In 1984, volunteers, health and social service workers in Victoria County worked to develop Home Support services for seniors. Sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS), a public meeting was held to assess community support, and a steering committee was formed. The concept of Community Care used by Durham Community Care was chosen as a model and the committee committed to community-based home support.

Victoria County Community Care was provincially incorporated as a non-profit organization on April 26, 1985 and MCSS provided seed funding. Community Care hired a part-time co-ordinator to undertake the provision of services, began to recruit volunteers, liaise with existing programs and network with seniors groups in Victoria County. In January 1986, Valmay Barkey was appointed executive director when MCSS approved operations funding for full-time administrative and co-ordinating staff. She held the position until 2011.

The agency’s evolution has been shaped by its commitment to the importance of community in providing services, and at the same time, ensuring financial viability. Volunteers provide services in co-operation and co-ordination with agency staff and the community network of health and social services. “Neighbour helping neighbour” is fundamental to our effective delivery of support services, with professionals and paid staff used to enhance access to primary health care services.

Priority needs for the people of the City of Kawartha Lakes were identified and a business plan developed utilizing the community health centre model.

In September 2007, Community Care was approved by the Ministry of Health and the Central East LHIN to extend its services to include primary care services, and additional health and social services staff have been added to provide services at the Community Health Centre, 108 Angeline St. S., Lindsay.

Since 1985, the demand for Community Care’s services has grown consistently. In 1989, Community Care’s seven local offices provided 12,000 units of service/year. By 2009, more than 130,000 units of service/year were provided.

80 per cent of Community Care’s budget is funded by the Province, through the Central East LHIN. The City of Kawartha Lakes contracts from Community Care for public transit services, and contributes to the non-emergency specialized transportation program. From time to time, various projects may be funded through other government ministries or project grants.

The agency must fundraise within the community to cover remaining expenses, and to demonstrate to our funders that we have support of the community. Our outstanding volunteers, and generous donations and sponsorships from our community, make our programs possible.

The Board of Directors of CCCKL established the Community Care Foundation (Kawartha Lakes) to provide financial support for the agency and its activities. Incorporated in 2006, the Foundation received charitable status in 2011. A development officer (Margaret Booth) has been hired and a Development Plan that provides an array of new and expanded opportunities for individuals, service clubs, churches and businesses to support now and in the future, was approved in February 2012. This development plan will support the vital services provided by CCCKL.

Volunteer (please see our Volunteer Page for more information on how to become involved with the Foundation, or any other aspect of Community Care).

You can support Community Care’s programs in many ways: through one-time gifts, monthly donations, by attending our special events, by purchasing tribute gifts to honour a special friend or family member, and by leaving a bequest in your will.

Cheques made payable to the Community Care Foundation (Kawartha Lakes) can be mailed to:  108 Angeline St. S., Lindsay ON K9V 3L5.

You can pay securely by credit card by calling 705-324-7323 and speaking to a member of our staff.

You are also able to pay on-line by going to the Canada Helps website.

Community Care is a partner in the CanadaHelps.org program. Through Canada Helps, anyone can donate online to a registered charity, such as the Community Care Foundation.

To make a donation to Community Care, click on the link to CanadaHelps.org, enter “Community Care Foundation (Kawartha Lakes)”, and click on the “Go”  button. In a few steps, you can make a donation and pay using debit or credit card.

A one-stop shop for giving online, it is simple and secure. When your gift to Community Care has been made, our agency will receive an electronic notice of the donation, and the funds will be electronically transferred into our account in days. Receipting and acknowledgement of your gift is made simpler and easier, too.

Members of our Foundation’s Board of Directors live and work here in our community, and dedicate their time and expertise to raising the funds necessary to ensure Community Care can deliver our much-needed services to promote health for all ages and the independence of seniors and special-needs clients.

The Community Care Foundation seeks more individuals who are interested in sitting on the board. People interested in learning more about requirements and expectations of Foundation board members can contact Foundation fund development officer Margaret Booth at 705-324-7323.

Robert Allen

Jason Challenger

Teresa Fleming

Dustin James

Ruth Marquis

Alex McLeod (chair)

Linda McLean

Shirley Norman

June Widdis

Catherine Danbrook (ex-officio)

Margaret Booth (fund development officer)