Annual Report 2018-2019 – Community Health

The CSCE is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and helping people achieve better health by preventing injuries and chronic diseases. The community health team is actively involved in the community by participating in various existing activities and developing new initiatives.

Learn more about the CSCE’s community health sector

Over $115,000 Raised

On July 14, 2018, the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) held its 15th annual golf tournament at the Heritage Golf Club in Lancaster. For its latest edition, the SDG OPP Golf Tournament, organized in partnership with the Caisse populaire de la Vallée (major sponsor), the CSCE, the Centre culturel Les trois p’tits points, the Équipe psycho-sociale and the Club Richelieu d’Alexandria, welcomed over 135 golfers.

This year, thanks to the support of a large number of companies, sponsors, participants and volunteers as well as a very generous anonymous donation of $100,000, over $115,000 was raised. All proceeds from the golf tournament are donated to youth programs in the Glengarry area, with a focus on mental health.

Get Moving, for Better Balance!

Did you know that the CSCE has been organizing exercise groups for more than 20 years? The group for people aged 55 and over, called “Get moving, for better balance”, is designed to keep participants active, improve their strength and balance, and help them socialize. In 2018-2019, this free program, delivered by our health promoters and specially trained volunteers, took place in 15 communities in Eastern Ontario, with a total of over 500 participants in 30 weekly groups.

These groups help break down isolation and improve the physical condition of its participants. This helps with fall prevention and fosters better health. It also has a definite impact on reducing health system costs, as individuals experience fewer hospital visits.

In addition, the space used for these groups is provided free of charge by community partners. A recruitment initiative is currently underway to find more volunteers to offer the program in an effort to make it more accessible and reduce program costs.

Consult the CSCE Web Calendar to find the group nearest you

20 Years of Drug Prevention

Every spring for the past 20 years, grade 6 students from across the counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry, Akwesasne, and Prescott-Russell have gathered for Racing Against Drugs, of which the CSCE is a proud partner.

This bilingual community-based drug and alcohol awareness program uses motor racing to capture the attention of young people and demonstrate the benefits of a healthy, drug-free life. Every year, about 2,000 young individuals from our area participate in the event.

Power Off and Play!

“Power Off and Play!” was the 4th and final theme of the three-year Healthy Kids Community Challenge (HKCC) Initiative. In May 2018, young students from schools throughout the Healthy Kids municipalities were able to reduce their screen time through innovative strategies like the following: a week without screen time, journaling, creating posters and videos, etc.

The challenge encouraged students and teachers alike to come up with ideas (such as physical activities) to reduce screen time, become aware of their responsibility as cybercitizens and use screens correctly in a communication or educational setting. The organizing committee will remain active in these communities by continuing to raise awareness among young people about the following themes “Run. Jump. Play. Every day.”, “Water Does Wonders”, ”Choose to Boost Veggies and Fruit” and “Power Off and Play!”.

Community Health and Wellbeing Week

Community Health and Wellbeing Week was held from October 22 to 28, 2018. This year’s theme was “Building Healthier Communities Together”. As part of this week, the CSCE organized several free activities, including a movie night at the Cornwall Public Library, thematic exercise workshops and a coffee chat with community members. During this last activity, we heard the testimony of Ms. Gisèle Villeneuve, a client at the CSCE, who expressed the positive impact that clinical and community services have had in her life.

View her testimony (French)

Intergenerational Activities

This year, the CSCE’s health promoters and community health workers organized intergenerational activities that were very successful. These activities have a big impact on the community, as they provide great opportunities for elderly people and youth to share their time with one another.

For example, in June 2018, a speed-dating activity was held between grade 6 students from the École élémentaire catholique Marie-Tanguay in Cornwall and the elderly participants from our exercise groups. The students prepared questions for the seniors, who switched stations every three minutes. Both generations took the opportunity to broaden their horizons, discuss and have fun together.

The Green Food Box

The Green Food Box Program is a non-profit initiative that brings community members together and allows them to buy quality fruits and vegetables at wholesale prices every month. The green box usually contains staple foods like lettuce, potatoes, carrots and apples, and some seasonal favourites, such as oranges, kiwi, cucumbers and squash.

The CSCE is an active partner responsible for several aspects of the program like order taking, food purchasing, packaging and box distribution. To accomplish this, several volunteers assist the community health team.