Projects 

    CCBR typically has 15-20 ongoing projects and has completed over 500 projects since 1982. Each project is guided by our commitment to impacting social change in practical and powerful ways. We conduct research with people not on people, cultivating respect with communities at every step of the process.

    Projects can be searched for using words from the project title or using the service area, theme, or date range for the project. You can also type 'Service Area' or 'Theme' into the search bar to get a list of options in each of these fields.

    Projects

    The Centre for Community Based Research worked closely with the CHAMPP4KIDS Study team on phase 1 of a Public Health Agency of Canada funded study aimed to create and implement relevant and accessible evidence-based parenting resources for diverse groups of caregivers. CCBR provided consultation throughout and designedand facilitating a co-design event with community members to meet project goals. 

    CCBR partnered with the Toronto Newcomer Office (TNO) to create and implement an evaluation framework for the Toronto Newcomer Strategy (2022-2026). The project involved creating a theory of change, developing data collection tools, and conducting a mini-implementation to test these tools. Guided by a diverse Steering Committee, the project culminated in a community forum to share preliminary findings and discuss next steps with stakeholders.

    CCBR supported United Way of Greater Toronto to conduct this study to understand the experiences of African asylum seekers arriving in Peel, Toronto, and York regions in connecting and interacting with complex support systems throughout their journeys. The project's intent is to formulate recommendations to inform actions for improving system services for asylum seekers at various levels.

    CCBR in partnership with MACC led a 2.5-year project to explore ways to overcome the barriers for Muslim women (e.g., language, status, Islamophobia, health limitations, disabilities) in Halton region in (a) disclosing gender-based violence and (b) seeking support from formal services and informal networks (e.g., family, friends, and community leaders).

    The Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) collaborated with the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) to develop the 2026-2028 Community Plan. Through three phases—community planning, plan development, and evaluation framework creation—the project aimed to make Hamilton a welcoming community where newcomers can settle, belong, and contribute to broader community growth.

    CCBR designed and conducted a three-part photovoice training workshop and three coaching sessions for Research Assistants (RAs) working with Dr. Ganapathy-Coleman at the University of Toronto Mississauga. It aimed to enhance the RAs' capacity in developing and facilitating photovoice workshops.

    The purpose of this project was to propose an evaluation framework for Reception House Waterloo Region. This framework was based on two of its flagship programs (i.e., Refugee Assistance Program – RAP, and Client Support Services - CSS). Combined these two programs offer a range of supports to Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) within the first two years of their arrival.

    CCBR and partners sought to understand racialized newcomers' settlement experiences, particularly regarding ICTs. Through three phases, stakeholders engaged via interviews, focus groups, and case studies. Findings highlight mixed ICT experiences and persisting challenges, prompting recommendations for flexible service provision and capacity building for the settlement sector.

    The purpose of this project was to develop a Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit to support governments and civil society in building monitoring and evaluation mechanisms into the design of refugee community sponsorship programs. The Toolkit was intended to be an accessible and flexible resource for a wide range of national, regional, or local contexts, and of program size and maturity.

    In close collaboration with staff from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO), we conducted a province-wide evaluation of the accessibility and value of their First Link Care Navigation (FLCN) services to racialized, Indigenous and ethnically diverse service users (people living with dementia and care providers). Findings from the study were used to inform ASO’s ongoing efforts to close the gap in dementia support for racialized, Indigenous and ethnically diverse communities. 

    The Centre for Community Based Research designed and conducted an evaluation of the Connecting Refugees to Virtual Waterloo Region project. The evaluation helped this new program adapt and plan for the future.

    The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) contracted CCBR to design an evaluation framework that will guide HIPC’s evaluation activities over the next five years.