About Us

Our History

1980

Surex Residential Services was the combination of our two founding agencies – Surrey Place Centre and Extendicare LTD. These two agencies in partnership with Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) were mandated to develop a pilot project to repatriate people who had long resided in Huronia Regional Centre into the community-at-large. This pilot project was the first in Ontario to integrate institutionalized people with severe disabilities into community-based services. To achieve its mandate, the partnership opened two community homes; one for eight (8) adolescents (Dentonia) and one of eight (8) adults (Hurndale).

Senior Leadership

1985

  • Carla Canavo-Joy was the first Executive Director of Surex Community Services.She held the position until June 14, 1985. Under her leadership, our homes at Dentonia and Hurndale were opened.
  • Colin Hamilton was hired as Executive Director on June 3, 1985. Under his leadership 9 more Group Homes and the Day Program were initiated. Mr. Hamilton retired in November, 2018.