Coffee-house for Immigrants, Refugees, and International Students

The Saint John Volunteer Centre is offering an opportunity for local residents to help newcomers to our region feel more at ease with their language skills. The Coffee-house for Immigrants, Refugees, and International Students will provide participants an opportunity to practice English in a relaxed social setting. The Coffee-house will be volunteer driven.

The Coffee-house will be held at 2 different locations for six week rotations.

COFFEE-HOUSE START DATE

• 6:30pm- 8:30pm Wednesdays at Main Street Baptist Church beginning May 17, 2006 for six weeks.

• 10:00am-12 noon on Saturdays at St Vincent de Paul, 146 Waterloo Street., second floor. Beginning May 20, 2006 for six weeks.
  

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

• 6:30pm - 8:30pm Wednesdays at Main Street Baptist Church May 10, 2006

• 10am-12 noon on Saturdays at St Vincent de Paul, 146 Waterloo Street., second floor, May 13, 2006.

For more information or to get involved contact:

Eileen McLaughlin, Executive Director, Saint John Volunteer Centre, 115 Hazen Street, Medical Arts Building 658-1555, volunteer.sj@nb.aibn.com

Charlotte County Wellness Expo - something for everyone

The first annual Wellness Expo will be held Saturday April 22, 2006 in St. Stephen. There'’ll be much to see, do, and learn for people of all ages. If you are concerned about your health, and have questions, the place to be on Saturday April 22 is the Border Area Community Arena, 163 King St, St Stephen, NB . Learn about programs and services for residents of the Charlotte County area.

For more information about the Wellness Expo please call
Kim Ross or Alyson Tipling - 506-465-4733.

Volunteer Spirit Award

Nominations are being accepted for the Volunteer Spirit Award. This award was created by the Saint John Volunteer Centre in memory of Janet Blanchard, who for many represented the spirit of volunteerism - enthusiasm and a willingness to help in any way possible.

The criteria:

• Willingness to do whatever work needs to be done. (Not necessarily the glamorous or stimulating jobs.)
  
• Humility
• Reliability
• Commitment
• Passion or enthusiasm for the volunteer work they do - who delight in volunteering.

If you wish to submit a nomination, please describe the volunteer and his or her volunteering in 250 words or less. A committee will review the nominations and make a decision based on the criteria. Deadline for nominations is April 14th.The volunteer will be recognized at our Annual Meeting May 5 at the NB Museum in the theatre. For more information contact:

Eileen Mclaughlin, Executive Director,
Saint John Volunteer Centre 506-658-1555

Stand Up For Refugee Rights on April 4, 2006

April 4, 1985 was a milestone for refugee rights in Canada. On that day, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right of refugee claimants in Canada to life, liberty and security of person, and that claimants are therefore entitled to an iral hearing, in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice and international law. This ruling has become known as the `Singh decision`in recognition of Harnhajan Singh, Sadhu Singh Thandi, Paramjt Singh Mann, Kewal Singh, Charanjit Singh Gill, Indrani, and Satnam Singh who brought their cases to the Court.

Refugees and immigrants to Canada continue to face challenges in their search for protection. The anniversary of the Singh decision is an ideal opportunity to alert the Canadian public, media and politicians to the advances made in the protection of refugee rights as a result of the Singh decision, as well as to threats to those rights.

Canadian Council for Refugees

For information on refugee services in our area contact the Immigrant and Refugee Support Centre, 506-633-0398.

Marijuana Awareness Project

PASAGE Saint John Inc

PASAGE Saint John IncPASAGE SaintPASAGE Saint John announces the Marijuana Awareness Project, which was made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.

This innovative project is aimed at helping youth to make more informed choices about their health and well being through education, personal empowerment, and prevention. We have seen increasing levels of marijuana use among our local youth. Society has glamorized and normalized the use of marijuana. It is our hope that raising awareness will enhance knowledge of the effects of marijuana.

Presentations available, contact us if you would like a presentation to your group.

• Almost 50% of grade 12 students report that they have tried pot at least once. Even more alarming is that nearly half of these students develop into frequent users.

Presentations available, contact us if you would like a presentation to your group:

Derek Jones, Marijuana Project Coordinator, dgjones@rogers.com, tel: 506 642 4035.

Joyce Melvin, executive director of PASAGE, was recently recognized for 25 years of service to the non-profit community. Read an interview with Joyce on CommunityLens.

Workshops Offered by the Saint John Volunteer Centre

The Saint John Volunteer Centre is offering three exciting workshops;

• CREATIVITY FOR VITALITY AND LONGEVITY! - April 27, 2006 - 6:00pm- 9:oopm - This workshop is designed to introduce you to you. The fun loving, relaxed and energetic you! Using our creativity allows layers of stress to fall away. This workshop will show you how and where to begin. Speaker: Michele Brideau

• "FOR A WORTHY CAUSE" - FUNDRAISING AND PARTNERSHIPS - May 25, 2006 - 6:00pm-9:00pm -This workshop will help you to establish the goals and objectives of your campaign, develop your strategic benefits, come up with ways to add benefits appropriate to the interests of the funder, present future outcomes (steps taken to ensure that an impact is made in your community after your fundraising) and benefits appropriate to the situation of your organization and your community. Speaker: Gary Chouinard

• THE 10 STEPS IN SCREENING - June 8, 2006 - 6:00pm- 9:00pm This workshop will give the opportunity to look at past and present practices and what agencies need to do to protect themselves in the future. Speaker: Lorene Johnson

All workshops are being held at the Saint John Free Public Library Market Square. Cost of the Workshops: Member Agency $25.00; Non Member $35.00. All workshops are 3 hours in length. Registration is necessary and registration deadline is one week prior to date of the Workshop. To register, please call Valerie Fitzpatrick at (506) 658-1555 or email vol.training@nb.aibn.com