Chigamik is Celebrating 10 Years of Service in Our Community!
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"We are pleased to announce that we are celebrating 10 years of service in our community - service that we know has been vital to those who struggle the most. We have touched the lives of thousands in our community, opened doors and provided opportunities that otherwise would not have been there. Today, Chigamik is in the right place, at the right time, and we will continue to have a significant impact on thousands more. Thank you to all of our staff, partners and friends who continue to support us in all that we do."
~David Jeffery, Executive Director,
CSC Chigamik CHC
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During the provincial stay-at-home order, Chigamik remains open and continues to see clients virtually and when necessary, in-person. Your initial appointment
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will be offered virtually or over the phone. During this appointment your healthcare provider will determine whether an in-person visit is necessary. Appointments can be made by calling reception at 705-527-4154. For in-person appointments, clients will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the building and asked to wear a mask. If you have a COVID-19 symptom, please do not enter our facility. Go home and call the health unit at 705-721-7520 or Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000. Our facility is not equipped to assess or test for COVID-19.
COVID-19 Assessment Centre
To book an appointment at the Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre, please visit the Georgian Bay General Hospital website at: http://gbgh.on.ca/midland-covid-19-assessment-centre/.
COVID-19 Vaccinations Clinics
A limited supply of AstraZeneca vaccines are available through the North Simcoe Family Health Team for individuals ages 40+. For more information and to book an appointment, please call 705-526-7804 ext 0 or visit www.nsfht.ca.
Indigenous COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
Three new vaccine clinics have been coordinated for Indigenous community members who are 16+ and for any non-Indigenous adults living in the same household. To register, please use the links below:
Orillia April 27th, 2021 – Rotary Place Arena
https://bit.ly/OrilliaBook
Midland May 7th, 2021 – North Simcoe Rec Centre
https://bit.ly/MidlandBookings
Barrie May 18th, 2021 – Holly Recreation Centre
http://bit.ly/BarrieBooking
Book your appointment by phone:
705-818-0575 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
705-790-9863 (Wed-Fri 11am-6pm)
705-790-9986 (Mon-Fri 11am-6pm)
Pop-Up Vaccination Clinic for Those With No Permanent or Fixed Address
On April 30th from 10am to 4pm, Chigamik Community Health Centre will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for those 16+ with no permanent address living in the Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny or Tay regions. Click here to learn more or call Chigamik at 705-527-4154.
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Register for Chigamik's Online
Spring Programs!
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With the goal of meeting the health care needs of our diverse community, Chigamik is pleased to offer new English, French and Cultural programs this spring - free and open to everyone in the community!
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All community programs are currently being offered virtually. Please visit www.chigamik.ca to register online.
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Making Healthy Food More Accessible
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More than 200 families in Midland took part in Community Food Centres Canada's (CFCC) Market Greens pilot program, in partnership with Chigamik Community Health Centre. The program was created to help low-income families with young children access fresh, local fruits and vegetables by providing participants with $10 to $20 in Market Greens Dollars every week for five months, and offering healthy eating resources like recipes and food preparation tips. The Market Green Dollars were redeemed at Chigamik's Miijim Market, where fruits and vegetables were available to community members all year round at very low costs. *The Miijim Market has been postponed during the pandemic.
The Market Greens pilot program recently wrapped up, with some impressive results:
- 98% of participants said the program helped them eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Children involved were eating two more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
- 67% of participants, and 75% of their children, tried new fruit and vegetables.
“We now eat a lot more vegetables. Both of my kids are hooked on salads—they have a salad at almost every meal now.”
~Market Greens Program Participant
The Market Greens program is about more than just access, it’s also about health promotion. Research shows that fruit and vegetable subsidies can instill long-term healthy eating habits. The findings of the pilot program echoed this: 72% of participants changed the way they shopped for fruits and vegetables, and 64% noticed that their kids were more interested in eating or cooking fruits and vegetables, even after the program ended.
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Chigamik's Emergency Food Program Continues to Provide Access to Healthy Food During the Pandemic
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In response to the financial burden COVID-19 is having on the North Simcoe community, Chigamik launched an Emergency Food Program in April, 2020. Through this program, participants have access to a bag of produce once per week for six to 10 consecutive weeks or a gift card to purchase emergency food items.
"Although our Miijim Food Market has been postponed during the pandemic, we are continuing to support access to healthy food through our Emergency Food Program. The feedback we've received from our community has been very positive."
Cassandra Forget, Community Food Worker,
CSC Chigamik CHC
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French Language Primary Care Services:
An Essential Service for Francophones
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In the one year since the government enacted a Declaration of Emergency because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a radical shift has occurred in how many Ontarians access primary care services. What has not changed is the vital role of primary care as the entry point of the health system.
‘’One of the fundamental characteristics of primary care is an ongoing relationship between the patient and the professional providing care,’’ says Lisa Gotell, Interim Executive Director at Entité 4. ‘’This relationship is built through communication, and language is at the heart of communication.’’
Entité 4 is partnering with Chigamik Community Health Centre to promote the French language primary care services available for Francophones living in the Barrie and North Simcoe areas.
‘’This year, Chigamik is celebrating 10 years of services in our community. For us, providing primary care services in French is a first step in taking a patient’s linguistic needs into consideration throughout their journey," says Chigamik's Executive Director David Jeffery.
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Get a Pulse!
Eating well for our health, pocketbook and planet!
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Eating healthy is an important part of managing good health. Incorporating pulses into your diet is an easy way to add fibre, protein and nutrients into your meals.
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Pulses are the edible dried seeds of the legume plant and include beans, lentils, chickpeas and dry peas. They are rich in protein, fibre, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins, and other nutrients, they do not cause spikes in blood sugar and may help prevent certain diseases. Pulses are also inexpensive and good for our environment!
Take the Pulses Challenge!
Challenge yourself to include two plant-based meals per week! To learn more about pulses, visit www.pulses.org.
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