Testimonials

"Working with the team at the Centre is always a journey of ideas, challenge, insight and collaboration. Their research approach has engaged our membership, local-to-national, in an extraordinary initiative to make sense of how we chart paths to systemic change to bring about inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities and their families across all sectors of community life. There are few who would take on such a challenge, much less deliver an approach that is as participatory and productive as our work has been with the Centre."

Michael Bach, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Association for Community Living

"I have worked with the Centre on three research projects. I would describe the research relationship as one of collaboration; it is not the traditional client-consultant relationship. What I appreciate most is the Centre's active commitment to the participatory process, which fully engages and respects the expertise and vision of the people they work with. There were a number of curve balls thrown at the researchers along the way, and they just never flinch! I have been fully satisfied with the process and the outcome of working with the Centre."

Jane Cullingworth, Executive Director, Skills for Change (Toronto)

"I have been consistently impressed by the respect and common sense that all members of the Centre bring to the projects that they are involved in. I find the professional team at the Centre to have excellent skills in facilitation and leadership in the area of participatory research. I am especially impressed by their open, generous and non-defensive style. They are a well-grounded, solid, reliable and relevant group. We are very fortunate to have their Centre in our community."

Cathy Brothers, Executive Director, Catholic Family Counselling Centre (Region of Waterloo).

"When I accepted the position as a researcher-facilitator, I was in some way enthusiastic. I was excited about the idea of a project on immigrant mental that would include the direct and active participation of the communities who were the object of the research--in this case ethno-cultural groups. But at the same time I was skeptical. My skepticism came from other experiences in which groups were only utilized without any benefits and positive impact for the communities involved. My experience in these two years has been so positive and rich, especially regarding the participation of the ethno- cultural communities. These communities have responded so well to our call for their input and involvement. They have pushed for the creation of projects and believe that the change is possible even at an institutional level. I believe in the conscientization and mobilization of the actors involved in a process of change--something that the CURA project is successfully doing."

Ana Luz Martinez, CURA Community Researcher/Facilitator

"I just wanted to thank you and your staff for the work you put into this project. I personally enjoyed our contacts and discussions. Should future clients desire a reference, do not hesitate to provide them with my name and contact information."

Steve Kavanagh, Regional Director, West Central Region,
Ontario March of Dimes

"Over the years we have had the opportunity to work with a number of Centre staff; it is certainly evident to us that the entire team is dedicated to making the once dry and dreaded evaluation process into an 'almost' effortless, and yes even 'enjoyable' experience. The Centre's participatory approach left our participants, staff, and management feeling like they not only had a say, but that they are being heard. The quality of these reports have made it possible for us to provide Health Canada with an accurate picture of our programs. As a community based program, the reports have also been used as an accountability tool for other funders, service providers, politicians and participants. The reports have also become a reading requirement for all new staff, students and volunteers within our program to provide them with an overview of our history."

Patricia Spadetto, Prevention/Early Intervention Supervisor, Timiskaming Brighter Futures

"Being invited to take the role of chairperson for this study was important since most consumers don't have the experience or the skills to take on that role. I've had that role for four years and learned skills and have had experiences that I would not have been able to experience in any other way. I'd like to thank the Centre for giving me the opportunity to learn these skills and giving people like myself the opportunity to be part of such a study. Being involved with the Centre in a number of activities after the study has been rewarding and encouraging."

Alex Troeger, Consumer Survivor Initiative steering committee member

"I have very much appreciated the Centre's ability to respond to our request for evaluation support in such a timely and sensitive manner...As a very busy program manager, it is so nice to find an organization that is actually able to take some work off my plate. They are also able to make the whole process of evaluation educational, transparent, empowering to participants, nonthreatening to staff and very enjoyable. "

Jennifer Sells, Program Manager, Bruce Grey Brighter Futures

I have been involved with the Centre almost since the time of its inception. I have had the pleasure of working with centre staff and all 3 of the centre coordinators on several different research projects dealing with special services at home for families who have a member with a developmental disability, support services for people with physical disabilities, and community mental health services and supports for people who have experienced serious mental health issues. The Centre and our Community Psychology program at Laurier have also partnered in training graduate students in community psychology. Two of the centre coordinators have taught courses in our graduate program and have served as advisors on thesis committees; numerous students have worked with the Centre over the years for their practicum placements and/or for the their thesis research; and some of the graduates of our program have worked for the Centre. I also participated as a member of the Board of Directors of the Centre for several years.

The Centre has been a pioneer in participatory, action-oriented, and qualitative research. I have learned a great deal about this approach from Centre staff, as have community psychology graduate students and numerous groups and organizations around the province and the country...What stands out the most to me is the people who work for and with the Centre. This is truly a wonderful group of people, who are very caring, compassionate, committed to social change, and competent in their work. This group creates an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone who enters their doors or who work with them in the community. I believe that it is a privilege to have such a centre in my community, and it has been a pleasure for me to be associated with the Centre.

Geoff Nelson, Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo)

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