Women’s Multicultural
Resource and Counselling
Centre of Durham
Inside this
issue:
WMRCC of
Durham: Greeting
1
Launching New Horizon for Seniors Grant
2
New Horizon for Seniors
Pictures
3
1 Billion and Rising
4,5
Black History Month
6,7,8
Greetings from the Ex-ecutive Direc-tor
9
International Women’s Day
10
Not in Our Watch Event
12
Not in Our
Watch 13
Presenta-tions: Fed. & Provincial Governments
14
Completed Activities
15
Thank You 16
Contact Info 17
Spring 2015 Edition
Greetings from WMRCC of
Durham
Please join us on Saturday May 30th
, 2015 for WMRCC of Durham charita-ble Gala of Hope. We will appreciate your presence as we raise funds to
empower women, youth and children to re-build their lives in the commu-nity.
A heartfelt appreciation to Catholic Family Services of Durham who has offered a beautiful office space to WMRCC of Durham. We sincerely
thank and appreciate CFS manage-ment for their generosity.
April 14, 2015– Ajax, Ontario – Launching of New
Horizon for Seniors Grant
The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), joined by the Honour-able Minister Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada,
announced that seniors in Ajax, Pickering and Kingston will soon have new opportunities to make a difference in their communities. The Hon. Minister
Wong announced that the Government of Canada has approved five New Hori-zons for Seniors Program (NHSP), community-based projects in these areas, for a total of more than $122,000 in funding. These projects will make it possi-
ble for seniors to play a major role in a wide range of local programs and activi-ties.
Minister Wong made this announcement on April 14th, 2015 at the Pickering
Village Senior Citizens Club in Ajax WMRCC of Durham received $24, 986 to implement “Building A Safe and In-clusive Community for Seniors” (Project BASICS). Three other organizations
who received funding are Durham Tamil Association, EcoHealthResource and Wellness Centre Ajax and Christian Cultural Association of South Asians, King-
ston. The projects being funded focus on educational, recreational and out-reach activities that promote seniors participation and help provide guidance
and support to community members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
WMRCC of Durham, Project BASICS is a program for senior women, immi-grants and newcomers residing in Durham Region. The purpose of the project is to create knowledge and understanding on issues of elder abuse, financial abuse and decrease vulnerability to abuse and victimization. As participants,
senior women will be involved in the building of a safe and inclusive community activities. Participants will be actively engaged and involved in activities that
would reduce stress and isolation. They will make new friends, attend commu-nity events, volunteer, and will socialize with people of different age groups while promoting an active living for their physical and emotional well being.
– The Honourable Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration “I am proud of our Government’s commitment to support New Horizons for
Seniors Program projects in Ontario communities. These projects will go a long way to enhance the lives of local seniors and provide them with opportunities
to interact and broaden their knowledge.”
.
Esther Enyolu, Citizenship and Immigration Min-
ister, Hon. Chris Alexander, Minister of State
(Seniors) Hon. Alice Wong , Vp of Pickering
Village Senior Citizens Club
Ajax Regional Councillor Colleen Jordan, Esther
Enyolu, Hon. Minister Alexander, Hon. Minister
alice Wong, VP of Pickering Village Senior Citi-
zens Club, Councillor Joanne Dies, Regional
Councillor Shaun Collier & Councillor Pat Brown
Hon. Minister Alice Wong , Hon. Minister Chris
alexander , Esther Enyolu with some seniors at the
event
1 Billion Rising Revolution
Jaki Mckinnon (ED Bethesda House), Regional Councillor Lorne Coe of Whitby, Vanessa Falcon (ED Herizon
House), Sirkku Meldrum, 1st VP (ETFO), Devorah Garland (Women‘s Counselolor Aids of Durham), Esther
Enyolu (ED WMRCC), Regional Councillor David Pickles of City of Pickering, Judy Khetani (WMRCC Direc-
tor), Cordelia McIntosh, President (Congress of Black Women) and Dayna GeorgeCounsellor , Herizon House
Whitby Regional Councillor Lorne Coe, Esther and
Pickering Regional Councillor David Pickles
Const. Keith Richards ( DRPS), Evelyn Smith (Past President, Pickering Rotary Club ), Martyn Beckett (Director DDSB),
Sirkku Meldrum (1st Vice President ETFO), Cordelia McIntosh (President of Congress of Black Women Oshawa/whitby) ,
Esther Enyolu (ED WMRCC) & Cecil Ramnauth (Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir & Cultural Center)
On February 14
th, 2015, thousands of One Billion Rising
Revolution events took place around the world. Women in Durham Region joined women globally to rise, dance, drum and raise awareness on issues of violence against women and girls. One Billion Revolution was an energy, a platform and ar-tistically orchestra event. The event was organized by WMRCC of Durham in partnership with the Pickering Town Centre, Ele-mentary Teachers Federation of Ontario, Herizon House and Aids of Durham. The event attracted many community members, local politi-cians, dignitaries and community partners and well wishers. Special thank you to Regional Councillor David Pickles from the City of Pickering, Regional Councillor Lorne Coe from the Town of Whitby, Mr. Martyn Beckett, Director, Durham District School Board, Const. Keith Richards from Durham Regional Police Service, Ms. Evelyn Smith from Pickering Rotary Club, Mr. Cecil Ramnauth from Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir and Cultural Centre, Ms. Cordelia McIntosh from Congress of Black Women. The community at large, men, women, youth and children who joined us at this event. Special appreciation to Lorna Murphy, Nidhi Sawhney and Erika Power from Pickering Town Centre, Sirkku Meldrum, ETFO, Vanessa Falcon, Herizon House, Devorah Garland, Aids of Durham, Judy and Kisho WMRCC Directors and the stu-dents, volunteers and staff who helped to plan and organize this event.
Black History Month
WMRCC Board Members, staff and students: Uma, Sarah, Esther,
Judy, Miranda and Marina
Jim Markovski—Education officer, DDSB, Camille Taylor– Superintendent of Education, DDSB, Daniel Hanna–
Danny Drums, Esther Enyolu, Baba William– Drums Etal, Nneka Bowen RBC– Regional VP & Meccana Ali,
Manager Youth and Violence Prevention Programs, SSN York Region
Event sponsors, Community partners and supporters: Nneka Bowen RBC– Regional VP, Erika Power– Digital Marketing Coor-
dinator & Lorna Murphy– Marketing Director , PTC, Regional Chair & CEO, Mr. Roger Anderson, Esther Enyolu ED-
WMRCC, Ajax– Pickering MPP, Mr. Joe Dickson & WMRCC Board Members Kisho Umar, Uma Suresh & Judy Khetani
Masters of Ceremony Mickey Palha, Artists: Dave Mclaughlin,
Maria Jemmott and Daniel Hanna– Danny Drums
On Friday February 27th 2015 WMRCC of Durham in partnership with the Pick-
ering Town Centre and RBC hosted the Black History Month Event at the Pickering
Town Center. The event attracted many people from different parts of Durham Region
and Greater Toronto Area at large. It was a great occasion and a memorable evening for
one to remember. There were various activities for everyone to participate and enjoy
from inspirational speakers to spoken words, fashion show, drumming, saxophone and
dancing. The event also attracted a lot of shoppers.
WMRCC of Durham would like to thank and appreciate all our community part-
ners who attended the event to join us in celebrating this occasion . Special appreciation
to MPP Joe Dickson , Regional chair/CEO Mr. Roger Anderson, Mary Nippak, Constitu-
ency Assistant/Outreach from MP Corneliu Chisu‘s Office, Whitby Regional Councillor
Lorne Coe, Nneka Bowen from RBC, Lorna Murphy and Erika Power from Pickering
Town Center, Dr. Naila Butt and Meccana Ali from Social Service Network (SSN) of
York Region, Debbie Falconer from Victims Witness Assistance Program , Joan Green ,
Devorah Garland from Aids of Durham and Ron Yuzark from Snapd for covering the
event.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all the performers and speakers who
made this day a special one by sharing their talents and creativity with the community.
Our appreciation goes to Baba Williams, Daniel Hanna, David Mclaughlin, Maria
Jemmott and Kelly Miller. To our models, Uma, Miranda, Judy and Kelly. To all the stu-
dents, Staff, volunteers and Board of Directors of WMRCC who organized and attended
this event.
Last but not the least our heartfelt appreciation and sincere thank you to RBC and
Pickering Town Centre for sponsoring this event. WMRCC would specifically want to
thank the following individuals from Pickering Town Centre: Lorna Murphy, Nidhi
Sawhney and Erika Power, Nneka Bowen from RBC. We sincerely appreciate your gen-
erosity and cannot thank you enough.
Black History Month
Debbie Falconer, Victim Witness Assistance Program,
Joan Green, Micky Palha and Esther
Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson and Regional Chair/
CEO, Mr. Roger Anderson
Group of audience enjoying the BHM event Youth attendees at the BHM event
Baba Williams, Mary Nippak from MP Chisu‘s Office, Lorna Murphy, PTC, Jim Markovski, DDSB, Councillor Coe, Ca-
milleTaylor, DDSB, Maria, Nneka Bowen, RBC, Mr. Anderson, Mickey and Naila Butt, E.D. SSN of York Region with
WMRCC members
Greetings from the Executive Director:
Esther Enyolu
Our Spring Newsletter is finally here ! It is an honour to present to you WMRCC of Durham Spring Newsletter. As usual it has been a very busy time for us due to several factors. The move com-bined with services and programs have kept us quite busy at the agency. I am hap-py to report that finally, we have re-located to a new environment. Thanks to our sis-ter agency, the Catholic Family Services of Durham Region who is currently housing us at their location in Ajax. Kindly join us to express a heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful Board of Directors and the Executive Director of the Catholic Family Ser-vices of Durham, Elizabeth Pierce (A friend in need; is a friend indeed). We can never thank you enough for your generosity and kindness. We are happy that some grants have come through after a long period of waiting. My greatest appreciation goes to the staff, students and volunteers who dedicatedly tried their best to deliver services in the community. Your commitments are inspirational to me and for that I am saying “thank you” to all of you. We have wide range of programs being delivered in the community including: Women Entrepreneur Project for small business owners, Civic Engagement Pro-gram for Newcomer and Immigrant women, youth and children, Program for Senior Women dealing with issues of violence and isolation, Youth Enrichment and Em-powering Program (project YEP) & Literacy Program. Our sincere appreciation to the funders, Status of Women Canada, Service Canada, Children’s Aid Foundation/RBC, Community Foundation of Durham Region/Town of Ajax, and Ontario Power Generation. We recently completed “Reach for the Sky” young women empowerment and mentorship program, and, a support group for women who experienced violence. We would like to appreciate some of our business partners who made in kind dona-tions toward the programs: Swiss Chalet, Pita Pit & Pizza Hut. We have been busy as well planning and organizing our 2015 “Gala of Hope”. We hope that you can join us at this event. It is promising to be a great event. We sincerely appreciate your continued support and generosity
International Women’s Day
Just like other years, the Women‘s Committee of Durham Region
(WCOD) hosted the International Women‘s Day Event on March 5th 2015.
Since the International Women‘s day this year fell on a Sunday the group decid-
ed to have the event on the 5th as majority of people were available that day.
Our theme this year was ―Surviving to Thriving” . The event was organized by
the organizations who are members of the Women‘s Committee of Durham Re-
gion. It was a great occasion as we had some powerful speakers who inspired
and captivated the audience. The Women‘s committee of Durham region would
like to thank UOIT for providing the space for the event. Also to the women and
young women who performed at the event and community partners who were
there to display their information booth.
Sincere appreciation to Joan Ann Evelyn who provided astrology consul-
tation with the attendees, Pauline who provided Reikki, Uma Suresh for provid-
ing henna, Kat who provided Thai Massage, Robyn and Jocelyn for hosting the
booth for children‘s activities. Nancy for providing Hand Massages.
We would like to thank our guess speakers: Social Law Advocate,
Lorraine Russell, the Author of Women are Worthy, Ettie Rutherford, CEO
Henderson Auto, Christine Henderson, Surviving to Thriving, Charlynn Archer
and Survivors Advocate, Michelle Moody. Young women singers who enter-
tained the audience with their talents: Kaelie Ullberg and Trinity.
We will also like to thank the Denise House for donating purple scarves
proceed to WCOD.
Finally, to the event emcees Lynn and Emma as well as all the members
of the WCOD who worked so hard in organizing such a great and inspiring
event.
Left to Right: Esther, Grace, Princess, Shakeidra, Kelly,
Sarah & Marina
Organizers: Members of the Women‘s Committee of
Durham Region (WCOD)
WMRCC Staff, Volunteers and Students with Sirkku and Ettie at
IWD event. Front Row: Uma, Shakeidra, Grace & Sarah
Back Row: Judy, Esther, Kelly, Princess, Sirkku Meldrum & Ettie
Rutherford
Our great speakers: Michelle Moody, Lorraine Russell,
Christine Henderson, Ettie Rutherford and Charlynn Archer
SSN “Not in our Watch”
A group of guest with Not on Our Watch Sign
Panelist on Violence against Women, Const. Darryl Rice,
DRPS, Uma Suresh, DTA, Esther Enyolu, WMRCC of
Durham, Martine Robinson, DDSB and Oliver Forbes, CDCD
A group picture of the organizers, Dr. Naila Butt, Meccana Ali,
Mr. Naushad Hirji, Josh and Uma Suresh with the dignitaries
Not in our Watch Campaign
The Social Service Network of York Region hosted its Neighbours, Friends
and Families Campaign in collaboration with DTA and other community partners in
Durham Region on February 28, 2015. The event took place at the Pickering Town
Centre.
Its’ purpose was to raise public awareness of the signs and risk factors
of violence against women, and helping people close to at-risk woman or an
abusive man offer effective support. The event was well attended with some
great speakers and community supporters and dignitaries in Durham Region.
Some of them included: Hon. Minister Chris Alexander, Hon. Minister Tracey
MacCharles, MP Corneliu Chisu, MPP Joe Dickson, Hon. Mayor of Picker-
ing, Dave Ryan, Hedvig Alexander, DDSB Director Martyn Beckett, Whitby
Regional Councillor Lorne Coe, Ajax Councillors: Renrick Ashby, Joanne
Dies and Marilyn Crawford. Also different ethno-cultural leaders and commu-
nity agencies representatives were in attendance.
The keynote speaker was Hedvig Alexander and the Masters of Cere-
mony was Tracey Vaughan.
Presentations: Federal and Provin-
cial Governments
Presentation at Queen’s Park WMRCC of Durham was one of the organizations invited by the Ontario Gov-
ernment ‗s Standing Committee on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence.
The organization presented to the Standing Committee at Queen‘s Park on
May 6th, 2015. Delegates who presented were the Executive Director of WMRCC,
Esther Enyolu and WMRCC of Durham‘s Board Secretary and previous Youth
Community Connections Mentor and Engaging Youth in Preventing Violence against
Girls and Women‘s Youth Leader, Atiyya Bacchus. Prior to the presentation, the team
met with the Minister of Children Youth Services and Minister Responsible for
Women‘s Issues, Hon. Tracy MacCharles with her Policy Advisor, Rebecca Cald-
well.
Presentation at the Status of Women Canada WMRCC of Durham was one of the organizations invited by the Status of
Women Canada to share the ―Best Practices‖ in supporting Women and Girls who
experienced violence and abuse. The presentation was made on May 12th, 2015 in
Gatineau, Quebec. It was great to meet the project officers and Directors from SWC,
as well as the community organizations from different regions who presented on the
best practices being used to combat violence against women and girls, including dif-
ferent projects they implemented.
A picture of presenting agencies with
Status of Women Officers: Yannick
Raymond, Ont. Regional Director,
Danie Kingsbury, Senior Admin. As-
sistant and Mila Younes, Program &
Development Officer
Completed Activities
Reach for the Sky was an eight week ―Young Women Mentoring and Empower-
ment Program‖ implemented by WMRCC of Durham. The program objective was to
support, empower and provide an opportunity for disadvantaged young women to meet
with each other to share their experiences, learn from one another and be mentored. A
series of workshops were delivered which geared towards empowering them to break
the cycle of violence, build self-esteem, learn conflict resolution skills and develop
effective relationship with mentees.
WMRCC would like to thank the volunteers and students who implemented this
project in the community. Our special appreciation goes also to the SWISS Chalet on
Bayly Street West for sponsoring this program.
Women’s Support Group
The Goal of this program was to create a cohesive group that assisted and sup-
ported women and their families with their everyday experiences. It provided women
with information on the workforce (resume building, Job finding and how to interact
with future employers); effective communication; building confidence and self-esteem
through self- exploration; healthy lifestyles; managing stress, anger management,
breaking the cycle of violence and how to access services available in the community.
It was an eight weeks support group that brought together women from diverse back-
grounds to share experiences and work on common goals.
WMRCC of Durham Contact Information
Mailing Address:
1355 Kingston Road, P.O Box 66164, Pickering
Ontario, L1V 6P7
Tel: 905-427-7849
Toll Free: 1-877-454-4035
Fax: 905-427-9299
TTY Phone: 905-427-6860
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wmrccdurham.org
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