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Heart Niagara's Healthy Heart Schools' Program is... Good for students - Focusing on the development of physical and health literacy enabling students to thrive in an ever-changing world, making good decisions for their personal health and wellbeing. Good for education - Bringing schools and communities together in support of a common goal addresses social, physical, and developmental aspects of learning. Good for communities- Strengthening the role of schools as a hub for healthy active living by engaging public health, sport, recreation, parents to get involved. Strengthening connections to impact student health and learning Good for the health of Ontario - Addressing the emerging health agenda; healthy eating, physical activity, community preparedness, and positive choice in an integrated holistic way. For a list of publications, see our website the LinkedIn profile of Karen Stearne, executive director of HNI: http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/karen-stearne/7/174/a60

Therapeutic Riding is a unique therapeutic activity that provides benefit to people with various disabilities. These can include physical, mental, emotional and even learning disabilities. Therapeutic riding is not new. There are records dating back to ancient Greece describing horses being used in the rehabilitation of injured soldiers. The potential of therapeutic riding was brought to public attention in the 1940's when Liz Hartel, a polio survivor, won an Olympic medal in dressage. Many riders experience a connection to the horse that few activities can create. For riders who cannot walk, the horse is their feet, their vehicle of transport. Riding can help raise self esteem, it can also help participants in acquiring essential skills necessary for development and personal growth. Therapeutic Riding improves balance, strength and coordination, and creates trust and friendship between rider and horse.

Serving the communities of Abbotsford and Mission for over 25 years, IMPACT is a program that provides services to youth (under age 25) and their families and other supports who have been directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and drug use, abuse and addiction. We work within the schools, in the community and at our facility in Abbotsford. We offer activity programs for youth, individual counselling, family counselling, workshops, groups and special programs for parents, community members, and educators. We believe that the best resource that youth can have to help them grow and move forward in life is a strong connection with responsible and non-judgemental peers and adult allies who have their best interests in mind. All of our services aim to help youth identify their values and goals and then to empower them with skills and support that will help them to live in better harmony with their values and to pursue their goals.

Since 1974, North York Seniors Centre (NYSC) is dedicated to providing support services and social/recreational programming to facilitate the health and well being of seniors living in their homes in our diverse community. Services such as personal care and light housekeeping keep clients safe and secure in their homes; friendly visiting and transportation assist clients to remain connected to the community while alleviating isolation that may occur due to accessibility issues; day programs support clients who are physically frail or are cognitively impaired with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease to participate in social activities based on their ability and provides their caregivers much needed respite from the duties of providing care; and 70 plus social-recreational programs and services provide drop-in activities for active seniors from our diverse community. Provision of these programs and services is pivotal through our vibrant Team of dedicated volunteers and employees.

We offer: - Family caregiver support groups and coffee breaks facilitated by trained volunteers - Educational workshops - Bi-monthly newsletter and monthly e-newsletter - Resource lending library of books, DVD's, videos and various handouts for pick up, mail out or emailing - Online resources posted on our website - 1 on 1 help navigating the system and links to other resources and supports - Resource Guide for Family Caregivers - Caregiver Wellness Booklet- a personal wellness journal - Medical Information Package - Educational Activities to Support Family Caregivers: Facilitator's Manual - Volunteer Ambassador Program: experienced family caregivers speak with community groups and organizations - Seminars for healthcare provider training programs and other organizations - "Lunch & Learns" for employees, human resources staff and management teams - connection with CABC (Caregiver Association of BC) and CCC (Canadian Caregiver Coalition)

The Prince George Branch of Canadian Mental Health provides services and programs which best meet the needs of individuals with mental health issues within the community. Currently, our programs include Housing, both through the provision of subsidized housing, and through housing and outreach; Life skills and outreach which assist people with the skills of daily living in order to reach independence; Education regarding mental health and mental illness, improving public understanding and attitudes about mental health; vocational rehabilitation, peer support, the bounce back program, Connections clubhouse,Mental Health & Police Project, Second Chance Thrift Store, Mental Health First Aid Education, the Senior's Life Skills Program, and Expanding Employment. All programs aim to benefit clients in the areas of community integration, achieving independence and maintaining personal health to the highest possible deegee.

Scleroderma, also called Systemic Sclerosis, is a rare chronic autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. Symptoms may be visible, as when the skin is affected, or invisible (when only internal organs are involved) or a combination of both. Characterized by unusual fibrotic processes resulting from increased production and deposits of collagen in the skin, the name Scleroderma derives from the Greek skleros (hard) and derma (skin). First reported in the mid-1700's, it remains difficult to diagnose. There is no known cure. Thanks to recent strides in research, more options now exist in many areas of symptom management. Symptoms of scleroderma may include one or more of the following: Raynaud's Phenomenon(abnormal sensitivity to cold) Swelling of the hands and/or feet Pain and stiffness in the joints Thickening of the skin, joint contractures Digestive system and gastro-intestinal tract problems Oral, facial, and dental problems Kidney, heart, and lung dysfunction

Alternatives is a community-based mental health agency located in the East End of Toronto. We provide one-to-one client counselling, case management and community supports to individuals who have significant mental health challenges. We value the knowledge and strengths of the individuals who use our services and are committed to giving choice and flexibility to the individuals we serve. We provide individual community support and counselling, groups, advocacy, linkages to other services, information and referrals. We are recovery-oriented in that we focus on self-determination, support / connection, and self-advocacy and hope as part of a journey towards improved well being. Alternatives serves the East York Community. This includes the Thorncliffe community. Self referrals are strongly encouraged and welcome. Languages served: Urdu/Hindi, Gujarati, Farsi/Dari. We are funded by the Toronto Local Health Integration Network.

OPAL Family Services provides respite and support along with 9 core programs to over 160 families in the Fredericton and surrounding area who have dependants with intellectual disabilities. The programs include respite and support through our volunteer and private worker services in our apartment. In partnership with the UNB Nursing Program, St. Thomas Best Buddies Program and Compu-College Child and Youth Care Worker Program, OPAL is also able to provide our families with extra support, expertise and education within their own home for free. We also provide a Summer Recreation Program, for the children, a Weekly Social Group Program for the young adults and a Seniors Network program for our more mature members. The parents also receive Family networking activities to socialize and connect with other parents. OPAL has been in operation for over 26 years and last year provided local families with over 50,000 hours of support and care.

The Eldercare Foundation directly supports Aberdeen, Mt. Tolmie, Glengarry, Priory, Heritage Woods and Oak Bay Lodge. There are over 700 residents who call one of these care facilities 'home'. The Foundation also supports community programs for seniors such as Adult Day Programs, Community Bathing Programs, the Piercy Respite Hotel and the Yakimovich Wellness Centre which provides free education to seniors and their families to help them navigate the journey of aging. Through our Education Endowment Program, we provide funding to help professional caregivers upgrade their skills and knowledge to better care for our valued elders. Through our Embrace Aging initiative, we are reaching further into the community to promote and inspire positive aging and raise awareness about the many resources, educational opportunities and activities available to seniors and their family caregivers to help them Be Well; Be Secure; Be Connected and Be Enriched ~ our four pillars of positive aging.

Founded in 1985, AboutFace promotes and enhances mental and emotional well-being of individuals with facial differences and their families through peer and social support, information, educational and experiential programs, and public awareness. We serve children, adults and families affected by facial differences both congenital and acquired; health care, social service, and dental professionals; and educators across Canada and around the world. We invite you to join our community of support! Key AboutFace Programs and Services Include: -Newborn CARES Program - Facing It Together -Camp Trailblazers for Youth ages 10 to 18 -Adult and Parent Monthly Support Telephone Workshop Series -Peer Support, Networking & Connections -Adult Retreat for affected individuals 24 years old and older -Elementary School Programs to help educators teach about differences, acceptance with openness and respect -Leadership & Life Skills Retreat for young adults ages 19 to 24

Our 22,000 sq. ft. community palliative care facility offers 24-hour care delivered by certified and licensed healthcare professionals and trained volunteers. 10 private home-like bedrooms and bathrooms for end-of-life palliative care, 24-hour physician coverage and nursing care with expert pain and symptom management, 4 family bedrooms, living rooms, TV room, dining room, kitchen, warm fireplaces, communication room, etc; a playroom for children, a chapel for spiritual reflection and outdoor garden to connect with nature. Our facility exceeds the Canadian Standards for Residential Hospice care. Our annual budget is $1.6M+. Government provides 45% of the annual funding needed to deliver care. The remainder must come from the community. We all want to make a difference - to help friends in need. Your investment in the work of Hospice Greater Saint John will help people when they need it the most – many of whom may be your friends, neighbours and loved ones. Thank you!