RC - Spring 2012 - India Rainbow Community Services

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Connection
India Rainbow Community Services of Peel
3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 206 & Unit 1, Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 Phone: 905-275-2369 Fax: 905-275-6799 Email: ircs@indiarainbow.org
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Mark your Calendars!
Open House for Unit 1 and Annual General Meeting
Thursday, June 21, 2012
IndiaRainbowwillbehostingtheoficialOpenHouseforitsnewestlocation‘ServicesforNewImmigrants’,alongwith
the27thAnnualGeneralMeetingonJune21,2012at3038HurontarioStreetlocationinMississauga.
We look forward to welcoming our members, their families, friends and the community to come and tour our newest facility in Unit 1.
At this new site, we offer settlement services to all walk-in clients, be they newcomers to Canada and are looking for support and
services, or those who have been here and looking for opportunities in their job search or employment. Please plan to be there along
with your newcomer friends and families. Join us for a piece of cake and refreshments between 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm and we would be
glad to show you around. India Rainbow offers a range of free settlement services in addition to guidance and information sessions on a
variety of issues affecting children, youth, women and seniors alike. Services are provided in many different languages.
The Annual General Meeting (open to members of the organization and invited guests) will start promptly at 6.30 pm in Suite 307.
We look forward to your active participation in this meeting. Please call 905-275-2369 to RSVP your attendance by June 15, 2012
Giving back and serving the community is good not only for the people being served,
but also those serving…
Do you have a special talent or skills that you would like to bring forth in service to the organization? Would you like to give
back to the community? Want to make a commitment to volunteer?
In its constant endeavor to extend a helping hand to the needy, India Rainbow is seeking the support of committed individuals who are
willing to be a part of this organization and make significant contribution through their skills and talents in their respective fields.
Professionals from diverse backgrounds such as Finance, IT, Human Resources, Public Relations, etc. are invited to join the
organization to steer it through its next strategic plan. Individuals with special talents, skills or expertise, who can provide directions
and make decisions on policies and effective functioning of the organization – this may be your opportunity to give back to the
community. India Rainbow offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional development to its board members, and in return,
volunteer board members offer their skills and talent for the effective governance of the organization.
If you know of someone with special skills mentioned above, please advise them to check our website
for details about becoming a member. Membership of the organization is a pre-requisite to becoming
a board member. A person with three months good standing as a member is eligible to be nominated to
the Board. All membership applications are subject to approval by the Board. Benefits of membership
are many, significant among them being an opportunity to enhance personal development and
leadership skills through active involvement in the organization, in addition to achieving personal
satisfaction and the feeling of fulfillment. Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (AGM),
opportunity to be active participants on a board or its committees, advance information about our
programs and events and of course, a copy of the quarterly newsletter Rainbow Connection, are the
other attractions of membership.
We invite committed individuals to join India Rainbow. To become a member, please contact us at
905-275-2369 or use our online Membership Form. We look forward to welcoming you on board!
Inside this issue:
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Strategic Plan……………….. 2
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Trip to Egypt………………… 2
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Women’s Focus Group …….. 2
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Collaboration with PCHS…… 3
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Guide to Holistic Self–Care .. 3
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Trivia ………………………… 3
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Summer Fun............................ 3
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Healthy Recipe……………... 4
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Members Corner…………… 4
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Partnership with mybindi….. 4
Strategic Plan
India Rainbow is again embarking on its next 5 year Strategic Plan. Our current five year
plan, which ended this year assisted in the creation of Human Resources department’s,
development of several new policies and procedures, marketing our brand, extensive
outreach and membership engagement. The priorities set out in the plan are a driving force
in our continued journey of accreditation and financial best practice. The process
encompasses our values of transparency, inclusiveness, integrity and ethics, and will
encourage the invaluable participation of our Board, Policy Advisory Committee (PAC),
members, staff, partners and funders in shaping and transforming India Rainbow’s future in the next three to five
years. Once developed, the Strategic Plan will guide our programs, service operations and corporate direction.
At this stage in the process, we have formed a Strategic Planning Committee consisting of Board and PAC
members, along with senior staff. We have reviewed the current Strategic Plan outlining the achievements and
outstanding items; and have assigned a Planning Coordinator who has created a draft proposal for consultant
recruitment and developing reasonable timelines for the project.
Seniors take a memorable ‘Trip to Egypt’
On March 2nd, 19 eager ‘passengers’ (program participants) embarked on an imaginary trip to Egypt,
the mysterious land of pharaohs, pyramids and mummies! After completing their pre-boarding
requirements, they eagerly boarded an Egypt Air flight to Cairo. The captain and the crew (staff)
welcomed them. After viewing a safety video describing the emergency procedures, they were soon
soaring away amidst the blue skies on their way to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. While aboard, a
video clip highlighting Egypt’s rich culture and treasures, its
people and lands, and historical significance was played that
helped in contributing to the excitement and sense of
adventure that quickly spread amongst the passengers. They
stared in awe at the awesome Pyramids of Giza, the monumental Sphinx, and the
treasures of Tutankhamen, the boy Pharaoh! As exercise forms an integral part of our
daily routine at the Adult Day Centre, clients participated in a fun-filled musical
exercise with colorful scarves, while relaxing in their seats on board the flight! On
arrival at Cairo, clients enjoyed a special Egyptian lunch at the ‘Lonely Planet’
restaurant followed by delicious desserts. Later, clients sang, clapped and danced to
popular Egyptian tunes. The trip gave an opportunity to the participants to learn about Some of our seniors ‘onboard’ their flight
to Egypt!
a different culture and at the same time provided an element of fun and enjoyment.
Kudos to the organizers for making this trip a truly memorable one!
Women’s Focus Group Meeting
OnFebruary21st,IndiaRainbowhostedaWomen’sFocusGroupmeetingtodiscuss
thehealthneedsoflocalwomen.ConductedbyCentralWestLHIN,themeeting
focusedonthecurrenthealthcaresystemanditsbene%itsforwomeninthe
BramptonandCaledonareas.YvonneSinniah,PerformanceandIntegration
ConsultantfromtheCentralWestLHINpresidedoverthemeetingwhichwasheld
atIndiaRainbow’sBramptonof%iceandattendedbyapproximately60womenof
differentagegroups.Withemphasisonthehighpriorityhealthneedsofwomen
livinginthearea,themeetingsawactiveparticipationfromtheaudiencethat
includedyouth,adultsandseniors.Dividedintogroups,theydiscussedhealthcare
issuesingeneralandalsogavetheiropinionsonhowthepresenthealthcaresystem
canbeimprovedtomeettheirgrowingneeds.Thetwo-hourmeetingwasasuccessasitprovidedCentralWest
LHINaninsightintothehealthissuesofwomen.
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India Rainbow (IRCS) Collaborates with Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS)
Dementia is not an inevitable characteristic of frailty, nor an inevitable consequence of aging, but the burgeoning
population of seniors and an incidence rate of 6% for seniors over 65 years and 35% for seniors over 85 years
makes dementia an issue of epidemic proportions. In response to this growing community urgency, IRCS and
PCHS have partnered to provide psychogeriatric behavioral services to seniors in our program. Dementia is one
of the several mental health issues experienced by seniors. Other issues such as psychosis, paranoia, personality
disorder, and bipolar disorders, like dementia, present seniors, caregivers and staff with significant behavioral
and high-risk consequences. Agitation arising from these other psychiatric disorders can be prolonged and are
less likely to be self-limiting; therefore affecting many seniors, including those attending community day
programs at our centers. Towards this end, IRCS and PCHS will be hiring a Psychogeriatric Behavioral Specialist
to work with both organizations and be a resource to clients, caregivers and staff.
Guide to ‘Holistic Self-Care’ ~ Tamil & Hindi Guides now available !
We are excited to announce that our popular publication: “Guide to Holistic Self-Care Your Health in Your Hands” is now available in Tamil and Hindi for free distribution in the
community. The original English and Punjabi versions were launched in November 2010.
Due to the demand for the guide in other languages, the Public Health Agency of Canada
provided funds to translate it in other South Asian languages. Please help us distribute these
guides to all members of the community through your networking contacts. For copies,
please call Venant at 905-275-2369 or email him at: vferreira@indiarainbow.org
Mother’s Day Trivia ~ In France Mother's Day is referred to as Fete des Meres. It is celebrated on the last Sunday in May and is
treated more like a family birthday. Families gather for a special meal. In Sweden Mother's Day is on the last Sunday in May and is a
family holiday. The Swedish Red Cross sells small plastic flowers on the days leading up to Mother's Day and the money raised is used
to help needy mothers and their children. In Yugoslavia on "Materitse," "Materice," or Mother's Day, children tie up their mother,
releasing her only when she has paid them to do so with sweets or other goodies. In India Mother's Day is celebrated nationally on 19th
August. This year, in Canada, Mother’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 13th
Victoria Day ~ Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819 and reigned until her death on January 22, 1901. After her
death, May 24 became known as Empire Day. The date is also, simultaneously, that on which the current reigning Canadian
sovereign's official birthday is recognized. In 1952, Empire Day was moved to the Monday before May 25 which then
became known as Victoria Day, and is a Canadian statutory holiday.
Father’s Day Trivia ~ Roses are the official flower for Father's Day. A red rose is worn in the lapel if your father is living, a white
rose if he is deceased. Neckties are an old standby and lead the list of Father’s Day gifts. Other items high on the list are tools such as
hammers, drills and screwdrivers. Other traditional gifts for dad are fishing rods and golf clubs. Father's Day is celebrated in most
countries on the third Sunday in June. In Spain and Portugal, for instance, fathers are honored on St. Joseph's Day, on March 19th
In Australia, it's the first Sunday in September. In Canada, Father’s Day will be celebrated this year on Sunday, June 17th.
Zip lining: Try something FUN this summer!
It’s a fact! Most kids need more nature in their lives. Take to the trees and explore Ontario's
forests in a whole new way! Zip-lining through the trees is a totally unique adventure by itself
that is fast catching on. This activity provides the entire family with spectacular views as you
‘zip’ through or over the top of the forests. You are strapped onto a harness that goes across
your waist. The harness is then hooked to a stainless steel cable and you then ’ride’ down this
cable that is stretched over the forest. You just can’t beat zip-lining for the thrill and excitement it offers. There are
many adventure companies that offer zip-lining. One of the most popular one is: Long Point Eco - Adventures in Turkey
Point, Ontario (www.lpfun.ca). Their tour includes eight different zip-lines, two suspension skybridges, 14 platforms and
a 40 ft. rappel. Give it a go if you are seeking adventure this summer!!
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Healthy Recipe
Welcome New Members
Cucumber Salad with Mint and Feta
Ingredients:
• 1 lb thin skinned cucumbers, thinly sliced.
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced and cut into 1-inch long segments
• 2 or 3 red radishes, and 10 mint leaves, thinly sliced
• 2 to 3 teaspoons each of white vinegar and olive oil mixed together
• 1/4 pound feta cheese, loosely crumbled - keep aside
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
In a medium sized bowl, gently toss together all ingredients except feta
cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Right before serving, sprinkle on
crumbled bits of feta cheese. Serve immediately. Serves 4.
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Lewis Joel
Kaushal Samsher Singh
Prabhakara Rao & Vijaya Kumari
Kollipara
Anudeep Thind
Joginder Gill
Vinay & Venu Monga
Note: Nomination packages for the AGM
will be mailed out soon. Please RSVP your
attendance at the AGM by June 15, 2012.
India Rainbow & MyBindi ~ A new partnership: India Rainbow has entered into a strong alliance
with MyBindi.com and its sister site NewBindian, a website created to facilitate the settlement and integration of new
immigrants into the larger Canadian community. NewBindian provides a comprehensive guide to various resources
available to newcomers on topics such as health, education, jobs and skills training, money and business, housing,
and general settlement issues.
India Rainbow will work collaboratively with NewBindian, so that newcomers to Canada can not only tap into India
Rainbow’s resources to help newcomers with settlement issues, but also look for information on arts, entertainment
and lifestyle. MyBindi is Canada’s #1 resource for all things South Asian, and also engages in community outreach
through partnerships with not-for-profit organizations, and we hope that this partnership will be an active force in
Canada's South Asian community. You can visit them online at mybindi.com and newbindian.com. You can also win
prizes and tickets on their facebook page at facebook.com/mybindi or follow them @mybindi on twitter. Check out
our interactive banners and tiles on the NewBindian website!!
Newsletter Team
Board Member - Rina Kukdé Staff - Kitty Chadda, Daksha Mulla, Deepika Bhalla, Venant Ferreira
The newsletter, Rainbow Connection, is a periodical publication of India Rainbow Community Services of Peel. We invite readers to submit community announcements,
articles of community interest and letters for possible publication.
www.indiarainbow.org
A United Way Funded Agency
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