ABOUT

History of the Agency

In the early 1990s, there was no specific agency in Durham Region dealing with issues of violence against multicultural women, immigrant and refugee women in the region. A group of dedicated volunteers researched the best ways to meet the needs of these specific women. There was a need assessment and focus group sessions conducted with women from diverse backgrounds who experienced violence and abuse by Barbara Rahder and associates. Following the needs assessment and focus group sessions, participants recommended that a counselling centre was needed in the region. A counselling centre, the Women’s Rights Action Coalition of Durham (WRAC) was established in 1993. The name was changed to the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham (WMRCC) in 2003 to more accurately reflect the agency’s services and target population. The organization’s aim is to provide culturally sensitive services to women, youth and children from diverse backgrounds.

In 2001, in recognition of its outstanding services in the community, WMRCC of Durham was nominated to receive the Canadian Race Relations Foundations Award of Excellence.

WMRCC of Durham recognizes and values the diversity of its community and views expression of prejudice, discrimination, bullying and harassment in any form as unacceptable. Any act by an individual or group which results in the diminishing of another person or group is violent. WMRCC of Durham adheres to the principals of accountability, confidentiality, equity and access, inclusiveness and social justice. The organization strives for equity and access through a community process that respects the diversity of women’s experience and promotes self knowledge, self determination, self empowerment, resiliency and inclusiveness of each member in our work.

Our dream is a world that is free from all forms of violence and oppression.

Mission Statements

The Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham Region is a Registered Charitable Organization, dedicated to provide specialized counselling and support to women of all ages and their families, from diverse backgrounds, to eradicate violence, to re-build their lives, and to enable them to become contributing and valued members of society.

The organization was founded in 1993 to provide services and to increase public awareness of the rising incidence of woman assault in our community.

All women, regardless of race, culture, social identity, religion, sexual orientation, class, age, income, immigration status and ability have equitable access to our programs and services.

Our services are free, culturally sensitive and confidential.

No one is turned away.

Get In Touch

Board of Directors
WMRCC of Durham is governed by volunteer board of directors

Name Designation
Aryan Esgandanian
President
Kisho Umar
Vice President
Kathleen Corey
Secretary
Phoebe Boreland-Grayson
Treasurer
Adele Ngamala
Director
Maggie Perotin
Director
Frida Basalirwa
Director
Kadia Baugh-Williams
Director

Staff at WMRCC

Name Designation
Esther Enyolu
Executive Director
Iffat Zehra
Project Co-ordinator
Cristina Gomez
Seniors Program Co-ordinator
Mariana Romero
Sewing Instructor
Carlene Wallace
Youth In Transition Worker (YITW)
Angelique Benois
Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker (EYOW)
Cornelious Ajibola
Mentorship Co-ordinator / Youth Outreach Worker
Amy Barclay
Mentorship Co-ordinator / Youth Outreach Worker
Eran Amosbang
Accountant

Funders

WMRCC of Durham acknowledges the financial support from our funders:

  • Status of Women Canada
  • Ontario Trillium Foundation
  • The support of the Government of Ontario is acknowledged
status of women canada
ontario ministry of children and youthe services
service canada

Membership

Your membership with WMRCC of Durham means a lot to us. Please join in our quest to eradicate violence against women in our community.

As a WMRCC of Durham member:

You will become an important voice of the agency
You will take part in our annual general meeting
You will have the right to vote at the annual general meeting
You will receive WMRCC of Durham newsletter
You will be supporting important cause in your community

YES! I will like to become WMRCC of Durham member.

Donation Amount
Unit Number | Street | City | Postal Code

Become a Volunteer