Programs & Services > Community and Neighbourhood Development > Building Bridges - women program
Building Bridges - women program update
Women training and workshops:
Since August 2004, Building Bridges has offered a series of workshops and training sessions for women from the Horn of Africa communities:
Women's Role in Community Capacity Building (August 2004)
This introductory workshop included:
- a presentation of the Building Bridges program and FSA Toronto’s role in the community,
- a film about the challenges faced by immigrant women,
- real-life stories of the successful integration of two women from the Sudanese and Ethiopian communities, and
- a group activity and discussion where participants identified issues of importance regarding education, employment, violence against women, civic and community participation, and some of the issues that should be addressed by the project.
Training in Community Development (September 2004 – March 2005)
This training, developed in partnership with Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre (LHCHC), included a series of sessions on community development for women from the Horn of Africa. Between September 2004 and April 2005, the participants received training about different issues such as community development, group facilitation, gender and development, anti-oppression, civic participation and community engagement, and employment. Twenty five participants graduated in a ceremony attended by the Honorable Joseph Volpe MPP on April 30, 2005 .
Women’s Day Celebration (March 2004 and 2005)
The Building Bridges Project celebrated the International Women’s Day in 2004 — in collaboration with the Sudanese Women Union in Toronto — and in 2005 — in collaboration with the Ethiopian Women’s Support Group at LHCHC. Approximately 50 participants attended each event. Also, members of the Building Bridges project participated in the rally held at OISE at University of Toronto at March 5/05.
On Violence Against Women (October 2004)
Developed in co-operation with the Working Women Community Centre, this workshop introduced the participants to facts and statistics about women abuse, types of abuse and women’s rights in Canada with a focus on Toronto. The participants also learned where to get help in case of abuse.
Education and Training Opportunities for Immigrant Women (November 2004)
This workshop mainly introduced the participants to resources available to them in the city of Toronto, how to apply for and use available opportunities.
Challenges of Parenting (March 2005)
Developed in collaboration with the Counselling Unit at FSA Toronto, this session offered the participants the opportunity to discuss about the challenges of parenting in Canada, issues of cultural difference and assertiveness, various challenges faced by children in schools and outside of their homes, and how parents deal with these issues in their daily life.
Healthy Eating (April-May 2005)
Developed in collaboration with the Public Health Toronto, this training took place between April 19, 2005 and May 24, 2005. The facilitator, Fatuma Ahmed from Public Health, provided the participants with a food guide on healthy eating, explained why some food habits are not healthy, why women from the Horn of Africa countries suffer from certain diseases (such as diabetes) and how to avoid them. She also gave some nutrition facts and tips for low-fat cooking.
Self-Esteem and Assertiveness Training (June 2005)
In collaboration with the Counselling Unit at FSA, Building Bridges organized three training sessions on self-esteem and assertiveness. The participants were given training on how to create a positive image, set goals for their lives, necessary communication skills, and how to be assertive in their families, in the community and at work.
Stress Management (July 2005)
Developed in collaboration with the Heart and Stroke Foundation this workshop introduced the participants to healthy means of dealing and coping with stress and pressure.
Women and Gender (August 2005)
In this session the participants watched a documentary entitled Gender: The Enduring Paradox which addresses the differences between men and women and whether these differences are biologically or socially constructed. Participants then explored gender differences, their effect on women’s equal opportunities in life, and how women juggle between their roles as mothers and workers.
