The Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion (HCCI) was formed in 2006 as a result of the work undertaken through the Strengthening Hamilton Community’s Initiative (SHCI), an initiative as a response to the burning of a local Hindu Temple in 2001, the same year the terrorist attacks occurred in the United States on September 11th.

HCCI’s short-term goal was to deal with the distress in the community caused by the burning of the Hindu Temple, but it was anticipated that to address issues of racism in the longer term, a more profound systemic change would be required. Since 2001 our organization has worked with various marginalized communities to address their needs.

HCCI faced many challenges during 2019/2020 such as the reboot of the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC), a lack of infrastructure in Hamilton to address issues of hate/racism/discrimination and active plans to address the needs of the most vulnerable in the city such as residents living with (in)visible disabilities, unhoused residents, and other marginalized individuals and communities.

HCCI is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming city by actively supporting community organizations and people working to build a more just Hamilton for all. We hope you join us and support our work in the coming days, weeks, months, and years.

Yours sincerely,

Kojo Damptey – Executive Director

Crystal Mark – Chair of HCCI