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.