocates and community leaders will come together to remember the Quebec Mosque Attack, and to discuss Islamophobia in Canada and in Durham region specifically. Leaders will also share resources for students and community members affected by Islamophobia. Hunain Sindhu (student leader and advocate as well as former President of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus’ Student Union) will moderate the panel. We will feature panelists who represent the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the Muslim Women of Durham Region, as well as local academics and advocates.

Islamophobia is an ongoing issue that Canadians everywhere face, and one that we must confront ourselves on campus. Join us in remembering the 2017 Quebec Mosque Attack, honouring those who lost their lives or were injured during the attack, and to reflect on how we might take action against Islamophobia within our spheres of influence.

Black History Month

Officially recognized and first celebrated in February 1996, Black History Month honours the histories, contributions, and legacies of people of African descent in Canada. Every February, Canadians are encouraged to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate the various ways that people of African descent have contributed to all facets of Canadian life and society.  

Black History Month is an important time to reflect on both the history and ongoing contributions of Black communities, on campus and beyond. Stay tuned for details on how Durham College will be celebrating Black History Month. In the meantime, we encourage you to learn more about Black history in avenues relevant to your life and study, to support Black-owned businesses, and to uplift Black members of the community.  

Durham College (DC) is also committed to providing an inclusive and respectful learning and working environment. Here are some resources on and off campus to help all of us connect to and learn more about Black History Month and Black Canadian History, as well as our rights and responsibilities in creating a campus community free of harassment, discrimination and hate:   

Internal Durham College Sources: 

External Sources: 

Christmas

Observed annually on December 25, Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, marking the incarnation of God on Earth. It is known for family gatherings, festive meals, light displays, music, worship, and gift-giving. The tradition of giving is also linked to Saint Nicholas of Myra, a bishop known for his generosity, which inspired the modern figures of Santa Claus and Father Christmas.

Christmas is commonly known as a time of joy and connection. Join us in support of all members of our campus community who celebrate this holiday and honour its spiritual and cultural significance. We can do this by centering kindness, extending support to those in need, and creating space for celebration and togetherness.

Durham College students set to gain work experience while supporting local shelter

Durham College (DC) is partnering with the Regional Municipality of Durham to support people experiencing homelessness, while providing valuable work experience opportunities for DC students.

The 1635 Dundas Street East project in Whitby aims to provide safe and inclusive housing solutions to help individuals and families who need it most. A 45-bed low barrier shelter with wraparound supports was opened in the building at the end of March 2024, and has provided a safe and supportive environment to over 100 unique individuals. Phase 2 will focus on creating housing units with onsite access to health and social supports and services.

A recent meeting in early November about DC’s role in the project focused on how students could be involved.

“It was a great meeting, lots of excitement and innovative ideas about how students on field placement can support shelter patrons,” said Lorraine Closs, a professor in the Faculty of Social & Community Services’ Social Service Worker program and research lead with the Social Impact Hub in the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE). “We have a long-standing, strong partnership with the Region of Durham. We’ve done a number of multi-year research projects together.”

As well as sharing a formal conceptual design of how the housing space will be expanded in Phase 2, the Region also discussed the services that might be needed and how students across DC faculties could help work with them. With a vision to create a multidisciplinary, holistic support for the new shelter, the Faculties of Social & Community Services; Health Sciences; Hospitality and Horticultural Science; and even Media, Art & Design are all potential candidates for work-integrated learning opportunities. Closs is hopeful that one or two may even be able to start as early as January. A Steering Committee will decide which DC programs get connected first based on the needs of the shelter.

Lisa McIntosh, Social Services Director Income & Employment Support for Durham Region, says that having DC on board will help the region to achieve its goals for the project. “By fostering community partnerships, we create opportunities for individuals to support one another and work toward a deeper understanding of how we can collectively make a difference. Durham Region looks forward to working with Durham College to enhance 1635 Dundas Street East’s ability to help individuals regain stability. 1635 Dundas Street East exemplifies the strength of community.”

In addition to helping to support services and patrons at the low barrier shelter, the potential placements will offer fantastic hands-on learning for students, said Closs. “There are so many opportunities for students from many faculties to use the skills they are learning in class and put them in to practice in real life.” She added that a bonus will be the empathy that arises from this sort of practical experience. “Research has shown that students who do a work integrated learning experience with the homeless population really change their perceptions and overcome bias and stereotypes.”

The partnership will also provide applied research opportunities through the Social Impact Hub, one of five research centres at DC. Potential topics to investigate include the impact of these learning opportunities on students and their perceptions of homelessness, benefits of student interaction for shelter patrons, and the impact college involvement in service provision has on community member resistance to shelters. Closs, who has already been twice recognized with a DC Researcher Award of Excellence in 2019 and 2023, has submitted multiple research project applications, including for multi-year project funding. There’s also exciting research potential in documenting the pathway that the team is currently pursuing, to serve as a blueprint for other community collaborations.

For students, Closs says the partnership will be a win-win. “This project can also help students become aware of their own privilege. It’s an opportunity for them to support a vulnerable group of people and make a difference in their lives.”