Walk-a-Thon

Catholic Family Services of Durham (CFSD) has been strengthening the Durham community since 1981. It began in the basement of St. Gertrude Catholic Church and has since grown to require a significant amount of office space, currently located across from Memorial Park in downtown Oshawa. We also have offices in Ajax and Port Perry. The agency has always provided services to the entire community, without regard for religious belief.

The core funding we receive from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Catholic Charities and the two United Ways of Durham Region enables us to assist over 1000 individuals and families each year. Clients are asked to pay fees on a sliding scale, but no one is ever denied service due to an inability to pay. We also fund-raise to supplement our core funding, which enhances our ability to serve the entire community regardless of finances.

We are hosting our 1^st Annual Walkathon on October 23^rd, called “Walk with Me, so They Can be Free”, and we would like to invite you to join us for this event.

Almost 600 of the clients served by CFSD in 2009 were adult victims of domestic violence. We know that Durham Regional Police respond to 14 domestic calls per day, and the shelters in Durham Region are often full to overflowing. However, leaving the abusive relationship is only one of the difficult steps in breaking free from abuse for victims and their children.

True freedom for these families is achieved when they are not only free from the violent relationship, but from the long-term emotional, psychological and behavioral effects of it as well.

The “Walk with Me, so they can be Free” Walkathon is designed to raise money to support the programs offered at Catholic Family Services of Durham for victims of domestic violence and their children. The funds from this Walkathon will enable us to enhance our therapeutic resources and group materials that we use to help victims resolve their trauma.

If you would like to make a difference in the lives of families devastated by domestic violence; if you feel that you would like to see children in Durham free from the pain of abuse; if you want to be a part of helping families regain their strength, health and hope…then, come…

… “Walk with Me, so They can be Free”!!!