Fritz Pino, OISE/University of Toronto

Monica Batac, McGill University

Mary Ann San Juan, Filipino Centre Toronto

Transnational Filipinx Studies, York U

November 14, 2016

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Filipino Elderly Well-being (FEW) Project

In Memoriamcommunity researchers, volunteers, and participants

2011-2016

Agenda

Introduction

Context of Filipino Seniors in Canada

History of FEW Project

Project Revival

Current Projects

Reflections

Filipino Elderly Well-being (FEW) Project

Mary Ann San JuanToronto Seniors’ Forum Representative

Frank VillanuevaBoard of Directors, Filipino Centre Toronto

Fritz Luther Pino, Ph.D. Candidate University of Toronto

Monica Batac, Ph.D. Student McGill University

Advisor: Dr. Roland Sintos ColomaNorthern Kentucky University (formerly OISE/UT)

CORE TEAM

Context

PHILIPPINES Largest source of immigrants to Canada since 2006

FILIPINOS 4th largest visible minority group in the country

ELDERLY FILIPINOS (65+) Largest concentration is in Toronto CMA = 44% of elderly Filipino in Canada

Filipinos are the fastest growing elderly racialized minority.

(Stats Can 2011)

18, 285 38, 275 53, 950aged 55 to 64In 2011

Filipino seniors (65+) 2001

Filipino seniors (65+) 2011

Community Partner: Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT)

SURVEY250 Filipinos aged 65 and above in the GTA

INTERVIEWS20 participants (10 men and 10 women)

THEMESMigration History, Housing, Income, Food, Health, Medical and Social Services, Mobility and Social Support

Participating Organizations: Blessed John XXIII Parish (Don Mills) Brampton Filipino Seniors Club Circulo IlonggoEglinton Square Walking Club (Scarborough)Filipino Canadian AssociationFilipino Parents AssociationFirst Filipino Baptist Church TorontoKnights of Columbus - San Lorenzo Ruiz 8808Markham Federation of Filipino CanadiansMilton Filipino Seniors (Halton Multicultural Council) Silayan Filipino Volunteer Seniors of MississaugaSt. Patrick’s Parish (Toronto)Tahanan Non-Profit HomesThe Pillars Association True Davidson Acres Long-Term Care Centre

FEW Research Project (2011 – 2013)

“It is difficult to address policy, funding, medical and social services, and family issues without data. Our research will be thorough and inclusive, so that our findings can have a positive impact on the lives of our elderlies.”

– Dr. Roland Sintos Coloma

“The time has come for Filipinos to face the reality that we have an increasing greying population. So that we can properly support them, we need to ask, what are their needs? And that is where we will begin.” – Frank Villanueva

70%Of elderly Filipinos in the GTA live in poverty

11.4%National statistic

compared to

City of Toronto statistic

17 – 23 %

They have individual yearly incomes of $24,000 or less.

Factors: Deprofessionalization and de-skilling of Filipinos during pre-retirement.

Impact: Poverty is more pronounced to those who migrated to Canada from 1991 onwards. They have a median individual yearly income between $6,001 and $12,000.

Key Findings

Citations

Coloma, R. S. & Pino, F. L. (2016). “There’s hardly anything left”: Poverty and the economic insecurity of elderly Filipinos in Toronto. Canadian Ethnic Studies 48(2), 71-97.

Coloma, R.S., Pino, F.L., & Villanueva, F. (2013, April 29). “Life is really hard here”: The living conditions and needs of Filipino elderlies in the Greater Toronto Area. A Community Report with Filipino Centre Toronto. Retrieved at: http://media.wix.com/ugd/cec29b_8db4dd6f1e3a63d8dbb931a7c178e4c4.pdf

1. A task force on Filipino elderlies for policy direction, advocacy strategy, and program development.

2. Organizational capacity for Filipino seniors organization.

3. Collaboration and joint partnerships with other ethno-racial seniors.

4. Politicians with sizable Filipino constituencies need to take consistent leadership and coalition building roles to advocate for the best interests of Filipino elderlies.

5. The hiring, retention, and advancement of Filipino medical , social service, and mental health providers.

Recommendations (selected)

what happened next?

& then a (brief) halt

Revival (starting November 2015)

ABOVE: November 24/25 deputations for Toronto Seniors’ Strategy

RIGHT: Revival Meeting, January 2016

Filipino Representation on the Toronto Seniors Forum (TSF)

Photo: Philippine Reporter

Key Issues for TSF include:

• Advocacy: Provide ongoing input into the implementation of the Toronto Seniors’ Strategy.

• Outreach: Lead the formation of a network of seniors’ organizations in Toronto to collaborate on joint advocacy initiatives.

• Leadership and Operations: Develop and implement initiatives that will strengthen, renew and enhance the ability of TSF and its members to carry out its mandate.

• Policy: Develop policy positions on issues that are relevant to seniors. - including, but not limited to, those being addressed by Council and municipal committees.

Mary Ann San Juan

Attending Toronto Council on Aging’s Age Friendly Forum March 2016

Participation at Toronto Seniors’ Summit

(June 2016)

Website Developmentfilipinoseniors.ca

Funded by Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat

Focus groups to determine content

Senior volunteers for outreach

Spring 2017

Community launch of Filipinoseniors.ca

Wychwood Library Project

Meeting with Councillor Joe Mihevc

re: a dedicated space for Filipino seniors’ programs and services

Survey for Filipino Seniors in Ward 21

Led by Mary Ann San Juan

Community partner: Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Reflections

Recognizing varying needs between researchers and community

• As Social Work Ph.D. students, what does it mean to engage in research and practice?

• Short and long-term needs (policy and programs)

“Walking alongside” community members and organizations

• bridging between groups

From community members to advocates

Thank you

Fritz | fritz.pino@utoronto.ca

Monica | monica.batac@mail.mcgill.ca

Mary Ann | masj0515@gmail.com

www.filipinoseniors.ca