History
Inception & Impact
The Journey of the Resource Centre
With Gratitude & Heart
The Campbellford Community Resource Centre(CCRC) was established in the late 1990s as aproject of Community Living Campbellford/Brighton(now Inclusion Northumberland). It opened shortlyafter the Town of Campbellford vacated its old postoffice building in 1998. By 1999, the CCRC was operating out of that formermunicipal building, with the goal of creating a “one-stop” hub of accessible resources for the entirecommunity.From its inception, the CCRC’s mission was toprovide affordable recreation, education,employment, and training opportunities to peopleof all ages and abilities in an inclusive setting.
1998–1999: Where it All Began
Inception: After municipal amalgamation in 1998, the CCRC moved into Campbellford’s former town hall/post office building to begin operations . Community Living Campbellford/Brighton (CLCB) spearheaded this initiative, seeing the resource centre as a focal point for community programs and inclusion. By the early 2000s, the CCRC was hosting adult education classes (in partnership with LoyalistCollege) and offering public access to office equipment, computers, and job search assistance. Usage grew rapidly, making the CCRC an important gathering place in Campbellford.
Mid-2000's: A Home For Connection & Support
Expansion of Services: The CCRC’s programming expanded in scope and popularity. It began offering dozens of personal interest courses (e.g. cooking, arts, fitness, gardening, computer skills) and hosting community events.
By 2007, the centre was seeing extremely high utilization – over 30,000 visits were recorded in the 2007–2008 year alone. During this period, it also ran an Employment Ontario-funded Employment Resource Centre, where staff assisted over 2,200 clients annually with résumés, job searches, and career counselling.
The CCRC even launched specialized programs like the five-week Career Opportunities Project to train job-seekers in skills such as résumé writing and interview prep . Summer children’s camps and youth programs (like an after-school computer club called “The Planet”) were introduced to engage younger demographics.
2007: Evolving Community
A New Facility: A major milestone was the relocation in 2007from the old post office building to a new, fully accessible centre at65 Bridge Street East. This modern facility (which also became CLCB’s headquarters)offered expanded space, including a state-of-the-art conferenceroom named “The Acorn Room.”
The Acorn Room was funded by a grant from the Campbellford/Seymour Community Foundation and became a busy venue for workshops, meetings, and classes. Community Living’s Executive Director at the time, Nancy Brown, lauded the new building as “worth celebrating” for what it meant to community inclusion (a sentiment echoed in a provincial press release). The move enabled the CCRC to accommodate more programs and partner services, solidifying its role as a true community hub.
Real Lives. Real Change.
“I learned how to build a résumé and got my first job after 6 months of searching. The CCRC gave me more than help — it gave me hope.”
— Career Opportunities Project Graduate
“My daughter with disabilities attended Zumba classes with her friends from school. It was the first time she felt truly included.”
— Local Parent
“I didn’t have a computer or internet, but the CCRC gave me access so I could finish my GED and apply to college.”
— Lifelong Learner
“From toy drives to CPR training to just having a space to meet — this place has changed what community means to us.”
— Longtime Resident
Every person who walks through our doors is more than a number. They’re learners, job seekers, parents, newcomers, and neighbours — and they all find connection, support, and possibility here.
A Difficult But Necessary Decision
The past few years have brought immense change — to our community, our world, and to how people access support. As we emerged from the pandemic, it became clear: the needs of our community had shifted. Decreased in-person program use Rising demand for digital access and flexible support A growing call for collaboration, cost-efficiency, and adaptabilityWe made the difficult but necessary decision to reimagine how we deliver support — moving away from a physical, stand alone model and focusing instead on strategic partnerships, mobile outreach, and digital engagement. It is a renewal of purpose — one that ensures we continue to meet people where they are, with the same heart and vision that has guided us since day one.
Our Story Lives On
While the Campbellford Community Resource Centre enters a new chapter, its legacy remains firmly rooted in the community it served. For over two decades, the CCRC provided a trusted space where individuals accessed education, employment support, wellness programming, and meaningful connection.
That legacy continues in the ongoing work of Inclusion Northumberland and our community partners. The values of inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment remain central to our mission. The spirit of the CCRC continues to guide our work, as we build new pathways for connection and care across our community.
To every individual who contributed to the Campbellford Community Resource Centre — Whether you were a program participant, instructor, volunteer, staff member, community partner, funder, or supporter
Thank You.
— your time, energy, and belief in this space made a lasting impact. You helped build more than a centre. You built a community rooted in inclusion, learning, support, and connection. As we move forward, we carry your contributions with us — in every program that continues, in every life still being touched, and in every effort to serve our community with compassion and purpose. Thank you for being part of our story. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.