Between Us – Winter 2016 - South-East Ottawa Community Health

Between Us
Entre Nous
Winter/Hiver 2016
ISSN 1181-6120
Volume 25, Issue 3
Congratulations to all who went out and voted.
Voter turnout in this election
was 68% which is , the highest it
has been in 18 years. During the
last federal election in 2011, less
than 15 million people, or 61.1%
of eligible voters exercised their
right to vote. This year over 17.5
million people got out to vote,
including an increase in First
Nations and youth voters. This is
good for democracy. One
exciting development was the
pilot project to put advance
polling stations in university
campuses, which attracted
70,000 students to cast a ballot.
In our riding of Ottawa-South,
Liberal MP David McGuinty was
re-elected with 60% of the vote.
Congratulations to all the
candidates who put their names
forward and were willing to
stand up for what they believe!
While there were no female
candidates in Ottawa-South this
time round, we now have 88
women Members of Parliament,
which is a record for Canada. We
still have a long way to go.
Women only represent 26% of
the House of Commons, while
making up over 51% of Canadian
society. The lived experience
and voice of women needs to be
heard at all levels of government.
Kudos to Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau for instituting gender
balance in his Cabinet.
The new parliament also
includes greater ethnic diversity,
which better reflects the
Canadian population. There
were 10 Aboriginal MPs elected,
6 Muslim MPs and a number of
other MPs with diverse ethnic
backgrounds. MPs who are
members of visible minorities
make up 13.6% of the House of
Commons, up from 9.7% in the
last Parliament.
I believe that greater diversity in
government will be good for
Canada. I am also hopeful that
this government will be more
supportive of the issues we care
about, like universal health care,
affordable housing and
addressing poverty. They have
already made some positive
commitments towards
reinstating the long form census
and supporting scientific
research, which are crucial to
providing evidence for health
and social service providers like
South-East Ottawa CHC.
It is early days, but perhaps this
election will be a turning point
for Canada, resulting in a more
inclusive, welcoming country
with more opportunities for our
youth and newcomers to survive
and thrive.
Submitted By:
Jeannie Page, BA,
Political Science and former
federal candidate
The Ottawa-South results:
David McGuinty, Liberal Party of Canada
Dev Balkissoon, Conservative Party of Canada
George Brown, New Democratic Party of Canada
John Redins, Green Party of Canada
Al Gullon, Progressive Canadian Party
Damien Wilson, Libertarian Party of Canada
Larry Wasslen, Communist Party of Canada
38,633
15,589
7,465
1,876
361
236
137
Page 2
Between Us / Entre Nous
Félicitations à toutes celles et à tous ceux qui se sont
déplacés pour aller voter.
Felicitations a toutes celles et a tous
ceux qui se sont deplaces pour aller
voter. Le taux de participation a la
recente election etait superieur a
68 %, le taux le plus eleve des 18
dernieres annees. Lors de l’election
federale precedente de 2011, moins
de 15 millions d’electeurs, ou
61,1 % des electeurs admissibles
ont exerce leur droit de vote. Cette
annee, plus de 17,5 millions de
Canadiens sont alles voter, ce qui
comprend une augmentation des
electeurs chez les Premieres
Nations et chez les jeunes. La
democratie s’en porte mieux. Le
projet pilote d’ouvrir des bureaux
de vote par anticipation sur les
campus universitaires a ete un
developpement tres excitant, qui a
permis a 70 000 etudiants de voter.
ministre Justin Trudeau pour
avoir institue la parite hommes
-femmes au sein de son cabinet.
Le nouveau parlement
represente une plus grande
diversite ethnique, ce qui
reflete mieux la population
canadienne. Les Canadiens ont
elu 10 deputes autochtones, six
deputes musulmans et un
certain nombre de deputes
d’origines ethniques diverses.
Les deputes provenant des
minorites visibles composent
13,6 % de la Chambre des
communes, ce qui est superieur
au taux de 9,7 % du dernier
parlement.
Je crois que le Canada profitera
d’une plus grande diversite au
sein du gouvernement. J’ose
aussi esperer que le present
gouvernement appuiera les
enjeux qui nous tiennent a
cœur, tels l’universalite des
soins de sante, le logement
abordable et la pauvrete. Le
gouvernement a deja pris des
engagements positifs envers le
retablissement du formulaire
long du recensement et le
soutien a la recherche
scientifique, deux aspects
cruciaux pour fournir les
elements probants dont ont
besoin les fournisseurs de
services comme le CSC du SudEst d’Ottawa.
Nous n’en sommes qu’aux
premiers jours, mais peut-etre
que cette election constituera
un tournant decisif pour le
Canada, qui aboutira a un pays
plus inclusif et plus accueillant
qui offrira de plus grandes
possibilites de survie et de
croissance pour notre jeunesse
et nos nouveaux arrivants.
Dans notre circonscription
d’Ottawa-Sud, le depute liberal
David McGuinty a ete reelu avec
60 % du vote. Felicitations a tous
les candidats qui ont pose leur
candidature et qui etaient prets a
Soumis par:
defendre ce en quoi ils croient.
Jeannie Page, BA
Malheureusement, il n’y avait pas
Sciences
politiques
et
ancien
candidat fédéral
de femmes candidates dans Ottawa
-Sud cette fois. Nous comptons
Les résultats d’Ottawa-Sud:
maintenant 88 femmes comme
deputees federales, ce qui constitue David McGuinty, Parti liberal du Canada
38 633
un record au Canada, mais il reste
Dev Balkissoon, Parti conservateur du Canada
15 589
encore un long chemin a parcourir.
George Brown, Nouveau Parti democratique du Canada
7 465
Les femmes ne representent
toujours que 26 % de la deputation John Redins, Parti vert du Canada
1 876
a la Chambre des communes, alors
Al Gullon, Parti progressiste canadien
361
qu’elles composent plus de 51 % de
Damien Wilson, Parti libertarien du Canada
236
la societe canadienne. L’experience
vecue et la voix des femmes doivent Larry Wasslen, Parti communiste du Canada
137
etre entendues a tous les paliers de
gouvernement. Bravo au premier
Volume 25, Issue 3
Page 3
Making a Difference!
Community and Home Support
The Community and Home Support
Program matches friendly visiting
volunteers with seniors in the
community for weekly visits. Why do
they do it?

“Previously as a 'friendly home visitor' and
currently a 'friendly phone
visitor', have blessed me with a heartwarming reciprocal, caring opportunity with
both of these exceptional ladies. Such
amazing people who have shared so vividly the
colourful tapestry their many years have
woven as to who they are today. Perhaps,
meeting them casually or in passing, one would
miss their 'unpublished award winning autobiography' which has been ever so
passionately and humorously revealed to
me...what a privilege.” -Marilyn, friendly visitor

“It gives you a special friend who has no desire,
but to be a friend.”
-Linda, friendly visitor
Read on to hear from our volunteers:

“My neighbour developed mobility issues
and asked me to come help her change her
kitty litter once a week.
I agreed and got a chance after each visit to
sit and talk to her. The stories she would tell
were amazing - some funny, some sad, some
unbelievable. It was such a rewarding
experience.
I'm not from Ottawa originally, nor was
she. She had very little family left, and none
of them lived in town. I couldn't help but
being grateful for the stories to be passed on
to me. She passed away a few years ago.
The whole experience made me realize that
there are likely so many wonderful untold
stories just waiting to be told.
Through the Friendly Visitor program, I was
matched with a wonderful new friend, who
is probably the best storyteller around. The
way he describes historic Ottawa makes me
feel like I'm right there. We bond over a
common love for books, art and the need for
a good laugh. He's a good friend and I'm
thankful for the Friendly Visitor program at
SEOCHC for without it we may never have
met.” -Heather, friendly visitor
If you are interested in being a volunteer
visitor, contact:
Jessica-Rae Linzel,
Volunteer Coordinator, at:
613-737-5115 extension 2294.
Page 4
Between Us / Entre Nous
Meet our Director of Health Services, Deborah Andrews
When Deborah Andrews starting working for
South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre back
in 1991, running programs for youth and women,
she had no idea that she would be back with the
Centre as a Senior Manager in 19 years.
Deborah has a Masters’ Degree in Social Work
from Carleton University and has a passion for
working with people who are marginalized.
During her early years with South-East Ottawa,
she developed programs for youth from low
income communities and second stage support
groups for women coming out of shelters. She
loved the work she was doing, but had several
contracts in progress and a baby on the way, so
she left after about 8 years.
Eventually she landed a senior position with the
Canadian Film and Television Production
Association (CFTPA), where she was able to
provide opportunities for youth from high risk
communities to work on Canadian television
productions. This involved finding placements for
110 youth interns each year with media outlets in
Canada and abroad, and required a lot of travel,
lobbying senior executives at the CRTC, working
with unions, networking and troubleshooting. She
received the first and only National Mentorship
Award from the CFTPA in 2006. The work was
challenging, engaging and honed her skills in
negotiation and collaboration, but after five years
it took a toll on her family life and she stepped
down to seek local employment.
expansion of the Primary Care
Outreach to Frail Seniors
program, which we coordinate
on a regional basis. By
providing mentorship and
guidance to the Program
Coordinator, Cathie Racicot,
they have been able to develop
a community of practice for an innovative model of
support for vulnerable seniors.
Another achievement is providing regional
coordination for the Ontario Telemedicine
Network, which allows providers and clients to
interact via a videoconference link thus saving time
and travel.
Deborah has also provided leadership on Health
Links, an initiative funded by the Champlain LHIN
to bring health, home and community care
providers together to find ways of keeping people
out of hospital, by putting patients with the highest,
most complex needs at the centre of a coordinated
care plan.
In our clinic, Deborah has been working tirelessly
with our Clinical Coordinator, Beate Evans, to
foster quality improvement through efficiencies.
One of the primary QI initiatives was to develop
“teamlets”, which include a Provider (Doctor or
Nurse Practitioner), a nurse and a medical
secretary, to better coordinate patient care.
Deborah’s dream for South-East Ottawa CHC is to
For several years Deborah watched for
expand our facilities to better serve our clients and
opportunities to return to South-East Ottawa CHC, community, and to continue to be leading edge in
a grassroots community organization which she
the way we deliver health and social services. She
felt aligned well with her personal values. She
is proud of the Centre and the work we do to
was delighted when a management level position support vulnerable clients. She says she has a great
became available in late 2009, and in January
team and appreciates the culture of the Centre,
2010 started in her current role as Director of
which is summed up in our tagline, Every One
Health Services.
Matters!
Submitted By:
During her five years in this role, she is
Jeannie Page,
particularly proud of being able to steward the
HR Officer/Executive Assistant
Page 5
Between Us / Entre Nous
Welcome our New Board of Directors
Congratulations to our 2015-16 Board of Directors who were elected at the
Annual General Meeting on September 12, 2015
We are pleased to welcome back 10 Board
members and introduce 2 new Board members
for 2015-16.
Marcie Doran: Marcie is in her fourth year on the
Board and was re-elected as President by her
peers. Marcie is an Economist with a
specialization in public finance who works for the
Federal Department of Finance on federalprovincial fiscal arrangements. Marcie also serves
on the Finance and Human Resources Committee.
Clinton Cowan: Clinton is entering his fifth year
on the Board and is a Vice-President and Co-Chair
of the Community Relations Committee. He is a
long-time resident, community activist, husband
and father of three young children.
Cathy Bonnah: In her fourth year as a Board
Member, Cathy is also Vice-President and Chair of
our Program Consulting Committee. She has a
Masters of Social Work and is a consultant in the
area of Community Support Services for seniors.
Abdirizak Abdi: In his fourth year on the Board,
Abdirizak continues in the role of SecretaryTreasurer and Chair of the Finance and Human
Resources Committee. He is currently a Senior
Consultant at Interis Consulting Inc. in risk
advisory.
Christoph Laeer: Christoph is a pharmacist in a
community pharmacy and also a clinical
pharmacist in a French-language Family Health
Team in Ottawa. He is entering his third year on
the Board and is an Executive Committee Memberat-Large. Christoph also served on our Quality
Improvement, Nomination and Audit Committees
over the past year.
Patrick Baker: Pat is serving his second year on
the Board and as a member of the Community
Relations and Quality Improvement Committees.
Pat is a retired Dean of Social Sciences and
Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Mount
Allison University.
Jean Lash: Jean is a Legal Aid lawyer with South
Ottawa Legal Services, specializing in
immigration and refugee law. She is entering her
third year on the Board and as a member of our
Program Consulting Committee.
Cathy Munroe: Cathy returns for her second
year on the Board and the Community Relations
Committee. She is a recently retired Federal
Public Servant and has a Masters’ in Public
Administration.
Husne Ara Sultana: Sultana is also in her
second year on the Board and a member of our
Program Consulting Committee. She has
expertise in gender equality and social inclusion
and has worked in Ottawa and internationally in
these areas.
Jalil Marhnouj is an Honorary Lifetime Member
of South-East Ottawa, who served on the board
from 2008-2014. After taking a year off, we are
pleased that he is willing to return and continue
to contribute to our governance and as a liaison
with the Muslim community. Jalil is a Data and
Information Analyst with the Public Service
Commission of Canada.
Ijeoma Udechukwu is a new board member
who is actively engaged in the Hunt Club
community and as a volunteer with South-East
Ottawa CHC. She worked for the public service
in Nigeria for over 25 years and as a diplomat in
Canada. She brings expertise in Community
Development, advocacy, outreach and research.
Mohamed Docrat is a new board member and a
Certified General Accountant with over 25 years’
experience in finance and accounting in the hitech industry. He works as a consultant and has
(Continued on page 7)
Page 6
Between Us / Entre Nous
We have seniors’ programs running at two sites!
1355 Bank Street




Wise Adults Seminars.- A variety of health
and interesting topics are organized and
presented every Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00
p.m. unless otherwise noted. January to March,
2016
Viactive Exercises. Get moving with fun,
easy, enjoyable exercises that include chair
exercises, strength exercises and dance
movements. At various spots throughout the
community, and at 1355 Bank St. Call for
specific times and locations.
From Soup to Tomatoes - Exercise program.
This program will be delivered using Ontario
Telemedicine Network (OTN) services. The
exercise leaders, a Kinesiologist and an RN
from Northern Ontario, will be leading the
group through video conferencing. Come
check out this new technology and renowned
exercise program for adults and seniors.
Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Exercises (gentle) 10:00 -10:45 a.m.
Chair Yoga 11:00-11:30 a.m .- ONGOING
Gentle Yoga. Healing your mind and body
through Yoga: A gentle and nurturing
experience with physical movement and the
grounding benefits of stilling the mind through
mindfulness, breath work, and
meditation. Tuesdays from 10:30 – 11:30,
January 12 – March 29.
For more information and to register call:
(613) 737-7195 Ext. 2323
Hunt Club Riverside Site at
3320 Paul Anka Dr.

Foot care clinics: January to March 2016.
$15 per session. By appointment only.
For more information call:
Diane Rose
(613) 247-1600 Ext. 321
Everyone is welcome
at both sites.
Registration is open and ongoing.
*Please note that if you are a new client to the
Centre, you will need to register before
participating in a program. Exercise programs
require a short assessment before participating.
Please call to speak with the Seniors Health
Promotion staff.
Page 7
Between Us / Entre Nous
The South-East Ottawa CHC
Green Team
Eco-friendly LAZY tips
Becoming more eco-friendly is the
way of the future. There are many
more of us and perhaps less of the
resources available. This is a good
time to look into becoming lazy…yes
you saw this Lazy word. Make your
own Lazy Energy. What is lazy
energy? It is energy that only does as
much as it needs to! Here are some
eco-friendly practices that can let you
help the environment while being
even lazier than you are now.
Re-use your bath towel. Some
people think it’s necessary to use a
new towel every time they shower.
But you’re lazy. You don’t want to do
that. Save yourself a few loads of
laundry and use the same towel for a
few days, even up to a week. Your
body is clean when you use a bath
towel. Just think about it.
Tips provided by Cara Levine, http://
solutionsbysaly.squarespace.com/
blog/10/22/2014/the-lazy-persons-guide
-to-eco-friendly-living
Submitted By:
The Green Team
South-East Ottawa CHC
Comings and Goings:
November 2015
Welcome to new staff:
Courtney Laginski: Nurse Practitioner
Yusra Osman:
Intake Worker
Nneka Ejiofor:
Relief Intake Worker
Urge Ibrahim:
Child and Youth Engagement
Worker
Katie Lagasse:
Child and Youth Worker
Keesha Steppan:
Child and Youth Worker
Ebyan Farah:
Child and Youth Worker
Kaltum Hassan:
Child and Youth Worker
Widad Al-edanie:
Child and Youth Worker and
Arabic Language Instructor
Sadly we say goodbye to:
Julie Gunn:
Intake Worker/Counsellor
Laurel Rockwell:
Nurse – Primary Care Outreach
Laura Kelly:
Child and Youth Engagement
Worker (Maternity Leave)
Fahd Alhattab:
Child and Youth Worker Summer
Dorcas Lubangi:
Child and Youth Worker Summer
Anytha Ciza:
Child and Youth Worker Summer
Amani Hussein:
Child and Youth Worker Summer
Salma Hagi-Aden: Child and Youth Worker Summer
(Continued from page 5)
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
volunteered with the SEO Income tax program and
previously with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Habitat
for Humanity.
We are grateful for all the members of our Board who
volunteer their time and skills to provide oversight, strategic
guidance and advocacy for our clients and community.
At our Annual General Meeting, we also acknowledged
outgoing board members Todd Bridger, Kimberley AllenMcGill and Past President Dr. Arlington Dungy and thanked
them for their dedicated service.
Submitted By:
Jeannie Page,
HR Officer/Executive Assistant
Page 8
Between Us / Entre Nous
South-East
Ottawa Community
Health Centre
Centre de santé
communautaire du
sud-est d’Ottawa
Between Us ~ Entre Nous is published by
South-East Ottawa Community Health
Centre.
Editor:
Kelli Tonner
Proof Readers: Julie Gauvin
Letters, articles or suggestions are always
welcome. Please address correspondence to
the Editor at the address below.
South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre
1355 Bank St., Suite 600
Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8K7
The opinions expressed in this Newsletter are
not necessarily those of the Board of Directors
of South-East Ottawa CHC
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