From Brampton To China 2

Home Support Exercise Program

2

Did You Know? 2

Upcoming IRCS Events 3

Remembrance Day 3

H1N1 Facts & Prevention Tips 3

LINC Classes For 4

Evening Classes in Mississauga 4

Healthy Recipe 4

Members Corner 4

India Rainbow Community Services of Peel 3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 206, Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 www.indiarainbow.org Telephone: 905-275-2369 Facsimile: 905-275-6799 E-mail: ircs@indiarainbow.org

Issue 4 - 2009

Rainbow Connection

Inside this issue:

PAGE 1

Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting

A United Way Funded Agency

Dear friends and community partners,

As we come to the end of the year, and look forward to the dawn of a new year, I reflect on the times gone by. It only seemed yesterday that we were housed in a one-room office to coordinate a drop in program for isolated and lonely seniors – almost 25 years ago. From a small budget of $16,000, we have grown into a multi-service agency operating from five sites in the region of Peel.

Before getting too nostalgic, I would like to share some of our accomplishments:

The year 2009 has been very rewarding and fulfilling in more than one way for the board and staff of India Rainbow. We started the Adult Day Program in Brampton at a brand new site at 245 Queen Street East. Responding to the ever increasing needs of the ageing population, offering the Day Program for South Asian seniors in Brampton was a natural expansion of our services. We moved our Brampton LINC program to much larger premises at 21 Regan Road. This resulted in two additional classes being offered in the evenings, as well as other services at the site. A Senior’s LINC class is also being offered at the Queen Street location. We have also introduced two evening classes at our Mississauga site, once again responding to the community’s needs.

We are into Year Three of our Strategic Plan and with guidance from our Board of Directors, we are working towards meeting our goals. Board governance, staff training and professional development, enhanced services, as well as networking and representing the organization in various committees has surely kept us extremely busy.

I join our Board to take this opportunity to welcome all new members who have joined the organization in the last few months. To all our funders, volunteers, clients and staff, I would like to say a big THANK YOU for being partners in our success.

As we move ahead to the year 2010, we enter into our 25th year. I would like to invite you all to share your fondest thoughts and any special moments that may be etched in your memories. We would like to hear from you – whether you are a former client, Board member, staff, networking partner or have in any way been associated with India Rainbow in the last 25 years. Let’s start revisiting the good old days, so we can all celebrate our 25th Anniversary with fond memories and renewed hope. Please join us for the exciting journey ahead as we celebrate our Silver Jubilee next year.

Wish you all the joys of the festive season!

Kitty Chadda

Executive Director

Home Support Exercise Program for Seniors

RAINBOW CONNECTION

PAGE 2

Tips to stay healthy this winter

• Keep your hands clean: Wash your hands regularly. Washing hands thoroughly can kill flu or stomach viruses that have gotten on to your hands.

• Eat well: Make sure that your vitamin intake has plenty of vitamin C to help fight colds and infections.

• Vaccination: If you are over 65 or have a long term health condition, check with your family doctor if flu vaccination is suitable.

• Keep warm: Dress appropriately for the weather to maintain a warm body temperature.

• Get your eight hours: Sleep plays a part in your general health and wellbeing, so try and get a good eight hours sleep daily.

• Keep active: You may not feel like going out for exercise when it is colder, but regular exercise helps your metabolism and immune system.

• Catch it, Bin it, Kill it: Sneeze into tissues, bin the tissues safely then wash your hands as soon as possible.

India Rainbow has taken its clients and students to many field trips locally, but never to China. The Adult Day Program at 245 Queen Street in Brampton planned an imaginary trip to China for their clients. These imaginary trips are to educate and refresh seniors’ memory and create an enjoyable experience for the frail and elderly. “This type of activity is really beneficial to those who suffer from dementia,” said Kiran Rehan, program manager.

Here is how the trip unfolded. After the departure of flight 245, Air China’s engineers were hard at work to resolve a major technical problem as the plane reached 30,000 ft. in air. Captain Lek Hang later said, “This was a typical problem that was dealt many times before, nothing of major concern”. The flight carried 25 seniors to Shanghai International Airport in China. After arrival, the seniors were given a tour of China along with educational presentations by the flight attendants, (trained staff of India Rainbow). They were given information on the type of food, weather, clothing, religion, entertainment, and major attractions. Historic facts such as major battles in the different

dynasties throughout history were explained to the seniors with visual aids for better understanding.

The clients had a great time with this imaginary trip to China as they learned about its history, culture and tasted their food. “This was such a wonderful experience for us and we would like to thank the staff of India Rainbow for organizing this wonderful program for us all,” said Vimla Ahluwalia, a program participant.

India Rainbow’s Long Term Care program offers Day Programs for South Asian seniors who are frail, elderly with an underlying medical condition. If you would like to learn more about this program, or know of anyone who may need this services, please call 905-507-6099 or 905-595-1667. This program is being offered at two locations in Mississauga and one in Brampton.

From Brampton to China!

Asian lunch being served to clients

Flight 245 crusing at 30,000 feet in the air

Seniors living independently in the community could find exercise programs challenging. These challenges are often to do with limited mobility and require assistance to remain in their homes. Many are unable or unwilling to attend structured exercise programs in the community due to numerous barriers, such as; age, chronic health problems, fear of falling, safety issues and difficulty arranging transportation. To overcome these barriers, India Rainbow has plans to start a Home Support Exercise Program (HSEP) for seniors.

The Home Support Exercise Program comprises of 10 simple yet progressive exercises designed to enhance and maintain functional fitness, mobility, balance and independence of homebound seniors. Home Support Exercise Program is an evident based program and has successfully demonstrated its effectiveness, reported by the Credit Valley Hospital and other health services providing agencies.

The program promotes physical activity as an integral part of healthy aging thus resulting in the prevention of falls. It is a simple exercise program that can be instructed and monitored by volunteers, caregivers, family members and community support workers. India Rainbows’ staff are certified facilitators who can train front line workers or caregivers. Our staff will be training 30 individuals for this program by end of December 2009 to monitor this initiative.

One hundred seniors will be assessed to participate in the HSEP. Once identified as “suitable candi-date” for this project, each participant will be provided with an exercise calendar to keep track of their exercises. Progress will be monitored by a designated staff on a weekly basis for a period of three months. The project will start on January 1, 2010 and end on March 31, 2010.

ISSUE 4 - 2009

PAGE 3

The H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu), outbreak has brought about panic feelings among many people. The information provided below will help you with important resources and knowledge about the actual facts of the H1N1 virus. As with any flu strain, you can protect yourself by following the tips listed below and keep updated with your local news. H1N1 is just a flu strain and one does not need to panic.

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Facts & Prevention Tips

H1N1 Symptoms & Facts * H1N1 is a respiratory illness & mostly has same symptoms as a

standard flu * You can not get swine flu from eating pork * H1N1 like other flu variations is highly contagious * Symptoms of H1N1 include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,

headache, chills and fatigue. Also sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

* The duration of H1N1 is about 7 days * Coughing & sneezing on someone is usually the fastest way the flu

can be spread * The flu germs can also be picked up from places where someone

had sneezed such as a keyboard, telephone, door knob. Clean surfaces with alcohol or antibacterial wipes whenever possible

H1N1 Prevention * The best way to avoid the H1N1 virus is to wash your hands

thoroughly and often * Avoid being in contact with someone who may have the flu or

been exposed to the flu * Avoid large crowds if there is a breakout in your city * Avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth * Get plenty of rest * If possible try to avoid stress which can lower your immune system * Eat as healthy as possible - fresh fruits & vegetables * Drink plenty of fresh water * Take immune boosting supplements & vitamins * Before traveling check the news to see if there is a current

outbreak at your travel destination * Listen to the news, and other resources for current updates

Upcoming IRCS Events Remembrance Day at IRCS

On November 12, the LINC students in Mississauga along with Tamil seniors decided to commemorate “Remembrance Day”. The ceremony began with the singing of O Canada, followed by recitation of poetries paying tribute to those who laid down their lives in hopes that others could live in safety and peace.

May be it is pointless

To wish for lasting peace

For all mankind to lay down arms

For all fighting to cease

The mood turned somber as one student recited these verses. Yet, soon enough the air resonated with such intense and beautiful words:

You have the right to make the world beautiful

And the right to create the beauty by any means necessary

Women’s Program:

December 1: Building Healthy Relationship Skills Workshop

Raja Yoga Meditation

December 8: Raja Yoga Meditation

December 9: Building Healthy Relationship Skills

December 15: Raja Yoga Meditation

Women’s department also has on-going public education workshops that are conducted monthly in Mississauga and Brampton on various topics covering women and children. For more information please call: 905-275-2369.

Job Search Workshop (JSW):

December 8: Grooming workshop (How to dress for an interview)

Job Search Workshop at India Rainbow also does workshops on other employment related topics such as, resume writing, cover letter, employment agencies, online job search and much more. For more information please call: 905-275-1976.

Caregiver Support Group:

December 10: Dealing with difficult behavior

January 22, 2010: Seminar on stress management

February 26, 2010: Seminar on Parkinson’s disease

March 26, 2010: Yoga session

RAINBOW CONNECTION ISSUE 4 - 2009

Healthy Recipe

Newsletter Team

Visit us on our website at www.indiarainbow.org

PAGE 4

LINC Class for Seniors

Board Member - Rina Kukdé Staff - Kitty Chadda, Daksha Mulla, Deepika Bhalla, Jaideep Khangura

The newsletter, Rainbow Connection, is a periodical publication of India Rainbow Community Services of Peel. We invite readers to submit community announcements, articles of community interest and letters for possible publication.

Basic knowledge of English language is an immediate need for most new senior immigrants. There are certain communication skills that one should acquire for emergency needs. Whether it is contacting the police, firefighters, health workers, buying food, using public transportation, banking, or asking for help with daily chores and activities, one is required to communicate their needs verbally. To fulfill this need, India Rainbow has started a special LINC class for Seniors. This class is offered at our 245 Queen Street location in Brampton. This free class is held three times a week from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you need further information about this class, please call 905-459-4776 or 905-595-1667.

Welcome New Members

Sweet Potato Quesadillas

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to the following new members into the

India Rainbow family.

• Atal Panday • Ghousia Naz Mustafa

• Swaroop Mann • Shahnaz Yaqoob

• Harpreet Kaur • Kishin Motwani

• Keshav Giri • Rajni Kalia

• Dharmali Shah • Pathmini Meheswaran

• Mohit Chauhan • Harminder Dhillon

• Jillan Saldanha • Santhirasegaram Leela

• Vinayak Patel • Varguise Nibu

• Kandiah Varaprgasam • Kashmir Singh Gill

• Kanapathipilli Rajasingam • Balayogini Rumanathan

• Santhirase Keram Rasamany • Himanshu Desai

• Vijialetetchum Swanandan • Surinder Kaur Kaler

• Thilagavalthy Ganesan • Dipti Paul

• Josephine Selvaratnam • Subramaniam Seevithamby

Membership renewal reminder

Membership renewals are due first of January each year. Please renew your membership now if you have not done so already. Call the office at 905-275-2369

Evening LINC Classes in Mississauga

We have recently started offering LINC classes in the evenings at our Mississauga location. These LINC classes are offered three days a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5.30 PM to 8.30 PM. Evening classes are offered to meet the growing needs of the working class segment of the population who need to improve their communication needs, and also need to continue to work in order to provide for their families.

Childminding as well as transportation assistance is offered to those who are eligible. For more information, please call 905-273-4932.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 rib celery, diced • 1 ⁄ 4 tsp chili powder • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 jalapeño, minced • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced • 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro • 1/2 tsp each coarse salt, fresh cracked pepper, ground cumin • 4 green onions, sliced, white and green parts separated • 4 whole grain flour tortillas • 1/2 cup grated cheese

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook white parts of green onion, celery, sweet potato, beans, salt, pepper, cumin and chili

powder until onions are tender and sweet potatoes are starting to brown. Stir in red pepper and jalapeño, cook stirring often until sweet

potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining green onions and cilantro.

2. Arrange sweet potato mixture on one half of each of the tortillas. Sprinkle with grated cheese and fold tortilla in half to cover filling.

3. Grill over medium heat, on greased grill, turning once, until crisp and golden on both sides, about 5 minutes. Cut into wedges with a

serrated knife. Serve warm with fresh salsa and lime.