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 multiple stakeholders in Ontario, YOU, and our donors!
Women’s Health Program
- A flexible, six-week program led by our Newcomer Health Facilitator, Hoda, that covers the following topics:
- Anatomy, family planning, birth control, safer sex, sexual health (i.e., STIs, screening tests, etc.), gender, sexuality, domestic violence, and healthy relationships, and connects participants to relevant health and social supports.
- Bus tickets and childcare are provided.
Men’s Health Program
- A flexible, six-week program led by our Newcomer Health Facilitator, Hoda, that covers the following topics:
- Anatomy, men’s physical exams, family planning, birth control, safer sex, sexual health (i.e., STIs, screening tests, etc.), gender, sexuality, domestic violence, and healthy relationships, and connects participants to relevant health and social supports.
- Bus tickets and childcare are provided.
Mother-Daughter Health Program
- A flexible, eight-week program led by our Newcomer Health Facilitator, Hoda, that 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.
Pregnant Women’s Group
- A flexible, six-week program, led by our Newcomer Health Facilitator, Hoda, that covers the following topics:
- Healthy lifestyles for pregnant women, making informed decisions about family planning, contraceptive options, midwife services, health insurance option, consent, healthy relationships, STIs, mental health, and talking to children about sexual health.
- Bus tickets and childcare are provided.
