Let’s connectWestern Ottawa Community Resource Centre

WINTER 2014

facebook.com/wocrc.crcooFind us on Facebook!

A group of women in Kanata have joined a city-wide community research project to hear from a diversity of residents living on low incomes, what the barriers are to voting in elections and what can be done to increase voter turn-out.

Mentored by WOCRC’s Community Developer Maria Friis, the women’s group has facilitated three focus groups in Kanata and West Carleton. We heard from people living on low incomes that residents want a City government that puts people first, where basic needs such as affordable housing, access to healthy food and quality child care are on the agenda. We heard that residents wanted a more transparent City government, with candidates who listen to and represent the views of people who may be isolated because of where they live, their income level,

Citizenship status, age, ability, first language, and so on. Residents also wanted meaningful opportunities to provide input into City decisions that impact their lives.

Making Votes Count is a three year partnership between the Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres and City for All Women Initiative. The project is not endorsing any candidate who may be choosing to run in the election, but focusing on how residents can learn more about who they may wish to vote for. A research committee will compile the community data gathered from across the City, with a report scheduled for release in January 2014.

In the meantime, the Kanata women’s group will be busy finding out what characteristics residents want to see in a City Councillor as well as who will be running in the municipal elections and the issues they stand for.

What’s important to you in your neighbourhood and City? Do you have a list of questions ready at your door for when the candidates come knocking, asking you what’s important for you? City Councillors listen to the people who elect them. October 27, 2014 is your chance to have a vote. Make it count.

For more information contact Maria Friis, WOCRC Community Developer at friis@wocrc.ca or

613-591-3686 ext. 256.

Making Votes Count by Maria Friis, WOCRC Community Developer

Making Votes Count on October 27, 2014: Who is running to represent you in the Ottawa municipal election? What do the candidates running for City Council stand for? Who will the mayoral candidates be?

Making Votes Count From L to R: Ying Hou. Marta Restrepo, Jing Lu, Wen Jean Ho, Maria Friis

connectLet’s Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre Let’sconnect

2

Cathy JordanExecutive Director

Message from the Executive Director

For the past 14 years WOCRC’s innovative Bullying Prevention Program, led by Angela Lorusso, has been tackling the very complex issue of bullying. And in late November of 2013, the program was recognized as a pioneer within the Ottawa community at the Ottawa Child and Youth Initiative’s 3rd annual Growing Up Great Awards.

“The Bullying Prevention Program has enriched the lives of many children. It

has been able to grow and mature over the years to respond to the community

needs,” says Community Leadership award presenter Michael Allen,

President and CEO of the United Way.

“It has given our children the security of knowing that they are supported and valued by the community,” says Allen.

WOCRC’s Bullying Prevention Program was the recipient of the Community Leadership Program Award. This award is presented to an organization that reflects innovation, inspiration and vision; words that can easily be attributed to the Bullying Prevention Program.

WOCRC’s long standing program challenges the very difficult issue of bullying and is considered a pioneer in the community. The program works closely with schools, teachers, parents and students within western Ottawa ensure positive outcomes for children and youth.

“Angela works from the underlying belief that in order to achieve success it is crucial to include the entire school community,” Mia Doré, Manager, Child and Youth. “We are very lucky to have Angela on our team.”

Through engaging presentations, workshops and special events Angela and the team work closely with the community on how to recognize the signs of bullying and how to deal with the issue head on. They also help schools develop policies that will make children and youth feel safe and secure when they are looking for help against bullying.

To learn more about our innovative Bullying Prevention Program contact Angela at lorusso@wocrc.ca or visit our website wocrc.ca.

WOCRC’s Bullying Prevention Program honoured at this year’s Growing Up Great Awards

1. Angela is surrounded by her colleagues. 2. Pin wheels and fluorescent cootie catchers set the stage at Ottawa City Hall for this year’s Awards. 3. Ottawa Child and Youth Initiative’s 3rd annual Growing Up Great Awards 2013 recipients. For a full ist of recipients please visit growingupgreat.ca

The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) is starting 2014 with a bang.

I am pleased to announce that the WOCRC is working closely with Arnprior Regional Health, the Queensway Carleton Hospital, local family physicians, Community Care Access Centres (CCAC), the Champlain LHIN and many other partners to plan for a Health Link for the Arnprior-Kanata-Stittsville area.

Community Health Links, an exciting new initiative, is part of the provincial government’s Action Plan for Health Care. This program is designed to improve care coordination between local care providers to ensure that patients are receiving the right care, in the right place at the right time.

The initial focus of Health Links will be on the complex needs patients. These patients currently account for ten per cent of the patient population and over 72 per cent of health care costs.

The Health Links initiative will foster improved care coordination and directly result in:

- Improved access to family care for patients with multiple, complex conditions;

- Reduced avoidable emergency room visits;

- Reduced unnecessary re-admission to hospitals shortly after discharge;

- Reduced time for referral from primary care doctor to specialist;

- Improvement of the patient’s experience during their journey through the health care system.

The partnerships that will be forged as part of Health Links will evolve over the coming years and we are excited to be a part of it. This initiative is closely aligned with WOCRC’s mission to ‘Partner with others to develop, provide and coordinate accessible community, health and social services for all members of our diverse communities’ and will ultimately ensure improved health care service to residents of our community.

3

Yours in health,

pho

to b

y D

anie

lle L

ynn

Pho

tog

rap

hy

connectLet’s Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre Let’sconnect“Jealousy, yes, is a sign of human emotion but extreme jealousy is also an early warning sign,” said Longhorn. Violence is a cycle, often starting with a “honeymoon” period, followed by abuse.

“An abusive relationship doesn’t start as abusive. It starts off as all sunshine and lollipops,”

Longhorn said. “It grows over time; your family gets pushed away, you’re isolated, you aren’t

allowed to talk to your friends.”The healthy dating relationships program aims to give youth the tools to recognize the signs in their own relationships, but also prepares them to help others.

“We know that young people often don’t report abuse to an adult in their life. They’re more likely to talk to their peers,” said Wilks.

Longhorn said the best thing to do if someone confides they are in an unhealthy or abusive relationship is to believe them, then help them find a safe adult - perhaps a parent, guidance counsellor or teacher - to talk to, or to call a helpline.

“Coming into the schools, it also makes the staff, the teachers, the parents, aware,” she said. “We’re just trying to help people recognize and

be in a healthy relationship.”Volunteers also offer a one period presentation on dating violence for grades 9 to 12 students.

The students are given a short quiz to see what they know about dating violence and then they watch a video on the warning signs of relationship abuse. Afterwards, they are invited to participate in the resource centre’s poster contest.

“We invite them to create a poster expressing to their peers what they want them to know about dating violence,” said Wilks.

This year’s winning entry was created by Sarah Davis and Kylie Hailstone from South Carleton High School. The winning entry encouraged students to “Fight the Silence.”

The poster contest is now open to submissions with a final deadline of May 2014. “They’re amazing, they do a great job,” said Longhorn. “We’ve had some excellent (submissions).”

She said it’s important to dispel the myth that “you’re nobody until somebody loves you.”

For more information or to schedule an in-school presentation, call 613-591-3686 or email info@wocrc.ca or visit wocrc.ca.

Volunteers with the resource centre have been hosting presentations in local schools for grades 7 and 8 students for about five years, said Terry Longhorn, a volunteer and peer support worker in the violence against women program.

“We want to make a difference at the early age, before the students get into

the actual dating scene,” she said. “We want to equip them with knowledge so

they can make better choices.”

The healthy dating relationships program is offered through the violence against women program run by the resource centre.

“We’re dealing with the results when we’re dealing with women in shelters,” said Longhorn. “In schools, we’re going right back to the beginning so kids are aware.”

According to a pamphlet the resource centre hands out to students: * Canadian youth begin dating or “going out” as early as age 11 * 40 per cent of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.

Teen victims of dating violence are more likely to abuse drugs, have eating disorders, and attempt suicide 26 per cent of teenagers said they are very concerned about dating violence; 31 per cent said they or a friend experienced dating violence

Two different healthy dating relationships presentations are offered: a one-period lecture for Grade 7 students, introducing

them to the idea of healthy versus unhealthy relationships. The presentation for Grade 8 students runs over three consecutive weeks where volunteers discuss gender, gender stereotypes and societal values; myths and facts regarding relationships; followed by red flags and where to turn for help, said Jenn Wilks, peer support program co-ordinator in Violence Against Women (VAW) services.

Last year, volunteers spoke with more than 600 grades 7 and 8 students.

“I think a huge aspect of prevention is education and awareness,” said Wilks. “We hear from older women in the (violence against women) program that they were never told what is healthy and what is unhealthy. For my generation, we were taught sex ed - the biology - but we were never taught what a healthy relationship looks like.”

“We think it’s really important to start at a young age.” Wilks and Longhorn said some of the red flags of unhealthy relationships include a partner who: Tries to control their partner’s behaviour, isolates their partner from friends and family, is constantly texting or calling, needing to know where their partner is at all times, shows extreme jealousy and the need for power and control.

Adapted from the Kanata Kourier-Standard

VAW Peer Supporters raising awareness to local high school students

2012 Winning poster by Melissa May

2013 Winning poster by by Sarah Davis and Kylie Hailstone

4 5

connectLet’s Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre Let’sconnectWOCRC Upcoming Events

Kanata Seniors Diners’ ClubEvery Wednesday! 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Kanata Seniors’ Centre2500 Campeau Drive.For more information or to register call Carol Diguer,613-591-3686. ext 316

COmmunity DevelOpmentSpin Farming & Gardening

Saturday, February 8Starting at 9 a.m.WOCRC 2 MacNeil Court

Interested in small scale or backyard farming? The community is invited and welcome to attend a workshop on SPIN Farming and the SPIN Gardening method.

Register today with Julie at 613-591-3686 x 498Cost is $5 or pay what you can.

Call FOR vOlunteeRS!We are expanding our services to assist Chinese seniors in our community.

We are looking for Chinese-English speaking volunteers to provide transportation to medical appointments, social activities and programs

For more information contact the WOCRC Volunteer Coordinator Laine at johnson@wocrc.ca or 613-591-3686 ext. 280

viOlenCe aGainSt WOmenpeer Support information SessionsHas your partner, boyfriend or husband ever: Made you feel worthless? Forced sex? Put you down? Controlled money? Isolated you? Threatened you? Peer supporters (trained volunteers) are available to offer free and confidential information and support.

Thursday, February 201:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, March 201:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, April 171:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

All sessions are located at WOCRC 2 MacNeil Court These sessions are FREE and confidential!

No registration required.For more information contact info@wocrc.ca or call 613-591-3686

Group for Children Who Witness violence

mothers;• Have you been abused by your partner?• Has your child seen, heard or felt the tension of violence?• Are you interested in talking and sharing in a holistic way about how the abuse has impacted your children?• Would your children benefit from a children’s group to express their feelings?

WOCRC will be offering a group for children and a group for mothers at the same time.

Thursday evenings starting February 206 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.WOCRC 2 MacNeil Court

Participants must be referred to this group by the WOCRC Counselling Services Team

Call 613-591-3686 for more information.

Our services are free and confidential

ChilDRen & yOuth & OeyC

Building Self esteem: Feeling lovable and CapableTuesday, February 116:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.WOCRC 2 MacNeil Court

Self-esteem is a buzz word in books on parenting and education, but what does it really mean? Learn ways to help your children to have a good self-image while you guide them through positive discipline. This workshop will focus on young children, but the techniques work to build self-esteem for all ages including parents!**Offered in English only

Register at 613-591-3686 x 5

Supporting Great Study habitsThursday, February 206 :30 p.m. to 8 :30 p.m.WOCRC 2 MacNeil CourtHow can I help my child be more successful at school? What can I do to teach study skills, organizational skills and time management? How do we manage homework? We will cover productive strategies to better support the development of successful study habits. For parents/caregivers of children aged 6-14 years.*Offered in English only

Register: Colleen Taylor,613-591-3686 x 228 or taylora@wocrc.ca

Join us for a live book reading of GrrrOuch! pain is like a grouchy bearJoin author Cathryn Morgan on Friday, March 7 at 10 a.m. while she reads her book during storytime at the Hazeldean Mall. Enjoy a light discussion with her friendly puppets and songs. Her book will be available for purchase and she happy to sign it! painislikeagrouchybear.com

French in your homeTuesday, March 185:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.WOCRC 2 MacNeil Court

Do you want to introduce your child to French but you’re not sure how to bring it into your home? Join us for some fun and interactive tips and tricks to introducing French into your household. For children 0 to 6 years to attend with an adult.*This is a program designed for English

speaking families.

Register at 613-591-3686 x 5

Discipline that looks for Solutions Thursday, March 26, 6: 30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. WOCRC 2 MacNeil Court

Children’s behaviour can cause problems when they do things their parents tell them not to. In this workshop, you will learn an approach to teaching children better behaviour by focussing on solutions to those problems instead of on punishment.

When children get older, this process encourages self-discipline because they start to participate in finding solutions.*Presented in French only.

Register at 613-591-3686 ext. 5Facilitator: Betsy Mann

COmmunity SuppORt SeRviCeSDiners’ ClubWOCRC, along with community volunteers, host a nutritional lunch, entertainment, and/or educational program for seniors and adults with disabilities living in our community. Diners’ Club is a great way to socialize, learn and have some fun at the same time! Cost is only $7.50

West Carleton Diners’ Clubthe Great train accident in almonte Presented by Sarah from the North Lanark MuseumFebruary 1411:30 am to 1:30 pmKinburn Community Centre3045 Kinburn Side Rd.Register by February 7 at 613-591-3686 ext. 320.

What? Who’s Coming?the Canadian hearing SocietyFebruary 2811:30 am to 1:30 pmGaletta Community Centre 119 Darwin StreetRegister by February 21 at 613-591-3686 ext. 320. 76

Keeping You ConnectedLet’s Connect is published a minimum of four times a year – spring, summer, fall & winter – to keep you informed of news and activities at the WOCRC. If you would like to read more about a specific topic or have a story idea, please email info@wocrc.ca and we’ll try to cover it in an upcoming issue!

connectLet’sWestern Ottawa Community Resource Centre

2 MacNeil Court, Kanata, Ontario K2L 4H7Tel.: 613-591-3686 Fax: 613-591-2501 TTY: 613-591-0484

www.wocrc.ca info@wocrc.ca

CSS: helping Seniors Stay in their homes

When her elderly parents needed assistance, Bonnie Smith moved back to Ottawa from Victoria, B.C. and acted as their live-in caregiver for six-and-a-half years.

Smith, 59, contacted the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) for Community Support Services (CSS) and started off with getting some house cleaning help. She later joined the General Caregiver Support Group for a little while. She also had a Personal Support Worker (PSW) from WOCRC help out in the home and had frozen meals delivered and outside grounds maintenance done.

“All their services were really good,” she said.

“It enabled my parents to stay in their house.”

After Gerry passed away in February 2009 at the age of 85, Smith stayed in the house with her mother, Claire, for another 18 months before she required long-term care. Claire was 87 when she died in December 2012.

Smith said she was very happy to have helped out her parents and that they both had a good experience in their final days.

“I consider it a privilege to have cared for my parents…. It was an incredible experience to return to my birth place… and I was able to do it.” Even though Smith has a sister in Ottawa and three siblings on the West Coast, she was the one who became the caregiver as she was single and separated.

“It was a success story. My parents were able to afford their senior care. They placed no financial burden on any of us,” she said, adding that they

even left an inheritance for their children.

Smith’s experience of looking after her parents inspired her to do a social work certificate at Algonquin College and join Rural Ottawa South Support Services (ROSSS) where she has worked for two years as a program coordinator of social programs and adult day programs.

“I love it,” she said. “I firmly believe in assisting seniors to remain in their home as long as possible.”

Smith had been a child care advocate and administrator for 25 years and knew about community development and how to access resources.

CSS was in Bells Corners where her parents lived, so she was “very familiar” with the organization.

She recommends WOCRC to people who are in similar situations like she once was.

“They are all encompassing and are professionally and personally

supportive.”

Smith’s advice for families is simple: “Have a formal agreement with your family as to what your roles and responsibilities will be because one absent sibling can stir the pot, especially in large families where not everyone has the same vision. Make sure every family member is supported.”

A WOCRC Success Story by Dahlia Liwsze

8