Program & Services Settlement Programs and Services
Our core settlement services are interpretation and translation, information and referral, family counseling, advocacy, support and crisis intervention delivered in English, Tamil, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Sinhalese, as well as other languages as needed by clients. ESL and Citizenship classes are run in partnership with the Toronto Board of Education.Employment Counseling and Job Search
Clients receive assistance in preparing for the employment market in Canada. Issues such as dealing with assessment of foreign credentials, lack of Canadian work experience, and entering the job market for the first time are addressed. Computer training, and information on how to build networks with prospective employers among other skills are learned.Violence Against Women Program
Women are provided culturally sensitive counseling, information and referral in a language they are comfortable with. The Centre also works with community leaders, religious and faith institutions to build awareness and sensitivity in supporting women facing abuse.Women’s Wellness Groups
In a partnership project with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), the Centre is looking at mental health issues of South Asian women with young children who may be feeling stress, isolation and/or depression. These women may have been victims of male violence, single mothers, and all are newcomers. Three groups (Tamil, Hindi and Punjabi) meet weekly so that woman can discuss issues affecting them, provide mutual support and share information/resources.Older Women’s Group
The group meets to discuss issues such as exercise, diet and nutrition, cultural activities, crafts, elder abuse, and health issues as they affect women who are seniors.Health Promotion
With funding from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Centre is implementing a project to increase awareness of breast cancer in the Tamil community and encourage women to get regular mammograms. The Centre is a partner in a University Health Network initiative to produce resources for preventive health education. As members of the South Asian Heart Health Group, facilitators trained by Toronto Public Health conduct workshops for clients on nutrition and health.Volunteer Recruitment and Training
The Centre actively recruits women to volunteer and gain valuable experience/exposure to counseling, group facilitation, translation and interpretation, advocacy, office administration and computer skills. In 1999/2000, the Centre had approximately 70 volunteers who contributed over 8000 hours of volunteer service.Research
The Centre participates in research to better understand emerging needs of the community so that programs/services can be tailored. Recently, the Centre has partnered with agencies such as Council of Agencies serving South Asians (CASSA), Punjabi Community Health Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) to conduct research on issues such as health needs, parenting and challenges faced by newcomer youth in the community and mental health.The Sewing Project
The Sewing Project, funded by the United Way of Greater Toronto(Newcomer Grant), is an innovative pilot project being implemented to teach South Asian women with low literacy skills to design and sew products utilizing new and recycled materials. The goal is to ensure that the participants build self-confidence, self-care skills and in the long term build economic self-sufficiency.
