Woodbridge, ON – Sep. 19, 2006: 
Integrating Communities, an outreach program for the South Asian Seniors in Vaughan

Partnership launch between Community Home Assistance To Seniors (CHATS) and Human Endeavour to start an outreach program called “Integrating Communities” for the South Asian Seniors in Vaughan.

CHATS and Human Endeavour, two leading not-for-profit, community service organizations announced the official launch of their partnership on September 19th, 2006. These organizations have the experience of working for the seniors and improving their quality of life. Based on their combined passion to serve and enhance the health and wellness of York Region seniors CHATS and Human Endeavour have partnered to provide a seniors outreach program for the South Asian seniors in Vaughan.

This partnership is funded by the United Way of York Region and addresses the needs of immigrants and new comers to help them integrate into the mainstream society. The partnership is an exciting and distinctive opportunity to combine the best practices of the two organizations. Service is leveraged at both a grassroots community level, and at a mainstream organizational level. Working together, CHATS and Human Endeavour will operate the program: CHATS will work at an administration level behind the scenes, while Human Endeavour will carry out the hands-on programming.
 “This partnership allows us to more effectively address issues of South Asian seniors, such as language skills, understanding and assimilating to the Canadian culture, and social isolation – ultimately making them independent and active,” explains Noor Din, Executive Director of Human Endeavour.  “By partnering with CHATS, we are able to provide additional services to our seniors.”

Program activities will include health and wellness presentations, community information presentations, English conversation exercises, low-impact exercise, outings, socialization, games, poetry readings, music, sewing, crafts, translation services, nutritious meals and snacks, and transportation to the program if needed.

This event was attended by the Mayor of Vaughan Michael Di Biase, Regional Councillor Mario Ferri, Deborah Egan CEO of CHATS, Diane Kokesh Director of Community Resources of United Way of York Region, their staff and other guests. More than 55 South Asian senior community members were also present. Apart from the officials two seniors also spoke briefly about their experience with Human Endeavour and the benefits they have gained. After the speeches the “Integrating Communities” poster was unveiled by a senior member of the group. She also presented the guests of United Way and CHATS with Bangles: a traditional gift of South Asian community.

After this some seniors presented a demonstration of cultural dances from Punjab and Gujrat. There were also stalls of cultural displays by the Muslim, Gujrati, Punjabi and Tamil groups. In the end traditional South Asian refreshments were served.

This senior out reach program will be operated at the Vellore Woods Community Center. For more information, please call CHATS at 905-713-6596 or 1-877-452-4287 or call Human Endeavour at 416-726-3252.

From Right to Left:                                                      Left to Right: Deborah Egan, Sheri Fiegehen, CHATS
Mayor of Vaughan, Michael Di Biase                               Diane Kokesh UWYR
Seniors, Deborah Egan CEO, CHATS
Regional Councillor Mario Ferri 

Folk dance by Seniors from Indian community                 Cultural stall by Seniors from Muslim community