The Centre for Workforce Development (CFWD) is proud to announce the success of its first Free Identification and Employment Clinic in North Hastings. The clinic was designed to assist justice-involved, vulnerable, marginalized, unhoused, and low-income individuals by helping them access essential government identification and employment services.
Thanks to the extraordinary collaboration of more than a dozen dedicated agencies, CFWD and its partners assisted 30 individuals, providing a remarkable 177 essential services. These services included support with birth certificates, health cards, photo identification, Social Insurance Numbers, as well as employment counselling, transitional housing support, healthcare services, transportation coordination, and more.
“Identification is the first key that unlocks access to healthcare, employment, housing and stability,” says Sandi Ramsay, Executive Director of CFWD. “Thanks to caring community partners we turned barriers into opportunities for people who are too often left behind.”
CFWD extends sincere gratitude to the partner agencies whose dedication made this event possible, including:
The Enrichment Centre for Mental Health (ECMH), Serco, ServiceOntario, Service Canada, Hastings County, Wellbeing North Hastings, Peer Support South East Ontario, Maggie’s Resource Centre, Central and North Hastings Chamber of Commerce, Loyalist Community Employment Services, Hastings Prince Edward Alzheimer Society, Bancroft Community Transit and the Anglican Parish of North Hastings.
A special thank-you goes to the Enrichment Centre for Mental Health (ECMH) and Serco for providing the essential funding that helped make this event a reality.
Due to the success and continued need, CFWD is planning follow-up Free Identification and Employment Clinics in Spring 2026 for both North Hastings (Bancroft) and Centre Hastings (Madoc). These clinics will be made possible thanks to Hastings County Community Funding geared toward Homelessness Prevention.
“This is not the end—it’s the beginning. The need is real, and so is our commitment. With new clinics planned for next spring, we are determined to keep breaking down barriers…ensuring no one is left behind because they lack identification or support,” adds Ramsay.
The Centre for Workforce Development is your expert on the local labour market in Hastings, Prince Edward and Lennox & Addington Counties. Funded in part by the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario, it operates as one of 25 non-profit Boards across Ontario with a focus on local labour market research and workforce development. For more information about the Centre for Workforce Development and upcoming community initiatives, please visit www.cfwd.ca.
(PAUL MARTIN)
