volunteer voices logo

Fall/Winter 2014

Comm Partners new logo  Volunteer Voices

An online newsletter for
Jeffery Hale 
Community of Care 
Volunteers
Welcome

Welcome to Volunteer Voices. This online newsletter is for those special people who give their time to help make our community a better place. Volunteers play a vital role in providing our services. We want to keep you up to date on what's new in our Jeffery Hale Community of Care and highlight how our volunteers make it happen.  

      

As cool climes roll around, along comes a a particularly good reason to bundle up and brave the chill: the Community Christmas Hamper Campaign! The holiday spirit is upon us, and giving - be it food, monetary donation or simply the time in your schedule, is appreciated. Every  volunteer who contributes to this incredible  experience is committing an act of service which shapes our caring community.  
 
The campaign begins November 9th and runs till delivery of hampers to homes in need on December 20th (be sure to consult details below).

Before you race over to your calendar to book the dates of the fun and heartening volunteering opportunities lined up for this winter, be sure to note that the Influenza Vaccination Campaign is on! Held each fall in institutions of the health care system across the province, this free walk-in clinic for flu shots will run next week from November 10 - 14 at the hospital Jeffery Hale - Saint Brigid's. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated for the protection of all, most especially if you plan to help out in our Early Childhood programs (such as Travelin' Toddler Time and Take-A-Break below) or with our senior clients.  
 
Stay warm this winter with Cardio-dance 50+ classes offered to volunteers, begin the year with your free personal Health Passport tool, lend a hand in community events this holiday, be a Santa for children or an angel on wheels for our aging clients (see below).

Happy Holidays to all!

Amy Bilodeau, Volunteer Coordinator     

418 684-5333 Ext. 1550   

 

 

Quick Links  
Influenza Vaccination Campaign at the JHSB
Get your free flu shot for this season November 10 - 14th!

Jeffery Hale - Saint Brigid's, our partner in community care, are looking for volunteers willing to fill several positions during their Influenza Vaccination Campaign running this year from November 10th - 14th.

The vaccination team consists of nurses, clinicians, administrative support and volunteers !


As a volunteer, you are invited to be vaccinated anytime during the week (no appointment needed).

This year, members of the English-speaking community are being invited to be vaccinated at the outpatient clinic of the hospital at (1250 chemin Sainte-Foy, Quebec, G1S 2M6).

Bilingual volunteers are also needed to:
  • Accompany the outpatient clinic team by welcoming, guiding and directing community members, patients and staff, offering snacks and monitoring those vaccinated during the 15-minute wait   in the vaccination clinic. Monday to Friday from 9 to 5.
     
  • Accompany the mobile clinic team on the each floor of the hospital to provide snacks and offer support and supervision to patients who will be vaccinated on the spot. Monday-Wednesday-Friday mornings from 9 to 11 am and Tuesday-Thursday afternoons from 3 to 5 pm.
Your presence will represent Jeffery Hale - Saint Brigid's mission of compassionate quality care towards the community and will be very much appreciated.

If you are available and interested in being part of the vaccination team for the Influenza Vaccination Campaign then please give me a call at 418-684-5333 ext.1550 or reply back to this email.

Bill 10 update
Jeffery Hale - Saint Brigid's: Our Community, Our Health, Our Future Campaign 

Voice of English-speaking Quebec (VEQ) and  Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) have effectively communicated the English-speaking community's strong reservations about the Health Minister's proposed Bill 10 (
Loi modifiant l'organisation et la gouvernance du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux) at parliamentary hearings in recent weeks.
 

Community leaders are cautiously optimistic that the Quebec government has heard our concerns and are ready to discuss ways to secure the future of Jeffery Hale-St. Brigid's as a health and social service provider for Quebec City's English-speaking population for generations to come.  

 
 

Please stay informed about  the "Jeffery Hale - Saint Brigid's: Our Community, Our Health, Our Future" campaign and stand by for action. Visit Voice of English-speaking Québec's online information-action hub at www.veq.ca or  VEQ's Facebook page Like us on Facebook  

     

Volunteers needed for Mom's Night Out Santa Party! 

 
Mom's Night Out will be hosting a children's Christmas Party with Santa on December 13th from 9:30 to noon in the Jeffery Hale's Coin Soleil room and is looking for volunteers for this family event. Volunteers will help with event set up or tear down, greeting people as they enter the party, supervise the snack & coffee area and help children at the craft tables. Volunteers can stay for the whole event or just part of the time..

We are also looking for a SANTA! If you are a male volunteer who likes getting dressed up and spreading the holiday cheer to children, this is your chance!

We need 3 to 6 volunteers.
 
Date: December 13th
Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Jeffery Hale, Coin Soleil room 

For more information and to volunteer, please call
418-684-5333 ext. 1550
Parking is free!

The 19th annual Community Christmas Hamper Campaign
How can YOU get involved?
.  
 

For 19 years now, the English-speaking community has been jointly coordinating the success of a Community Christmas Hamper Campaign for families in need. We distribute about 230 Christmas hampers to English-speaking households in the Quebec City region, which is an enormous challenge with a most heart-warming outcome. Our organizing committee made up of representatives from a variety of English-speaking churches, school and local organizations has been dutifully gearing up for their 19th year!

  

Community Christmas Hamper Campaign Organizing Committee members:  
Jan Anderson, Catherine Bergeron, Amy Bilodeau, David Blinco, Rev. Katherine Burgess, William Courteau, Bill Donnelly, Susan Doucet, Chantal Dubois, Susie Faguy, Hugh Fraser, Annie Gilbert, Paul Hinton, Lindsay Jarjour, Jean-Sébastien Jolin Gignac, Robert Kearney, Jessica Kelly-Rheaume, Andrée Lemieux, Johanne McCalla, Heather McRae,  Julia Page, Julie Slattery, Rev. Darla Sloan, Ed Sweeney, Mary Thaler, Elizabeth Thomas, Derek White, and Paul Wilson.
 

Our Community Christmas Hamper Campaign starts November 9th. Want to get involved? Here's how: 

  • Donate non-perishable goods: We will be collecting non-perishable foods and hygiene products in English-speaking schools, churches and community organizations around town from November 9th - December 14th. For the full list of drop-off sites, visit out facebook pageLike us on Facebook.

  • Donate monetarily: Online at Canadahelps.org >search Jeffery Hale Community Partners > Select our campaign and receive a tax receipt immediately. You may also submit by cheque payable to the Jeffery Hale Community Partners. All cash donations will be used to purchase such perishables as fresh fruit & vegetables, flour, beef, and turkey to complement the canned good donations.

  
  • Donate your time: Volunteer with us by registering with the Campaign Volunteer Coordinator at 418-684-5333 ext. 1550 or e-mail amy.bilodeau@ssss.gouv.qc.ca to sign up for one or more of these volunteer opportunities:   
     

Wednesday, December 17

9 a.m - 2 p.m Non-perishable collection crew needed to pick-up canned goods from various sites across the city, deliver to our main center - CEGEP St. Lawrence and unload items.
2 p.m - 5 p.m Sorting crew needed to sort and count donated items.
6 p.m - 9 p.m " "

Thursday, December 18
12 p.m - 4 p.m Strong team needed to unload delivery trucks bearing frozen turkeys & fresh produce.
2 p.m. - 4 p.m Box-makers needed to prepare and label Hamper boxes

Friday, December 19
9 a.m - 12 p.m Hamper packing crew needed to place purchased and donated food items into Hampers boxes for families.
1 p.m - 4:30 p.m. " "

Saturday, December 20
8:30 a.m - 9 a.m Teams of drivers and helpers with strong backs needed to deliver Hampers from our main center CEGEP St.Lawrence to homes of families in need. Morning coffee, map and instructions will be provided. Strong arms, happy drivers and good cheer are particularly appreciated!  

 

  

Visit our Facebook page to stay on top of all Hamper fundraising events and   Like us on Facebookbecause we know you already do!
 

  

Chitchat Club helps Christmas Hamper prep for it's 19th year!
See our new schedule 2014/15 

The Chitchat Club is tailor-made for those who wish to practice speaking English and/or French while keeping their hands busy. These second language conversation groups meet regularly and pair English-speakers with Francophones.

Volunteer English or French second-language teachers act as conversation monitors and guide discussion groups while chatty volunteers work in teams to wash toys, prepare children's crafts, organize cupboards, fold pamphlets and attend to other interesting assignments at Jeffery Hale Community Partners. Parking is FREE for our volunteers!
    

 

  ChitChatter's hard at work in September

 

Session Dates

Fridays, 9:30 to 11:30 am

 

November 21, 2014

January 23, 2015

February 27, 2015

May 22, 2015  

  

If you are interested in helping as a second language monitor or know someone who is, we would happily welcome new additions to our team!!!  For more information, please call 418 684-5333, Ext. 1550

 
Take-A-Break Drop-In & Traveling Toddler Time volunteers needed

 

Take-a-Break Drop In

started its session on Friday, November 1st.   
This program offers a place for parents and their preschool children to get together two Friday mornings a month from 9:30 am to 11:30 am (November to May, see schedule).

Travellin' Toddler Time has begun and continues to look for interested volunteers to prepare snacks, help with crafts and generally entertain the children at these sing-a-longs and readings (October to June, see schedule)

.      

 

For those of you already signed up for Travellin' Toddler Time or TAB, please keep and eye open for reminder e-mails from your supervisors.  

 


 

If you enjoy being around children and want to join our volunteer team, please contact our Community Organizer in charge of Early Childhood programs (418-643-5333 ext. 1539) to see how you can get involved.

 

Feel free to pick up your free Health Passport at JHSB
or browse the online app

Please note that the Health Passport - Passeport Santé is available at the reception desk and nurse triage station of the hospital Jeffery Hale - Saint Brigid's upon request. An online application of the passport is now available as well at the following link: health-passport.ca.  

  

The Jeffery Hale - Saint Brigid's is a designated institution to serve the English-speaking community of the greater Quebec City region.

The purpose of this tool is to: 
  • Open dialogue and facilitate communication to maximize the quality of care.
  • Reassure English-speaking clients by empowering them with a tool to enhance their ability to explain the health issue that they face.
  • Better equip while raising awareness of health professionals to the needs and realities of the English-speaking minority of the Quebec City region.
  • Definitively position the Jeffery Hale - Saint Brigid's Hospital as an institution that proudly fulfills its responsibilities to both linguistic communities and establishes an environment that adapts to the needs of its clientele.
  
Looking for a fitness activity this winter in English and for 50+?

JHCS Volunteers welcome to sign up! 


Voice of English-speaking Québec has partnered with the YWCA Québec to extend our Active Living 50+ program this winter and offer Cardio-danse classes, in English! Open to women and men aged fifty and up who are looking to stay active through fitness activities offered in English and tailored to their physical needs.    

 

Registration begins November 25th! Book your Tuesday afternoons in the winter for Cardio-dance classes beginning January 5th, 2015.    

 

Register today for Cardio-danse courses at the YWCA Quebec 418 683-2155. Become a VEQ member for free by calling VEQ 418-683-2366 ext. 221 and take advantage of this special 50% discount when you register. 


Mark your calendar for Holiday Happy Hour 2014!
Be a volunteer with us or simply come and enjoy the holiday spirit

    

Wednesday,
December 3rd join Voice of English-speaking Québec for their annual Holiday Happy Hour held at the Morrin Centre located at 44, Chaussée des Écossais in the heart of the old city.  

This charming and free 5 à 7 event is open to everyone. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation that evening.  




All proceeds from the cocktail bar will go to the Community Christmas Hamper Campaign. For more information about this event or to attend, call 418- 683-2366 ext. 221 or visit  

 

  

 

Those of you signed up for Community Event volunteering will receive an updated request for volunteer positions that will be needed on this day. If you are not already signed on for Community Event volunteering  but you love preparing hors d'oeuvres or would be happy to greet and direct attendees during this festive and elegant event, then feel free to call 418-684-5333 Ext. 1550.

 
Thank you to our angels on wheels otherwise known as...
Transportation Volunteers!
  
Jeffery Hale Community Services has an awesome  team of dedicated volunteers who accompany seniors to and from medical appointments using the volunteer's own car. Clients who benefit from this caring transportation service are ever so grateful for a steadying arm, guiding eyes and reassuring smile as they navigate healthcare facilities that can often be overwhelming.

 

JHCS staff are extremely grateful for the kilometres these volunteers have logged and the assistance they have provided. A moment to thank our transportation volunteers for all their devotion to the senior clients whom have benefited from their support, assistance and their warmheartedness all through this fall and into the winter season.   

 

Jim Eames
Monique Girard
Shirley & Charles-André Nadeau
Robert Beaton
Gillian & Michael Ayer
Raymond Lemelin
Jetske Goslinga
Renée Loiselle
Frank Reid
Daniel Lavoie
Michel Pépin
Pierre Vallée
Abdoulaye Sangaré
Joanne Lajeunesse
Bryan Hettinga
Amy Daradich
Bruce Klassen

Daniel transports a client to an appointment during the filming of the Volunteering DVD 2014. 

 

If you are interested in helping in this way, we would welcome a few more additions to our volunteer transportation team. You are the master of your own schedule, accepting only those assignments that fit your agenda. We cover mileage expenses and provide the support and training you will need to do this job. For more information, please call 418 684-5333, Ext. 1550.    

 

Ar3 y0u g00d wi7h numb3rs? 
Become a JHCS Income Tax volunteer!
   

Do you complete your own income tax each year? 


Are you looking to put your skills to good use for others?
 

The Income Tax program uses specially trained JHCS volunteers to complete income tax returns for qualifying people with little or no revenue, enabling them to receive government benefits to which they are entitled such as the GST rebate, old age security and family allowance.


An all-day income tax training session will be held in mid-February 2015. Alongside training, access to an online tax program is offered free of charge to all income tax volunteers. This is a great way to get expert knowledge which you can use to help others and later bring home to complete your own.  

  

If you are interested in joining the team, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 418-684-5333 ext. 1550 or simply reply to this e-mail.

 

If you have comments about this newsletter or would like to pass on information to other volunteers or submit photos for our next edition,  please email: amy.bilodeau@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Volunteers make a difference - thank you!

                                    

Amy Bilodeau, Volunteer Coordinator
Jeffery Hale Community of Care