Contents:
· PHAN News
· Community Events and Programs
· News and Resources
· Job Postings
PHAN News
{PHAN Website} PHAN is pleased to announce the launch of their new and improved website. The website now includes many new features including updates on “What’s new at PHAN”, feeds on new information and resources, a calendar including PHAN and community events as well as updated information on PHAN programs and services. You can also request a workshop online and register to be a volunteer. Furthermore, you are now able to sign up for RSS feeds and connect our website to Facebook and Twitter. Please check out our website at www.phan.ca and pass it on to your friends and family.
We are constantly in the process of updating our website and are working to correct any errors. If you notice any errors or think we are missing something, please contact Skha Mpofu at admincoord@phan.ca.
{PHAN on Facebook and Twitter} PHAN is working very hard to increase its presence on popular social media sites. We are now active on Facebook and Twitter and encourage you to join us and invite your friends/family to our PHAN pages. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter by searching for “PHAN Peel”. We hope to see you there!
{Youth Video Project} PHAN is proud to announce the premiere of its Youth Video Project “Keep It the Craze: Get Tested.” Generous funds from the AIDS Community Action Plan (ACAP) has allowed us to create a project geared toward encouraging and raising awareness around youth (16-29) HIV testing in the Region of Peel. Our team of youth volunteers from diverse backgrounds created this project to increase knowledge on safer sex practice, while promoting health management amongst youth in Peel. Our gala will take place February 24th, 2010 at the Living Arts Centre from 6:00pm-7:30pm. Please come and attend, as well as help celebrate this innovative project with PHAN.
{Men’s Health} Men’s Health has been busy assisting with the coordination of several conferences coming up in the months of February and March. Our program will be presenting at the Gay-Straight Alliance Conference, “Make Peel Proud,” on Queer Harm Reduction with regards to safer sex practices on February 25th at John Fraser Secondary School; as well, we will be presenting the Youth Video Project “Keep it the Craze: Get Tested” in conjunction with the Health Promotion program at the 2010 HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium from March 4-7, 2010 in Montreal. Last, we are assisting with committee work for the upcoming Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance Summit, being held February 17-19, 2010.
Men’s Health is excited about its revamped anti-homophobia presentation to be presented for all community members and students upon request. We have taken a direct approach to addressing stigma and discrimination around the LGBT community and the role of HIV/AIDS in this community.
{Volunteering} The Volunteer Program at PHAN is hosting its next Core Volunteer Training on February 6th, 2010 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The training has been revamped from past trainings so all our new volunteers will now have a strong understanding of working within an Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression (ARAO) and Anti-Homophobia framework. We are continuously recruiting and training new volunteers so if you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering with us, please contact Berkha Gupta, the Coordinator of Volunteer Services at volunteer@phan.ca or (905) 361-0523 ext. 211.
Community Events and Programs
{Family Day} Join the Newcomer Information Centre for a fun family time on Tuesday, February 9 2010 between 10:00 am – 3:30 pm at the Brampton East Campus (263 Queen Street East - Unit 14, Brampton ON L6W 4K6. Register online at www.tcet.com/NIC or by phone at (905) 595-0722.
{Distress Center Services} On Thursday, February 11th 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, the Distress Center is hosting a presentation on “Services of Distress Center” at 239 Queen St E – Unit 6, Brampton, L6W 2B6. The presentation is part of “The Living Series” hosted by the Friends and Advocates Peel. Space is limited! Call (905) 452-1002 to reserve your seat.
News and Resources
{Income Tax and You} The India Rainbow Community Services of Peel presents Free Taxation Workshop on February 9, 2010 from 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm at 3038 Hurontario Street, Mississauga ON. Certified General Accountant will be present to answer all your questions. Limited Seats! To register, contact Neeta at (905) 275-1976.
{Tax Information Session} YMCA Employment Resources Centre hosts a tax information session with an expert from Softron Tax on Wednesday, February 10 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm at 151 City Centre Drive – Suite 800, Mississauga ON. Call to Register: (905) 276-9322.
{Job Search Assistance} YMCA Employment and Community is hosting “Aerotek Staffing Services” with an information session regarding the current job market, targeting particular positions and beginning your personal job search. The session is on Friday, February 19th 2010 from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm at 151 City Centre Drive - Suite 800, Mississauga ON L5B 1M7. Please register in advance by phone at (905) 276-9322 ext. 214 or in-person.
{Vita Centre} Vita Centre Support's main objective is to help pregnant and parenting youth to make positive decisions for themselves and their child. The Community Counsellor will assist youth in improving their physical and mental health and connect with community and necessary resources. The following are areas the Community Counselor can help youth with: crisis counselling, pre/post-natal information and education, advocating on behalf of youth to obtain housing, financial support etc., suggesting and supporting alternatives to abortion, developing safety plans for those in abusive relationships, assistance in finding suitable housing, baby items, referrals and much more. Call our Community Counselors Rima or Maria for assistance & information: (905) 858-0329 Ext 227, 223.
{McGuinty Government helping Newcomers settle more easily} A new agreement between Ontario and Australia will allow new residents to exchange their valid driver's licence upon relocation, without having to take a knowledge or road test. The reciprocal drivers' licence exchange agreement with Australia begins on January 25, 2010. Ontario also has reciprocal driver's licence exchange agreements with Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, the United States and all Canadian jurisdictions.
{McGuinty Government resolves legal aid boycott} Ontario is transforming the province's legal aid system, to help ensure that Ontarians have access to the legal services they need, regardless of their ability to pay, and to drive reforms in the family and criminal courts. The first hourly rate increase would be effective February 1, 2010, pending approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. On September 8, 2009, the government announced a $150 million increase in funding for Legal Aid Ontario over four years, the largest funding increase in the history of legal aid. The government will be moving on:
· Allocating additional funding for enhanced family law and poverty law services
· Instituting block fees for standard criminal cases
· Providing greater quality control and ensuring greater accountability of legal aid lawyers
· Increasing the hourly fees for criminal, family, immigration and refugee and mental health lawyers by an average of 5 per cent per year for the next seven years
· Increasing legal aid fees for expert defence witnesses, and
· Implementing the Code and Lesage recommendation of creating enhanced fees for highly qualified lawyers who work on the most complex major criminal cases.
{Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities 2009} The Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is the Government of Canada's seventh annual report on disability. The report looks at the experiences of Canadians with disabilities and notes changes over time. The report finds that there are roughly 4.4 million children and adults with disabilities in Canada - representing an increase in the overall population reporting a disability from 12.4% in 2001 to 14.3% in 2006. This increase is largely due to the ageing population as well as to an increase in reported learning disabilities. On average, adults with disabilities earn a lower annual salary than adults without disabilities. The average salary for employed working-age adults with disabilities has not increased since 2001: the average salary was $30,380 in 2006, compared to $30,490 in 2001. In contrast, the average salary for employed working-age adults without disabilities was $38,150 in 2006, an increase from $35,670 in 2001. For more information, visit Disability Issues Report.
{Youth Beyond Barriers} The Youth Beyond Barriers program at Associated Youth Services of Peel currently offers two weekly support groups for LGBT youth aged 12 - 18 in Mississauga and Brampton. They also provide one-to-one support and guidance for youth, as needed. They are now extremely pleased to announce the creation and development of a new group for Trans or gender variant youth. For more information regarding Trans Youth resources in Peel and this group please contact any of the YBB staff at youth@aysp.ca or at 1800.762.8377 ext 460 or you can connect with the Trans Youth Group Facilitator - Michelle Le Claire - directly at mleclaire@aysp.ca.
{Square One Youth Centre} The Square One Youth Centre has moved to its new location at 300 City Centre Drive, Second Floor, Mississauga L5B 3C1. The Youth Centre will continue its culture of youth engagement under the new name of the Nexus Youth Centre.
Job Postings
For more information on postings, check hyperlink (if provided) or contact respective individual or organization.
{Human Rights Specialist} The Human Rights & Equity Services Office (HRES) is seeking an exceptional candidate to fill the role of Human Rights Specialist (HRS). Reporting to the Director, the HRS is charged with ensuring the fulfillment of the Office’s various projects, tasks, and responsibilities by providing expertise in the areas of office administration, event management, and communications.
Deadline for application: February 28, 2010
Salary Range: $43584-544480 at 35 hours per week
For more information: Human Rights Specialist
{Human Rights Officer} The Human Rights & Equity Services Office (HRES) is seeking an exceptional professional to fill the role of Human Rights Officer (HRO), with specialized expertise in accessibility issues in light of compliance requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”).
Deadline for application: February 03, 2010
Salary Range: $64275-80343 at 35 hours per week
For more information: Human Rights Officer
{Openings at the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights} There are ten current openings at the Office of the OHCHR. Candidates can apply through: OHCHR Openings