The CFOC-Doors of Compassion started as a pilot out of the cold initiative over the 2019/2020 winter season. Since then, the vision has shifted to that of a 20 bed housing focused shelter as a part of the Region of Durham’s mandate to end homelessness in Durham Region by 2024. Our mission is to provide safe and supportive housing-focused shelter and services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We are a not-for-profit registered charitable agency governed by a volunteer Board of Directors working in partnership with The Region of Durham and community agencies.
Homelessness did not start with COVID-19 nor will it end, so we need your help! Join with us, as we link arms as a community in these unprecedented times.
Your contribution is not limited to this pandemic, some of our long term goals are to:
1. Find and establish year long support and housing for the unsheltered.
2. Have year long day programs that teach practical life skills, and reintegration into society after homelessness.
3. Have a hub space where clients can connect with their community supports in one place (work along side community agencies, social workers, housing, physical & mental health etc.) all in one space.
This space would not be limited to our unsheltered homeless population but also to our sheltered homeless population ( ie. couch surfers, those in shelters), new immigrants, marginalized individuals and anyone who needs access to these resources.
We’re asking for your contribution of $5, $25, $75, $100 or $250+. There is no amount too big or too small, every donation will help make an impact.
Thank you so much in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us and our community.
For more Information:
E: doc@cfoc.ca
P: 905-619-1109
CFOC – DOORS OF COMPASSION
158 Harwood Ave, S, Suite 203
Ajax, ON L1S 2H6
IOTC was a joint venture program run in conjunction with The Region of Durham through the Reaching Home funding initiative; by Christian Faith Outreach Centre Doors of Compassion (CFOC-DOC) in Ajax and First Light Foundation of Hope (FLFOH) in Oshawa. Since its inception on May 1, 2020, IOTC has worked alongside Durham Mental Health Services, Ontario Works, and the Oshawa & Ajax hubs to service the unsheltered community during COVID-19 pandemic. Between May 1 & Aug 3, IOTC serviced 103 unique clients.
Through this necessary transitional housing service, IOTC has been able to offer respite to individuals who have been living unsheltered, giving them an opportunity to experience what sheltered community living, three consistent meals, daily routines, ready access to healthcare (mental and physical) and 24/7 wraparound support in an abstinence-based environment can offer. For many it has been a new lease on life and provided hope. In our opinion, this model of transitional housing is certainly one of the greatest silver linings of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
IOTC has offered programming and services such as: Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous, weekly haircuts, Financial Literacy classes, Outdoor sports and walks, social/game nights and faith-based studies. All programs are optional and have been an added bonus to our guests during their time at Camp Samac.
Since Phase 2 of the COVID-19 recovery commenced, The Region of Durham has added support through the Salvation Army Transitional Housing Program (SA) to prioritize IOTC clients into housing prior to the closing date.
To date there are ~15 individuals who have completed the application process with the potential of 5 – 8 clients being housed as of Sept 1. With additional spaces opening Oct 1 & Nov 1, we hope to house the remaining IOTC clients. The team from SA has been phenomenal, we are grateful to have the opportunity to work with them.
Camp Samac has been a great home to IOTC during the summer months, unfortunately due to the facilities not being winterized, the IOTC program will be leaving Camp Samac on Monday Sept 14, 2020. The remaining clients will transition to either CFOC-DOC, FLFOH or the formal sheltering system.
The IOTC program closes on Oct 31, 2020. Both CFOC-DOC and FLFOH will continue to support unsheltered residents and hope to continue working with The Region, and the many community agencies in a joint effort to end Homelessness in Durham Region.
