Across Boundaries An Ethno Racial Mental Health Center, Toronto, Ont.

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1 Across Boundaries / The Stop Community Food Centre Partnership Healthy Eating & Gardening Program Funded by Minding Our Bodies, CMHA Ontario Erika Del Carmen Fuchs, Food Skills Coordinator, The Stop Jaipreet Kohli, Program Manager, Across Boundaries

2 ACROSS BOUNDARIES Anti-Racism / Anti-Oppression Recovery Framework Case Management Services: Youth, Adult, MHJI Drop-In Center / Psycho Social Programs Alternative Therapies i.e. Acupuncture, Yoga, Qigong Clinical Support - Consulting Psychiatrists Training and Skills development Programs Community Outreach & Training

3 CONTEXT & CHALLENGES Settlement and Adjustment Responsibility in the family Changing family values Pre Migration Trauma Racism, Oppression Language Problems Education/Literacy Lack of skills/canadian experience Violence /crime / legal issues Domestic Violence Unemployment/under employment/glass ceiling Economic difficulty Poverty Inadequate/Unaffordable Housing Family disintegration

4 CONTEXT & CHALLENGES Limited financial supports that may limit purchasing power Lack of food security and access to healthy culturally-familiar food Limited physical activity due to low motivation, side effects of medication and our broader society s sedentary lifestyle Ethno-specific prevalence of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes

5 SHOVEL & SPOON COOKING & GARDENING PROGRAM 12-3 hour sessions over a 6 month period Over 30 unique participants with 7 to 12 core participants Therapeutic and empowering environment where culturally inclusive food skills are used as a way to reduce isolation, build community and develop leadership

6 THE STOP COMMUNITY FOOD CENTRE Strives to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality Unique reputation for community focused food and gardening initiatives Program facilitator with expertise in community development and food & garden based education Experience working with diverse individuals Greenhouse, Garden & Kitchen facilities Close geographical proximity

7 PROGRAM ACTIVITIES Prepare appetizing, healthy, culturally diverse meals on a limited budget through communal cooking and dining together Knowledge exchange & discussion around food stories & traditions Learn about nutrition and budgeting and make healthy food purchasing choices based on participants culturally specific needs Garden and grow food in the green house Field trips related food access & urban agriculture

8 PEER FACILITATION An opportunity for an individual with lived experience of mental illness to strengthen their peer leadership & peer support experience through: Assisting in the recruitment of participants Accompanying participants to and from the program Assisting the Stop s program facilitator and supporting participants engage in program activities

9 PROGRAM OUTCOMES A sense of achievement and increased self-esteem, self-worth and motivation through acquiring new skills and knowledge Group based social interaction assisted participants to reduce depression and stress due to isolation and anxiety related to their daily life. Social interaction led to lasting friendships Physical movement through cooking and gardening activities and fieldtrips reduced stiffness and increased overall mobility

10 PROGRAM OUTCOMES Encouraged to eat healthier by incorporating recipes and techniques they learned into their diets at Home and in the Community Kitchen at Across Boundaries. Expansion of support network and resources - Participants are now aware of the Stop s food bank and Good Food Market, a subsidized fresh food purchasing program as well as of other food organizations An opportunity to participate in an off-site program made participants feel part of the broader community and they felt this was empowering and de-stigmatizing

11 PROGRAM OUTCOMES Participants discussed and reflected on their relationship to cooking gardening and the land from a cultural perspective Participants also shared culturally specific foods and food preparation techniques while cooking together AB community lunch program was enhanced through participants active learning and participation at The Stop.

12 UNANTICIPATED OUTCOMES Seasonal Container Garden Continued involvement including Green House Volunteer Participant led research into group purchasing models for fresh fruits and vegetables for Across Boundaries Continued Partnership & Linkage Organizations