Throughout the month of October, Community Care Durham (CCD) celebrates the hardworking staff and volunteers during Community Support Month.

Community support services have never been more important than they are now with the health care system experiencing significant challenges with nursing and doctor shortages, and Emergency Room closures taking place across Durham Region and the province. Support services help clients live safely, independently, and comfortably wherever they call home.

“The supports our CCD staff provide clients gives them the help they need now so they can avoid emergency hospital visits,” James Meloche, CCD’s CEO said. “Oftentimes, our PSWs (Personal Support Workers) can identify issues and advocate on behalf of clients to get them assessed and treated without a trip to the ER. The same holds true of our other staff, they see our clients every day and can tell when something is not right.”

CCD offers a wide range of services and programs to help clients, including nursing care and personal care, homemaking, Meals on Wheels, and Adult Day Programs, transportation to medical appointments, COPE Mental Health services, caregiver support, exercise and falls prevention classes, foot care, and a Community Food Box program, just to name a few. Last year CCD provided 28,838 hours of Adult Day Programming that included in-person attendance and virtual attendance. We also had more than 17,000 clients attend COPE Mental Health sessions. From a food security perspective, we also delivered 154,218 meals to clients that included hot and frozen Meals on Wheels and Community Food Boxes.

“When you look at the number of hours of care we provide, the number of attendances within our programs and services, or the meals we provide on a yearly basis, they’re impressive figures,” Meloche said. “None of this would be possible without the support of our staff and volunteers who make it happen.”

The past two years staff and volunteers have worked incredibly hard helping transition most of CCD’s programs from online back to in-person. They continue to keep our clients’ safety a top priority, knowing that COVID-19 is not over yet.

“Restrictions have loosening but safety is always our top priority,” Meloche said.

There are currently staffing and volunteer opportunities available for anyone looking to help. For a list of career opportunities, visit: https://www.communitycaredurham.on.ca/careers/

There’s also a volunteer application that can be completed to those who are interested in helping for a few hours a week or a few hours a month. If you’re interested in volunteering visit: https://www.communitycaredurham.on.ca/volunteer/volunteer-application/

For more information about volunteering or staff position, call 1-888-255-6680.

CCD and other agencies across the province will be recognizing their staff and volunteers over a series of special days and weeks in October.

We are proud to celebrate the following programs during Community Support Month:

• October 3-7 Meals on Wheels Week
• October 5 Congregate Dining Day
• October 7 Supportive Housing/Assisted Living Day
• October 10-14 Community Care Worker Week
• October 11 Friendly Visiting/Telephone Reassurance Day
• October 12 Respite Services Day
• October 14 Client Intervention and Assistance (CIA) Day
• October 17-21 Adult Day Program Week
• October 21 Home Help/Maintenance Services Day
• October 24 Transportation Services Day
• October 25 Attendant Services Day
• October 28 Hospice and Palliative Care Services Day