Newcomers face a number of barriers in accessing supports and information related to healthy relationships, family planning and sexual health. Many are isolated from their natural support systems, like extended family, trusted healthcare providers and friends from their home country. SHORE Centre’s Newcomer Health Programs provide newcomers with accurate information, access to community resources and non-judgmental support in their own language. The program reduces barriers by providing childcare and bus tickets and addresses cultural and religious sensitivities by using trained peer facilitators from the participants’ cultural community.
For many of our participants, the Newcomer Health Program is the first group program they have participated in since moving to Canada. Due to the nature of the group discussions, group participants quickly build trust not only with the peer facilitator, but with other participants. These relationships help them to build friendships and create networks of informal support here in Canada.
Our Newcomer Health Programs are delivered in partnership with the KW Multicultural Centre, the Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre, the Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre, the Kitchener Public Library and various community and neighbourhood centres. The program is made possible thanks to funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the United Way Waterloo Region Communities, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Ontario, the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU and our donors.
Women’s Health Program
This program has been designed as a six-week program. However it is flexible and open to change based on the wants and needs of the program participants. The program covers the following topics: anatomy, women’s physical exams, family planning, birth control, mental health, gender, sexuality, healthy relationships and talking with children about sexual health and connects participants to relevant health and social supports. Bus tickets and childcare are provided.
Men’s Health Program
This program has been designed as a six-week program. However it is flexible and open to change based on the wants and needs of the program participants. The program covers the following topics: anatomy, men’s physical exams, family planning, birth control, safer sex, gender, sexuality, and healthy relationships and connects participants to relevant health and social supports. Bus tickets and childcare are provided.
Mother-Daughter Health Program
This program has been designed as a eight-week program. However it is flexible and open to change based on the wants and needs of the program participants. The program covers the following topics: communication, physical and mental health, puberty, healthy relationships, setting boundaries, safer sex, birth control, STIs, parenting, gender, sexuality and media literacy. Bus tickets and childcare are provided.