Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Orientation Session Parks & Recreation Ontario February 7, 2006

1. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL)Orientation SessionParks & Recreation OntarioFebruary 7, 2006 LFVA

2. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Agenda • Introduction • Overview of Langs Farm Village Association • Barriers to Participation • Best Practices • Suggested Approaches/Recommendations • Sharing Experiences • Questions/Discussion • Wrap Up • Resources LFVA

3. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Who We Are • a neighbourhood organization that began in 1978 • recreation based with a focus on prevention and health promotion LFVA

4. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Mission & Vision • Mission - Langs Farm Village Association promotes the enrichment and well-being of residents by providing high quality, supportive, and accessible programs and services for all ages. • Vision - Working together to build healthy communities where residents are valued and supported. LFVA

5. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Our Philosophy & Approach • each person’s knowledge, skills and experience enrich our community • individuals are equal partners in their own health care and well being • community development - optimum involvement from residents • health promotion, education, promoting self-help & social support LFVA

6. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Characteristics of the Catchment Area • densely populated • high rates of unemployment • above average number of single parents • high numbers of people receiving social assistance • education levels well below the city average • family and child poverty levels are higher • high concentration of subsidized housing • small percentage of immigrants LFVA

7. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation What We Do • we provide health, social, recreational & employment services that are welcoming, flexible & responsive to changing needs • we work with community partners to bring services to our neighborhood • we provide opportunities for volunteers to take on leadership roles • we work with other neighbourhood groups (e.g. Preston Heights) LFVA

8. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Early Years Satellite Centre • parent, caregiver and tot drop-in programs • preschool programs • women’s groups • childcare LFVA

9. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Youth and Teen Centre • youth & teen drop in programs (lunch, after school and evenings) • social/life skills groups • 7th Inning Education Program • breakfast club • preteen/teen gym drop-in program • summer playground, Christmas & March Break, afterschool programs • leadership training opportunities LFVA

10. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Multi-Purpose Resource Centre • employment counselling • job board • access to computers, a phone, fax and photocopier to assist with job search • toy and resource (books, videos) lending libraries • food security programs/family support • National Child Tax Benefit LFVA

11. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Community Health Centre (CHC) • family medical practice with doctors & nurse practitioners • well women & baby care • check ups, physical exams, treatment of illness • focus on wellness & health education • counselling services for individuals, couples and families LFVA

12. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Community Health Centre (CHC) • dietitian and nutrition services • access to midwives • wellness programs for older adults • community outreach by peer workers LFVA

13. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Volunteer Opportunities • are members of our Board of Directors • work on committees & action teams • help lead programs • answer phones and assist with other administrative tasks • provide childcare • assist with fundraising LFVA

14. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Most Frequently Asked Questions Who Are Some of Your Community Partners? Cambridge Midwives Cambridge Self Help Food Bank YMCA Waterloo Region Food Bank YWCA Waterloo Regional Police KidsAbility/Rotary Centre Community Health Department Waterloo Region Housing Lutherwood-CODA Waterloo Region District School Board Cambridge Memorial Hospital Waterloo Catholic District School Board Physiotherapy Associates of Cambridge Local Schools Canadian Mental Health Association LFVA

15. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Most Frequently Asked Questions Who provides your Funding? • City of Cambridge • Human Resources Development Canada • Ontario Ministry of Health • Regional Municipality of Waterloo • Preston Mennonite Church • Waterloo Regional Housing Authority • United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries • local service clubs and churches • fundraising LFVA

16. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Most Frequently Asked Questions • offer 65 programs/services last year • reach approximately 7,198 people/year • 794 youth & teens are involved in activities/year • 217 volunteers contribute over 7,400 hours • close to 44,000 community contacts Are you making a difference? LFVA

17. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Most Frequently Asked Questions How Did You Get Your Name? • the area we serve was originally farmland owned by Thomas Langs LFVA

18. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Barriers to Participation • Lack of money • Lack of transportation • Unfriendly program structure • Lack of information • Discrimination LFVA

19. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Barriers to Participation • Lack of skills • Lack of family support • Program run by adults • Lack of physical space Source: Canadian Parks and Recreation Association LFVA

20. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Best Practices • Outreach • Drop-In • Social Support • Working within People’s Limitations • Addressing Transportation Issues • Program Examples • Diabetes Outreach Program • Vitality Initiative • National Child Tax Benefit Project

21. Langs Farm Village Association Suggested Approaches/Recommendations • Holistic approach • Integrated, community level interventions • Begin with small successes • Use of peer workers • Plan for continuity into adulthood • Use of Peer Workers • Community Program Audit • Advocacy LFVA

22. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Sharing Experiences Questions/Discussion Wrap-Up LFVA

23. Physical Activity Leadership (PAL) Presentation Resources • Health Canada  - Vitality Site http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/onpp-bppn/healthy_living_e.html • Alberta Centre for Active Living http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/ • Together 4 Health http://www.healthyhearts.ca/ • Health Canada - Physical Activity Unit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/fitness/ • Dieticians of Canada http://www.dietitians.ca/english/frames.html • Langs /farm Village Association www.langs.org LFVA