Al Ritchie Health Action Centre: The Programs

Adult Education - GED
Baby's Best Start
Fight Influenza
Community Computer
Community Cupboard
Community Kitchens
Dad's Group
Family Crafts
Foot Care
Groups for Children Who have Witnessed Family Abuse
Lunch Bunch
Primary Care Nurse
Seniors Potluck Lunch
Toonie Haircuts
Around the Neighbourhood
Video Library

Adult Education - GED
The Centre offers a weekly program that helps prepare individuals for passing their GED exam. The program lasts twelve weeks and is offered at various time of the year. Childcare and transportation are provided.

Baby's Best Start
Are you pregnant? Are you a teenager, aboriginal person or are you dealing with a lot of stress? We can help! Baby's Best Start is an outreach program for women in the Al Ritchie area. Our services include prenatal, postnatal and breastfeeding information and support, as well as home visits, milk vouchers, cooking circles and aboriginal crafts. Childcare is provided during classes at the centre. We also provide transportation to doctor appointments and to and from classes at the centre. Its great fun, and you get to interact with other women! For more information call 766-7662 or 766-7447.

Fight Influenza
Free Influenza Vaccine is available for:

• Everyone 65 and over
• Anyone with chronic lung or heart disease, diabetes, lowered immunity, cancer, kidney disease or severe anemia
• Children or adolescents on long term ASA therapy

Protect yourself from Influenza - a serious disease that can lead to pneumonia and death.

Community Computer
Come to the Al Ritchie Health Action Centre or phone and book the computer to use the Internet to search for jobs and to prepare and fax your resume.

Community Cupboard
J & J Bakery, 2740 Montague Street, and Great Canadian Bagel, 2941 13th Avenue, provide day old bread, buns, pastries and bagels for distribution at the Centre to Al Ritchie residents.

Community Kitchens
The kitchens continue to be set up. By joining a community kitchen you can save money, try new recipes, and enjoy cooking with other people. If you want to join a community kitchen or want more information, call 766-7447.

Dad's Group
A Dad's support group is offered as requested. In an informal environment a facilitator encourages men to share parenting experiences, challenges and opportunities. Call 766-7659 for more information.

Family Crafts
Craft classes are Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. for adults who live in the Al Ritchie neighbourhood - come out and have fun while meeting new people.

Foot Care
A Registered Nurse and the Primary Care Nurse are available to provide free foot care at the Centre. Please call 766-7660 for an appointment.

Groups for Children Who have Witnessed Family Abuse
The Al Ritchie Health Action Centre in partnership with the YWCA, offers a program for children between the ages of 6 and 12, who have witnessed domestic violence. The group offers children the opportunity to explore their feelings and discuss alternative solutions to poor choices and behaviors.

Lunch Bunch
The Lunch Bunch Parent Support Group provides an opportunity for parents and their children to enjoy a community noon-time meal and some free play time at the Al Ritchie Family Wellness Centre. Lunch Bunch is on Thursdays from 11:30 - 1:00 at 2055 Park Street. Please phone 766-7447 for more information.

Primary Care Nurse
Primary Care Nurse services are available at the Al Ritchie Health Action Centre every Tuesday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. The Primary Care Nurse can assess and manage common adult and childhood health conditions such as coughs, colds, skin conditions, sore throats, earaches and bladder infections. Babies and children can be weighed and measured and have their development monitored. Blood pressure and blood sugar screening can be done as well as breast exams and well women checks. The Primary Care Nurse can also renew prescriptions for birth control pills and some other medications - if the client's condition is stable. Health information and teaching are also part of the Primary Care Nurse's role. Call 766-7660 to make an appointment.

Seniors Potluck Lunch
Since early 1998 a group of area seniors have been meeting once a month for a potluck lunch. New members are always welcome. It is a great way to meet new people and learn what is happening in you community.

Toonie Haircuts
In partnership with Richards Beauty College and Esthetics, the Al Ritchie Health Action Centre offers haircuts for two dollars on the first Wednesday of each month. Everyone is welcome. Please call ahead to make an appointment - 766-7660.

Around the Neighbourhood

• Skills Registry - Provide services for your neighbours, such as cooking, repairs, reading or yard maintenance for a fee. Call 766-7660 or drop by the Al Ritchie Health Action Centre for more information.
  
  
• Food Bank Referrals - The Al Ritchie Health Action Centre offers referrals to the Food Bank. Call 766-7660 or visit 325 Victoria Avenue. Have your health card ready if you are applying for the first time.
  
  
• Clothing Banks - There are two clothing banks in our neighbourhood. They are located at the Family Wellness Project, 2055 Park Street and Arcola Family Support Centre, 2315 Abbott Road. Trade-ins are welcome. We are in need of children's, teens' and young adults' clothing. If you are able to donate, or need more information, call 766-7660.
  
  
• Self Help Group Leader Training - Learn how to get a group together to support one another and make a difference in each other's lives. Call 766-7658.
  
  
• Looking for Work - Come into the Al Ritchie Health Action Centre or phone and book the use of the computer for an Internet job search, and to prepare or fax your resume.
  
  
• Good Food Box Depot - The Good Food Box Program is available at the Al Ritchie Health Action Centre. The Good Food Box is packed with fresh fruits and vegetables bought from the wholesaler the day you receive them. This is a great way for you and your family to increase your intake of important vitamins and minerals. Three different sizes of boxes are available. The staff at the Al Ritchie Health Action Centre will gladly take your orders. Boxes need to be paid for one week in advance.
  
  

Video Lending Library

Mella's Lunch	Baby's First Months
Walker	Carol's Mirror
Return to Regent Park	Hey Kelly
The P. Syndrome - Puberty	Pressure Zone - Body Image
Good Things Can Still Happen	What's Eating You? - Healthy Eating
The Crown Prince	Knowledge is the Best Medicine
Stop Smoking Now	Protecting Infant Health
Diary of a Teenage Smoker	Car Time 1,2,3
Nobody Loves Them Like You	Get Back to Work
The 40 weeks to Motherhood	Best for Baby
Never Shake a Baby	One Divided by Two - Kids and Divorce
Hey Baby	Adventures in Parenting
Baby's Early Months	Doing It Up Right
My Body's Nobody's Body But Mine - 1,2,3,4