Let's connect fall 2013

Let’s

connect Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre

FALL 2013

A century strong: Two seniors on turning 100

By Dahlia Liwsze

W In this issue: Cover Story: A century strong: Two seniors on turning 100 Message from the E.D. ~p.2~

Volunteer garden party ~p.3~

Homework club! ~p.3~

November is Woman Abuse Awareness Month ~p.5~

Taking care of my health… it’s a balancing act! ~p.5~

WOCRC volunteer success story ~p.6 ~

Carp drop-In ~p.6~

ho says you can’t have fun when you’re 100?

“I was just about partied out,” said Alfred Moore regarding his th 100 birthday celebrations back in March.

The Kanata Diners’ Club had a big celebration for him on March 20th (a day before his actual birthday) at the Kanata Seniors’ Centre, which was televised on CTV. In addition, his sons, Clifford and Douglas, and other relatives had a party for him as did the Sounds of Music choir in Kanata of which he is a member.

Moore, who was born in Montreal to Irish immigrants, said his mother lived until 101.

“I have the right genes, I guess. My health has been pretty good. I do a lot of exercise. That’s very important.”

Jean and Alf sharing a laugh at Jean’s recent Newfoundland themed Diners’ Club party.

But Moore added that having a good chuckle is also vital to healthy living.

“I’m the guy who tells jokes...

Laughter is very good for (your) health… I like to see people laughing.”

Find us on Facebook!

Moore was married to Evelyn Flower (she died in 2000) for 65 years, and he has one grandson. He worked for Eaton’s for 50 years and was a manager and buyer who travelled throughout North America and Europe. continued on p. 4

facebook.com/wocrc.crcoo

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Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre

photo by Danielle Lynn Photography

Message from the Executive Director A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. ~Lao Tzu~ This month I had the pleasure of hosting an autumn garden party celebrating our volunteers.

The organizing committee, which consisted of the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) staff, set the perfect stage with live music, carefully curated appetizers and of course, a warm welcome.

This lovely appreciation event gave me the opportunity to reconnect with individuals who have been with us for years and have become an integral part of our programs and services, as well as new faces eager to make a positive impact in our community. And as we exchanged stories, gave updates and talked about shared experiences, I couldn’t help but be inspired by our volunteer’s continuous dedication and ongoing support.

At the core of this success is our board of directors, which consists of 12 dedicated volunteers. Each board member brings a specific area of professional expertise which contributes to the longevity and stability of the organization.

This fiscal year, we welcomed three new board members, Robert Bourgeois, Larry Peterson and Claudette Roy. With experience ranging from management consulting to some of Canada’s largest Universities, developing financial control frameworks for non-profits, or working abroad and founding an international health care foundation, the WOCRC is excited to have such accomplished and distinguished new members.

We trust that their service on the Board will help us continue to promote our core beliefs, vision and mission, while enhancing our commitment to provide services that meet the needs of our vibrant community.

Yours in health,

As the Executive Director of the WOCRC, I am continuously amazed by the hard work and commitment that our volunteers demonstrate year-after-year. They ensure our continued success and we, as an organization, are forever grateful for this.

Cathy Jordan Executive Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013-2014 Chair Vice-Chair Vice-Chair Vice-Chair

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Robert (Bob) McGaraughty Michael D. Merpaw Johanne Lamarre Trevor Kraus

Directors Shelley Bond Robert Bourgeois Teisha Gaylard Cindy O’Leary

Larry Peterson Mary-Ann Rowan Claudette Roy Eric Saemisch

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre

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Volunteer Garden party 1.The Steve Boudreau duo entertains the crowd. 2. WOCRC Board Members Cindy O’Leary, Mary-Ann Rowan, Robert Bourgeois, Johanne Lamarre and Claudette Roy enjoy the weather. 3. The crowd mingles 4. Property scenery 5.

Keitha Mitchell WOCRC Adult Day Program, Lori Lee and Ginette Lebel, volunteers in the Adult Day Program 6. Volunteers enjoying appetizers. 7. Laine Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator and Cathy Jordan, Executive Director, present years of service pins to Joan Plouffe, Maha El-Chantiry and Blyth Robertson

Homework Club

The Homework Club is a supportive environment where students in grades 3-8 can get assistance with their homework, enjoy a light snack and have access to a computer and printing. Once their homework is complete, the students are expected to return home.

Homework Club - Bridlewood Community Elementary School Tuesdays and Thursdays starting October 1 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

63 Bluegrass Drive, at the Bridlewood Community Elementary School library Homework Club – South March Public School Mondays and Wednesdays starting September 30 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

1032 Klondike Road, at the South March Public School library Registration forms can be downloaded at wocrc.ca For more information please contact Colleen Taylor, Children’s Community Developer at 613-591-3686 x 228 or taylora@wocrc.ca

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Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre

He lives on his own in Kanata where he moved in 1990 to be closer to Douglas.

Moore enjoys keeping busy and has been attending the Diners’ Club for around 15 years.

He also has been singing with Sounds of Music for 14 or 15 years.

His fellow Diners’ Club member, Jean Hansen, who turned 100 on Sept. 6th, has been going to the club since it began about 15 years ago.

Hansen also attends Kanata United Church.

Like Moore, she lives alone in Kanata, and has a history of familial longevity as her mother lived until 99.

The native Newfoundlander said the Diners’ Club had a party for her at the Kanata Seniors’ Centre on Sept. 11th with a Newfoundland theme. She had celebrations with her children, Harold and Carol-Ann, and her friends took her out for lunch. Her church also had a cake for her on Sept. 15th.

When asked what she has learned over the past century, Hansen said, “I’ve learned a lot. I had a good upbringing. I went to private school. My parents were British. They were strict but not too strict.”

A homemaker, Hansen was married to her husband, James, for over 60 years and has five grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. She has lived in Montreal and

Jean’s moment of surpise when seeing her cake for the first time

London, Ontario, and has travelled to quite a few places, including Florida and Norway where James was born.

Carol Diguer, who runs the Kanata Diners’ Club, has known Moore and Hansen for about seven years.

“They are both wonderful people and hold a special place in my heart… They really are an inspiration to all,” she said.

When asked what he wants to do for his 101st birthday, Moore said, “I’m not thinking about it. I’m counting each day as a bonus... whatever the good Lord decides... I’ve lived a good life.”

Taking Care of My Health....It’s a Balancing Act! Mobile Clinic (by appointment) Information Session

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

WOCRC - 2 MacNeil Court Kanata ON K2L 4H7 Guest speaker: Ginette Asselin R.N., B.Sc.N., Ottawa Public Health

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Tuesday, November 19, 2013 WOCRC - 2 MacNeil Court Kanata ON K2L 4H7

Seniors will be screened for a range of falls risks such as postural blood pressures, medications, osteoporosis risk factors, and physiological risk factors. They will learn about the actions they can take to reduce their personal risk for falls.

Pre-registration is required as space is limited To register, please call Christine at 613-820-4922 ext. 3560 by October 28th

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre

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November is Woman Abuse Awareness Month Violence against women takes many forms – physical, sexual, psychological/mental, verbal, and financial. These forms of violence are often interrelated and affect women from before birth to old age. Violence against women is not limited to a specific culture country, or to particular groups of women. The roots of violence against women lie in persistent discrimination against women.

Woman Abuse… Let’s prevent it!

• Less than 1 in 10 sexual assault victims report the crime to the police.

• The rate of spousal homicide for Aboriginal women is 8x greater than for non-Aboriginal women.

• 1 in 5 homicides in Canada involved the killing of an intimate partner.

• Women are 3x more likely to report that they have been assaulted or threatened by their partner or ex-partner.

• 1 in 3 Canadian women will experience sexual assault in their adult life.

Less than

25%

of Ontario women living in a common-law or marital relationship report experiencing physical/sexual assault by their partner.

16% of all homicides in Canada represent spousal homicides.

Spousal violence is most prevalent amongst

of victims of spousal violence report the incident to the police.

6%

For every 100, 000 married, common-law and separated women in Ontario, there are 29 women in shelters seeking an escape from domestic violence.

25 to 34

50%

year olds.

of abused women are to shelters with their

Almost

40%

of women assaulted by spouses said their children witnessed the violence against them.

In

91%

83%

children.

of victims of spousal violence are women.

of domestic homicide cases, women are the victims.

It is estimated that 15% of Canadian female university students experience sexual assault.

Infographic Source: http://www.womensownresource.org/november-is-woman-abuse-prevention-month/

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Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre

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WOCRC Volunteer Success Story

M

y name is Dave and I’ve been spending one day a week as a volunteer at the Adult Day Program (ADP) for almost 14 years. This program involves working with other volunteers and staff to make a fun and interesting day for seniors (and some not-sosenior). Our program not only helps the client but also frees the caregiver(s) to run some errands, meet with friends or just relax and unwind.

and we’re busy with a variety of activities.

I decided to volunteer in the ADP because my mother had Alzheimer’s but she was in a distant city where I couldn’t be with her often. However, I could make a difference on a regular basis for people right in Stittsville or Kanata.

I highly recommend this job to anyone who likes working with people and making a small but important contribution to special people when they most need a hand. We also get free coffee and muffins!

I stayed with the ADP long after I lost my mother because the staff really care about their work and are kind and thoughtful with clients and volunteers.

There’s always plenty of laughter and light moments

Dave Anderson – Volunteer for Adult Day Program

n I p o r pD

Car

to 18 w 2 1 s e g a All youth

e l co m e

in partnership with:

We see first-hand how group dynamics, music/singing and humour can bring forth the real person from the dementia sufferer.

The smiles make it all worthwhile and the days just fly by. I wish we could lighten the load of caregivers even more since they carry the heaviest burden.

Every Friday

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Huntley Community Centre aka the Ice Shack • Drop-in and hang out with friends new and old!

• Enjoy stellar music, yummy food and some solid company.

• Homework help available and access to two laptops and a printer.

For more info please contact: Jessie from The ZONE cornford@wocrc.ca or 613-591-3686 Sarah from The City sarah.hanniman@ottawa.ca Youth Connexion youthconnexion@ottawa.ca or 613.580.2424 x 43307

Keeping You Connected

Let’s Connect is published a minimum of four times a year – spring, summer, fall & winter – to keep you informed of news and activities at the WOCRC. If you would like to read more about a specific topic or have a story idea, please email info@wocrc.ca and we’ll try to cover it in an upcoming issue!

2 MacNeil Court, Kanata, Ontario K2L 4H7 Tel.: 613-591-3686 Fax: 613-591-2501 TTY: 613-591-0484 www.wocrc.ca info@wocrc.ca B.N. 12821 9201 RR 0001

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