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115 The Esplanade, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1Y7

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:  info@olderwomensnetwork.org

 

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Items of Interest OWN Volunteers Reading Room Friendship Link Book Discussion Groups Stitches Writers

EVENTS:

All of 2008 will be given over to celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ontario Older Women's Network. Click here for more information, and watch this space for future events. 

May
Walls of Sorrow, Walls of Hope - Building community through art in war-affected countries.  
At the Ontario Institute of Education, 252 Bloor St. W.  Tickets at the door.  A suggested donation of $10 - $20 is requested to support of Claudia Bernardi's work in El Salvador and Guatemala. Claudia is an artist and vocal activist against social injustice.


May 1 - 16
Silver Screens Arts Festival - Aging Creatively, Creativity in Aging. A two-week showcase of the arts which will mirror the world of older adults by showing the positive, contributing, and creative side of aging today through film, art, music, photography, writing, performances, and lectures.  Presented by the Ryerson University: The Chang School.  For more information call 416-979-5103, or check the Ryerson website www.ryerson.ca/ce/silverscreens .

May 11 - Mother's Day
Inter Pares is a Canadian organization working with women internationally to promote peace and justice.  At their website www.takebacktheday.ca you will find the suggestion that Mother's Day be a celebration of women's activism in promoting the goals of equality and inclusion.  Here's to that!

May 30, 4:30pm to 8:30pm
OWN members are invited to a dinner to celebrate 20 memorable years. Enjoy an evening, meet old and new friends, and feel proud to be a member of your network. We will be honouring past Chairs, 10 and 20 year OWN members, guests, hosting speakers, and more.
Date: Friday May 30 
Time:  5:00pm - cash bar, 6:00pm - dinner
Place:  Hot House Restaurant, 35 Church Street (northeast corner).  Parking at King/Church or subway. Wheelchair accessible.
Cost:  Members - $10.00 (at door)
          Non-members - $26.00
RSVP by May 20th, 416-214-1518

June 6, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
The OWN Annual General Meeting will be held on June 6, from 1:30pm - 3:30pm, at the OWN Housing Co-op on 115 The Esplanade. Information packages including nomination forms will shortly be received by all OWN members in good standing.

June 12, 6pm
Barbra Schlifer Community Clinic 14th Annual Tribute Fundraiser, Wednesday, June 12, 2008, at the C Lounge, 456 Wellington St. W., in Toronto. You are invited to an evening of fun, good company, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary cocktail, prizes, live and silent auctions. 
Doors open at 6 p.m.  Tickets:  $50.  Info:  www.schliferclinic.com

Seniors Advocacy and Awareness Network – SAAN.  Mandate:  help for abused older adults.  
A Seniors Fair -  Thursday, June 12, 2008  at the accessible Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena, Owen Sound, Ontario.  
Displays and informative sessions:  credit counselling; communication skills; wellness; fitness; managing medications; wills.  
Admission is free, but reservations are recommended.  Email unitedwayinfo@bmts.com 

June 16 - 17
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - this year in Ottawa June 16 and 17.  The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and its partners invite you to join us this June in Ottawa, Canada, for a 2-day conference focused on learning and understanding about elder abuse and the importance of the UN 1991 Principles for Older Persons.  More information at www.inpea.net 


ITEMS OF INTEREST: 

IMPORTANT STUDY
The Ontario Coalition of Seniors Organizations and Care Watch are conducting a survey of people who are looking after aging parents.  The survey targets working caregivers to elicit their perception of what they need to help their loved ones maintain the highest possible quality of life.  Please take a moment to fill out the form if applicable to your situation or forward it to those you know would be interested.  It is available by a link on the OCSCO web page at www.ocsco.ca  Also if you know of anyone who may wish to link to the survey on their web page or any group interested in participating in a focus group, please let me know.
Lisa Hems, Program Coordinator, OCSCO  416-785-0779

Sunshine Centres for Seniors offers year-round programs providing recreation, socialization, and health promotion for seniors across Toronto.  Described as a place to meet new friends and become part of a supportive community, a day of activities might include exercises, singalongs, euchre, bridge, speakers, special events, refreshments.  There is a cost of $2, $3, or $5 per day.  There is also a summer day camp at Ward's Island.  In Toronto the location is 117 Bloor St. East.  Information:  416-924-3979 or www.sunshinecentres.com .

Peterborough Women's Hour
. A woman's place is by her radio! Trent Radio 92.7 FM, live every Saturday at 2pm.  A joint project of the Trent Women's Centre and Peterborough's Older Women's Network, bringing you news, events, and issues affecting women in our community.  Join us each week for interviews, music, and lively discussions.  Listen online at www.trentradio.ca, contact us at info@trentwomenscentre.ca or 742-7195 for more information or show ideas.

4 INTERESTING WEBLINKS TO CHECK OUT
1. OWN has recently become a member of the Common Front for Retirement Security (CFRS).  CFRS will advocate for better governance of pensions, investments and retirement savings and promotes a wide range of legislation to improve the security and integrity surrounding these tools for planning and managing our resources.  The organization cites a range of legislation to achieve improvements in banking, pension issues, protection for whistleblowers.
Contact: dan.braniff@sympatico.ca 
2.
ACORN - The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now; a democratic, multicultural, grassroots organization, member-owned and member-run, www.canada.acorn.org 
3.
What Older Women Want is a study from interviews of 5000 older women across Canada regarding their health needs, which they felt were not being met or addressed by their health care providers.  Some interesting findings:  www.wowhealth.ca 
4. Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
, website www.tdrc.net, email: tdrc@drc.net 

Maquila Solidarity Network
is a labour and women's rights organization promoting solidarity with grass roots groups in Mexico, Central America, and Asia where many items sold in North America are made.  OWN supports the Maquila Solidarity Network and they now have an informative newsletter available at www.en.maquilasolidarity.org/en/contact .

Cathy Crowe
is on a tour promoting her new book Dying for a Home - Homeless Activists Speak Out.  For location and dates see: www.tdrc.net/tour_dates.htm  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

VOLUNTEERING 

OWN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
OWN would like to find volunteers who can provide some training to members in the maintenance of our database.  There are members ready to do this important work but who need some help in getting started.  It would mean a commitment of three two-hour sessions at the OWN office. Please email barbaragreer26@rogers.com if you are interested in helping us.

The Communications Committee of OWN would welcome members interested in assisting in the work of producing CONTACT, maintaining the website and developing new ways of communicating our message as broadly as possible.  The work does not require previous experience, it is based on language skills, meeting deadlines and being accurate.  We meet once a month at a minimum and we enjoy ourselves too.

The TELL TREE needs more people to work the phones, as they say.  This is ideal for someone who prefers to work at home and has the time to make 5 or 6 calls a month.  It is a very important aspect of OWN's mandate, as it is a way of keeping in touch with members and reducing isolation.  Call the office at 416-214-1518 and leave a message for Joanna Wilson.


Volunteers needed by the ONTARIO HEALTH COALITION
The Coalition, which has offices in Toronto, is sponsoring a "Protect Rural and Small Hospital Tour" in the following towns: Haliburton, Alexandria, Napanee, Hawkesbury, Picton, Renfrew, Kirkland Lake, Iroquois Falls, Cochrane, Nipigon, and Marathon.  Volunteers are needed to help with basic office work - any amount of time would help.  Call 416-441-2502.

NEW PUBLICATION
See www.statcan.ca/english for a new publication on Seniors.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
For older women, at Ryerson University, Toronto, see www.seniorcentre.ca for more information.


PLAN OF ACTION ON AGING
The Review Process of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging can be found at http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/secondworld02.html. This is a site established by the United Nations Non-governmental Liaison Service.

GRANDPARENTS CARING FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Grandparents, extended family members and community members who care for children in need of protection may now be eligible for financial support and services as part of new reforms to Ontario's child well-being and protection system.  Information:  416-325-5666, or 1-888-789-4199.

OLDER WORKERS
The Federal Government has announced the appointment of an expert panel to study labour market conditions that affect older workers.  Information: lorne.coe@ontario.ca 

PEACE TAX RETURN
You can make a declaration of objections to military taxes to attach to your income tax return.  Information: consciencecanada@shaw.ca 

WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN
The White Ribbon symbolizes a man's pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women.  
Email:  info@whiteribbon.ca 

SURVEY
The National Council of Welfare has launched a Canada-wide survey to find out what Canadians think about the solution to poverty and insecurity.  Anyone can participate, individuals and organizations, fill out the questionnaire online, go to www.ncwcnbes.net, the survey ends in mid-December and the results will be made public.  This is a great opportunity to ensure the survey reflects women's diverse experiences.

MEMBERS ALERT:

Members are reminded to advise the office of changes of address, phone numbers, email addresses.

FRIENDLY TO SENIORS
The Toronto Seniors Council has developed a program to assist neighbourhoods and businesses to become seniors' friendly.  This is done by assessing an office, department or store for accessibility and capacity to meet seniors' needs.  An Action Plan with practical suggestions of adaptations/improvements is provided for $100.

Certification of a facility is conferred for no extra charge and is good for 2 years after which re-certification is required.

Qualified senior volunteers can offer employee workshops on the challenges and benefits of providing better service delivery to the growing seniors populations.  Cost $50 per employee.

OWN members may have opportunities to suggest this service to community places they know and use.  One OWN member would love to see coat-checking available on all or alternative floors of department stores -- that winter coat becomes unbearable after a while.

For more information call 416-351-0095 ext. 215, or at www.friendlytoseniors.ca.


Alfreda Mordas Reading Room

The Alfreda Mordas Reading Room is open in the OWN office on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The aim of the Reading Room is to highlight the the literary contributions of midlife and older women.  Donated books in these categories would be welcome:  feminist fiction and non-fiction on midlife and older women; self-help and self-affirmation for midlife and older women; up to date information on managing finances, pensions, finding employment; health in all its aspects.

The Reading Room Committee has established some rules for its use and they are posted in the Room.  Please observe the system for signing out books.  A  limit of 2 books can borrowed by OWN members only. 

Reading Room Event
If you enjoyed Heather Mallick's talk and reading from her latest book, Cake or Death, you may email her at mrsramsay4@sympatico.ca .  She welcomes feedback and conversation.

Volunteers for the Reading Room -
OWN members interested in being part of the Alfreda Mordas Reading Room Committee are welcome.  An interest in, and familiarity with Canadian mid-life and older women writers is the most important aspect of this work.  A volunteer is needed for Fridays to help keep the collections up to date.  Call the OWN office 416-214-1518 and leave a message for Victoria.
Please contact the OWN office - Margaret Hawthorn and Erin Harris at 416-214-1518


FEMINIST BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS


Our groups at libraries across the city are an interesting way to interact with others in a stimulating environment.
Click on the link above for more information. 
These are your contacts:

Northern District Branch - Adrienne Taylor 416-481-2356

   3rd Wednesday of the month,  2 - 4 pm, 40 Orchard View, Room 224A
North York Central –
Mary Hynes 416-441-3310
  
1st Sunday of the month, 1:45pm, 5120 Yonge St. 
OWN Co-op – Leslie Lawlor 416-363-9219
  
2nd Tuesday of the month, 2 - 4 pm, OWN Co-op Building, 115 The Esplanade


  INTEREST GROUPS


The Friendship Link is a congenial group of women of varying ages and from varying walks of life.  Single, married, divorced or widowed, our mission is to enjoy the many social and educational activities Toronto has to offer, while developing support and  friendships around mutual interests. Any outing that's inexpensive (or free) and easily reached by public transit may become a Friendship Link activity.  We go to plays, movies, lectures, festivals, galleries, lunches, and music and dance performances together - or simply meet for coffee and conversation. 

We try to schedule at least four activities a month, most of which take place during the day.  One Saturday afternoon each month we have a general meeting at 115 The Esplanade, sometimes with a speaker or other entertainment.

If you're curious to see what we're like, just contact Susan Mansfield Jones at the OWN office (416-214-1518) and tell them you want to attend one of our monthly social meetings.  You'll be welcome! Friendship Link is co-sponsored by the OWN Housing Co-op and the Older Women's Network.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
 

Stitches 
The person to contact is Molly Frannklin, call the OWN office at 416-214-1518.  Any woman who enjoys handiwork would be welcome to share skills and friendship.  The group is embarking on a new project - Sushimi, a variety of embroidery.  Members will work on 12-inch blocks for a quilt which will be sold or raffled with the proceeds going to OWN.  Our meetings are approximately every 6 weeks.  

      

Writers Group – for information call the OWN office at 416-214-1518


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