SWITCH

Do you have a green thumb?

Consider planting a row (or two) in your garden to donate to SWITCH for use in our Food and Nutrition Programming.

Donated produce helps SWITCH to provide nutritious meals to families in Saskatoon.

To arrange for a pick-up contact SWITCH by calling us at (306) 956-2518 or emailing us with your name and location.

I am writing you today to let you know about an exciting new book entitled “A Healthy Society: How a Focus on Health Can Revive Canadian Democracy” by local family doctor and activist Ryan Meili.  The book is being released by Purich Publishing who have partnered with Turning the Tide bookstore to organize the book launch.  Dr. Meili is one of SWITCH’s physician mentors.

The Saskatoon launch is planned for Thursday, May 24 at 7:00pm at Caffe Sola and Joos Yoga; two adjacent businesses at the corner of 23rd St. East and Pacific Avenue.  The event will be both an opportunity for Ryan to introduce his book to the community as well as for people to come together and celebrate the achievement of its publishing.  Saskatoon band “Slow Down Molasses”, fresh off a UK tour, will be present to provide entertainment following the introduction and the reading.

The cover price of the book is $22, and 50% of the proceeds will go toward supporting SWITCH!

There is a Facebook page for the book, and it can be ordered here.

This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series that will be presented by Dr. Morris Markentin.

In the Part 1, Dr. Markentin will explain addiction from both a behavioural and a chemical point of view. Drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting successfully takes more than good intentions. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is very difficult, even for those who are ready to do so.

Please sign up for this presentation under Category A Outreach, B, C or D. For mentors, please RSVP to the Volunteer Coordinator at switchclinic@gmail.com

On Wednesday April 11th, TAR will be coming to SWITCH for Programming!

TAR stands for Tobacco Addiction Recovery. Objectives of the TAR program include:

- promote and support tobacco addiction recovery as an important element in building healthy and thriving Aboriginal communities,

- encourage the return of tobacco to Sacred use only

- provide health care professionals working in Aboriginal communities with knowledge and tools to effectively assist those wanting to recover from their addiction

See http://www.makeapact.ca/content/sacred-tobacco/tar-resources-and-links for more information on Keeping Sacred Tobacco.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Martin Luther

Welcome to 2012!

It’s time to get ready for all the exciting things coming up at SWITCH!

• Volunteer, Mentor & Partner Appreciation Night @ The Bassment on January 19th from 7-11pm             

Please join us in celebrating all of your amazing contributions at THE BASSMENT with performances by local band the SEA HAGS (with past SWITCHer Brenda Jackson) and the coolest of cool local hip hop artist EEKWOL.

There will be chili and bannock, gift bags, cash bar or complimentary refreshments (coffee, pop and juice) and special presentations. Please don’t miss this wonderful SWITCH event built just for you!

PLEASE RSVP to Lissa at switchclinic@gmail.com  

• SWITCH Educational Series: A Cultural Focus 

The arts can teach us a lot about how we see and experience the world. Two presentations are set to be a provocative commentaries on aboriginal and family identities. Please sign up under Category A (or RSVP via email switchclinic@gmail.com:

1. Telling Stories: Saturday, January 21 @ 1:30 – 3:00 pm):  Telling Stories is a presentation on the aboriginal experience by Randy Morin, a teacher/musician who is a member of Big River First Nation, Treaty Six area. Randy is a gifted storyteller who has been recently facilitating Men’s Programming at SWITCH and who has had the opportunity to tell stories in and around Saskatoon. This will be an evocative presentation that will deepen your understanding of aboriginal culture and experience.
2. Single Mom Families: Painted Portraits, Saturday, January 29 @ 1:30-3:00p Saskatoon-based artist Michele Mackasey has created a new body of work that puts the spotlight on single mothers. These portraits of local families capture the bond between mothers and their children, and point to the complex family dynamics arising when the fater is literally out of the picture.

• Women’s Pamper Night

This year’s Pamper Night is set for Thursday, February 2 at St. Mary’s Church from 6:00-8:30PM.

Donations of new makeup, bath, beauty and hair items are welcome, as well as new little gifty things (candles, picture frames, etc.) for raffle prizes. We’ll also need lots of volunteers that night to provide childcare, sign in, services, etc. We also could use entertainers – singers, dancers – anyone who would consider performing for free. Come on out – it’s a lot of fun!! If you are interested in helping prepare please contact Danielle Genest our Programming Coordinator switchprogramcoordinator@gmail.com or sign up under Category A on the scheduler to help out on the night!

From all of us here at SWITCH, may 2012 bring you all the best!

There has been a lot happening this fall at SWITCH and hope that everyone has been enjoying the last two months. As midterms wind down and we gear up for finals, here is an update of what has been happening at SWITCH:

• SWITCH Director: We extend warm wishes to Elaine Weisgerber as she goes on maternity leave. And hello to our new director, Jennifer Schoeck, and welcome to her new role at the clinic!
• Irish Music Ceili and SWITCH Fun Run: Thanks to Danielle Genest, our Programming Coordinator, for putting on these fantastic fundraisers!
• Cultural Sensitivity Event: Join us with the Open Door Society on November 19 at 1:30 at the clinic for an enlightening presentation on how to approach different cultures
• Stay tuned for Women’s Pamper Night hosted this year after the Christmas holidays.

Find out more information on this week’s newsletter.

On Saturday, November 19 from 1:30 – 2:30 pm, Social Work Mentor, Margarita Sysing will be offering a very informative presentation on the Open Door Society and cross cultural sensitivity.

The mission of the Open Door Society is to welcome and assist refugees and immigrants to become informed and effective participants in Canadian society and to involve the Saskatoon community in their hospitable reception and just acceptance.

Cross cultural sensitivity is the quality of being aware and accepting of other cultures. Cultural sensitivivity means working towards understanding other cultural traditions and ways of life, and attempting to learn and apply new understandings. Culturally sensitive people attempt to be free from prejudices and preconceptions about other cultures.

Please sign up under Category A Outreach to attend this very informative presentation. Mentors, please RSVP to Lissa at switchclinic@gmail.com.

We’ve got some information hot off the presses about SWITCH’s upcoming Fun Run. Here are the details:

• What: SWITCH Fun Run, Walk, or Wheel
• Date: Sunday, October 16, 2011
• Where: Victoria Park. Meet at the Boathouse.
• When: Registration 10 AM. Run 11 AM.
• Donations: Adults $5, Children $2. Free T-shirt if $20 (or more!)

Start collecting pledges now by clicking on this link. We’ll keep you posted on our sponsors and other places to drop off pledge sheets!

Come check out this great fundraiser for SWITCH

Looking for something exciting to do next weekend? Head down to the Saskatoon’s Farmers Market and hear some fantastic music all for a great cause. Event runs from 10:00 AM – noon. For more information, email us at info@switchclinic.ca.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Welcome back, SWITCHers, from the summer! We know you’re excited to kick off the new year with some time volunteering. If you need a refresher on how to volunteer, here are some tips:

1. You’re new: Learn more about SWITCH is here. Find out what you’ll be doing with What a SWITCH shift is and How to Volunteer.
   • Sign up for an orientation here.
2. You’re old: Sign up for shifts on our website with the Scheduler.
3. You’re completely lost: Email our valiant Volunteer Coordinator, Lissa, at info@switchclinic.ca

We look forward to a new school year! Sign up for our newsletter by emailing us and keep posted on our new and old fall events.