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

Family Services

• Amber, Manager, Family Services
• Karen, Team Lead, Halton, Mental Health & Wellness
• Abrafi, Case Worker, CASP
• Beatrice, Child, Youth and Family Therapist, Building Healthy Families, Peel CAS
• Believe, Children, Youth and Family Counsellor, Building Healthy Families, Halton
• Henry, Akoma Wraparound Navigator, Building Healthy Families, Peel CAS
• Jazmin, Family Services Counsellor, Building Healthy Families (Peel)
• Joseph, Counsellor, Men's Program
• Lucia, Counsellor, Fresh Start For Women
• Rabab, Counsellor, Student Family Advocate (Halton)
• Rasheedat, Counsellor, Student Family Advocate (Peel)

Youth, Mental Health & Addictions Services

• Mariette, Manager of Youth, Mental Health & Addiction Services
• Aisha, Community Youth Worker, Mental Health & Wellness
• Brianna, Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker, Mental Health & Wellness
• Brittany, Social Worker, AMANI
• Bridgette, Youth & Family Worker
• Danekia, Akoma Wraparound Navigator, Building Healthy Families (Akoma)
• Godfred, Community Youth Worker, BSCF Halton Region
• Justin, Social Worker, AMANI
• Kailah, Client Services Navigator, Mental Health & Wellness
• Kim, Case Manager, AMANI
• Queeneth, Crisis Support Worker, CMHA
• Selah, Family Reintegration Specialist, Mental Health & Wellness

Social Services

• Jacquline, Manager, Social Services, BHSS Hub Peel
• Karen S, Team Lead, Social Services, BHSS Hub Peel
• Abreenah, Health Ambassador, BHSS Hub Peel
• Andrea, Community Services Coordinator, BHSS Hub Peel
• Barbara, Health Ambassador, BHSS Hub Peel
• Briana, Case Worker/Community Navigator, CASP & WRAP
• Danielle, Community Care Coordinator, BHSS Hub Peel
• Davene, Assistant Coordinator, Healthy, Active & Wise Seniors
• Izzy, Assistant Coordinator, Healthy, Active & Wise Seniors
• Latonya, Program Support, BHSS Hub Peel
• Simi, Program Support, BHSS Hub Peel 

Strategic Initiatives 

• Natasia, Manager, Strategic Initiatives
• Karen M, Team Lead, Strategic Initiatives
• Anita, Preventative Care Specialist, BHSS Hub Peel
• Barb, Program Coordinator, Social Enterprising & Entrepreneurial Development (SEED)
• Charnell, Program Coordinator, Black Leaders of Tomorrow
• Jamaul, Community Development Officer, Healthy Black Communities
• Maiko, Community Health Ambassador, Healthy Black Communities
• Tayyibat, Preventative Care Specialist, Carepath

Administration

Executive Team

• Shane, Chief Executive Officer
• Angela, Advisor of Strategic Initiatives, BHSS Hub Peel
• Mercy, Director of Services

Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

• Kristin, Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
• Njideka, Communications Specialist, BHSS Hub Peel
• Princess, Communications Coordinator

Finance 

• O'Meil, Manager of Finance
• Kady-Ann, Finance Officer
• Sylvester, Finance Officer

Project Administration 

• Henry, Project Manager, BHSS Hub Peel
• Yvonne, Project Administrator, BHSS Hub Peel

People and Culture 

• Tunde, Manager, People and Culture
• Chelsea, Coordinator, People and Culture

Operations 

• Debra, Manager Operations
• Javier, Office Administrator

Research Knowledge & Innovation 

• Rachelle, Manager, Research, Knowledge & Innovation
• Rene, Training & Development Specialist
• Idris, Program Support
• Justin, Data Management Consultant 

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.