True but it’s the preparation and sharing of it that really feeds the mind, heart and soul. You can eat to satisfy the basic need of hunger but it’s only with the mindful attention to wellness that food can truly offer a valuable boost to mood, confidence, and self-esteem.
In my 30 + years as an educator, I have weaved opportunities to welcome students in the kitchen all the time! Whether it was with my peer leadership groups baking treats to sell at community fundraisers, cooking together as part of mental wellness strategies, or running weekly cooking sessions with newcomers, the kitchen was the perfect classroom. A delicious way of building community, the food that we prepared did so much more than just satisfy hunger. Skills in self-care, communication, problem-solving, and resilience were all wrapped up in the kneading of dough for pizza, crushing tomatoes for sauce, and forming chickpea patties for falafels. Sitting together to enjoy the fruits of our labour allowed for story-telling, the sharing of cultures, and most importantly, the forming of new friendships. The powerful connections created were not just with others in the group but with life itself. Lessons in nutrition and budgeting were gently folded in with promoting gratitude and diversity. Even a pot that boiled over or cupcakes that burnt in the oven provided a glimpse into useful life strategies! Any way you stir the pot, cooking and sharing what you’ve created can leave a lasting positive impact on the individual and the community.
Hosted by the Gaels Culinary Club and the Health Action Team, the event was attended by over 40 students. With the theme of mental wellness, participants enjoyed fun and interactive ways to learn something new, meet other students and get a little exercise, all while connecting with two professional football players.
What do zumba, henna, make-up tips, button-making, stress-reducing tips, self-esteem and great food have in common? They all were part of CHS’s first annual Self-Care Night on April 24th.
The women are part of the Donnici Social Club’s campaign to get others to join the effort, known as #sewgratefulYWCAHamilton.. Spadafora recently donated her first 50 masks, having initially perfected her craft by making the protective equipment for her workplace until a supplier was secured, then for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
Everyone remembers the first day of high school. So why not ensure a happy memory? With this in mind, Bishop Ryan’s Celtic Circle joined forces with the student council to host the annual orientation day on Sept. 3 for incoming Grade 9 students.
Stoney Creek’s Emilie Suwala, 16, was among 12 recipients honoured on March 9 by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, during the 34th annual Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year Awards ceremony in her Suite at Queen’s Park.
Mindy Tweedle stopped by Cardinal Newman Secondary School in Hamilton where over 300 students and staff participated in “Inside Ride” to help their community. This year’s ride was dedicated to student Jacob Binkosky who survived cancer recently.
The 2012 Community Recognition Award went to Imatter — Taking care of teen mental health. Cardinal Newman’s peer mentors group of more than 60 students has garnered national, provincial and local recognition. They were honoured for bringing mental health and illness education to the forefront.
Fr. William Trusz from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Stoney Creek, Ontario hosts a weekly program on Radio Teopoli, AM 530 in Toronto and online every Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. ET.
Today we have special guest Marisa Mariella, head of student services at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton
More than 400 individuals gathered on May 6, 2015 for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation’s third annual “A Mental Health Morning.” It was there that “weMATTER: Mental Health Team Leadership” was presented with the inaugural “Youth Spirit of Hope award”.
Ask any member of the Celtic Circle at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School and they will tell you that a little treat can ignite a lot of Christmas spirit.
On Wednesday, Dec. 16, the members of the Celtic Circle Student Leadership Club delivered over 1,600 personalized candy canes to every staff member and student.
In high school, reputation is everything – and mental illness tends to have a bad one. “No one should be judged for something that’s out of their control,” says Michaela Kelly. The Grade 12 student is a member of Celtic Circle, a peer group at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School in Hannon, Ont.
Members of the Bishop Ryan Celtic Circle Student Leaders were recognized for their exemplary peer helping program at the Ontario School Counsellors’ Association (OSCA) Gala Dinner on November 9th where they were presented with the association’s prestigious Daryl L. Cook Peer Helping Award.
Are you a senior in high school? Think back to the transition from elementary to secondary school and most students will remember some fun and informative event that included meeting real live high school students.
Thanks to the efforts of SWIS worker, Jupiter Deveau and Youth Mentorship Coordinator Osama Al-Taie, over 30 students from high schools across both boards recently enjoyed a traditional outdoor skating experience at Hamilton’s Waterfront Outdoor Rink. As most of these students are new to the country, this event gave them their first experience on skates.
Established in 1996, the awards celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the community, with a particular focus on the contributions that African Canadians make to the social, economic, and cultural life of our city. Each year, the Hamilton Black History Committee joins with the wider community to celebrate the achievements of youth and acknowledge the contributions of community members.
Cardinal Newman Peer Mentors try to motivate, inspire, guide, nurture, lead and move others to action. They address transition, not just during the months leading up to the first day of high school, but throughout all of high school. Their team approach ensures that all new students and their parents feel welcomed into the Newman community.
Since 2009, more than 250 members have collectively earned almost 10,000 Christian Service Hours and donated over $42, 000 through Run 4 Their Lives. The events that we have supported are the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, Give the Gift of Life Walk for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Road 2 Hope for Citykidz and Hope for Haiti, The Freedom Run for the Diabetes Foundation, the Santa Shuffle for the Salvation Army, the Heart & Stroke Foundation (canvassing and the Big Bike), The Inside Ride for Coast to Coast, Every Step Matters – MS Walk, the Brain Tumour Foundation of Can-ada, .M.A.D 4 Maddie, and Gord Paul‘s Triple Ironman for Haiti.
The 2016 Champions of Mental Health Awards were presented last night in Ottawa during Mental Health Week. The annual Champions Awards presented by Bell Let’s Talk celebrates individuals and organizations whose outstanding contributions have advanced the mental health agenda in Canada in the past year.
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