Our History – Brain Injury Association of Durham Region

1982

Caregivers Support Group

A meeting of family members of young people who experienced brain injuries in October 1982 was the beginning of the Brain Injury Association of Durham Region. This first Caregivers’ Support Group continued to meet monthly.

1983

Survivors Support Group

In October 1983, the first Survivors Support Group meeting was held in conjunction with the Caregivers Group.

1987

HIAD Was Incorporated

In June 1987, the Head Injury Association of Durham Region (HIAD) was incorporated as a registered charitable, non-profit corporation in the Province of Ontario.

1990

Annual Budget

The Board and members of the Association developed a number of service proposals. These efforts paid off with the granting of an annual budget from the Ministry of Health in late 1990.

1991

First Employee

The Association to hire its first employee in January 1991; and then to open its office at 459 Bond St. E., Oshawa Ontario, in March 1991. At that point in time, the Association was in contact with 150 people who had experienced brain injuries.

1999

Need Study

The Association conducted a number of Need Studies and submitted proposals for the further development of services. The contact list grew from 150 to more than 500 in 1999, the year in which the Ministry granted more funds for the creation of the Association’s Community Support Coordination service.

2006

Day Program Opened

In 2006, more funds were granted to enable the development of a Day Service and the move of the Association to its current location at 850 King St. W., Oshawa Ontario.

2012

Name Change

The Association changed it name from The Head Injury Association of Durham to The Brain Injury Association of Durham. At the same time the Association logo and colour was changed to better represent Brain Injury.

2019

Supported Independent Living

Funding was granted to allow the Association to expand it’s services and hire more community workers. This included the creation of our Supported Independent Living Program (SIL).

2023

Continued Growth

Both the Day Service and the Outreach services continue to provide much needed support to people of Durham Region who have experienced brain injuries. The Brain Injury Association of Durham Region also continues its work to learn more about people’s needs and how to address them.