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P u n j a b i C o m m u n i t y H e a l t h S e r v i c e s
August 2012
In ThIs Issue:
The SeniorS AnnUAL PiCniC
Staff
Chief Executive Officer:
Baldev Mutta
Chief Operating Officer:
Amandeep Kaur
Financial Manager:
Ekta Choksi
HR Manager & Executive Assistant:
Jasmin Bhalla
Operations Manager:
Preeti J Gabriel
Mental Health Program:
Mandeep Grewal
Addictions Program:
Daljit Basra
Geriatric Program:
Nirpal Bhangoo
Indu Madan
Gulwinder Bhui
Anu Randhawa
PRC:
Mandeep Bhullar
Family Enhancement Counsellor :
Sandeep Sekhon
Settlement Counsellor :
Neelam Rampal
Volunteer Coordinator:
Teena Bhuchar
Youth & LOW Coordinator:
Harpreet Dhami
MCBP Project:
Neeli Grewal
Front Desk:
Teena, Mehak and Indu
Message from the CEO & COO … ......................3BSO Project (PCHS-IRCS) Update: Success Story ............................................9SAHARA Seniors Program ....................................13Caregivers Workshop ...............................................17Seniors Korner ..........................................................18Seniors Community Garden ....................................20Community Engagement Sessions by CWLHIN .............................................................22
11730 Airport Road,
Brampton, ON,
L6R 0C7
heAd
offiCe
MALTon
offiCe
On August 31, 2012, we are moving from 2829 Derry
Road East (Mississauga location)
Please contact us at
11730 Airport Road Brampton until further notice.
We will keep you posted on our new Mississauga
location soon!
Phone: 905.790.0808 fAx: 905.790.0802
ToLL free 1.877.290.0808 eMAiL: [email protected]
in ThiS iSSUe:
3
Every organization relies on IT infrastructure. The financial management and the statistical reporting requires that the organization has sound IT infrastructure. PCHS has invested significantly in the IT infrastructure. PCHS is using SharePoint and the Microsoft cloud system to keep its data accessible and secure. The data is housed at two servers at the office locations and back up servers in Toronto. If everything else fails there is another back-up server in Vancouver. PCHS is willing to partner with any agency wishing to partner with us on IT needs.The Board at PCHS decided to embark on Accreditation and the first phase will be completed by October 1, 2012. Every board member, staff and volunteer is involved in the process. Although it is a significant amount of work but it is absolutely a necessary step to become a premier organization. PCHS has engaged CARF to be the accreditation body.PCHS has recently completed research on “Identify Diabetes Treatment Barriers in South Asian Seniors in Peel Region”. The research study will be completed by end of September and would be released in
October. The research identifies barriers to treatment amongst South Asian seniors. This study would be helpful to those health professionals who are working
with the South Asian community.PCHS has developed a partnership with the University of Toronto and the Mississauga Academy
of Medicine. The Community Health Mission Statement is to foster the development of future physicians responsive to changing community and societal needs and concerns. The second year students from the Determinants of Community Health (DOCH) course is entitled “Researching Health in the Community”. In this course, students will build upon the knowledge and skills learned in year one where students learn about the concepts of health, determinants of health, health promotion, and disease prevention. They also learn about the importance of physicians working with community agencies. In year 2 students learn by working on a research project in the community and applying concepts to address health problems and determinants of health affecting specific population groups. PCHS will be taking on, two students to work on project related to addictions issues.As part of the continuing community development in the community, PCHS has trained seven volunteers who are now skilled parenting facilitators. These parenting facilitators would be developing networks in the community and are ready to start delivering parenting session. Discussions are underway to develop parenting sessions in Brampton and additional parenting sessions in Malton schools.Please stay tuned for more exciting news from PCHS!
Amandeep KaurCOO
CeO & COO MessAGe
Baldev Mutta CEO
Punjabi Community Health Services
What is the SAHARA Concurrent Disorders Support Group?The SAHARA Concurrent Disorders (Mental Health + Addiction)
Support Group is a linguistically and culturally appropriate
psycho-educational program. It aims to educate and support
individuals and their caregivers to cope with the challenges they
are facing as a result of their mental health and addiction issues.
The SAHARA Concurrent Disorders Support Group:
• Is provided at no cost to the participants
• Client safety and confidentiality are paramount to us
• As a condition to join the group, each participant must agree to follow the group rules
• Works closely with agencies/partners who specialize in addictions and mental health services
How to make a referral?To join the group or to make a referral, please call:
905-677-0889 or 905-790-0808
You may FAX referrals at:
905-677-9141 or 905-790-0802
We acknowledge the financial support from Reconnect Mental Health Services
SAHARA Concurrent Disorders Support Group
Timings:
Every Saturday from 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Location:11730 Airport Road
Brampton, ONL6R 0C7
For More Information
Phone: (905) 790-0808
INVITES YOU
to the first Canada Learning Bond Community Enrollment Event in Malton! Malton Community Building Project, Morning Star Middle School, and the Peel Children and Youth Initiative invite you to the first-ever Enrolled by Six – Community Enrollment Event in Malton. The Enrolled By Six strategy is led by the Peel Children and Youth Initiative to engage all community organizations to enroll every eligible child in Peel for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) – Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for FREE post-secondary education. The CLB is FREE money provided by the Government of Canada to children born after 2004 and living in families earning less than $42,707 net annually. Eligible children will receive up to $2,000 by the age of 15. No parental contribution is required.
Join us to enroll your child for FREE MONEY through the CLB – RESP! WHEN: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 WHERE: Malton Community Centre
3540 Morning Star Drive, Mississauga, ON L4T 1Y2 WHAT: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Service Canada representatives will be on-site and available to
register your child’s SIN number 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. – Bank representatives will be on-site and available to register your child’s CLB – RESP.
Parents must bring the following documentation to complete registration:
1. Two pieces of Government issued photo ID, i.e., passport, citizenship card, driver’s license, Social Insurance Number (SIN)
2. Your child’s birth certificate 3. Your child’s SIN number (if they have one)
Child minding will be available.
Contact for more details: Diane Myers at 905-452-0332 ext. 224 or [email protected]
5
6
ANAKA
BALLAD FINERY
DWIGGIN
BAYSWATER JUSTINE
JOLIFFE DELMONTE
BENAVON CRABTEE
CORAL
BEVERLEY
BONAVENTUR KITTRIDGE
BRANDON GATE HARWICK
BURLINGTON
BYBROOK DARLADISCUS
DARCEL ETUDE
CATALPA
Settlement Services are available for Newcomers/Permanent Resident (PR) Live-in Caregiver and Conventional Refugee to Canada
Services are provided in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu
We provide information and referrals in the following:1. English language classes referrals2. Information on training and skills
development3. Canadian laws/norms4. Orientation to your surroundings5. Supportive counselling6. Translation/Interpretation services7. Referrals regarding government services
including social assistance and Ontario disability support program
8. Health, Childcare and Senior benefits9. Orientation and information sessions and
attestation of documents10. Assistance in filing forms for social
insurance number, health card, child tax b fi f il hi i i i
All Services are Free and Confidential
Location:
11730 Airport Road
Brampton, ON
L6R 0C7
For More Information please
contact at
(905) 790-0808 ext 230
Mon-Fri
9:00-5:00
For more information and to book an appointment please call 905.790.0808. Please visit our website at www.pchs4u.com for more information.
Punjabi Community Health Services
Settlement Services for Newcomers to Canada at Punjabi Community Health Services
7
Special Note
8
On August 31, 2012, we are moving from 2829 Derry Road East
(Mississauga location)Please contact us at
11730 Airport Road Brampton until further notice.
We will keep you posted on our new Mississauga location soon!
9
bSo ProJeCT (PChS-irCS) UPdATe: SUCCeSS STorY
10
ADVERTISING FEATURE
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Piyu Singh, 41, taught grades 11 and 12 in Delhi and her husband Vishwanath 45, was in the garment export business. They immigrated to Canada to experience a new culture.
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“It was the quietest Holi of my life,” laughs Vishwanath, known to everyone as Vishy. “There was not much happening around us, but we have friends in Surrey, and it was nice to celebrate with them. We called home and spoke to family and friends.”
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Besides its five branches in India, Scotiabank has a strategic alliance with HDFC Bank, which enables new immigrants to open an account in Canada – even before they have boarded the plane!
They can fill out an application, apply for VISA cards, etc., and these are couriered to Canada, where their bank accounts are set up. A welcome kit is mailed out to the clients or, if their arrival is imminent, an e-mail detailing how to remit funds is sent out so everything is in place.
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“Scotiabank offers a comprehensive StartRight® Program for newcomers to Canada,” says Rania Llewellyn, Vice-President, Multicultural Banking. “It was created after a lot of research and is an innovative program, tailor-made for newcomers”.
“I recommend StartRight to others who are in the process of immigrating. I tell everyone we are StartRight customers for life!” says Vishy.
Their children, Ridhav, 14, and Yoshita, 11, have settled in well. Yoshita in grade 6 has her own group of friends which includes a Filipino, a Mexican and a Fijian. “Both of them are the junior multicultural minded immigrants!” says Vishy.
The Singhs are full of optimism. A year ago, while Vishy hoped to be in the garment business, Piyu was thinking of moving into counseling.
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Piyu is finally in a profession where she wanted to be. She is a program counselor with PICS, a multicultural immigrants serving agency. She loves her job since it was always her focus to either teach
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File name: B_Story_SouthAsianStartRight Advertorial_Full Page.indd Publication: Metro
Trim: 10 in x 14 in Deadline: June 22, 2010
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Vishy Singh’s family
11
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you build credit history, and settle sooner.
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2 No Fee Scotia Moneyback VISA card subject to meeting Scotiabank’s eligibility and credit criteria.3 Free small safety deposit box or 25% off other sizes for 1 year subject to availability and signing the Safety Deposit Box lease.† Scotiabank StartRight program, created for Canadian landed immigrants from 0-3 years in Canada.* VISA Int./Lic user The Bank of Nova Scotia. ®* The WESTERN UNION name, logo and related trademarks and service marks, owned by Western Union Holdings, Inc, are registered and/or used in the U.S. and many
foreign countries and are used with permission.∆ Promotional offers available to customers who qualify for the Scotiabank StartRight program and who open the Scotia Powerchequing account, get
No-Fee Moneyback VISA card or Safety deposit box; or who qualify for the Welcome to Canada mortgage program and obtain mortgage financing with Scotiabank. These offers are for limited period, subject to availability.
¥ Offer limited to new subscribers who have not had home delivery for at least 45 days.® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. ™ Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.
For more details visit your nearest branch, www.startright.scotiabank.com or call 1-866-800-5159.
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12
The Seniors Program has two components:
This is a partnership program of three agencies – Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS), Supportive Housing of Peel (SHIP) and Peel Seniors Link (PSL). This program provides services to seniors in their homes who at risk but with intervention can remain at home living independently. This service will be provided in North West Brampton with a focus on promoting seniors’ health and wellness. The Integrated Seniors Team provides risk management, assessment and education, personal support services and access to supportive housing options.
SAHARA Senior’s Program is a linguistically and culturally appropriate program for South Asian Seniors. The program supports caregivers so that seniors stay at home with dignity and care. Seniors can attend the day program which includes a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, health education and awareness, resource development and participate in the Community Garden. The program also educates seniors about falls prevention and diabetes. Seniors are assisted in organizing cultural celebrations.
NewssenIOrs
13
senIOrsSeniorS ProgrAM
The month of August was filled with lots of outdoor
fun, creative workshops, wonderful group activities and
discussions, informative sessions and amazing trips under
the ‘Intergeneration Community Garden Project’
PCHS Sahara Seniors’ Annual Picnic to Erindale Park,
Mississauga (on August 9th 2012)
The annual seniors’ picnic is a much awaited event for all
the seniors at Punjabi Community Health Services. It is an
opportunity for the four seniors’ groups at PCHS to come
together and spend some fun-filled quality time with each
other. This year the destination was the absolutely beautiful
and serene Erindale Park located in Mississauga.
The day began with a heavy rainfall but it could not
dampen the spirits of over 110 seniors who participated
in the picnic . The staff and volunteers helped the seniors
in settling down. PCHS seniors workers -Gulwinder Bhui
and Anu Randhawa, welcomed the seniors and shared with
them some safety tips and the group rules to be taken care
of during the course of the picnic.
Tejwant Atwal, the Yoga Instructor, gave a healthy start
to the picnic with a wonderful yoga session. This was
followed by an absolutely scrumptious lunch which was
relished and appreciated by all the seniors. The beauty of
the day and the enjoyment levels of the seniors were multi
folded as some the senior women started dancing and
playing dholki to the melodious tunes of the Indian folk
songs. This was followed by the seniors’ all time hit B-I-
N-G-O- which was voluntarily facilitated by Mr. Matharu,
one of the seniors from our Sahara Seniors Program. And
the lucky 5 seniors were elated with joy as they received the
bingo prizes.
As the day passed by and the rainfall took a breath, our
seniors had an opportunity to walk around and enjoy
and appreciate the nature’s beauty at the Erindale Park.
After enjoying the evening tea with yummy ‘pakoras’,
the seniors took moments to share jokes, poems and
songs with the entire group. The seniors enjoyed the
picnic and appreciated and thanked the PCHS Sahara
Seniors Program staff and volunteers for the wonderful
organization and planning of the picnic.
Informative Session on Legal Issues – Lawyer Harminder
Dhillon presented an informative session to our seniors
about the legal issues related to wills and power of
attorneys. Harminder shared details about the differences
in the legalities of Canadian and Indian legal systems,
pertaining to wills and power of attorney. He advised
our seniors on making their wills and powers of attorney
before hand and also that professional legal help should be
sought in these matters.
India’s and Pakistan’s Independence Day and London
Olympics 2012 celebrations – Our seniors celebrated
Pakistan and India’s 65th Independence Day by making
beautiful
collages on Indo-Canadian themes and by participating in
interesting quiz session on Indian Independence. It was
surprising to know that all our seniors had fresh memories
about facts related to Indian History and India’s struggle
for independence. Sahara Seniors Program extends warm
wishes on Pakistan & India’s Independence Days (August
14th & 15th) and hopes that beyond the geographical
boundaries, love, hope and peace prevail in all the hearts….
As more than 10,000 athletes from 204 countries (from all
over) the world participated in the London Olympics 2012
( from July 27th to August 12th), our seniors celebrated
the true spirit of the games by sharing the updates and by
refreshing their knowledge through interesting quizzes.
Brain Storming Activities – The seniors enjoyed
participating in some interesting brainstorming activities
which gave them opportunities for self introspection and
reflecting on their life experiences and thoughts. One of
....Continued on page 14
14
the activities involved writing down their strengths and
areas that need to be worked upon and sharing it with the
whole group.
Another was about coming up with a presentation using
the five words – Canada, India, Leisure, Retirement and
Social Life. It’s interesting to know that our seniors always
have so much of wisdom and richness of life experiences
to share…which somehow is getting lost in today’s world,
as we are too occupied to make those connections with our
seniors.
Self Management of Chronic Diseases Workshop –
Reunion Session – As it had been almost 6 weeks since
our seniors graduated from the six weeks session of self
management workshops, it was time for reunion and an
opportunity to reflect upon the positive changes made
and challenges faced by the seniors in following their
action plans. Vijay Kak, the peer leader with Central
West Diabetes Regional Co-ordination Centre, facilitated
the session and shared some updates from the previous
sessions and advised about some of the challenges being
faced by the seniors in following their action plans. It was
interesting to know that most of our seniors had been
following their action plans in terms of their physical
activities, diet and nutrition and positive life styles.
Nutrition and Canadian Food guide session- From Dixie –
Bloor Neighbourhood Community we had a guest speaker
-a doctor come in as our guest speaker for the Mississauga
seniors group, and she shared information with the seniors
on nutrition according to the Canadian Food Guide. She
shared in Hindi and Punjabi languages , important facts
regarding health, and nutrition. She also explained why all
the food categories are important to our health and the
benefits. She also explained that eating healthy is not the
only thing but adding in exercise in our daily routine is also
very beneficial. The seniors were very happy with her visit
and were actively involved asking several questions about
nutrition throughout the presentation.
Visit to a Temple - At times we take our seniors to
different places that will broaden their knowledge. This
time the seniors visited the Swami Narain Mandir in
Brampton and learned a
great deal about the history of the Mandir. They got too
see the museum, and they learned a great deal about the
Indian history. When they were walking around inside,
eating food, and exploring they felt very close to home.
The seniors believe it’s necessary to revisit their culture and
also visit places of worship of different cultures and see
new places and to learn new things.
SeniorS ProgrAM
15
SAhArA SeniorS AnnUAL PiCniC
PiCTUreS
16
Informative Session on Legal Issues…
by Lawyer Harminder Dhillon
The Olympics Quiz……and the Winning Team!
Our seniors busy making collage on
‘Indo-Canadian Theme’
Seniors completely absorbed in the
‘brainstorming group activity’
Informative
session on
Canadian Food
Guide
Mind stimulating
activities in progress
Cutting the Birthday Cake …..celebrations !
Seniors Women group at Swami Narain
Mandir in Brampton
Group Activity involving self-introspection and sharing….
17
CAregiver WorkShoP:
SAd neWS: fATAL PedeSTriAn CoLLiSion kiLLS oUr Senior SMT rAnJiT kAUr JASSAL
The topic for this month’s caregiver’s workshop was
on grief and loss. This topic was
decided as many seniors wanted
someone to speak to them about
this issue as every day seniors are
faced with situations that cause
them grief or loss. Most of the time
seniors don’t heal from the loss and
this leads to depression. One of our
seniors had lost her 2 sons a few
years ago, and she continues to cry when she remembers
them. She continuously asks herself and god, “Why am I
living on this earth?” She has not been able to deal with
this loss, and there are many other
seniors who have this problem.
Because it relates too so many
seniors we felt that it was a good
topic to educate seniors on. All our
seniors shared their own personal
stories and how they dealt with it,
and this helped other seniors that
were listening.
The session was appreciated by the seniors and many felt
lighter and emotionally better after attending this session.
Memories with PCHS Staff
Seniors completely absorbed in the
‘brainstorming group activity’
It is with great sorrow we
share with all our readers’
news of a fatal accident that
led to the sudden untimely
demise of a senior lady,
who attended the PCHS
Seniors program- Smt Ranjit
Kaur Jassal. On August 29, 2012 afternoon Smt Ranjit
Kaur Jassal,81 years old , was crossing the road with the
assistance of her walker, when a truck collided with her
and she was killed on the spot.
Late Smt. Ranjit Kaur Jassal had recently turned 81,
and was blessed with a loving generous heart. Everyone
at PCHS and our seniors are saddened from this loss.
All the members of Sahara Seniors Program of PCHS,
Mississauga were shocked and grieved on learning
unnatural demise of Smt. Ranjit Kaur Jassal.
She was liked by the group and was a very good hearted
and kind lady. The seniors were in even more shock when
they realized that during the previous week’s program on
23rd, August 2012, they had celebrated her birthday. On
August 30, 2012 the seniors group observed a two minutes
silence to show their respect for the departed soul and
prayed the Almighty grant her soul peace.
PCHS staff and senior management attended the funeral.
PCHS extends their heartfelt condolence to her family and
loved ones during this time of grief. A memorial service
for late Smt Ranjit Kaur Jassal will be held at PCHS .
18
sAhArA senIOrs
COrner PCHS SENIORS ENJOY FULL LIFE: Various Life Supporting Events
PCHS SENIORS ENJOY FULL LIFE: Various Life
Supporting Events
During the month of August, PCHS Sahara Seniors of
Mississauga had interesting weekly meetings which could
be considered as life enhancing programs for the elderly.
The activities and goal of PCHS organization is to bring
happiness to the seniors and for that it is doing every thing
in its available resources to create awareness in their mind
that their life safety and hope to live dignified lifestyles in
the community is being well looked after.
The first meeting of Sahara Seniors of Mississauga
was held on 2nd August, 2012.In this meeting Annual
Community Festival RAKHI was celebrated. This festival
is related to brothers and sisters’ relationship where sisters
wish happy and long life for their brothers, while brothers
promise to act as protectors for their sisters’ happiness
and prosperous life. Also gifts are offered and sumptuous
family lunch/dinner is arranged for the festive occasion.
Birthday of two seniors was also celebrated with cake
cutting ceremony on this day. A few seniors sang Rakhi as
well as birthday songs that moved the emotions of every
one present there.
The 2nd event was on August 9. Sahara Seniors group of
Brampton and Mississauga had picnic together at Erindale
Park, Dundas St. W, Mississauga. In this event more than
100 seniors took part, a few of them had severe disabilities.
It was a whole day fun and wellness program from
11am to 4pm where they did Yoga exercises, sang heart
touching songs, recited interesting life stories of by gone
era, entertained with jokes and tit bits, some strolled here
and there among the shrubs, bushes and the forest, a few
walked along the Credit River which passes through this
park or the trails enjoying natural beauty and capturing the
various scenes in their cameras. During the lunch hour they
had good nutritious hot food served by a restaurant, which
was ordered earlier in advance.
The 3rd event took place on 16th August. Dr Rumana
Mehdi with her team of other colleagues showcased her
research study on “Eating well with Canada’s Food Guide”
published by Health Canada. She distributed the copies
of this guide to each senior. Though this brochure type
guide is well written and self explanatory and also all the
food items are depicted pictorially, yet she explained and
described all the food items contained in the guide very
elaborately. She spoke in the language which seniors could
understand and emphatically told the seniors that if they
follow the prescribed items of food per serving and make
their food habit according to guide, then no one would
suffer and could lead a healthy lifestyle in the evening of
their life
19
PCHS SENIORS ENJOY FULL LIFE: Various Life Supporting Events
PCHS SENIORS ENJOY FULL LIFE:
Various Life Supporting Events
MULKH RAJ MONGAMember of Sahara Seniors Program, Mississauga
The 4th weekly meeting of the seniors took place on
23rd August, where Gaya Siva a volunteer lady, one
senior and Gulwinder took the stage and conducted
‘Brain Storming Activities’. She
made the seniors to sit in groups having 5 members
in each group. Then she asked them to select a group
leader and gave one topic to each group. The topics
assigned relate to childhood memories of playing
games, about family life/ relationship, schooling, or
about festivals and like any interest event which they
are still carrying on in their minds. Each group was
given ½ hour to discuss among themselves on the topic
and frame their ideas on the given topic unanimously.
Then group leader was asked to speak on the given
topic. All the descriptions on the childhood memories
were very funny and interesting and each senior had
fun and happy laughing feeling of his childhood life.
Also birthday of two seniors Ashwani Agnihotri and
Ranjit Kaur Jassal was celebrated.
The 5th and last meeting of the seniors for the month
of august, 2012 was utilized for picnic and excursion at
Lake Front Promenade Park on 30th where around 50
seniors participated. Weather God was very favorable
and all participants spent their time worry free in the
beautiful natural surroundings’ on the lake and also
experienced a unique feeling of enjoyment as well as
sorrow. They were all struck with grief and sorrow,
when Gulwinder got the breaking news at the last leg
of their excursion that one of their senior colleagues
Ranjit Kaur Jassal, whose birthday was celebrated in
the last meeting, had met with an accident and she was
no more in this world. Then all of them got up and
observed moan for two minutes for the departed soul.
A resolution was also passed sharing grief and sorrow
with the bereaved family.
Punjabi Community Health Servics.Miisissauga
On.dy pRbMDkW v`loN 9 Agsq nUM, 1695 Dundas St.’qy
Erindale Park iv`c ie`k bzurgW dI ipkink dw pRbMD
kIqw igAw[bzurgW dI Awmd vyK ky, r`b ny vI imhrbwn ho
ky, in`mI-in`mI hvw Aqy ivrlIAW--ivrlIAW kxIAW vrsw
ky, mOsm nUM suhwvxw bxw id`qw[bzurgW ny AwpxI pUrI TwT-
bwT nwl brYNmtn Aqy imsIswgw qoN Aw ky ies ipkink
dw AnMd mwixAw[v`j rhI FolkI dIAW qwlW ny ibR`C Aqy
JwVIAW vI JUmx l`gw id`qIAW[BwvyN Kyf qMbolw leI, ku`J
ku iKlwVI Axjwx sn, pr iPr vI sB ny bVy auqSwh
nwl ih`sw ilAw[jyqUAW nUM ienwm id`qy gey[ AnMdmeI
Aqy svwidS Kwxw bVy hI sc`jy FMg nwl vrqwieAw
igAw[grm-grm cwh nwl pkOiVAW dw smyl mwxdy hoey
bzurgW dw ivcwr sI ik ies qrHW dw pRogrwm jy ho sky
qW grmIAW dy mOsm iv`c mhIny do mhIny bwAd zrUr hI
bxwauxw cwhIdw hY[bzurgW AwpxIAW-AwpxIAW kivqwvW,
cu`tkly suxw ky BrpUr mnorMjn kIqw igAw[AKIr iv`c kyhr
isMG mTwrU ny Awey bzurgW Aqy syvwdwrW gulivMdr BUeI,
AnU rMDwvw, ikrn, crnjIq Aqy mihk rMDwvw v`loN kIqy
cMgy pRbMD dw DMnvwd kIqw[ svwidS Kwxy dIAW isPqW krdy
KuSI-KuSI iPr imlx dy vwAdy kr ky GrW nUM prqy[
nOzvwn bzurgW dI pikink
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After weeks of intense heat, Mother Nature was finally pleased with our seniors’ hard work at the garden…..and we had the much awaited rainfalls. And what else could one expect with such great combinations of Nature’s blessings and diligence and commitment of our seniors – except great produces of healthy vegetables!We shared a part of our garden harvest with the PCHS’ Langer on Wheels Program and consumed the rest by preparing healthy salads, soups and curries for our senior’s lunch.This month also saw many Inter-Generations Community Garden visits as part of the Inter-Generation Community Garden Project. The project is a one year partnership project between Punjabi Community Health services and Eco-Source, and is funded by New Horizons for Seniors Program. The project aims to build the capacity of our seniors who volunteer at Sahara Seniors Garden by sharing their stories and successes as mentors to other gardening projects. As part of this project, the following workshops and garden trips were organized in the month of August –
Bird and Bee Houses Workshop – Angie Sanchez from Eco-Source and Rahul from Peel Environmental Youth Alliance facilitated an interesting workshop on making beautiful bird and bee houses. Rahul gave informative presentation to our seniors about the natural habitats of the various native varieties of birds.Mural Tiles Workshop – Our seniors’ ‘creative instincts’ were further sparked as Anna Ferguson facilitated an absolutely creative mural tiles workshop. Anna is local artist who works with City of Brampton on amazing beautification projects and also works with children and youth on various artistic projects. The seniors enjoyed painting flowers, butterflies and birds, sitting outdoors in the calm and serene beauty of Mother Nature.Community Garden Trips – The community garden trips organized by Eco-Source provide our seniors an opportunity to visit other community gardens, share the stories of Sahara Seniors Garden with other volunteer gardeners. As part of these trips there is a lot of interaction with other garden volunteers,
Sahara SeniorS
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including youth. The community garden trips encourage the seniors to learn new ways and techniques related to gardening and share their knowledge with the other gardeners. During the month of August, our seniors visited Generations Garden at Parkway Green (Mississauga), Greenest City Garden and Hope Community Garden (Toronto), Malton Community Garden, Iceland Teaching
Community Garden (Mississauga) and Albion Hills Community Farms (Caledon).We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Angie Sanchez, Carolyn Bailey and Monika Kokoszka, the Eco-Source staff, for co-coordinating the garden trips and workshops and for all their continuous support to the seniors garden.
Donation being made to the ‘Langar on Wheels Program’
Produce from our Sahara Seniors Garden…………
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COMMunITY enGAGeMenT sessIOns
CWLhIn: DATes AnD Venue
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Punjabi Community Health Services provides opportunities to community members to participate in helping the South Asian Community. The Volunteer Program is designed to provide opportunity to those who want to contribute back to the community including students and new immigrants. PCHS provides reference letters to those who have volunteered in the community.
Punjabi Community Health Services 905-790-0808 or 905-677-0889
Volunteers learn skills and participate in the following programs:
• Langar on wheels
• Sahara Seniors Program
• Sahara Men’s Program
• Women’s Program
• Parenting Sessions
• Addictions Day Program
• Concurrent Disorders Support
• Mental Health Program
• Family Enhancement Program
• Settlement Services
• PCHS Events/Fairs
• Research
• Food Bank
• Community Development
VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR: Teena Bhuchar
LOCATION: 11730 Airport Road, Brampton, Ontario
L6R0C7 (Brampton location)
2829 Derry Road east, Mississauga, ONT,
L4T- 1A5 (Mississauga location)
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.pchs4u.com
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Bird and Bee Houses
Workshop…by Peel
Environmental Youth
Alliance and Ecosource
Our seniors visiting
‘Greenest City & Hope
Community Gardens’ in
Toronto….
25
Bird and Bee Houses
Workshop…by Peel
Environmental Youth
Alliance and Ecosource
Our seniors at Iceland
Teaching Community
Garden in Mississauga -
interacting and sharing
experiences with the youth
volunteers of Conservation
Youth Corps.(a project of
Credit Valley Conservation)
Our seniors visiting
‘Greenest City & Hope
Community Gardens’ in
Toronto….
Sahara Seniors bringing
out their ‘creative edges’ –
working with Artist Anna
Ferguson at PCHS
26
Visit to Albion Hills Community Garden in Caledon….
27
• Services are in English and/or Punjabi or Hindi.
• Services are culturally and linguistically appropriate.
• Assessment and appropriate referral services
• Provide individual counseling and supportive counseling to clients and their family members.
• Home visits (based on client needs)
• Collaborate with many partners/agencies who specialize in Mental Health services
• Outreach in the community• All referrals are welcome
For more information on our program please contact:(905) 790-0808 ext. 224. Our hours of operation are as follows:
Mon to Fri 9:00 AM to 5:00 PMThe services are provided at NO COST to all participants.
Concurrent Disorder Support Group:
Punjabi Community Health Service
Mental Health ProgramOur Mission:
“To use a holistic and culturally appropriate approach to stabilize and empower the lives of mental health clients and their familiesto help lead a life of respect and dignity as an equal member of society.”
What is Mental Health?
Mental Health is defined as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own potential, and can cope with the normal stresses of life.” Common signs include losing touch with reality and difficulty controlling extreme behaviours.”
PCHS focuses on educating the community about mental health and its related issues. We help the client understand their illness, the symptoms and the importance of medications in the recovery process. We encourage family members to become active participants in the clients’ recovery.
Brampton Location 11730 Airport Road Brampton, Ontario (905)790-0889
Visit us online at www.pchs4u.com, or [email protected]
Case Management:
The SAHARA Concurrent Disorder (Mental Health + Addictions) Support Group is a linguistically and culturally appropriate psycho-educational program. It aims to educate and support individuals and their caregivers to cope with the challenges they are facing as a result of their mental health and addiction issues.
• Is provided at no cost to the participants
• Client safety and confidentiality are paramount to us
• As a condition to join the group, each participant much agree to follow group rules
• Works closely with agencies/partners who specialize in addictions and mental health services
To join our group or to make a referral, please call:
Tel: (905) 790-0808Fax: (905) 790-0802
The South Asian Mental HealthCase Management Program provides help and support to clients who are dealing withproblems associated with mental illness. Our program uses a holistic approach by providing counselling services to individuals and family members.
Mental Health:
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Producer. Kulbinder Saran Caldwell, advancement officer, atPunjabi Community Health Services (PCHS) will produce a 10-minuteeducational film on honour killings for Peel service providers. ThePCHS received a $5,000 grant from Brampton and Area CommunityFoundation (BACF). Supplied photo
Radhika Panjwani
August 20, 2012
A Brampton agency’s 10 minute film on honourkillings will aim to throw the spotlight on theissue and become a helpful tool for serviceproviders in Peel.
Even though, Mississauga teen Aqsa Parvezand Montreal’s Shafia sisters— Zainab, 19,Sahar, 17, and Geeti, 13 — had sought helpfrom service providers, the communityagencies failed to comprehend that the womenwere in imminent danger.
The women were murdered by family membersfor failing to conform to traditions.
The Punjabi Community Health Services(PCHS), a Peel agency, whose programs andservices help the region’s diverse communitywith issues such as mental health, aging,addictions, and women’s issues, received a$5,000-grant from Brampton and AreaCommunity Foundation (BACF) for making ashort film.The grant will allow PCHS to producea film that would tackle the complex and multi-layered issue of honour killings. It will also provide agencieswith a checklist of some real and tangible tools that will allow them to read the signs and provide timelyhelp.
“The main purpose of the film is to educate the community and the service providers,” said Kulbinder SaranCaldwell, advancement officer, PCHS. “We also want to show honour killings is not just a South Asianphenomenon. It goes beyond religion. It’s about deeply rooted backward cultural thinking, but when youread and hear about it, the issue is framed in religious context. What we (PCHS) are saying is that you needto bring the issue out in open and the way to do that is for us to explore it through a short educationalfilm...”
Parvez's death will not have been in vain, said Saran Caldwell.
According to Dr. Amin Muhammad, a psychiatrist at Memorial University in St. John’s, N.L., there have been13 cases of honour killings in Canada between 2002-2010.
Honour killings are murders committed by families on a member who they think “shamed” the family.
Baldev Mutta, CEO of PCHC, believes honour killing is primarily a men’s issue because it’s often perpetuatedby men against the women in their family.
Every week, PCHS offers South Asian men a platform to share their experiences and discuss the challengesthey face in raising families in Canada. Mutta believes the meetings will encourage men to change their
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perspective.
Saran Caldwell, who owned and operated a music video production company in Vancouver, will be workingwith emerging filmmaker, Rakhi Mutta on researching and producing the 10-minute video.
“We know we will not be able to cover the entire issue (of honour killings) in a 10-minute film, but it’s aboutstarting a dialogue,” she said. “PCHS has an ongoing campaign for protecting women. Ultimately, it’s aboutasking the right questions to the women to determine if they are in danger. We don’t have all the answers,but like I said, with this film, we want to start a conversation...”
As part of her work, Saran Caldwell will be talking to experts and compiling a report which will outline herfindings on honour killing. The Punjabi Community Health Services will deliver the Peel-centric report alongwith the educational video to organizations early next year.
The Brampton and Area Foundation which has helped many agencies will be hosting its fundraising gala,Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Rose Theatre. The event will mark BACF’s 10th anniversary. Proceeds from theHollywood-themed gala will benefit the charity initiatives of the organization. To buy tickets visitwww.bramptonareacf.ca.
The Punjabi Community Health Services is located at 11730 Airport Rd. For more information visitwww.pchs4u.com.
This article is for personal use only courtesy of BramptonGuardian.com - a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact [email protected] to become a contributor or advertiser.
Punjabi Community Health Services has created an E-ZINE Newsletter to allow service providers and community partners to interact and stay connected, while simultaneously reducing paper usage.
Culturally appropriate services provided in English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu by PCHS staff in the areas of:
Mental Health, Addictions, Seniors Issues, Parenting, Domestic Violence, Health Promotion Programs,
and Community Building Initiatives.
