News & Updates

HCCI Annual General Meeting – 2020/2021

Dec 20, 2021

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 formed 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.
Like other not-for-profit organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted programs and forced community organizations to offer online programming. At the onset of the pandemic HCCI, DJNO, Hamilton Student Mobilization and Erich Cupboard offered food delivery programs for the most vulnerable in our city. We brought to the forefront the continued health inequities exacerbated by the pandemic.


As we prepare for 2022 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 Crystal Mark
Executive Director Chair of HCCI

You can read the full annual report here:

HCCI-20202021-Annual-Report-FINAL-1Download
HCCI Annual General Meeting Followed with a Community Discussion about community responses to COVID-19 in Hamilton. Panellists included Dr. Ameil Joseph (McMaster University), Terri Bedminister (Refuge Newcomer Health), Sarah Jama (Disability Justice Network of Ontario), and Joanna Frketich (The Hamilton Spectator)
Caremongering Hamilton
HCCI hosted an Anti-Racism Conference during 2020 virtually from April to August.
Hamilton’s COmmunity Saftey and Well-Being Priorities: Hate incidents, violence, mental health & stigma, substance use, housing & homelessness, and access to income.
HCCI joined other community organizations and the City of Hamilton to develop a Community Safety and Well-Being plan as mandated by the Province of Ontario.
Health Experts and Community organizations called for the City of Hamilton to track socio-economic and race-based data during the pandemic
HCCI continues to support organizations and institutions with Anti-oppression & anti-racism training
During the pandemic, HCCI supported 413 Black students & families in Hamilton.