Private Non-Profit Housing

Sarah Mcdonald Place

The Inter-Organization Network Non-Profit Homes (Durham)]

Place (1467 Whites Road

Pickering Ont.

I am writing on behalf of The Inter-Organization Network Non-Profit Homes (Durham) and The Inter-Organization Resources Network of (Durham) Inc. to provide essential corrections to the historical record regarding the acquisition and establishment of the housing project located at 1467 Whites Road, known as Sarah McDonald Place.It has come to our attention that certain public narratives inaccurately attribute the initial vision or lead role of this project to other entities. To ensure the municipal archives and any future heritage recognition reflect the truth, we wish to formally document the following facts:

Original Acquisition: The Canadian Jamaican Club of Oshawa (CJC) was the sole primary organization that applied to the Federal Government under the FP-Housing Program. Upon receiving federal approval for the project at 1467 Whites Road, the CJC invited other community organizations to join as partners.
Governance Structure: The Inter-Organization Network Non-Profit Homes (Durham) was established with a Board of Directors that reflected the CJC’s leadership. Per the original Letters Patent, the Board consisted of nine members:
- Five (5) members from the Canadian Jamaican Club of Oshawa (CJC).
- Three (3) members from the Pickering Caribbean Canadian Cultural Association (PCCCA).
- One (1) member from Club Carib of Oshawa Inc.
The Naming Decision: The decision to name the building "Sarah McDonald Place" was a formal resolution passed by the Original Board (led by the CJC majority) to honour Sarah McDonald’s legacy as Durham’s first Black principal.
Active Status: Both the original non-profit corporation (The Inter-Organization Resources Network of (Durham) Inc.) and the housing corporation (The Inter-Organization Network Non-Profit Homes (Durham)) remain active legal entities today.

The history of 1467 Whites Road is a landmark achievement for the Black community in Durham. As such, it is vital that the CJC’s role as the catalyst and majority stakeholder is correctly documented in the City of Pickering’s records.We request that this information be shared with your heritage and planning departments and included in any relevant local history files. We would be happy to provide further documentation or meet with city staff to discuss this matter further.Sincerely,

sincerely,

Elkanah Clarke

Vice President