Our Mission & Vision

Roots Community Services (RootsCS) provides culturally-relevant programs and services to inspire and empower individuals, primarily from the Black, African and Caribbean communities, to make positive changes in their lives and within their communities.

Our vision is to lead in the transformation that would ensure equity, equality and inclusion for Black, African and Caribbean communities in Canada.

What We Do

Roots Community Services (RootsCS) Inc. provides culturally-enriching and appropriate programs and services that assist individuals and families in finding solutions to their needs. We create hope within individuals and inspire them to break through barriers to a world of possibilities.

Our aim is to assist our clients by providing pathways for them to achieve their full potential and contribute to improving their health, well-being and quality of life.

We offer the following programs:

Building Healthy Families – Peel CAS

This program, a partnership with the Peel Children’s Aid Society, provides culturally-appropriate counselling to parents who struggle with managing their children when faced with many intersectional and conflicting problems.

Building Healthy Families – Halton CAS

This is a one-year project in partnership with Halton Children’s Aid Society the objective of which is to reduce the disproportionate number of Black youth in care through one-on-one and group counselling of youth and their families

Akoma Project – Peel CAS

This is a pilot project in partnership with Peel Children’s Aid Society and Black Community Action Network the objective is to provide wraparound services to youth and their families involved with Peel CAS that would enable them to develop needed community support.

Mental Wellness Program

We provide clinical intervention with parents/guardians and other caregivers to help youth develop healthy minds and a strong will to be successful. In this program we work with youth, 13 years and over, and their families who are experiencing one or more mental health or challenging situations.

Healthy, Active & Wise Seniors

The Healthy Active & Wise Seniors program continues to grow as we frequently welcome new members in our weekly and bi-weekly congregate dining programs. We have a membership of over 300 seniors that are engaged in a number of activities from a lively session of Zumba to those who are blessed by friendly visits from our staff and volunteers. This program is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Central West LHIN.

Fresh Start for Women

We continue to help women who have suffered abuse to make a fresh start in our Fresh Start for Women program. Through this program, women are supported as they build confidence and make meaningful decisions for themselves and their children. Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, this program offers one-on-one counselling and group sessions among other services.

Arts, Literacy & Tutoring Programs

Our after-school program, Arts, Literacy & Tutoring Club, continues to focus on helping students reach their required grade levels, especially in math and English, as well as allowing participants to express themselves through various art and literacy activities. Funded through donations.

Summer Camp

A seven-week summer program to engage children in activities that broaden their horizon and give them a better appreciation for their environment. This program is partially funded through Canada Summer Jobs.

Black Youth School Success Initiative

This is a collaborative of Black agencies, led by the Black Advisory Council of the United Way of Greater Toronto, aimed at helping Black students in the Peel Region to graduate from high school.

Youth Outreach Worker Program

The Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker program is geared toward youth, 12 to 21 years, who may be experiencing challenges related to mental health, addictions, trauma, relationship violence, human/sex trafficking. Youth are provided with techniques to help them cope with the issues they are facing and connect them with services where they could build their self-esteem. Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services through the Services for Black Children, Youth & Families.

Youth Business Mentoring Program

Under the Youth Mentoring Program we have implemented Black Leaders of Tomorrow, in which we match mentors with youth who identify as Black and who want to become entrepreneurs or have started their own business. Called Black Leaders of Tomorrow, this program is geared toward youth ages 16 to 24 years. It is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Services

In addition to the programs we offer, we provide services, some on an annual basis, to members of the broader community. These include:

• Tax Clinic: We offer free tax preparation service during the tax filing period (March and April) in collaboration with Canada Revenue Agency.
• Carabram: We host the Caribbean Pavilion at Brampton’s annual multicultural festival held in July, which is organized and executed by a group of dedicated volunteers.
• Food Baskets : In collaboration with Basket Brigade Canada, we support families in need during holiday periods (Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas) with food and other necessities.
• CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish: With funding from the Christmas Wish foundation, we provide food baskets and supplies for large families on low-income
• Shoe Box Project: Through this organization we are able to bring joy to the lives of women who struggle with the effects of abuse with these boxes of high-quality and much-needed items.
• Toronto Star Christmas Fund: Each year, this fund provides toys for approximately 75 of our children.
• Training Organization: For many years we have trained students from colleges and universities who undertake their co-op placement each year at our organization
• Advocacy: We sit on many committees in the Region of Peel helping to shape and change policies to ensure equitable and equal opportunities for all residents.