What did you do for UN International Day of Peace ?

UN International Day of Peace/ World Peace Day

September 21, 2010 marked the UN International Day of Peace. No matter where you were, at 12 noon you could have joined in on a Moment of Peace.

The UN International Day of Peace began in 1982 and has since been dedicated to the “to peace, or specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people.” (Wikipedia).

This year’s Day featured all kinds of events. A news release from the UN News Centre states, “From cultural displays and a parade of peacekeepers to a children’s immunization campaign and the handing over of responsibilities to local police, United Nations field offices and missions around the world marked International Day of Peace today with a series of events in honour of its key themes.”

2010 has also been dedicated to the young people since it is the International Year of Youth. The message to youth from the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is to encourage youth to work toward and promote international peace.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated in his official message, “And I say to all young people, join us. Help us to work for peace. You are impatient. You see what we, your elders, allow to persist, year after year: poverty and hunger; injustice and impunity; environmental degradation.”

How did you mark the UN International Day of Peace? JFSA wants to hear from you.

A Look At BC's Social Housing Units: By Laura Stannard

A headline you won’t read from BC Housing: “BC Built Only 280 Additional Social Housing Units in Last Five Years”. Seth Klein and Lorraine Copas have published a report with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) that analyzed BC Housing press releases and compared the published numbers with the number of units built. CCPA BC Office’s latest release, “Unpacking the Housing Numbers: How much new social housing is BC building?” highlights how the BC Government’s own data reveals an overall net increase of only 280 social housing units over the past 5 years. You can support more research like this by becoming a member or donating to CCPA. Tax receipts available for contributions over $35.

The Federal Government hampers BC's ability to build new social housing units by not funding permanent housing construction programs as it did before 1993. The first step to get the Federal Government back on board is through the development of a National Housing Strategy. New Democrat MP Libby Davies is leading the fight in Ottawa with Bill C-304. This bill creates a National Housing Strategy and is scheduled for the 3rd and final reading on October 20, 2010. The federal Liberals, BC Union of Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities are strong supporters of this bill, so the pressure needs to be applied to BC federal Conservative MPs and the Bloc Québécois.

Find out more about the work being done to support Bill C-304 at Pivot Legal Society’s Red Tent Campaign and ACORN Canada.

For updates on social housing construction and affordable housing campaigns, join Citywide Housing Coalition at www.citywidehousingcoalition.org.

L'Shanah Tovah!

Have a sweet and happy new year!

Michael: Housing Services

Michael’s relationship with JFSA started in 2002, when he signed up to be a volunteer at the food bank they help run. So, three years later, when Michael got ill and needed assistance, he knew where he could turn to.

“I went through a very bad period after cancer and physically, for five years, I was very ill,” he said. “They managed to be there, supportive and helpful, getting me into programs and trying to assist me in different ways.”

During his fight with cancer, Michael experienced some of the greatest challenges in his life, on several levels. He was suffering from second-degree burns on his feet and his mother passed away. The JFSA found a wheelchair for Michael to use and helped him deal with his great loss.

“If I wouldn’t have had somebody there to talk to at the time, I don’t know what I would have done,” he said. “I was basically alone. The JFSA supplied me with support and gave me direction of where to go, and what to do.”

The agency helped Michael fast track the seven-year waitlist into subsidized housing. This new start to life, physically, emotionally and financially, helped give him more hope for the future.

Now, Michael has no problem waking up at 5:30 a.m. for the food bank once a week to give back to the community that’s help turn his life around.

“I’m capable of helping and because I receive, I figure I can help in any way,” he said.

To hear Michael's story, please click here.

Daniel: Employment Services

Daniel knew very little about Canada before he moved here for love. He’d heard it was a notoriously cold country and that it was the home of CN Tower and Niagara Falls. But prior to meeting his Canadian girlfriend in his hometown in Spain, he never imagined he would have any reason to move to this foreign land.

“I saw an opportunity, I met a girl and for me it was a big deal to come to Canada,” he said. “She invited me to come to her country and I saw it as a big jump, to come to know the country and the culture.”

At first he saw it as an adventure. He left his job as a mining engineer behind, along with his friends and family, and made the jump. After a three-month visit, Daniel decided to stay with his girlfriend in Canada. He soon realized his limited English would be a bigger challenge than he expected.

“Everything was a slow process,” he said. “And at the same time, the relationship with the girl didn’t work out.”

Despite ending things with his girlfriend, Daniel soldiered on in Vancouver. He wasn’t prepared to give up and spent two years applying for permanent residency. In that time, he went for job interviews for position in his field, with hopes that a company would sponsor him. But he was too junior, and his limited English was a barrier. No one wanted to take a chance. Daniel was starting to feel defeated. After his papers came in, Daniel found a job in landscaping, and though it wasn’t his chosen field, he was happy for the work. But he was still determined to find something in mining engineering. He wanted to make the most of his life in his new country.

Daniel found an employment skills program that helped spruce up his resume and put him touch with the employment services section at JFSA. Suddenly, everything started to change. He was set up with a caseworker, who found him a job in his field in a matter of weeks.

“I was able to build my professional career thanks to them,” he said. “When I got the call that I start next week, I was so happy, I was so emotional.”

Daniel credits the JFSA for helping start a career overseas, which at times felt like it would be impossible. He attributes them for helping turn everything around.

“I kept pushing but it wasn’t very positive thanks to the economic crisis,” he said. “But JFSA was the push that I was looking for.”

To hear Dan's story, click here.

Mara: Home Support

When Mara signed up for JFSA’s home care program in 2008, she didn’t expect it would change her life on so many levels. She simply thought a home care worker would tidy around the house and that would be it. But Mara soon discovered that a weekly two-hour visit would help improve her moods, her social life and her financial independence, which was much more than she signed up for.

Several health-related conditions, including a rare neurological disorder, have made it challenging for Mara to live her life to the fullest. Her energy levels are different every day, making it difficult for her work and live on a regular schedule.
For many years, she relied on friends to help around the house. But it eventually came to a point where she didn’t feel comfortable asking for their assistance.

When someone suggested to Mara that she call JFSA’s home care program, she immediately dismissed the idea. She assumed calling for help from a social services agency would mean jumping through hoops. And as someone who is physically limited, she simply didn’t have the energy to deal with bureaucracy. Mara soon found out that the JFSA works in quite the opposite way.

“I told them I’m not a senior citizen but I could use some help. The whole process has been very easy and very respectful,” she said. “I made a phone call, they came to my house, there was an interview and someone was there in a week.”

Every week, a home care worker comes to Mara’s house to help out with cleaning and cooking. As a result, it gives her a sense of independence she hasn’t felt in a long time.

“I’m able to put more energy into my home-based business, since there’s someone who comes over to help tidy and clean and do my dishes,” Mara said. “That’s meant I can be more financially independent so I don’t have to go on disability.”

Not only does she feel better about being on her own, she also feels better with other people. Having her space cleaned regularly means she’s more comfortable inviting friends over.

“It’s hard for me to go out and do things like go to restaurants,” she said. “So it’s nicer for me to socialize with people coming and visiting.”

Mara’s also noticed improvements in her life that she wasn’t expecting. Little things that make a big difference.
“It’s amazing how much of a difference having a clean floor does for my life,” she said. “I think before the house cleaners came, I hadn’t washed the floors in six months and having those floors cleaned every week, it just cheers me right up.”

To hear Mara's story, please click here.

Dan and His Mother Doris: Senior Services

A simple phone call can go a long way.
That’s what Dan Shmilovitch discovered after JFSA starting playing an active role in his elderly mother’s life.
Doris had reached a point where every day tasks around the house were starting to get daunting. This was unsettling for both Doris and her family. Luckily, JFSA helped ease their concerns.

“Over time my mother has found herself to be less independent, which has been a challenge,” said Dan. “JFSA has made that transition less difficult.” Fiercely independent and wary of connecting with strangers, the 81-year-old was nervous about who she would be letting into her home.

But the staff at JFSA quickly proved that they would go above and beyond what’s required of them.
The agency knows the importance of consistency and tries to send the same staff to help Doris, which makes her feel more comfortable. Doris also always receives a phone call the night before from a staff member, who checks in to make sure there’s anything they should know prior to their visit.This human touch makes Doris feel at ease and, in turn, her family too.

“They genuinely care about my mother and how she’s doing and that her needs have been taken care of,” Dan said. “It’s obviously much more than just a job for them, there’s a genuine caring for the well-being of my mother.”

It’s the human touch that helps JFSA stand out amongst other care facilities. This is something that Dan, his family and most importantly, his mother, truly value.

“It’s been an important thing to myself and my family because we know there’s someone who comes in and makes sure she’s eating properly and if there’s something they notice that is a bit unusual then they let us know,” he said. “It’s much more than someone just stopping in, doing tasks and leaving. There’s a genuine connection there.”

To hear the full story told by Dan, click here.

Baynaynu Second Edition: Podcast Now Available on iTunes

Click here to listen to the new Baynaynu stories on iTunes.

Youth Financial Literacy Program

JFSA is pleased to present Financial Literacy Program for Jewish youth ages 15-18 (born to immigrant parents). In this fun, interactive 9 week course you will learn about managing your finances, everything from budgeting and savings (keeping money in your pocket) to credit cards and debt (who wants to take money out of your pocket) as well as learning about investments (how to put more money in your pocket). The sessions will also include a Jewish perspective on how to use your money to give back to your community (tzedakah). You will meet with professionals in the financial field to get a deeper understanding of the topics and for possible career exploration.

Please join Jeff Baker who will be sure to make each session fun, engaging and interactive. Jeff has developed and has been teaching this material to youth through the Vancouver School Board for the past 5 years and has a Masters degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Personal Finance Education. He has been a teacher and owns his own property management company. Jeff is passionate about teaching youth how to manage their finances today and in the future.

Proposed course times:
Sundays 11 am-1 pm or Wednesdays 4:30-6:15 beginning the week of October 9th.
Location: to be determined. Registration is limited to 12 youth.

To register or to answer any of your questions please call Alexandra (Russian and English speakers) or Miri (Hebrew and English speakers) at 604-257-5151. Upon registration please discuss with us any transportation or dietary needs you/your child may have.

The Alliance for People's Health Immigrant and Refugee Series

Immigrant and Refugee Health Series – Now Accepting Applications!

The Alliance for People’s Health is excited to announce the upcoming Immigrant and Refugee Health Series. This addition to the People’s Health Series has been long anticipated.

This new series runs for 9 consecutive Thursdays @ 6:30 pm, September 30 to November 25.

Due to the high demand for the sessions and need for consistent participation, they are requesting that people who want to join the series send in the very short application form which can be obtained through their website. They also accept referrals from Social Service Agencies. JFSA's Laura Stannard has also given Tenant Workshops for APH.

APH will be confirming all participants by September 16. For more information please contact:

Alliance for People's Health
allianceforpeopleshealth@gmail.com
604-215-2775
672 E Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5T 1X6