History

Valmay Barkey

In the early 1980s, health and social service professionals throughout Victoria County worked together to develop local home support services. They, along with community volunteers, shared concerns about the unmet needs of seniors and people with special needs in our community.

Following a public meeting to assess community support hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Community & Social Services (MCSS), a steering committee was formed to continue exploration of the area's home support needs. The group identified with the concept of community care and committed to home support services provided locally. Community Care was incorporated as a non-profit organization on Apr. 26, 1985, with MCSS funding.

A part-time co-ordinator undertook service provision, initiated volunteer recruitment, liaised with existing programs and networked with local seniors groups. Funding for full-time administration and co-ordination was led to the appointment of Valmay Barkey as executive director in 1986.

Today, Community Care provides more than 15 different services and programs from 12 locations in the City of Kawartha Lakes (Bethany, Bobcaygeon, Burnt River, Cambray, Coboconk, Fenelon Falls, Kinmount, Kirkfield, Lindsay, Oakwood, Omemee and Woodville). We continue to expand to meet the needs of local communities.