DCA has been an active community-based charitable agency on the Hamilton / Burlington scene since 1992. Its mission is simply to help youth from the diverse ethnic community achieve their full potential. We at DCA presently offer the following programs:

TUTORING & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Initially at the request of the Hamilton Board of Education, DCA has delivered tutorial programs over the past 5 years, both in the various schools of the region and after school on our premises. A significant number of the tutors used are undergraduate university students. These students also provide culturally-appropriate advice and mentoring to some of the students they tutor. This program was upgraded for the 1996 - 1997 period by the addition of Ministry-certified teachers (usually retired) sensitive to the unique cultural and racial issues inherent in the relationship. In cases where students can afford it, DCA is considering a token fee for these services to offset some of its cost.

YOUTH COUNSELLING SERVICES

Education and Behavioral Counselling
DCA offers counseling sessions for young people and their families to help them make the necessary adjustments to succeed in the school system. The program enlists the services of an experienced Educational Psychologist with a wide experience in working with youth from the various visible minority and immigrant communities, and has developed a deep understanding of the problems that these young people face. Counseling takes place on Wednesday evenings on the DCA premises. All sessions are private and confidential.

* Program sponsored by United Way of Burlington and Hamilton-Wentworth

Suspended student group counseling

In September, 2001, DCA initiated its Community / School counseling initiative, the Responsiveness Program. This program provides group counseling to public school students aged 7 to 13 whose disruptive and dysfunctional behavior patterns have caused them to be suspended from school or have brought them into contact with child welfare or law enforcement systems. DCA has contracted a Social Worker to liase with the Hamilton Board of Education to identify students for voluntary enrollment in the program.

* Program sponsored by the Hamilton Community Foundation

ENTREPRENEURIAL & APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

DCA has managed programs to train youth to enter the small business environment as their own employer or to enter the trades. These programs are offered depending on the availability of government funding.

YOUNG GIRLS / WOMEN WORKSHOP

Diverse Community Achievement Centre will be hosting a conference that will be geared towards teenage and pre-teen girls in the Hamilton-Wentworth region. The purpose of the conference is to develop a module for racial and ethno-cultural girls and young women that would assist social service agencies in recognizing and removing barriers that exist in their services for individuals in these communities. The module will also help DCA and other agencies/organizations to plan programs for girls and young women and to hopefully create changes in policies that will positively affect youth from these communities. We are seeking young girls and women between the ages of 11 to 24 to either answer a confidential questionnaire or be part of a focus group. If you are interested please call the centre at 905-543-0222

*Program sponsored by Status of Women Canada

YOUTH CAMPS

'Camp Cascadura' Multicultural Arts Camp

Brought to you by Diverse Community Achievement Centre and Trinidad & Tobago Association of Hamilton-Wentworth
July 2 - Aug. 30, 2002

Children ages: 6-12 Monday-Friday 9:00-4:00

Four exciting two-week sessions.
Develop your child's creative talents under the direction of artists.

Arts and crafts:
Drawing, painting, printing, collage, calligraphy, mask making, sculpture.

Drama:
Mime, story telling, skits, improvisation

Dance:
Caribbean dance, stilt walking demonstration

Music:
Steel band, instrument making, folk- singing.

Trips include:
Children's Intl Learning Centre, Woodland Cultural Centre, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Wards Island Toronto,
Botanical Gardens

Fees: $75.00/week/child

To reserve a space:
Call DCA @ 905-543-0222
Fax form to 905-544-5187
Registration on the first day of each week.

Camp Manager & Artistic Director:
Roger Ferreira, B.A. Mc Master University. S.O.T.A.
Well known artist /iIlustrator.

For the last five years he has conducted a summer arts camps in Hamilton area, under the auspices of the Trinidad & Tobago Association of Hamilton Wentworth. Other projects he has worked on are Visages Du Monde Barton Fresh Elements '95 & '96 Cement '97. ACCPI & Potpourri Variety Shows.He has shown at Carnegie Gallery, Theatre Aquarius, Hamilton Artist Inc. and HARAC. He continues to teach and mentor and his Afro-centric designs grace murals and logos around the Hamilton area.

OTHERS

Science Club

DCA is presently working with Visions of Science, a Toronto-based group which is dedicated to establishing science clubs for the diverse population in the province, to set up such a club in Hamilton. Expressions of interest, both from participants or from volunteers with science experience, are encouraged. Call DCA at 905-543- 0222.

After School Homework and Sports Club

Contact DCA to enroll in, and assist in, setting up after school programs for youth.