Clarington Approves Lease for Autism Home Base Durham in Bowmanville

The General Government Committee of Clarington approved a lease agreement with Autism Home Base Durham for office space located on the second floor of 132 Church Street, Bowmanville. The lease is for a period of three years, commencing January 1, 2020, and expiring December 31, 2022. The agreement allows for the possibility of extending the lease for up to two additional one-year terms, which could extend the lease until December 31, 2024. The Mayor and Municipal Clerk are authorized to execute the lease agreements on behalf of the Municipality. Autism Home Base Durham intends to use the space to create an autism hub that will provide various services, including a parent/caregiver drop-in with access to a resource lending library, a drop-in for autism self-advocates, networking events, live and virtual information sessions, family-led visioning and action committees, volunteer orientation and training events, and sensory-sensitive social and recreational programming. Judy Hanson from Autism Home Base Durham noted that the organization serves 160 members across Durham Region and Peterborough and has received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support its initiatives.