Wellnes Program

FCJ Refugee Centre is providing primary health care clinic, mental health clinic and self-care at their main location to meet the disenfranchised populations from diverse cultural backgrounds unique health needs. The very essence of the program is to focus on the holistic health care which is integrated approach to health that treats individual as “whole”.  The holistic model of care does not only provide primary health care but also focuses on, emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being. 

FCJ Refugee Centre identifies equity and culturally competent strategies and services as critical to improving and maintaining the health of the vulnerable populations.  The clinic focuses on illness prevention and health promotion.  This includes, Primary Health Clinic, Mental Health Counselling and Yoga.  It is a shift from illness to wellness so that prevention becomes a priority to help individuals to reach their optimum level of wellness and help prevent diseases.

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC

Since the inception of the Primary Health Care Clinic it has experienced the influx of the individuals doubling the capacity due to IFHP cuts.

Dr. Jim Sugiyama is a family physician, who generously donates his valuable time on every other Saturdays to provide primary health care to the most marginalized populations.  Every other Saturday he manage to see children, women, families, youths and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds.

MENTAL HEATH CLINIC

Ms. Salma Zafar coordinates our Mental Health Clinic.  The therapeutic counselling is offered in a holistic and client-centered approach to improve the mental health and well-being of the individuals.  It is offered in a supportive, non-judgemental, compassionate and caring environment.  Individuals are coming for short or long term counselling as a process of healing and recovery. 

SELF-CARE

FCJ Refugee Centre model of care is holistic focusing on improving mental, physical and spiritual health through yoga.  Individuals will learn gentle yoga postures as a relaxing techniques.  Yoga has enabled the FCJ Refugee service users to take control of their bodies, minds and lives thus improving their overall wellness.  The yoga therapist incorporates breathing and meditation techniques to help individuals to de-stress and helps them to cope with the challenges of living in a stressful environment.  The yoga classes are accessible to everyone, regardless of their ages every Saturdays at 10.00 a.m.

Clinics are open every Saturday except long weekends. If you want to book an appointment contact us 416- 469 9754.

Primary care  and mental health clinic

Acces to Health Care Workshops Iniciative

The workshops are an effort to offset surmounting challenges that refugees are facing in accessing holistic and timely healthcare.

Our goal is to   increase access for refugee women  to a holistic healthcare regime that highlights counseling and mental health, as well as greater knowledge sharing and dissemination of accurate and up-to-date information around promising self-care practices, community health resources, and changes to the Interim Federal Health Program.

This service provided by FCJ Refugee Centre is part of the Accessible Health for Uprooted Women Initiative.

 Access to Health Care Training for Agencies                          Health care flyer

Access to Education Film

The film explores some of the barriers and impacts experienced by precarious migrant youth populations in accessing secondary and post-secondary education in Ontario.

Through the film, different youth voices talk about the problems they are facing in continue their education. According to the video, there are, just in Toronto, around 200,000 youth population without access to education. There is a huge gap that keep youth population out of the school.

The FCJ Youth Network said that the film is addressed to everyone, but particularly to counselors, guidance and decision makers in the educational field. The goal of the presentation of the screening is that this sector receive the message and start to take action to face this situation.

After the film, there was a discussion of possible future resolutions.  Members of the FCJ Youth Network also talked about their frustrations after trying to get in school.

[youtube id=”LHuDOQUXwOc” align=”left” mode=”normal” autoplay=”no”]

Employment Oppportunity

Transitional Housing Worker

 

Application deadline: May 2nd, 2014
Start date: May 12th, 2014
Salary and Hours: $15.50/hr, 25 hours a week for one year (52 weeks)

 Please Note: This position is supported by Toronto Social Services Investing In Neighbourhoods Program. To qualify for this position, candidates must meet the following criteria: Be in receipt of Ontario Works Assistance.

 The FCJ Refugee Centre can only consider applicants that meet all of the above criteria. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact your Case Worker from the City of Toronto, Employment & Social Services.

Organizational Information:

FCJ Refugee Centre strives to meet the diverse needs of uprooted people in communities across Ontario. FCJ Refugee Centre attempts to address the problems of poverty and lack of resources, isolation, and discrimination through community-based programs which promote self-help, personal growth, community economic development and social justice.

The FCJ Refugee Centre has a mandate to:

§  Provide shelter and basic life necessities such as food, clothing and transportation for women and children.

§  Provide to refugees and other uprooted people education, counselling and support services, including translation interpretation services, referrals to legal assistance, employment training, programs on Canadian culture and life, and other educational workshops.

§  Assist refugees and other uprooted people to adjust to Canadian society.

Key Responsibilities:

·         Provide settlement services including crisis intervention, counseling and outreach supports to refugee women staying in the transitional houses and their children.

·         Complete assessment to identify settlement goals that will assist the residents to integrate into the community.

·         Provide coordinated case management with internal and external stakeholders, including liaison with Intake and Case Management Worker to include appropriate referrals, advocacy and ensure continued support and stabilization.

·         Coordinate and facilitate tenant meetings; support groups; social, recreational, and educational programming events.

·         Supervise and train volunteers and student placements.

·         Represent the organization at community activities, networks and coalitions.

·         Administer all aspects of residency in the transitional housing properties, including: selection and orientation of new tenants, tenancy agreements, rent collection, rent calculation, conflict management and other requirements.

·         Monitor management of the three properties through weekly visits of residents and visits with residents, including monitoring repairs and necessary orders.

 

Qualifications:

·         Experience in non-profits, working with migrant populations

·         Excellent organizational and time-management skills

·         Self-starter with the ability to work in a cross-functional team

·         Ability to accomplish goals with minimal supervision

·         Excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills

·         Ability to work with confidential information

·         Experience working from an Anti-Racist, Anti-Oppression framework

·         Preference given to those with counselling experience

·         Must have a valid G driver’s license.

·         Physical effort: Some small repairs and minimal lifting required

·         Second language an asset

 As an employer who values diversity in its workforce, we encourage candidates to self-identify as members of the following designated groups: women, visible minority, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.

 Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and résumé by email only (in word format) by May 2nd at 5:00 to:

 Loly Rico

FCJ Refugee Centre

208 Oakwood Avenue

Toronto, ON  M6E 2V4

Email: lolyrico@fcjrefugeecentre.org

 

We thank all applicants; however, due to the volume of applicants, only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Addressing intersectionality and igniting change
FCJ Refugee Centre is organizing a one day forum to bring together multiple stakeholders including refugee and immigrant youth, youth workers, other field professionals and allies to participate in discussions around how multiple forms of human trafficking affect both domestic and migrant youth populations.
Unfortunately, youth are underrepresented in dialogues around human trafficking, and intersecting elements of their identities compound vulnerabilities for these populations. As such, the outcomes of this forum are:
1) To engage youth in the discussion of human trafficking and ensure they have a voice through any response mechanisms; and
2) To strengthen and develop networks of support for youth that are victims and/or survivors of human trafficking.
Registration fee: $10.00
Lunch and light refreshments will be provided
Subsidies are available
Registration payment options:
-By cheque or cash: pay at the door
-PayPal

Borderless Voices

Borderless Voices is an open space for anyone who wants to share their story and experiences in Canada. Through this new space, FCJ Refugee Centre is featuring stories of refugees and other voiceless communities.

The first segment of this new section is focused on our 25 Anniversary and we are broadcasting short videos of successful stories and experiences from our former residents, clients, volunteers, friends and staff.

Human Trafficking and Youth Forum April 12

 Addressing intersectionality and igniting change

FCJ Refugee Centre is organizing a one day forum to bring together multiple stakeholders including refugee and immigrant youth, youth workers, other field professionals and allies to participate in discussions around how multiple forms of human trafficking affect both domestic and migrant youth populations.

Unfortunately, youth are under-represented in dialogues around human trafficking, and intersecting elements of their identities compound vulnerabilities for these populations. As such, the outcomes of this forum are:

1) To engage youth in the discussion of human trafficking and ensure they have a voice through any response mechanisms; and

2) To strengthen and develop networks of support for youth that are victims and/or survivors of human trafficking.

Registration fee: $10.00
Lunch and light refreshments will be provided
Subsidies are available
Registration payment options:
-By cheque or cash: pay at the door
-PayPal

Contact information:
Varka Kalaydzhieva: varka@fcjrefugeecentre.org  416-469-9754416-469-9754 ext.226
Destin Bujang:destin.bujang@fcjrefugeecentre.org, 416-469-9754416-469-9754  ext.228

For registration click here

Winter Newsletter 2014

The FCJ Refugee Centre Winter Newsletter is ready. You can find a lot of information about activities, new services and upcoming events on spring. Some of the topics you can find in this issue are:

  • Next events: Art Fundraising for Education March 6th, Human Trafficking and youth on April 25 and Roundtable on May 2014, etc.
  • The Youth Network have already been involved in a number of activities this new year and are excited about the upcoming events and projects in 2014.
  • Employment and Life Skills for Newly Arrived Women.
  • The Youth Employment Fund is a new program that allows FCJ Refugee Centre to connect youth with job opportunities at our centre.
  • From happiness and sadness in the same day: welcoming and saying goodbye.

Portada winter newsletter 2014 crop

 

Access to Education Film

The film explores some of the barriers and impacts experienced by precarious migrant youth populations in accessing secondary and post-secondary education in Ontario.

Through the film, different youth voices talk about the problems they are facing in continue their education. According to the video, there are, just in Toronto, around 200,000 youth population without access to education. There is a huge gap that keep youth population out of the school.

The FCJ Youth Network said that the film is addressed to everyone, but particularly to counselors, guidance and decision makers in the educational field. The goal of the presentation of the screening is that this sector receive the message and start to take action to face this situation.

After the film, there was a discussion of possible future resolutions. Members of the FCJ Youth Network also talked about their frustrations after trying to get in school.

[youtube id=”LHuDOQUXwOc” align=”left” mode=”normal” autoplay=”no”]

Improving services to vulnerable newcomer population

The Newcomer Settlement Program Project, NSP, have straightened our capacity to respond the multifaceted needs of vulnerable newcomer population such as non-status, included youth and women. Through this program we are able to continue providing a variety of services to vulnerable newcomers such us orientation, settlement support, workshops, counselling, and referrals to appropriate services.
One of the component of this service is the facilitation of  workshops.The trainings are for professionals working within the settlement and integration sector or for immigrant and refugee communities.

HOW TO REQUEST A TRAINING
Identify topics that your agency/community needs.
To schedule a workshop contact Carolina Teves: cteves@fcjrefugeecentre.org
Phone:    416-469 9754  ext 226

BENEFITS
Access to crucial training materials and educational resources
Improve and enhance the services that immigrants receive
Increase access to legal education on important legislative, policy, and legal issues .
Reach service providers where there is limited access to legal education and educational resources.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM

Community centers,
Settlement organizations,
Employment organizations,
Uprooted people/communities,
Drop-in centers,
Ethno-specific organizations,
Shelters,
ESL schools,
Libraries,
Umbrella organizations,
Youth and women organizations,
Life skills groups, etc.

Click the flyer for more information.

WORKSHOPS ON VULNERABLE SECTORS

 

Second Roundtable on February 20

Join the members of the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network and prominent experts to continue the dialogue on human trafficking and discuss the elements of the Toronto anti-human trafficking response model.

Objectives:

             Establish and foster relations between multi‐sector stakeholders,
             Continue to develop anti-human trafficking response model corresponding to the particularities of Toronto area

For more information contact Varka Kalaydzhieva, Anti-Human Trafficking Project Coordinator at FCJ Refugee Centre:

Phone number : 416-469-9754  ext 226
E-mail:
varka@fcjrefugeecentre.org

 

Round Table

During this holiday season we are asking for your generous support to allow us to continue the work we do

FCJ Refugee Centre wants to thank everyone for your hard work and for continuing to walk with uprooted people.

Despite the changes to Canadian Immigration and Refugee Traditions, the Centre has endeavoured to keep its doors open to uprooted populations from around the world – and in fact has possibly seen more cases than in previous years.

We are truly grateful for your support of our work in the past, and we hope you can continue to help us in different areas.

If you are not familiar with the work we do, please explore the services we provide through our website and learn about our  message below. Also we invite you to read our current newsletter: autumn 2013. You can find updated information related to our settlement services, shelter for women and kids, refugee protection, popular education, wellness, Anti-Human Trafficking Program, ELL classes, etc.

If you wish to make a donation you can do it through our link to Canadahelps or send a cheque to the FCJ Refugee Centre, 208 Oakwood Avenue, Toronto Ontario, M6E 2V4.

All the best

FCJ Refugee Centre

        draw

 

 

 

Reinstating Access to Health Care for Refugee Claimants

Ontario Filling Federal Funding Gap with Temporary Health Program
December 9, 2013 11:00 a.m.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario is joining other provinces by reinstating access to essential and urgent health care for refugee claimants through the new Ontario Temporary Health Program, and will send the federal government the bill to pay for the program.
Last year, the federal government abdicated its responsibility to provide basic care for many refugee claimants by changing the refugee application process in Canada and cutting the Interim Federal Health Program.
Through the temporary provincial program, refugee claimants who are not eligible for health care under the new federal rules or through other government programs will be able to access most primary care and urgent hospital services, as well as medication coverage. Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the program will help reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and stress on health providers by providing vulnerable refugee claimants with basic health care services as soon as a health issue surfaces.
Providing the right care, at the right time and in the right place is part of Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care. This initiative supports Ontario government’s economic plan to invest in people, build modern infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.
Quick Facts
Ontario is joining Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Quebec by taking steps to address gaps in health coverage for refugee claimants.
Approximately 48,900 or 55 per cent of all refugee claimants in Canada live in Ontario, with the majority in Greater Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa areas.
Refugee claimants tend to have poorer health outcomes and are less likely to have planned their arrival to Canada or to have the financial resources to purchase health insurance privately.
As of result of the federal government’s cuts to its health care refugee program, more than 30 per cent of Ontario’s refugee claimants are without health coverage beyond public health and public safety coverage.

http://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2013/12/reinstating-access-to-health-care-for-refugee-claimants.html

 

One year on, Canada’s refugee system is failing some of the most vulnerable refugees: CCR

The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) today made public its principal observations on Canada’s revised refugee determination system, as we approach the first anniversary of its implementation. On the eve of Human Rights Day, the CCR laments that refugees’ fundamental rights are threatened in Canada.

“The new refugee system is failing some claimants, including the most vulnerable people who have been traumatized by the persecution they have suffered,” said Loly Rico, President. “As Canadians we are proud of our history of welcoming and protecting refugees: unfortunately Canada is now a less welcoming country, and some refugees who need our protection are not getting it.”

On 15 December 2012, major and controversial changes to Canada’s refugee determination system were implemented. The CCR had consistently raised concerns that the new system would fail to offer some refugees the protection they need from Canada.
The CCR has prepared a report on key points in the new system as observed by members, including the following:

  • The short timelines are causing serious problems: they create high levels of stress and many claimants are unable to prepare themselves adequately for their hearing.
  • The short timelines are particularly damaging for vulnerable claimants, such as survivors of torture and people with health problems or disabilities.
  • We have a two-tier system that discriminates against some claimants, who have less access to protection, on arbitrary grounds, notably based on their country of origin.

Overall, the new system suffers from uncertainty and poorly thought-out measures, which may be the result of going from one extreme (too slow hearings) to the other (too quick hearings). The CCR has consistently advocated that the solution lies in the middle (6 month timelines would work for most claimants).
Link to report, New refugee system – one

Media Release: http://ccrweb.ca/files/refugee-system-one-year-on.pdf

 

 

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