Engaging Immigrants Seniors Project

Seniors Activities:YogaChair ExerciseHealth Education (Presentations and Seminars)Healthy CookingField Trips and Museum visitsIndoor Games (Darts, Pool/Snooker, Ping-Pong)Chi-Qigong (exercise)Laughter Yoga ExerciseDance Classes

Engaging Immigrants Seniors Project

Seniors Activities:

Painting LessonsArt ClassesCelebrations and Social gatheringsHome VisitsFriendly Telephone callsAccompany Senior for Medical AppointmentComputer Lessons

I first found out about the multicultural seniors group activities when someone gave me its flyer. I then called its Coordinator, Safia Nawaz, and came to observe its activities. It was mainly to learn English, chat and pass the time. I started to attend the Wednesday activities where people from diverse multicultural backgrounds got together and participate in different recreational activities. Since I was recently widowed and recovering from a slight stroke, it was a chance for me to make friends and occupy my time.

Participating in various activities with other group members lifts up my spirits and makes me happy.

VERENE’s Reflection

About Program

Outings to various places have helped me to learn new things. Since outings are arranged in collaboration with other community organizations, it also gives me a

chance to meet new friends. As a result of one such outing, I struck up good friendship with Satwant and her husband Saggu. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that our backgrounds were similar and that gave us the opportunity to

pass innumerable hours talking of our cherished past.

Cooking sessions are great ice breakers. Experimenting with cooking multiethnic dishes are great fun and resulted in my striking

up friendship with other group members.

Dancing helps me to maintain health as well as enable me to know about other people’s culture. Even if someone is feeling under the weather, the laughs we have

trying out different steps helps in lifting up our spirits and we all go home happy!

Chair exercise helps me to keep all my organs functioning. Before joining the group, the only

exercise I did was walk but now, I am encouraged to exercise with others which help to keep me active.

“Participating in seniors group activities lifts up my spirits and makes me happy” – Verene Blenman

My involvement in the group has helped me to deal with my boredom and given me something to look

forward to in life.

Recently, my doctor commented that I was doing better than she expected and that was mainly due to my coming to OCISO and being

part of the group. Safia and Basia have been understanding and accept the fact that we all have distinctive characteristics and encourage us to share our views in a mutually respectful way.

SAGGU I found new companions and friends. There’s exercise, yoga and activities for health, and cooking classes, which are very good for enjoying different types of food. All activities help me to meet different people.

Safia also tried to help me with computers, by finding me a tutor.

Healthy Kitchen

Christmas Celebration 2009

Christmas Celebration 2009

Singing Christmas Carol

Alzheimer Presentation

Alzheimer Presentation

Indoor Games

Chow Qigong Exercise

Chow Qigong Exercise

Dance Classes

Dance Classes

Dance Classes

Dance Classes

Hussain Mir’s reflection about the Seniors’ Program

Social Gathering in Bayshore

Social Gathering in Bayshore

Multicultural Senior’s Talent Show

Paintings by Urmila and Malbo

Nimila Gautima

Potluck Lunch

Potluck Lunch

Painting Class

Painting Classs

Painting Classes

Visit : Museum Of Civilization

Visit : Museum Of Civilization

Once Upon a Time We Were Camel Riders

Visit : Museum Of Civilization

Visit : Art Gallery (Art Exhibition)

Visit : Art Gallery (Art Exhibition)

Field Trip: Perth (Painting workshop)

Supporting Each Other)

Field Trip: Perth (Painting workshop)

Field Trip: Perth (Painting workshop)

Field Trip: Perth (Painting workshop)

Field Trip: Perth (Painting workshop)

Excursion : Saunders Farm

Excursion : Saunders Farm

Excursion : Saunders

Farm

Excursion : Saunders Farm

Volunteers

Bushra and Josephine

Volunteers

Odile

Volunteers

Volunteers

Computer Lessons One to One Class

Diwali Celebrations with Punjabi Seniors 2009(Kanata Seniors Centre)

Diwali Celebrations with Punjabi Seniors 2009(Kanata Seniors Centre)

Diwali Celebrations with Punjabi Seniors 2010(Kanata Seniors Centre)

Diwali Celebrations with Punjabi Seniors 2010(Kanata Seniors Centre)

Punjabi Seniors – Playing Cards (Kanata Seniors Centre)

Punjabi Seniors Laughter

Yoga (Kanata Seniors Centre)

Punjabi Community Seniors Busy in Clothing Packing for Pakistan Flood

Victims 2010

Punjabi Community Seniors Busy in Clothing Packing for Pakistan Flood

Victims

Yoga (Barrhaven Group)

Yoga(Barrhaven Group