Who We Are

For almost four decades Roots Community Services Inc. (RootsCS), formerly United Achievers’ Community Services Inc. has provided culturally-sensitive and culturally-enriching programs to the Black, African and Caribbean (BAC) communities in the Region of Peel.

RootsCS partnered with agencies of the federal and provincial governments, the Region of Peel, the City of Brampton, other community service agencies and businesses to deliver programs and services that helped individuals and families from BAC communities improve their livelihood, and contributed to building stronger, safer communities in the Region.

The organization was established by the United Achievers’ Club in the mid-1980s to focus on addressing the needs identified primarily in the Black and Caribbean communities. The organization was incorporated in 1998 and in 2000, it received its charitable status, opening up the way to more funding opportunities.

The name was changed to Roots Community Services Inc. in 2019 after extensive consultation with the community members, funders, clients, staff and volunteers during its strategic planning process.

The strategic focus and work of RootsCS is deeply rooted in the passion of its founders. That passion is to provide pathways to wellness – programs and services that reduce, if not eliminate, social and racial inequities that are major barriers to the successful growth of strong families and individuals within BAC communities.

Over the years, RootsCS has developed capabilities and competencies that allow it to advocate for and deliver services to improve the overall health and well-being of its target population.

In keeping with its strategic direction,, the organization has expanded it geographic reach to the Halton Region, collaborating with partner agencies to provide culturally-appropriate, relevant and safe programming to the growing BAC communities in that region.

• Colin McClean - President 
• Carol Nicholson - Vice President
• Andrea Randall - Immediate Past President
• Douglas Carter - Treasurer
• Arvind Krishendoll
• Leo Campbell
• Akinade Oduntan
• Althea Smikle-Brown 

Mental Health & Wellness Teams

Clinical Services

• Rachelle, Manager, Research, Knowledge & Innovation, Mental Health & Wellness
• Amber, Manager, Clinical Services, Mental Health & Wellness
• Karen, Team Lead, Halton, Clinical Services, Mental Health & Wellness
• Aisha, Community Youth Worker, Mental Health & Wellness
• Beatrice, Child, Youth and Family Therapist, Building Healthy Families, Peel CAS
• Believe, Children, Youth and Family Counsellor, Building Health Families, Halton
• Briana, Case Worker/Community Navigator, CASP & WRAP
• Brianna, Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker, Mental Health & Wellness
• Danekia, Crisis Support Worker, Clinical Crisis Rapid Response Team
• Esther, Crisis Support Worker, Mental Health & Wellness 
• Henry, Akoma Wraparound Navigator, Building Healthy Families, Peel CAS
• Jacquline, Counsellor, Building Healthy Families, Peel CAS
• Joseph, Counsellor, Men's Program
• Kailah, Client Services Navigator, Mental Health & Wellness
• Lucia, Counsellor, Fresh Start For Women 
• Rabab, Counsellor, Student Family Advocate (Halton)
• Rammond, Training and Development Officer, Research, Knowledge & Innovation
• Rasheedat, Counsellor, Student Family Advocate (Peel)
• Selah, Family Reintegration Specialist, Mental Health & Wellness

Special Projects

• Andrea, Community Support Coordinator, BHSS Hub Peel
• Anita, Community Ambassador, BHSS Hub Peel
• Danielle, Community Care Coordinator, HPCS
• Godfred, Community Youth Worker, BSCF Halton Region
• Jamaul, Community Development Officer, TAIBU
• Justin, Social Worker, SAPACCY
• Kim, Case Manager, SAPACCY
• Lilian, Community Ambassador, BHSS Hub Peel
• Mariette, Social Worker, SAPACCY
• Nyah, Community Service Navigator, BHSS Hub Peel
• Queeneth, Crisis Support Worker, CMHA

Social Wellbeing & Community Development Teams

• Natasia, Manager, Social Safety & Well-Being, Programs & Services
• Barb, Program Coordinator, Social Enterprising & Entrepreneurial Development (SEED)
• Charnell, Program Coordinator, Black Leaders of Tomorrow
• Davene, Assistant Coordinator, Healthy, Active & Wise Seniors
• Grace, Program Coordinator, Healthy, Active & Wise Seniors
• Izzy, Assistant Coordinator, Healthy, Active & Wise Seniors
• Maiko, Program Assistant, Programs & Services
• Rhona, Program Coordinator, ALT Children's Programs

Administration

Executive Team

• Shane, Chief Executive Officer 
• Shauna, Director, Community & Social Services
• Angela, Advisor of Strategic Initiatives, BHSS Hub Peel
• Rene, Executive Assistant 
• Yvonne, Project Administrator

Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

• Kristin, Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
• Stedman, Communications Coordinator

Finance

• O'Meil, Manager of Finance 

Human Resources

• Debra, Manager, HR & Operations
• Njideka, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
• Kayla, Office Administrator
• Chelsea, Administrative Coordinator, Anti-Black Racism & Systemic Discrimination Collective

To ensure we continually provide excellent and quality service to our communities, we embarked on an accreditation process in 2019, working toward meeting established standards for efficient and effective services.