KDCHC`s Grand Opening and 10 Year Anniversary
Transcription
KDCHC`s Grand Opening and 10 Year Anniversary
1 UPDATE Fall 2010 KDCHC’s Grand Opening and 10 Year Anniversary We value the community through: • Respect • Excellence • Partnership • Accessibility • Integration • Diversity KDCHC offers a continuum of care including, primary health care, illness prevention, health promotion and community capacity development for people in the downtown Kitchener community, and those from different ethnocultural communities, Aboriginal people with a particular emphasis on those who experience barriers to accessing appropriate health. Hello to everyone. Earlier this year Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre moved to a new space, located in The Tannery building. Many of you may have already seen or visited our new location. Since the move, we have had some time to adjust to our new surroundings, even as we continue to fine-tune and tweak the space! We all look forward to those final finishing touches. It is very timely that this move occurred when it did; it happens to coincide with the KDCHC’s celebration of its first decade of operations. The idea for a health centre originated with a group of Kitchener downtown residents and local service providers. During the 90s, the collective group recog- Inside this issue: Arthritis 4 Volunteer Voices 5 KDCHC…Home of the Breastfeeding Buddies since 2003 7 Events 8 Ha ll’s KD W Ch arl es St W CH C Ln Jos eph St W Wate r St S Boosting your immune system through the food you eat 3 Kin gS tW Franc is St S 2 Victo ria St S Message from the Executive Director nized that there was a growing need for a health centre right in the core, a place that would be dedicated to servicing downtown residents and ethnocultural groups. After many years and much hard work, their idea evolved Board of Directors’ guidance and leadership, the Advisory Groups’ insight and support, the Volunteers’ enthusiasm and experience, we would not be where we are today. We plan to continue building on this strong history. into reality. In 2000, KDCHC opened its doors and services in downtown Kitchener. Today, the centre is a thriving hub providing primary health care, health promotion and community capacity development. It was due to the dedication, perseverance and commitment of these original individuals, as well as staff and numerous volunteers, that the centre has grown into the success it is today. What we have already accomplished and what we plan to do in the future is about more than just having space; it is about people. It is meaningful that many of the individuals who first conceived of the idea for the centre are still very much involved with it today. Without our staff’s dedication and creativity, the Now, it is time to celebrate. On Tuesday November 9th, 2010 we will honour our first official 10 years as well the grand opening of our new space. The celebration will gather together the centre’s friends, family and others to recognize our success. Beginning at 4:30pm, the event will include refreshments, tours, formal presentations and a mix & mingle. Joining us will be several special guests from our community. I hope you will be able to join us. To let us know you are coming, please RSVP via phone: 519-745-4404 ext. 236 or email: rsvp@kdchc.org. We look forward to seeing you in November. Your Board of Directors. 2 Message from Eric Goldberg Executive Director Our organization focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, early intervention & chronic disease management. Addressing access barriers for those who are at greater risk of developing health problems and strengthening individual and community capacity is a primary focus for our organization. Incorporating the social determinants of health into client services is also key to our work. (www.kdchc.org). It is incredible that the fall season has already arrived. With it are a number of new and on-going initiatives that are focused on community partnerships. Funding was received from the Region of Waterloo Public Health to continue a peer health worker program supporting people experiencing homelessness to improve access to services and to improve health status. The program works with YWCA, The Working Centre, House of Friendship and Ray of Hope to ensure success. Funding was also received from the Ministry of Health Promotion to develop a sustainable model for system navigation focused on mental health for a broad range of cultural communities. This project will work with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Mosaic Counselling and Family Services, K-W Counselling Services, the KW Multicultural Centre and Grand River Hospital. KDCHC is a partner of a regional diabetic education program. This program has recently expanded and KDCHC has increased its staffing to support more clients. This service is offered as part of a regional network. KDCHC is also taken on more students. This fall we have the most students at the same time we have ever had. KDCHC had its first medical student from the satellite of McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine in Kitchener. KDCHC will have a partnership with the School of Pharmacy to support student placements that will support our work with clients. We continue to have Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner students. For the first time we have a WLU Eric Goldberg Executive Director Social Work student in the counselling stream and a Conestoga College Social Services student, along with our regular WLU Social Work student. This fall will be a learning experience for us all. There are a number of other creative partnerships that are currently happening and we expect to announce a few more in the coming months. Staffing Changes Good byes and thank you... KDCHC has said goodbye to 3 of our staff over the past number of months. Sarah Mulholland is a Registered Nurse and has been working with us since the summer of 2009. Sarah left at the end of June as she has moved to another province. Her good work included leadership on the development of Electronic Health Records and an RN led Chronic Disease Management Program. Alida Finnie is a Dietitian who has worked for us in the Diabetes Education Program for the past 2 years. She has done a great job of helping us to develop and get the program running smoothly. Alida has taken a job in a community closer to her home. Lisa Connolly is a Nurse Practitioner who has worked with us for the past 10 years (she is one of the original staff here at the Centre). Lisa has played many roles over the years in supporting the development not only of clinical services but the organization as a whole. Lisa was a fixture at the Tuesday primary care clinic at St. John’s Kitchen and will be greatly missed by the clients there. Lisa has taken a full time teaching job in the college system. We are sad to see each of these people go and we wish them well as they begin their new positions/adventures. We are very appreciative of the contribution they have made to KDCHC and to the wider community that we work with and serve. Each of them has helped to shape and guide us as an organization. New Staff We have added three new staff in our Diabetes Education Program. We welcome the following staff: Story continued on page 3 3 Boosting Your Immune System Through the Food You Eat by Charla Adams, Nutritionist With the weather getting colder, you may be thinking about how to stay healthy and fight off colds and flus. Eating a healthy diet including food known to have immunity-boosting qualities may help. Several nutrients have been noted to have these properties, such as protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc. Top 10 Immune-Boosting Foods: 1. Tuna (excellent source of protein) 2. Chicken (excellent source of protein) 3. Raw carrots (excellent source of vitamin A) 4. Boiled spinach (very good source of vitamin A) 5. Red Peppers (excellent source of vitamin C) 6. Broccoli, steamed (very good source of vitamin C) 7. Sunflower Seeds (excellent source of vitamin E) 8. Almonds (very good source of vitamin E) 9. Oysters (excellent source of zinc) 10. Beef (very good source of zinc) What about water? It’s crucial to your immune system that you consume enough water every day. It cleanses your body of impurities and will allow your immune system to concentrate on fighting off germs. Choose water instead of sugary beverages. How much water is enough? On average most people need 8-9 cups of water per day. What about vitamin C supplements? Vitamin C can help keep your immune system healthy. Most people can get enough vitamin C by eating a healthy diet and do not need to take a supplement. Taking high dose of vitamin C has not been proven to prevent colds. If you think you may need a supplement speak with a Registered Dietitian for advice. Other tips: • Try to eat 3 meals per day. • Eat whole foods as much as possible. • Limit sugary foods • Limit high fat and processed foods Staffing Changes continued... Agata Sikora Yvette Mullings Agata Sikora is a Registered Nurse who has come to us from the hospital system where she worked extensively with clients with Diabetes. Agata has her Certified Diabetes Educator certification; Yvette Mullings is our new Community Programs secretary, supporting both the Diabetes Education program and the volunteer administrative staff on the main floor. Yvette also has extensive experience with the downtown community and the client population we serve and has worked in local community social service agencies. Suzanne Dietrich is a Registered Dietitian who has worked in the CHC system both as a Dietitian and in Diabetes Education and has extensive knowledge and experience in the downtown Kitchener area. We also welcome two Master of Social Work students: Fazilah Shariff and Tara Innes from Wilfird Laurier University and Jovana Petkovic from Social Services program of Conestoga College. Suzanne Dietrich Heather Sutcliffe We also welcome Heather Sutcliffe, Registered Nurse to the clinical team. Heather brings years of experience in primary care and leadership in chronic disease management programs. She will take over the responsibilities related to Electronic Health Records and the RN led Chronic Disease Management program. Heather began her work here at the end of June. Fazilah Shariff Tara Innes 4 Arthritis by Xu Wang, KDCHC volunteer, foreign trained family doctor September is National Arthritis Month in Canada - a time to raise awareness of a condition that affects over four million Canadians of every age and ethnic background. Arthritis is one of the world’s most common chronic conditions, and remains a leading cause of pain and physical disability. In Canada, about one in six people over 15 years of age suffer from the disease. Two-thirds of arthritis sufferers are women, and three people out of every five with arthritis are younger than 65 years of age. The word arthritis literally means inflammation of the joint (“Arth” meaning joint and “itis” meaning inflammation). There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis. To keep things simple we divide arthritis into two categories-- inflammatory and degeneration. Inflammatory arthritis can affect any joint in the body. The most common type of inflammatory arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and tends to involve the small joints of the hands and feet. Inflammatory arthritis causes aching, pain, stiffness, warmth, and swelling in the joints which are affected. The most striking characteristic is feeling stiff in the joints after rest. This is particularly apparent in the morning when the stiffness may take hours before feeling “looser”. In some people, the inflammation in the joints may be accompanied by a loss of energy (fatigue). Other symptoms might include low grade fevers, weight loss, muscle pain, or numbness and tingling in the fingers. The severity of symptoms varies greatly from person to person. Once it is established, inflammatory arthritis is a chronic condition which will likely affect you for the rest of your life. As such, you will need some type of medication to control your disease. It is usually a balancing act between taking as much medication as needed to control the arthritis and as little medication as necessary to prevent side effects. Degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis (OA), tends to affect the joint at the base of the thumb, the end joints and/ or middle joints of the fingers, the hips, the knees, and the joints at the base of the big toe. When a joint degenerates, the cartilage gradually becomes rough, begins to wear away, and the bone underneath thickens. With this degeneration, the joint may in fact, become inflamed with pain, warmth, and swelling. Though degenerative arthritis could have started earlier, most people begin to notice the symptoms as they get into their 40s or 50s. A person with degenerative joint disease may notice some stiffness of the affected joint in the morning lasting about 15-20 minutes. As the day progresses and the joints are used, the pain and discomfort usually gets worse. Resting the joints tends to provide relief. The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is pain. Living with the chronic pain of arthritis decreases quality of life and, for most, has a significant impact on all daily activities. Severe arthritis even causes deformity of the joints and loss of mobility. For those suffering from arthritis, even the simplest daily task can be a real challenge; sleep is easily disrupted, depression is common and visits to health professionals are frequent. While the cause of arthritis is unknown and neither rheumatoid arthritis nor osteoarthritis can be completely prevented, one can reduce the risks by the following tips: • Becoming physically active • Eating healthily • Maintaining a healthy weight • Protecting your joints • Seeking early medical attention when suffering from joint pain Joint protection principles are: • Balance between work and rest. Reduce the amount of effort needed to do the job • Avoid holding or staying in one position for prolonged periods of time • Avoid activities that cannot be stopped immediately if they become too stressful • Reduce stress on your joints while sleeping • Maintain muscle strength and joint range of motion • Use a well-planned work space Treating your arthritis The treatment options for your arthritis will likely include non- medication therapies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, education, exercise, relaxation techniques and medications. Medications to treat arthritis can be divided into two general categories – those which only control symptoms and those which control the symptoms and the disease. To get the best results, you need to form close ties with your healthcare team and become a full partner in your healthcare treatment. For more information visit www.arthritis.ca 5 Volunteer Voices My birth certificate identification, being stolen and needing to be replaced, would begin new opportunities I never expected. With my application in hand I would make my way down to St. John’s Soup Kitchen to the I.D. Clinic to get this done and to my surprise I was first in line. This Tuesday morning was starting off terrific and would continue to get better especially after I had met Doug Rankin who runs the I.D. Clinic out of the Kitchen on Tuesday mornings. As my application was being reviewed I was chatting with Doug and his colleague in training telling them about my dilemma of being a published author of poetry but no money being made by Kimberly Hartman, KDCHC volunteer and the fact that I was also working on a book about my life story. Sparking an interest in my poetry I was asked if I would bring some to Doug to possibly become published in the StreetVoice newsletter. Of course I said yes. We would make arrangements to meet a week later at his office where I would begin a completely different journey in my life I never expected. I received a call a few weeks later from Doug to notify me that in fact my poetry was going to be in the newsletter; another accomplishment and my name out there. Doug would let me know that I am a strong writer and my poems were impressive, of course I was on cloud nine. I noticed a newsletter of KDCHC’s and picked myself up a copy which I took home to read later. Well this would certainly change my life around and I am so glad it has. Inside the newsletter I would come across the section that was asking about volunteer positions that needed to be filled. I thought I’d love the reception job and I contacted Lorri and began my volunteer work in July. In that same newsletter they also were looking for suggestions and I submitted my project idea of Volunteer Voices to Lorri who was delighted at the idea. Lorri especially loved the name of it and I thought it was something that the newsletter could use and Kimberly Hartman volunteers at the information desk. We welcome article submissions from KDCHC volunteers. volunteers would also be recognized and appreciated that they can have their time to shine too. I must thank Doug Rankin and Lorri Holmes for giving me the opportunity to be part of the health centre and contribute to my community. Volunteers Needed The KDCHC volunteer program is growing! With our move to 44 Francis St. S., we are able to offer more volunteer opportunities than ever before. Here are some of the ways we use volunteers: Information Desk Volunteer This volunteer position anchors our new main information desk welcoming visitors and directing people to their service area. Providing information and administrative work is also a part of this position. Computer and telephone skills would be an asset. Community Health Library Volunteers Library volunteers work a 3-4 hour shift either weekly or bi-weekly, processing books and other materials or assisting clients with finding books and online resources. Computer skills and /or customer service experience would be an asset. involve planting and maintaining the indoor gardens, and would likely require about 1 hour per week. Advisory Groups KDCHC has advisory groups of volunteers with lived experience who can advise us on programs and services. If you Indoor Gardener are interested in one of the following We are in need of someone issues and can attend who loves plants and would a monthly meeting, be willing to advise us on please contact us filling our new large, indoor planters. This position would • mental health • senior’s • children and families • New Canadian. To find out more about any of these opportunities please contact our Coordinator of Volunteers, Lorri Holmes at 519-745-4404 ext. 250 or at lholmes@kdchc.org 6 KDCHC Programs and Services Update Growing Up Downtown to Kitchener/Waterloo. Frequency?: once per Children’s Playgroup Growing Up Downtown’s current members and KDCHC staff member Lori Butler have a new project initiative…a FREE play group for parents. The current members have come to recognize that there is a lack of free play groups for parents to utilize within KDCHC catchment area. Growing Up Downtown Working Group members felt inspired to create an opportunity to provide this service. Our Vision: A safe place for kids (ages up to 6 years old) to play once a month and at the same time, a place for parents to meet other parents in the community. This will be a time to socialize, engage in discussions that personally matter to each member and build a community of support. Members?: We are welcoming current clients of KDCHC, New Canadians, new parents and newcomers month. Hopefully, interest will grow and we will be able to offer more meeting days. Where will the Play Group be?: The Play Group room is on the Main floor as you walk into the new KDCHC building on 44 Francis Street South. For security and comfort, parents will be responsible for supervising their child or children. When committee meetings are held, we would also use the play room and have a child care provider. The current staff liaison, Lori Butler, for the GUD would oversee the group. At least one member of the GUD working group will be in attendance. Fee?: There would be no fee for users. Snacks and bus tickets will be provided. When?: The group meets the first Tuesday of every month, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. If you would like to meet other parents in the community, while your children have a safe and comfortable place to play, please feel free to drop by. All are welcome. Intercultural Mental Health Navigators The Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre in partnerships with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Grand River Branch, KW Counselling Services, MOSAIC Counselling and Family Services, Grand River Hospital, and the KW Multicultural Centre is launching a new collaborative project. The project aims to provide one-to-one peer help to culturally diverse communities to help them access support systems in mental health and substance use and increase the skill set of service providers in the area of cultural competencies. Mental Health Navigators will be hired to work with the cultural-linguistic communi- ties in the Waterloo Region and mental health organizations to build strong and effective partnerships and respond to mental health issues in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Currently, we are in the process of hiring two Intercultural Mental Health Navigators. They will work at two locations: Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Grand River Branch. KDCHC now have a community Health Library With our move to 44 Francis Street South, we are able to offer more programs and services. Clients and volunteers will be able to borrow books, journals, videos and other health information materials. We also have library volunteers who will assist you finding books and online resources. We invite everyone to visit our new library. Emotional Restore Skills Group: New Group at KDCHC This is a new program at KDCHC. It is a 6 week drop in group for those who have experienced: • trauma, • depression, • anxiety, • substance use, • chronic pain and stress You will learn and rehearse practical internal coping skills considered necessary to manage your issues. The topics include: Week 1: Depression Week 2- Anxiety/panic disorders Week 3- Pain management Week 4- Trauma Week 5- Addictions Week 6- Stress The workshops are drop in/ NO sign up and very little sharing! The only requirement is you Must be able to communicate in English. The group is facilitated by master level social workers and Master level social work student. When: Friday’s, from October 15- Nov. 19th (once a week) Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Where: Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre- 44 Francis St. South, Kitchener, ON Child care is provided. Snacks and beverage provided at the end of group sessions. For more information about the group call Lori Butler M.S.W. R.W. 519-7454404 extension 224 or Penny Bedford M.S.W., R.S.W. 519-745-4404 extension 244 7 KDCHC…Home of the Breastfeeding Buddies since 2003 By Sherry Rosa, Breastfeeding Buddies Coordinator Breastfeeding Buddies is a peer-based program of the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre and Region of Waterloo Public Health. It was developed to promote breastfeeding in Waterloo Region and help increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates, through mother-to-mother support. The program has 3 features: • Pregnant? Take the Breastfeeding Buddies FREE prenatal breastfeeding workshop. • New breastfeeding mother? Call for a one-to-one match with a Buddy or visit a Buddy at your local Early Years Centre. • Want to volunteer with the Breastfeeding Buddies program? Get accredited training for FREE and the support of a program coordinator. Since its inception 7 years ago, 140 women with their own breastfeeding experience have been trained as volunteers in the Breastfeeding Buddies program. This is an incredibly diverse group of women. There are women from various age groups, different cultural backgrounds (including Buddies who speak languages other than English) Breastfeeding Buddies at the 2009 Training and different experiences (for example, women with experience with multiples, preemies or ill babies) and in different areas around Waterloo Region. With all of this diversity, it is often very simple to find a good match for any mother who wishes to take advantage of the Buddy system with a oneon-one match. It also gives moms who take the prenatal course or use the dropin at community sites many different perspectives on the breastfeeding experience. If you are interested in learning more about the Breastfeeding Buddies program or wish to participate in any way, please contact the program coordinator, Sherry Rosa, at the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre at 519-772-1016. World Breastfeeding Week in Canada October 1-7, 2010 Breastfeeding Buddies helped to organize a special event of breastfeeding moms and families at the Kitchener Market on Saturday, October 2nd, 2010. We had a friendly international “latch on” competition of breastfeeding moms. We had 33 moms and 35 babies breastfeeding for the competition. The competition has reported 3467 babies, at 177 sites, in 16 countries. We are happy to have been a small part. Access to Dental Services for Low-income Children and Youth The Ontario Government has announced funding that will improve access to dental care for low income children and youth. The focus of this funding will be prevention, oral health, dental health promotion and treatment for children and youth. Mr. John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre made the announcement on October 1, 2010. The Region of Waterloo Public Health will implement the program in partnership with three local Community Health Centres: Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, Langs Farm Community Health Centre, Woolwich Community Health Centre and other dental care providers. Dr. Liana Nolan, Medical Health Officer for the Region of Waterloo Public Health said more than 7000 children and youth from low income families will benefit from this program that will be implemented at different outreaches. Dr. Nolan indicated that detailed information about this program will be sent to the community in the near future. Dr. Liana Nolan, Medical Health Officer for Region of Waterloo and Eric Goldberg, Executive Director, KDCHC with Mr. John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre. 8 Program Meeting Date Meeting Time Meeting Place Children’s Play Group Call 519-745-4404 ext. 224 First Tuesday of every Month 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 44 Francis St. S. Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop (a six-week workshop) Registration required. Every Monday 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm September 27 - November 1 Call 519-745-4404 ext. 208 or 242 44 Francis St. S. Community Coalition on Refugee and Immigrant Concerns Call 519-745-4404 ext. 209 for meeting dates 44 Francis St. S. Community Health Helpers Call 519-745-4404 ext. 209 Emotional restore skills group (a six week group) Every Friday October 15 - November 19 11:00 am – 12:30 pm 44 Francis St. S. Growing Up Downtown Working Group Third Tuesday of the month Call 519-745-4404 ext. 224 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 44 Francis St. S. Homelessness Advisory Group Third Tuesday of the month. Call 519-745-4404 ext. 207 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 44 Francis St. S. I.D. Clinic Call 519-745-4404 ext. 207 Monday Tuesday By Appointment 1:00 pm 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Mary’s Place St. John Kitchen KDCHC Grand Opening and 10 Year Anniversary Tuesday, November 9 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm 44 Francis St. S. Latin American Diabetes Program Third Wednesday of the month Call 519-745-4404 ext. 209 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm 44 Francis St. S. Living on a Survival Budget Call 519-745-4404 ext. 242 Set – Every Monday Sept. 20 for 12 weeks Go – Every 1st and 3rd Monday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm 44 Francis St. S. Mental Health Advisory Group Last Tuesday of the month Call 519-745-4404 ext. 244 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 44 Francis St. S. Seniors Advisory Group Second Wednesday of the month Call 519-745-4404 ext. 234 11:45 am – 1:00 pm 44 Francis St. S. Seniors Lunch and Learn Third Tuesday of the month Call 519-745-4404 ext. 234 11:30 am – 1:00 pm 49 Queen St. N. (St. Peter’s Lutheran Church) We are on the Web! www.kdchc.org 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm 44 Francis St. S. 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Current Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday & Friday -9:00 am - 4:30 pm Wednesday - 9:00 am - 7:30 pm Thursday - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 4:00 - 7:30 pm (closed from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm) Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre 44 Francis Street, South Kitchener, ON N2G 2A2 (corner of Francis & Joseph St.) Tel: 519-745-4404 Fax: 519-745-3709 Web: www.kdchc.org KDCHC Update is a newsletter of the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre. It is printed three times a year (fall, winter and spring). We welcome article submissions from our clients, volunteers and the community. Please send them to Gebre by e-mail at gberihun@kdchc.org or at the address above.