A Visit to a Family Resource Centre

Family Resource Centres have received a lot of mention during the needs assessment process.  Throughout the region, people see them as one of our greatest strengths.  The Discovery Zone has two Family Resource Centres:  The Vista Family Resource Centre and The Neighbourhood of Friends.

We have invited representatives from both organizations to speak with us about the health needs of the area.  Last week, we met with the Neighbourhood of Friends.  During our session, they spoke a lot about the challenges throughout the region, particularly in terms of the increasingly wide gulf between the rich and the poor.  They talked about how difficult it is for families to eat healthy foods on fixed incomes and they spoke about the challenges trying to access certain services due to a number of reasons, from wait lists to knowing what services are available to literacy challenges.

Speaking with the Youth Protocol Committee

The Discovery Zone has a Youth Protocol Committee.  Membership comes from the Community Youth Networks, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Service Canada, Eastern Health, Eastern School District, Discovery Regional Development Board, Ability Employment Corporation, Eastern Regional Committee Against Violence and the Random North Development Corporation among others. The committee's mandate is to: 

Work collaboratively as federal, provincial and local stakeholders to develop a process for addressing employment challenges faced by youth in Newfoundland and Labrador.  We strive to: • Create opportunities for youth to define and develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to participate in the labour market; • Increase work opportunities for youth; • Help youth respond to the changing nature of work; • Address cultural and social barriers in order to facilitate youth employment.

During the focus group session, one of the comments made was the importance of integrating youth in things around the community.  We need to get to the point where their involvement is asked for and encouraged.  What you have a community event, do you make a special effort to include youth in the process and the event? 

Happy Volunteer Week!

The week of April 18 is Volunteer Week in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Volunteers are everywhere in our communities.  Our needs assessment relies on our Advisory Committee members who serve as volunteers.  The people who participate in focus group sessions, key informant interviews and telephone surveys volunteer their time and opinions.

As we talk with people about the needs assessment, the word volunteer comes up a lot.  On the positive side, people acknowledge and are very grateful for the support of volunteers who play such an important role in our communities.  On the negative side, people express concern that the same people seem to volunteer for the same things.  As they age, they wonder who will take their place.

The next time you go to a community event, take the time to acknowledge a volunteer - they deserve your thanks!

Speaking with the Bonavista Area Primary Health Care Advisory Committee

Several years ago, a primary health care initiative was established in the Bonavista area.  As part of that initiative, an advisory committee was established.  The committee us made up of people who live on the Bonavista Peninsula from the Barbour Bridge to Bonavista.  Because of their involvement in health issues in the area, we held a focus group session with this group.

This group is very in tune with the determinants of health and have organized a number of events that bring people of different generations together to focus on creating a healthy community.

Talking with Staff

Throughout the needs assessment process, we also invite staff to participate in the process.  In Bonavista last week, we invited staff to take part in a focus group to get their opinions about the health of their communities.  Staff are not only active participants in their communities, they also see the health needs from their clients/patients/residents' perspective.  They are invaluable sources of information!

In the Bonavista Area

Yesterday's focus groups in Bonavista and Port Union went well.  We had sessions with health providers, the Bonavista Area Primary Health Care Advisory Committee and community partners. 

During the community partners session, in particular, I was struck by how much people appreciated the opportunity to have a say into the health needs of their communities and how much they value the importance of working together to improve the health of communities.  It was a very snowy night and it was great to see that people made the effort to have their say and to participate in the process.

On the Road...To Bonavista

Off to Bonavista for three focus group sessions today. 

Bonavista has a tremendous history and it's one that they have managed to protect and it's also one that seems to be paying major dividends.  Bonavista is probably one of the most visited towns in the province.  Starting with its discovery by John Cabot in 1497, Bonavista's close access to the rich fishing and sealing grounds to the north of the peninsula made it the home to the Spanish, Portuguese, French and English during the 1500s. In the most recent past, with the challenges in the fishery, the town has suffered from declining population and high unemployment rates.  Many people see the tourism sector as a way to help address this situation.

Today, we'll learn what some people think of the health of their communities.