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Housing project promotes inclusive employment

July 5th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Housing project promotes inclusive employment)

Toronto’s Houselink is working to hire “people with lived experience”—including former clients—at all levels

Houselink Community Homes is a non-profit, charitable agency based in Toronto that provides a range of supportive housing options, individualized supports and community-based programs. As one of the pioneers in the concept of ‘supportive housing’, Houselink created a brand new option for people leaving psychiatric institutions: a home that was permanent, affordable and a support based environment. Houselink is currently home to over 430 members living in virtually every neighbourhood in the city of Toronto. (more…)

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The 4th annual Neighbours Being Neighbours Community Gathering

July 2nd, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The 4th annual Neighbours Being Neighbours Community Gathering)

Join us on Saturday August 11th to celebrate community, diversity and children by encouraging “neighbourliness” among all people.

Have fun meeting your neighbours in a family-friendly environment while enjoying live music, great food and activities for all ages. The 4th Annual Neighbours Being Neighbours Community Gathering is hosted by the Columbian Centre Society.

Activities include Bouncy Castle, Hamster Crawl, Climbing Wall, Pony Rides, Dunk Tank  and much more. Musical guests include Trinitude. (more…)

First Nations children, and poor children, revisit E.R. for mental health crises

June 28th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on First Nations children, and poor children, revisit E.R. for mental health crises)

Study finds more return visits to emergency departments for mental health crises among Aboriginal and poor children

First Nations children and those from families receiving government subsidies had more return visits to emergency departments for mental health crises than other socioeconomic groups, says a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The study revealed that more First Nations children presented to emergency departments for disorders secondary to substance abuse and intentional self-harm than other children, and that, compared with other children, First Nations children returned more quickly to the emergency department and had a longer time before visiting a physician in the post-crisis period. (more…)

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Facilitating real conversations to build community

June 28th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Facilitators’ purpose is to invite possibilities to emerge and manifest through engaging people in “real conversations”

A group of facilitators, consultants, coaches and health practitioners who are passionate and committed to promoting a shift towards healthier communities have created an initiative called Real Conversations.  The purpose is to “invite possibilities to emerge and manifest” through engaging people in facilitated conversations.

The facilitators’ role is to provide opportunities for people to connect across organizations to experience meaningful, productive conversations that lead to initiatives to build thriving communities. Real Conversations is now hosting a series of conversations about Mental Wellness. The first event was on January 16, 2012 at the Canadian Mental Health Association in Ottawa. (more…)

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Right-to-die ruling seen as a civil liberties victory

June 28th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Gloria Taylor is given the right to physician-assisted suicide but observers expect the federal Conservative government will challenge the ruling

A recent British Columbia court ruling has struck down the law that makes physician-assisted death illegal in Canada. The June 15, 2012 ruling [opens to PDF] found that the current law violates the constitutional rights of the three plaintiffs, including Gloria Taylor, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease. The landmark legal challenge was launched by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. (more…)

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Columbian Centre fosters commitment to being kind to one another

June 27th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

“Kindness is much more than just being nice, kindness is the weaving that makes a fabric of a compassionate community.”

Columbian Centre’s Annual General Meeting for 2012 was held on Tuesday June 26. Tom Grauman, the executive director, shared some thoughts about the culture of kindness that is fostered at Columbian Centre.

Earlier this month, 50 of us gathered in this very place in loving memory of resident Murray Glover.  Murray had lived at Columbian Centre since 1996.  He suffered many difficult experiences in his life, including arrest, detention, unfulfilled dreams, and separation from family.  But probably his greatest suffering was empathic – despite his own troubles, his heart went out tenderly to people who had misfortunes.  He humbly offered them his help and it was often received with surprise and deep appreciation.  Through it all, Murray was a loving and kind person.  Which brings me to another person making news this month… (more…)