History
Club Carib of Oshawa Inc. was founded in January 1966. Its main purpose at inception, was to provide a social medium through which Oshawa's Caribbean population could meet and share common interest and develop a harmonies relationship. As the objectives of the organization expanded, it became necessary for us to obtain a Charter. In May 1979, the Club was incorporated as a Corporation without share capital and was officially known as "Club Carib of Oshawa, Inc." Club Carib is governed by an executive body consisting of eight members, and elections are held bi-annually. After diligent fundraising the Caribbean Cultural Centre was erected in 1993 and has been our home for all activities and events of the Club. This year is our 50th anniversary, and we are more excited than ever!
History Continued
Sports (primarily Cricket) played the major part of the Club in the early 70’s and 80’s and brought many families and people together.
After many years of renting various halls to hold social events and meetings the membership felt it was time to have their own building. Fundraisers and financial pledges were made by the members, and without any financial assistance from the Government, the building known as the Caribbean Cultural Centre was officially opened in 1993 by the then Mayor of Oshawa, Nancy Diamond.
Our social service activities focus on special groups. Donations of food and clothing are given to various organizations which assist the marginalized in our community. As far back as the early 70’s wheel chairs were donated to the then General Hospital. Many financial donations were given to various charities such as the Alzheimer’s Society of Durham, the Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Cancer Society and The Sickle Cell Organization of Canada. A financial donation was also given to the Oshawa General Hospital during Setting the Pace Campaign. The youth of Oshawa and GTA have also benefitted by the scholarships presented to students over the years.
Every year the Club hosts a Christmas Luncheon for Oshawa/Clarington Community Living and Liberty Villa, support providers for challenged individuals.
The Caribbean Cultural Centre is the home of the Hummingbird Dancers and Oshawa Sounds of Steel. Cultural programs are held here such as Afro-Caribbean Dance Instructions, the art of playing the Steel pan and “Cooking Caribbean Foods” classes. Our seniors enjoy weekly card games night.
As a Banquet Hall, the Centre is used by the community for wedding receptions; conferences, conventions and various other entertainment functions.
In October 2004, Club Carib of Oshawa Inc. received a Capital Funding Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to retrofit our kitchen, upgrade our washroom facilities downstairs and to provide an enclosure for our bar. April 2012 we received another grant to assist us with our roof replacement. We are grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for these grants.
After many years of renting various halls to hold social events and meetings the membership felt it was time to have their own building. Fundraisers and financial pledges were made by the members, and without any financial assistance from the Government, the building known as the Caribbean Cultural Centre was officially opened in 1993 by the then Mayor of Oshawa, Nancy Diamond.
Our social service activities focus on special groups. Donations of food and clothing are given to various organizations which assist the marginalized in our community. As far back as the early 70’s wheel chairs were donated to the then General Hospital. Many financial donations were given to various charities such as the Alzheimer’s Society of Durham, the Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Cancer Society and The Sickle Cell Organization of Canada. A financial donation was also given to the Oshawa General Hospital during Setting the Pace Campaign. The youth of Oshawa and GTA have also benefitted by the scholarships presented to students over the years.
Every year the Club hosts a Christmas Luncheon for Oshawa/Clarington Community Living and Liberty Villa, support providers for challenged individuals.
The Caribbean Cultural Centre is the home of the Hummingbird Dancers and Oshawa Sounds of Steel. Cultural programs are held here such as Afro-Caribbean Dance Instructions, the art of playing the Steel pan and “Cooking Caribbean Foods” classes. Our seniors enjoy weekly card games night.
As a Banquet Hall, the Centre is used by the community for wedding receptions; conferences, conventions and various other entertainment functions.
In October 2004, Club Carib of Oshawa Inc. received a Capital Funding Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to retrofit our kitchen, upgrade our washroom facilities downstairs and to provide an enclosure for our bar. April 2012 we received another grant to assist us with our roof replacement. We are grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for these grants.
Objectives |
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Presidents
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1966 – 2016
Fred Upshaw*** Harold Norville*** Vincent Williams George Kissoondath* Russell Charter Lydia Francis** Frederick Leacock Trevor Sealy** Richard Davidson Sylvester Francis Antoinette Sealy** Ashley Seucharan** ***Founding Member, Deceased, served more than one term ** Served more than one term * Founding Member |
Articles
Oshawa's First Steelpan was donated to the Oshawa Museum by Carlyle Julal on behalf of Club Carib of Oshawa Inc. Listen to a podcast below by the Oshawa Museum to learn the history of this pan or feel free to visit the museum.
