Myriam Quinn, Author at CSCHN

June – Pride Month – Diversity, community and unity

Welland, June 2 2025

Diversity, community and unity

This week, we are renewing our commitment to the 2SLGBTQI+ community through Franco-Pride flag-raising ceremonies.
At the CSCHN, we stand against hatred, all forms of violence, oppression and exclusion and proudly declare that we are there for everyone.
Let’s work together to continue to advance the rights of members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Only by remaining open-minded and learning more about their challenges and needs can we break down barriers.
Because even now, in 2025, and here in Niagara and Hamilton, there are young people who cannot be themselves for fear of rejection by their families and loved ones, we want to say that
at the CSCHN we are non-judgmental and welcome with open arms and open hearts.

For more information:
France Vaillancourt,
Executive Director
905-734-1141
www.cschn.ca

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Welland, February 22, 2025

On this day of awareness, it is essential to remember that human trafficking remains a growing plague, including in the Niagara region. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario recorded an average annual rate of 1.6 cases of human trafficking per 100,000 inhabitants between 2012 and 2022, a figure higher than the national average of 1.0 cases. The majority of victims identified are young women and girls, often recruited in vulnerable situations.

The Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (CSCHN) is deeply committed to fighting this crime. Our French-language services include individual counselling, as well as awareness and prevention workshops in schools and with our community partners. Our aim is to educate and equip young people and the community with the tools they need to prevent this plague and protect themselves.

We are also proud to be part of the Coalition provinciale francophone contre la traite des personnes, which brings together a number of partners involved in prevention and support for survivors. This collaboration is essential to ensure an effective and coordinated response to this problem.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, resources are available 24/7:

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline. This line offers confidential, multilingual support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to victims, survivors and their caregivers.

You can reach us at 1-833-900-1010 or by chat at canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca. We do not judge and will not contact law enforcement without your consent. When you call, you decide the next steps, whether it is a simple chat or contacting community services.

📞 National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010

📞 Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara: 1-866-437-7606

Together, let’s strengthen our efforts to eradicate human trafficking and support survivors on their journey to recovery.

For further resources follow the attached link: https://www.endtrafficking.ca/fr

Loubna Moric,

Director, Community Initiatives and Anti-Violence and Sexual Assault Programmes

905-528-0163

loubna.moric@cschn.ca

The CSCHN becomes a Seniors Active Living Centre for Francophones in the Niagara Region

MPP Oosterhoff Announces New Seniors Active Living Centre in Niagara

French-Language Programming in Welland to Keep Local Seniors Fit, Active and Socially Connected

NEWS

January 23, 2025

WELLAND – Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, today, announced the approval of a new Seniors Active Living Centre at Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara in Welland. This is one of the up to 100 new Seniors Active Living Centres opening across the province this year to help improve seniors’ quality of life and build community engagement.

“Founded in 1992, Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara has been providing critical health care and community services for Francophone residents across Niagara,” said MPP Oosterhoff.

“This new Seniors Active Living Centre will help older adults in Welland stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected through culturally relevant activities.”

Seniors Active Living Centre programs offer seniors and older adults learning opportunities such as financial management and elder abuse prevention and a variety of recreational and social activities including fitness, healthy lifestyle and wellness classes that are important supports in communities.

France Vaillancourt, Executive Director at the CSCHN, adds “We couldn’t be more excited and grateful to become a Seniors Active Living Centre. It will give us the opportunity to ensure the continuity of life changing services offered to French-speaking seniors; services that support independence and significantly enhances the quality of life of the participants. It is so important to invest in preventative measures such as this one as they help our seniors stay active, engaged, social and maintain their well-being.”

“The opening of a new Seniors Active Living Centre at the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara is a significant milestone for our community,” said Frank Campion, Mayor of the City of Welland.

“This initiative not only enhances the services available to our seniors but also strengthens Welland’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and well-being for all residents. Our seniors are a vital part of Welland’s identity, and this new centre will offer them opportunities to stay active, healthy, and engaged in culturally enriching programs. I thank the provincial government for this investment in the quality of life of our older adults and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community.”

“This is welcome news to see additional supports for seniors here in Niagara that will further enhance the interaction between the Francophone communities in Welland and Port Colborne,” said Bill Steele, Mayor of Port Colborne.

“We are delighted to expand activities and services to more seniors in Niagara,” said, Hon. Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.

“This program will help older adults of all abilities to thrive in their homes and communities.”

The government remains committed to better supporting Ontario’s aging population and the people who care for them by improving and expanding supports for seniors no matter where they live.

Quick Facts:

On June 1, 2024, changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017, came into effect, allowing more types of organizations to provide the twenty percent contribution requirement towards the operating costs of Seniors Active Living Centre programs. Now Seniors Active Living Centre programs can be operated by municipalities, non-profit corporations, registered charities, Indigenous groups, Legions, Lions Clubs and recreational clubs.
In the Fall Economic Statement of 2024, a $17 million increase in funding over three years was approved to support up to 100 new Seniors Active Living Centres across the province.
For 2025-26, Seniors Active Living Centre programs will be able to request up to $55,000 for maintenance and operating costs, an increase from the previous maximum of $50,000 in 2024 and up from $42,700 in base funding from 2023.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (CSCHN) is calling for greater mobilisation to tackle all forms of violence suffered by women and girls, emphasising the need for immediate responses tailored to the realities of our region. Faced with the worrying increase in feminicide and the escalation of gender-based violence, it is more crucial than ever to provide tangible solutions and put in place resources tailored to our communities, including French-speaking emergency shelters.

Feminicide: an alarming and persistent reality

The figures are implacable: acts of feminicide continue to rise, shattering lives and leaving families in mourning. Behind every statistic is a woman, a mother, a daughter, a friend, brutally torn from her future. Feminicide is the ultimate form of violence, often preceded by years of abuse and control. As a society, we have a duty to protect women and ensure their fundamental right to safety. As such, we reiterate our call for stronger measures to prevent these tragedies and save lives.

The housing crisis: an additional obstacle for survivors

The housing crisis exacerbates the risks faced by women trying to escape violence. Access to affordable housing is increasingly difficult, and shelters are at capacity. For many, the lack of available and accessible housing is becoming an insurmountable obstacle, forcing them to choose between remaining in a dangerous situation or becoming homeless.

The lack of support infrastructure for francophones makes this situation even more difficult. Francophone women in our region currently do not have emergency shelters that meet their linguistic and cultural needs, limiting their access to comprehensive and immediate help. The CSCHN is campaigning for the creation of a French-language shelter in our region, to meet the specific needs of our clientele and ensure that every woman has a place to take refuge, without language or cultural barriers.

Working together for lasting solutions!

On this International Day, we are calling on governments, community partners, leaders and civil society to join forces to take concrete action. Together, we must:

Strengthen prevention and protection measures for women at risk.
Invest in affordable and accessible housing solutions to enable survivors of violence to safely regain their independence.
Support the creation of a French-language emergency shelter for women victims of violence in our region.

Every action counts in building a society where women can live without fear and where dignity and safety are a reality for everyone. VAW Team is committed to working alongside all women and girls to put an end to violence.

Together, let’s create a safer and fairer world.

Loubna Moric,

Director, Community Initiatives and Anti-Violence and Sexual Assault Programmes

905-528-0163

loubna.moric@cschn.ca

No to hate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 13 2024

Response from the Community Advisory Council (CCC) of the Welcoming Francophone Community of Hamilton and its Francophone partners following the Jackson Square incident : A strong condemnation of hateful remarks and a call for community solidarity

The CCC and its partners express their outrage over acts of hate observed on November 9 in front of Jackson Square, where masked demonstrators chanted racist slogans inciting hatred and exclusion.

These acts are contrary to the values of inclusion, diversity, and equity that we uphold within our Francophone communities and beyond.

Immigration: A Vital Pillar of Our Collective Prosperity

Immigration plays a crucial role in the development of our regions and the vitality of our Francophone culture. Each newcomer enriches our social fabric, brings new perspectives, and contributes to economic growth. We must all unite to remind ourselves that immigration is not a threat but an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient, and more open society. Immigration helps fill gaps in high-demand sectors, such as construction, healthcare, information technology, etc., ensuring better development of our municipality, province, and Canada as a whole.

Hamilton continues to grow, partly thanks to immigration. This growth is essential to meet labor needs, particularly in the context of an aging population.

Moreover, immigrant-led businesses generate significant revenues and create jobs. Recent studies indicate that immigrants have founded approximately 30% of new businesses in Hamilton in recent years.

A Call for Unity and Solidarity

We reaffirm our commitment to making Hamilton a welcoming city for all. Diversity is the true strength of this city, and together, we must fight hatred and intolerance. We encourage all residents to rally behind the vision of a #HamiltonForAll, where everyone feels respected and valued, regardless of origin.

The CCC calls on local leaders, partner organizations, and community members to strongly condemn these acts of hatred and to reiterate their support for initiatives that promote inclusion and welcome newcomers.

For more information on the contribution of immigration to Canadian industry sectors, refer to the #ImmigrationMatters campaign on the IRCC website.

Benefits of immigration on Canadian sectors – Canada.ca

For Inquiries:

RIFCSO – rifcso@cschn.ca
Phone : +1 (289) 414-0806

www.destinationhamilton.org

Dignity, equality and security for all

Press release

Hamilton, June 28, 2024

To renew our ongoing commitment to the LGBTQ2s+ community, the CSCHN family held Fierté-Pride flag-raising ceremonies in Welland and Hamilton.

These events represent our promise to the community, but also state that we stand against hatred and all forms of systematic violence, oppression and exclusion.

It is essential that we present ourselves as allies, as a safe, secure and unprejudiced place to work and visit, as a positive and welcoming environment.

A constant effort must be made to continue advancing the rights of members of the LGBTQ2s+ community, and it is only by remaining open and learning more about the challenges and needs of these communities that we will succeed in breaking down barriers.

Because love is love, the CSCHN is there for everyone.

For more information:

France Vaillancourt, Executive Director

905-734-1141 – www.cschn.ca

The CSCHN celebrates a new partnership to tackle gender-based violence

Press Release

The Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara is delighted to share the new pilot project : Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM), a province-wide gender-based violence prevention program that promises to have a significant impact in our province. Led by the Ministry of Education and supported by our valued partners, including the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) and Futures Without Violence, this initiative is poised to transform the landscape of youth sport and community engagement.

CBIM, an evidence-based program developed by Futures Without Violence, is recognized worldwide for its innovative approach. Since sports exert a significant influence in the lives of young people, in the CBIM program, coaches and the community will be able to use this influence to teach young boys that strength never lies in violence.

Through a series of 12 sessions, CBIM challenges gendered social norms and promotes the tools needed to combat gender-based violence (GBV). By focusing on respect, healthy relationships and mental health awareness, CBIM aims to build safe communities.

CBIM’s success has been well documented, with results supported by the American Pediatric Association. Building on our experience implementing this program in Hamilton with consistently positive results, we acquired the rights to become certified trainers in Ontario. In addition, we undertook the task of translating the content into French and incorporating Canadian perspectives, with a particular focus on Indigenous voices, in collaboration with our partners.

As part of this project, VBG organizations will play an important role as advocates, responsible for training local high school teachers and coaches to offer CBIM to male athletes. We understand the importance of accessibility, especially for organizations supporting rural and remote areas, and are committed to working closely with all partners to ensure equitable access to the program.

To facilitate success and enable high school coaches to be trained in their respective communities, we are pleased to offer grants of up to $20,000 to VBG organizations. In addition, in an effort to reach up to 200 schools to cover the entire province, funds are allocated to provide teacher time.

Through our collaboration with OAITH, we aim to identify GBV organizations with existing access routes to schools and empower them to carry out this crucial work in their communities. An expression of interest will be circulated to interested GBV organizations, with detailed information available at the next OAITH meeting in June.

We are committed to supporting all trained GBV organizations throughout the implementation process, to ensure continuous improvement. Efforts are underway to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) to facilitate knowledge sharing.

We invite you to join us on this transformative journey to build safe and inclusive communities for our youth. For organizations not affiliated with OAITH, please contact me directly for more information.

Together, we can make a difference.

Loubna Moric,

Director, Sexual Assault and Violence Teams, Health Promotion, Family Services

905-528-0163 or Loubna.moric@cschn.ca

May – Sexual Assault Prevention Month in Ontario

As part of Ontario’s May Sexual Assault Prevention Month campaign, a province-wide initiative to raise awareness and educate about the issue of sexual violence, the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara is committed to promoting a culture of prevention, respect and safety for all.

This month, we focus on the importance of education and awareness to end sexual violence, as well as access to community resources and support for survivors and their loved ones.

In recent years, we’ve seen social change. More people are taking a stand against sexual violence. Survivors are speaking out. Journalists are adapting their language. Institutions are demanding training for their staff. Municipalities are declaring gender-based violence an epidemic. Increasingly, it is recognized that sexual violence is rooted in sexist, misogynist attitudes and a colonialist, patriarchal system. – says Loubna Moric, Director of Programs against Sexual Violence and Assault. However, sexual assault is one of the violent crimes that shows no sign of slowing down in recent years, and is often shrouded in myths and silence that can hinder access to information and necessary services.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. We also know that people struggling with systemic violence are even more affected, such as young people, aboriginals, people living with functional limitations, 2SLGBTQ+ people, etc. During the month of May, we’ll be commemorating Red Dress Day on May 5, and the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17. Aware of systemic barriers, we provide accessible resources, open discussion spaces in groups and trauma-informed therapy.

This year’s theme, Educate, Raise Awareness, Act, underscores our commitment to ensuring that the community is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize at-risk situations, intervene and provide support safely. Whether it’s through educational programs in schools, community seminars or online resources, we strive to provide information on topics such as consent and healthy relationships.

We recognize the importance of collective action in creating meaningful social change and ending sexual violence. We therefore encourage community members, the media and institutions to become actively involved and support initiatives aimed at furthering education and awareness in the fight against sexual violence.

Together, we can create a future where we all have the opportunity to live a life free from violence. This Sexual Assault Prevention Month, join us in educating, raising awareness and taking action.

The mandate and mission of the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara is to offer health, social and community services in French, in order to improve the health and quality of life of the French-speaking population of the greater Hamilton and Niagara regions. Its main activities are: primary and community health care, newcomer services, mental health services for adults and children, health and wellness promotion services, programs against gender-based violence including the program for children exposed to violence, the Alternative Suspension program, the Investir dans mon Avenir project, the anti-trafficking program for youth.

For further information, please contact
Loubna Moric
Director, Sexual Assault and Violence Programs and Community Initiatives
905-528-0163 ext. 3288
loubna.moric@cschn.ca
CSCHN.CA

April Highlights Importance of Oral Health for Total Health

National Dental Hygienists Week takes place from April 4 to 10 as part of oral health month in Canada.

It’s a perfect time to set new oral care goals for yourself, with support from your dental hygienist, an essential primary health
care provider who sees first-hand how good oral hygiene benefits both physical and mental well-being.

Dental hygienists work in a variety of settings, including independent dental hygiene practice, with people of all ages. They will help you develop good daily oral care routines and will offer treatment recommendations and disease prevention strategies to keep you smiling. Whether calming toddlers at their first dental hygiene appointment or providing care to older adults in long-term care homes, dental hygienists want everyone to enjoy “Oral Health for Total Health.”

This April, join your dental hygienist on the path to good oral
health by taking just six small steps:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Clean between your teeth daily with floss or other interdental devices.
Use an antibacterial mouthrinse once a day.
Make healthy food and beverage choices.
Eliminate tobacco use.
See an oral health professional every six months.

For more information on oral health, click on the banner below.

At the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara, we offer the Ontario Seniors’ Dental Program: adults aged 65 and over, who are eligible.

To learn more about the services we offer, visit: Oral Hygiene Services.

Protect your eyes during April 8 Solar Eclipse!

On April 8, Niagara will be one of the few places in Canada in the path of a total solar eclipse. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime event that is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the region, and Public Health is reminding residents and visitors to protect their eyes and enjoy the eclipse safely.

Use Certified Solar Eclipse Glasses

It is very dangerous to look directly at the sun at any time, and a quick glance during an eclipse can be especially tempting. Looking directly at the uncovered sun can cause irreversible eye damage.

To avoid damaging your retinas when viewing the solar eclipse, only use ISO-12312-2 certified eclipse glasses from a reputable vendor and in good condition, and never use regular sunglasses, or do-it-yourself filters. Public Health has information on how to tell if your solar eclipse glasses are safe, and where to buy them.

“Looking directly at the sun can be very dangerous and cause retinal burns, sight loss or blurred vision,” says Dr. Jessica Jackman, Associate Medical Officer of Health. “Because there are no pain sensors in your retinas, you won’t feel your eyes being damaged. This is why we want everyone to be aware of the need to wear proper solar eclipse glasses to protect their eyes.”

Niagara Health Head of Service for Ophthalmology, Dr. Amber Sheikh, agrees, adding sustained or high intensity light exposure from the eclipse will lead to permanent damage to the retina, also known as solar retinopathy.

“The damage from solar retinopathy is permanent with loss of central vision. No treatment is available,” she says. “Vulnerable individuals are young children, people with clear lenses (individuals that have undergone cataract surgery), people who are on certain drugs such as antibiotics like tetracycline, and some people with mental or psychiatric issues.”

More Preparation Tips

Niagara’s local governments, emergency responders, schools and other organizations have been working together for months to make sure the community is ready. With thousands of visitors expected to come to Niagara to view the eclipse, it is important for everyone to prepare ahead of time.

With most schools and childcare facilities closed on April 8, parents and guardians are reminded to have a child care plan in place, and supervise children during the eclipse.

Additionally, as crowds, lines and traffic are expected, everyone is encouraged to fill up their gas tank, get groceries, and have snacks, water and first-aid supplies on hand. For any changes or disruptions to municipal services, call 211 or follow Niagara Region and your local municipality on social media.

Release by Niagara Public Health

To learn more, please visit the Canadian Association of Optometrists website and the document below :

Eclipse_Inforgraphic_ENG