Stonegate CHC has been providing primary health care, health promotion and a wide variety of community programs to the Stonegate - Parklawn Community since it was created by community members in 1992.
2016 Winter Newsletter
New Staff Welcome
Please join me in welcoming two new staff to the Stonegate CHC, Josée Sovinsky and Inés Pérez Merino.
Josée Sovinsky will be the Stonegate dietitian for the next year, covering Kasia Tupta's parental leave. We are very happy to have Josée working with us. She shares Kasia’s interest in the Health at Every Size approach, and will be a great addition to our team. Josée is a Registered Dietitian who completed her HBSc in Nutrition Sciences and Dietetic Internship at the University of Ottawa. She is passionate about using a compassionate approach to nutrition to prevent illness and promote health.
Inés Pérez Merino, our new Medical Secretary who will be with Stonegate before/during Aleks’ parental leave. Ines is from Spain and has been living in Toronto for 5 years. She recently graduated from Medical Office Administration and completed her student placement at Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services. She has a B.S in Biochemistry and a decade of experience working in the Health Care sector in different roles.
Clinical Client Experience Survey
We want to hear about your experience using Stonegate CHC primary health care services. Your answers to this survey can help us improve our services.
This survey is for clients who have had an appointment at the CHC in the past year for any of the following: Asthma/COPD Education, Chiropody (foot care), Counselling, Diabetes Education Team, Family Practice Clinic (doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse), Nutrition counselling (Dietitian), Physiotherapy, Psychiatry or Smoking cessation .
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. It is completely anonymous. Answering the survey, or choosing not to answer the survey, will not affect your care at Stonegate CHC.
You can answer the survey in person at the CHC, just ask at Reception. The survey is available in Albanian, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
Or complete it in online by clicking one of the following links:
Thank you for your time and helping us to improve our services.
West End Diabetes Education Program
The West Toronto Diabetes Education Program (WTDEP) services adults at risk of developing diabetes and with a diagnosis of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Our team of Registered Dietitians & Registered Nurses is dedicated to helping adults achieve optimal blood sugar control through self-management education and continuous support. We offer a variety of services including one-on-one counselling and group education sessions such as cooking demonstrations and introduction to diabetes. The diabetes team is on site at Stonegate every other Friday.
Smoking Cessation at Stonegate
Are you thinking of quitting smoking? Stonegate clients can now get support in a couple of different ways:
Clients who see a doctor or nurse practitioner at Stonegate simply need to talk with your health care providers to access smoking cessation counselling and support. Access to free nicotine replacement therapy and resources support those clients and community members living with lower incomes. Clients can also get additional support from Natalia, our Certified Respiratory Educator.
The West Toronto Diabetes Education Program (WTDEP) has joined the Ottawa Smoking Cessation research study. Until the end of April, the WTDEP providers are able to enroll Stonegate clients who are seeing one of our diabetes providers (Odilia, Registered Nurse or Farha, Registered Dietitian). Financial aid is available to help cover the cost of nicotine replacement therapy and other medications needed. Please speak to Odilia or Farha for more information about the study.
Community Resiliency Project
Are you prepared? Emergencies and disasters can strike quickly and without warning and can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or be confined to your home. What would you do if your basic services—water, gas, electricity or communications—were cut off?
Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. Even if you have physical limitations, you can still protect and prepare yourself.
For more information visit the Toronto Office of Emergency Management's website at www.toronto.ca/oem or follow on twitter @TorontoOEM. Available in 10 different languages.
West End Food Co-op
Councillor Justin Di Ciano announced in his December newsletter, that the West End Food Co-op will be opening in the new Stonegate Plaza Development. Councillor Justin Di Ciano has also secured the European Woonerf concept for the internal roadways and a splash pad in the development's park for the use of all residents.
For more information about the West End Food Co-op, please visit their website at www.westendfood.coop
Pre and Post Natal Massage
Stonegate CHC, in partnership with Humber College Massage Therapy students, will be offering free pre and post natal massages Tuesday afternoons January 12th to February 23rd.
Massage therapy during pregnancy has been shown to decrease low back pain and tension in the and neck. A soothing massage can also help reduce swelling in the ankles and wrists and improve overall mood.
If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 8 months contact us at 416.231.7070 to register for a free relaxing massage. Massage students are also available to teach you massage techniques that will soothe and comfort your baby. Mobile Good Food Market
After closing for the Holidays, FoodShare's Mobile Good Food Market has reopened at Stonegate CHC. FoodShare continues to set up their Mobile Good Food Market every Friday from 5:00 - 6:30 pm at the Stonegate CHC since the Fall. The Mobile Good Food Market is a truck that travels across Toronto selling affordable fresh food in neighbourhoods. FoodShare has 18 year relationships with Super Select Produce Buyers at the Ontario Food Terminal in order to supply the Mobile Good Food Market with fruits and vegetables at affordable prices.
Stop by the Health Centre on a Friday from 5:00 - 6:30 pm to check out the Mobile Market and its great prices!
City Budget Forum
On Monday January 11th, 2016 Stonegate CHC in partnership with Social Planning Toronto facilitated a City Budget Forum Meeting for the community.
The City Budget Forum included panel members from the Social Planning Toronto, TTC riders, Housing Coalition, Poverty Reduction Strategy committee and our local City Councillor Justin DiCiano.
The forum provided an opportunity for community members to learn more about the 2016 City of Toronto budget, the impact on our community and to share their concerns. Residents play a vital role in the budget process, for more information on city budget updates and how to make your voice count check out the Social Planning Toronto web page at: http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/ Bell Manor Park Activities
With the redevelopment of the Stonegate Plaza, the Health Centre took more programs outdoors into the park last summer. Stonegate CHC program staff focused on animating Bell Manor Park in order to create a new community space in which to gather. Activities such as yoga, tai chi, art class, meditation and more took place in the park throughout the summer months.
We are aiming to continue and expand on this programming for summer 2016 and want your input as to what activities and events you'd like to see in the park.
Please take a moment to fill out this surveyto give us your input.
Thank you: Fundraiser for Fresh Food!
We would like to thank local residents, businesses, schools and community services that donated to this year’s Stonegate CHC Good Food Box Holiday Drive.
Due to their generosity, over $16,000 was raised to purchase Good Food Boxes for community members with food insecurity and hunger issues. Remaining funds will go towards purchasing Good Food Boxes for families in need throughout the year as well as our market money program. A very special thanks to Stonegate Food Access Committee members who helped to promote the campaign and to fundraise!
Delivery of Good Food Boxes for the Holiday Drive and wonderful produce inside the boxes.
