Parkdale Community Health Centre - News

The International Day Against Homophobia is the culminating point of the annual campaign for the fight against homophobia. Although sexual diversity has become more recognized, homophobia still exists, even if the ways of expressing it are increasingly subtle. Our societies recognize that homophobia is a form of discrimination just like all other forms of discrimination. To fight it, we need to make everyone, from all walks of life and various cultures, aware of all aspects of this reality.

This philosophy generated the first theme day dedicated to the fight against homophobia in 2003, in Quebec. With the help of partner involvement, this national day spread to the rest of Canada, Belgium, France, and many other countries to become an international day.

Why May 17th?
May 17th  is a symbolic day for the homosexual community. Long considered to be an illness, homosexuality was removed from the list of mental illnesses on May 17, 1990 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Parkdale CHC will be closed on Saturday May 18th and Monday May 20th for Victoria Day.

Have a fantastic and safe holiday weekend!

The Language of Parenting course is an interactive program for soon-to be first time parents and their transition to parenting as a couple.

The program combines traditional prenatal classes, that help you prepare for pregnancy, labour and birth, with a component that will assist your transition to a “family focused” parenting style. This 8 week course is designed to help first time parents and their baby to ease into the family process and build a strong foundation for attachment and positive support for both parents and their newborn family member – now and in your family’s future.

• Prenatal health information
• Stress-reducing ways to co-parent effectively
• Problem solving techniques
• Knowledge of infant brain development/reading baby’s cues
• Strategies to create positive social and emotional development together as a family

Refreshments, TTC and childcare for any older children are available with registration.

Workshop dates and to register:

Our next session begins May 25^th on continues on the following dates:  May 25^th, June 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, and July 6^th, 13^th, 20^th.

Time & Location:  10:00 am – 1:00 pm 1229 Queen Street West (Queen  & Dufferin) at Parkdale Community Health Centre.

To add your name to the waitlist please call 416-537-8222 ext 505 or email 5ps@pchc.on.ca.

This program is offered with support from the Ontario Early Years Centre.

Here’s what’s new this month:

• The Men’s Drop-In will take place on Thursday May 2nd and 16th.
• The Living Well Lunch Club will be taking place on Monday May 13th.
• The next ID Clinic will take place on Wednesday May 15th from 10AM-12PM.
• The Peace through Piecing Quilting Group will take place on Wednesday May 15th from 3-5PM and Monday May 27th from 2-4PM. For more information, or to register, please contact Sandra at 416.537.0275, ext. 238.
• Parkdale CHC will be closed on Saturday May 18th and Monday May 20th for Victoria Day.
• The Seniors Salad Making Group will take place on Wednesday May 22nd from 10AM-12PM.
• The Seniors Advocacy Group will take place on Thursday May 30th from 10AM-11:30AM.

For more information, or to view a complete list of programs and services offered, please visit our Program Calendar.

Here’s what’s on in May at the 5P’s (Parkdale Parents’ Primary Prevention Project):

Mom and Baby Circle:

• May 6^th : Early Literacy 
• May 13^th : Baby Time with Parkdale Library
• May 20^th : NO PROGRAM – Victoria Day, 5P’s Closed
• May 27^th: Emotional Well Being & Parenting

This program takes place on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This program is currently has a waitlist for registration. If you would like to register, please call 416.537.8222, extension 502.

Prenatal Nutrition & Support Program:

• May 1^st: Nutrition & Breastfeeding
• May 8^th: Labour & Pain Medications
• May 15^th: Coping with Stress During Pregnancy
• May 22^nd: Sun Safety and Environmental Hazards
• May 29^th: Healthy Relationships

This program runs on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. To register, please call 416.537.8222 extension 502 or 505.

Baby & Me:

• May 2^nd : Infant Growth and Development
• May 9^th: Baby Massage
• May 16^th: Children’s’ Nutrition/Obseity Prevention
• May 23^rd: Allergies
• May 30^th: Early Literacy

This program takes place on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If you would like to register, please call: 416.537.8222 extension 502.

Are you experiencing stress or anxiety?
Are you having difficulties managing your highs and lows?
Are you struggling with substance abuse or addiction?

You may benefit from acupuncture.

Parkdale CHC is pleased to offer a FREE eight week drop in acupuncture program (acudetox for addictions) led by a Nurse Practitioner and Social Worker/Therapist. A variety of therapeutic techniques will be used including mindfulness, music, and guided meditation in a group setting.

This program will run for eight weeks on Wednesdays from April 24^th – June 12^th. Sessions will take place from 10AM until 11:30AM.

Please note that participants need to come to the sessions before 10:15 am to gain entry.

WHERE:    Second floor lobby, Parkdale Community Health Centre, 1229 Queen St W (at Dufferin). For more information, please call Norma Hannant: 416.537.8222, x.306.

Parkdale CHC runs a weekly drop-in group for for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirited, intersex, queer, and questioning folks in Parkdale to meet in an informal, positive space.

Participants will have access resources, referrals, and harm reduction supplies, guest speakers, movies and friendly conversation!

Snacks and TTC tokens will be provided.

What’s on this month:

• Tuesday April 30th: Acupuncture with a Nurse Practitioner
• Tuesday May 7th: AGO Trip. Please register in advance.
• Tuesday May 14th: Body Mapping
• Tuesday May 21st: Body Mapping
• Tuesday May 28th: Games

For more information, please contact Connie or Shirley at (416) 537-2455.

Calling all women in Parkdale! Join us for this one day workshop to:

• Learn positive and effective communication skills through discussion and role-play
• Improve your ability to advocate for yourself and your community

Snacks will be provided. Interpreters and limited child care can be arranged.

When: Tuesday April 30th, 2013 from 5pm to 7pm

Where: Parkdale Community Health Centre, 1229 Queen St. W (at Dufferin)

Who: Parkdale women

Contact: Audrey Batterham at 416-537-8222 ext 309 or audrey.batterham@pchc.on.ca

Parkdale CHC is now on Facebook! Check out our page regularly for news and updates. Don’t forget to “like” us!

The 5Ps program is currently accepting volunteers for the following positions:

• Prenatal Nutrition and Support Volunteer
• Childcare Assistant Volunteer
• Mom & Baby Circle Volunteer
• Food Set-up and Distribution Volunteer

For more information, please contact Deborah Chalmers, Office Manager with the Women’s Connection Program and Parkdale Parents’ Primary Prevention Project (5P’s) by telephone: 416.537.8222, ext. 300 or via email at womensconnection@pchc.on.ca. To learn more about the 5Ps program, please click here.