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 Spring Newsletter
Stonegate CHC Update
Stonegate CHC’s plans to be a part of the new development on this site are proceeding well. It must seem to many as if this is taking a very long time. We appreciate the challenges for our clients and staff of operating on a construction site. We try to keep our focus on the future new Community Health Centre that will be here to serve this community for decades to come. Our plan is to occupy the full second floor of the first building that will be constructed on this site. Construction will be starting this spring and it will take about a year to complete the base building. We will then have seven months to complete the construction of the interior of the second floor to accommodate the Community Health Centre. It may be January 2018 before we are ready to move.
Toronto City Council recently supported the planning for the site which will include an acre of space in the center of the development for community use. The plan includes a two story commercial building that will become our home as well as three condominium buildings. The proposal considered by City Council also contained a plan to have a non-profit grocer occupy part of the first floor of the commercial building. We also expect a pharmacy to also be a tenant of the first floor.Stonegate Space Update
We are happy to announce that the renovations due to the flood have been completed. Our programs will be moving back to the Stonegate CHC location as of Monday May 2nd, 2016.
We would like to extend our appreciation to Knights of Columbus and Christ Church St James for accommodating us in the interim.Stonegate CHC & Accreditation
We are very pleased to announce that Stonegate CHC has been awarded a four year accreditation by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA). Our Board of Directors, staff and several of our clients were engaged in this accreditation review. The hard work, professionalism, and dedication of our staff and Board of Directors are clearly reflected in this significant achievement.
“To be CCA Accredited is truly a seal of approval,” says Bev Leaver, Stonegate CHC’s Executive Director. “Our stakeholders can be assured that we have undergone an extensive internal and external review process that measures our practices against best practice standards.” Accreditation is a process that provides assurance from a respected third-party that the accredited organization meets commonly accepted standards for good governance, management, and excellence in service provision. This is one way that we demonstrate to our clients and funders that we are operating responsibly and providing responsive and quality services. One of the key benefits of participating in CCA’s accreditation program is that it promotes an ongoing culture of learning and quality improvement throughout the organization. By choosing to go through the CCA accreditation process, Stonegate CHC is demonstrating its accountability to the community and its commitment to providing the highest quality programs and services.Stonegate CHC Asthma Program
May 3, 2016 is World Asthma Day. This annual event is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. This year’s theme is: “You Can Control Your Asthma.”
Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
You can control your asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition and can't be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it's important that you work with your doctor or nurse practitioner to track your signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.
For our patients: Stonegate CHC’s Primary Care Asthma Program will help you to understand asthma better. You will learn about asthma symptoms, triggers, asthma control, what asthma medications do and how to use them properly. Your lung functions with be regularly monitored with spirometry testing that is done on site. Education and ongoing monitoring will help you to control your asthma.
For the community: Our Certified Respiratory Educator is available to deliver information sessions for community groups and local schools (including presentations about Ryan’s Law).
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.
Thank you for your time and helping us to improve our services.Are you interested in Art?
Do you suffer from a mental health problem or do you use substances like alcohol or drugs regularly?
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is conducting a study that looks at stigma towards people with mental health problems and substance use issues.
The purpose of this research is to explore stigma and discrimination toward people with mental health and/or substance use problems in primary health care (PHC) settings such as this Community Health Centre (CHC). This project compares CHCs that have received an anti-stigma intervention with those that haven’t. We would like to find out if the intervention decreases stigmatizing attitudes and behaviours towards people with mental health and/or substance use.
We want you to participate in a weekly art program that uses creativity to express your feelings about stigma. This program will last 10 weeks.
TTC tokens and refreshments will be provided.
If you would like more information or are interested in participating, please contact Emily Lentinello at (416) 535-8501 Ext. 34323 or
Emily.Lentinello@camh.ca
Stonegate Farmers Market 2016 Season!
The Stonegate Farmers' Market will open for its 11th season on Tuesday, June 21st, with more vendors on board. The church parking lot where the market is held, will be transformed into a bustling hub of activity, with tables of brightly colored produce, the smell of freshly baked bread, and vendors selling everything from pastries to pasta sauce. There will be musicians, events, and the well loved barbeque.
The Market runs Tuesdays from 4:00 - 7:00 pm (rain or shine) from June until October, featuring: local produce, meats, cheeses, honey, jams & jellies, sauces, baked goods, breads, and more! Located in the parking lot of Christ Church St. James Anglican Church at 194 Park Lawn Road (just north of the Queensway), the market showcases fresh produce direct from the farmers (conventional and organic) with local entertainment, special events and children's activities throughout the season.
Make sure to mark your calendars for our opening date and to follow news about market vendors, events, recipes on our Stonegate Farmers' Markets' Facebook page.
Stonegate Video Celebrates Magic of the Community Garden
Surrounded by a vibrant and colourful array of flowers, berries, vegetables and herbs, nine women take turns explaining what draws them to their community garden.
“Being here grounds me.” “I learned to garden from my grandparents and now I can teach my children.” “The food is fresh and delicious.” “It gives me a purpose.” “Here, we’re like one big family.”
In the short video on Bell Manor Community Garden recently launched by Stonegate Community Health Centre, Welcome to Bell Manor Community Garden the gardeners describe many different benefits but one common theme: the community garden is a magical place.
Located in the Stonegate/Park Lawn community, Bell Manor Park serves as the backyard and open, green space to several thousand residents living in the 75 low-rise apartment buildings in the surrounding neighbourhood. Nestled in a corner of the park is Bell Manor Community Garden, started over 25 years ago by Stonegate Community Health Centre. Today, with over 30 plots provided free of charge to gardeners without access to their own land, the Garden is an integral part of the Centre’s Community Food Program.
“Many of our residents live on fixed or low incomes. Providing the opportunity to grow their own fresh, healthy food is often a necessity, not a luxury”, says Julia Graham, Community Food Program Coordinator.
In recent years, the Garden has served an even greater need. The local Valu-Mart, which provided the only walkable access to fresh food in the community, was closed two years ago to make way for condominiums. To help fill the gap, the Centre provides a range of food programs along with the Community Garden, including the seasonal Stonegate Farmer’s Market, the weekly Mobile Food Market, the Good Food Box, and more.
Graham says that thanks to generous funders, the Centre provides other assistance to gardeners where possible through donations of seedlings and equipment, along with regular educational workshops on saving seeds, container gardening, and food preparation that are open to the community. “We’re hoping to have additional donations this year to pay for raised beds, additional tools and garden bus tours.”
The Bell Manor Community gardeners hope that the video, which was funded through TD Friends of the Environment, will raise awareness of the importance of community gardens to health and wellbeing.
As Jean, one of the video participants, aptly sums up about her garden, “it gives me great joy”.
For more information on the video, or to donate to the Community Food Program, visit http://www.stonegatechc.org
Bell Manor Park Activities & Mural
With the redevelopment of the Stonegate Plaza, the Health Centre took several programs outdoors into the park last summer. This summer, activities such as yoga, tai chi, art class, meditation and more will once again be held in Bell Manor Park.
Stonegate CHC is also pleased to announce that they are working with City of Toronto staff for a mural to be installed on the garage at 323 Park Lawn Avenue, which faces onto Bell Manor Park. Stay tuned for a visioning session to be held in May, where the artist and Stonegate CHC will lead a discussion around what community members want to see on this park mural. Mobile Good Food Market
FoodShare's Mobile Good Food Market has been running throughout the winter months indoors at Stonegate CHC. FoodShare will continue to set up their Mobile Good Food Market every Friday from 5:00 - 6:30 pm at the Stonegate CHC. However, with the nicer weather just around the corner, the market will once again move outdoors.
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!
ur patients: Stonegate CHC’s Primary Care Asthma Program will help you to understand asthma better. You will learn about asthma symptoms, triggers, asthma control, what asthma medications do and how to use them properly. Your lung functions with be regularly monitored with spirometry testing that is done on site. Education and ongoing monitoring will help you to control your asthma.
The Stonegate Farmers' Market will open for its 11th season on Tuesday, June 21st, with more vendors on board. The church parking lot where the market is held, will be transformed into a bustling hub of activity, with tables of brightly colored produce, the smell of freshly baked bread, and vendors selling everything from pastries to pasta sauce. There will be musicians, events, and the well loved barbeque. 
