Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre

We are happy to share Saskia's first .

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On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Winthrop Court Community House PQCHC hosted a community barbecue, bringing community members of all ages together to enjoy some delicious food and spend time together in the park. We played music, blew up balloons, and got the sidewalk chalk out while kids played together, and parents had the opportunity to connect with one another.

For my first visit to Winthrop Community House, it was a great opportunity to meet new community members and reconnect with a few people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting through my work with other programs. While many of the faces were new to me, it was clear that they were familiar with one another, showing just how strong and connected this community is. Throughout the afternoon, staff connected community members with resources, offered a listening ear, and helped create a welcoming space where people could share their experiences and access support when needed.

We topped off the barbecue with an ice cream cake generously donated by one of the community’s dedicated residents, and you can imagine the long line of excited kids patiently waiting for their piece. It was a wonderful afternoon filled with , , and community spirit.

June is a month of , , , and as we recognize both Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month.

At our agency, we are proud to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. This year, we have chosen to place a special focus on Two-Spirit people and perspectives, recognizing the important role that Two-Spirit people have held in many Indigenous cultures and communities both historically and today.

The term Two-Spirit was introduced in 1990 by Indigenous leaders as a way to describe Indigenous people whose gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation reflects both Indigenous cultural understandings and diverse sexual and gender identities. While not all Indigenous LGBTQIA+ people identify as Two-Spirit, the term highlights the unique intersection of Indigenous and q***r identities and reminds us that gender and sexual diversity existed in many Indigenous communities long before colonization.

What you can do yourself to extend learning and exploration:
-Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. https://nctr.ca/about/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada-calls-to-action/
-Watch this video by Two-spirit Elder, Charlotte Nolin: https://www.weareallies.ca/storytellers/kokum-charlotte
-Listen to Indigenous podcasts, authors, artists, and community leaders.
-Reflect on how has impacted Indigenous communities and gender diversity.

Ottawa Public Health is hosting a May Mental Health Week Event- South Asian Community Dialogue. It is open to women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. It will feature three expert presenters including our Health Promoter- Susan Kuruvilla.

📅 Sunday May 31, 2026
🕑 2- 5 pm
📍 Ben Franklin Place (Chamber and Auditorium), 101 Centrepointe Drive

Admission is free but you must register (please check out posters below). Support will be available in English, French, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.

WHEN? Registration is open from May 20th- July 24th, 2026

WHO? Eligible families with children entering KG to Grade 9

HOW TO REGISTER:
Clients can register by leaving a voicemail at 613-820-4922 ext. 2277.
Someone will return their call as soon as possible to register them.

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PÉRIODE D’INSCRIPTION?
Les inscriptions sont ouvertes du 20 mai au 24 juillet 2026.

QUI PEUT S’INSCRIRE?
Les familles admissibles ayant des enfants qui entreront à la maternelle jusqu’à la 9e année.

COMMENT S’INSCRIRE :
Les familles peuvent s’inscrire en laissant un message vocal au 613-820-4922, poste 2277. Un membre de l’équipe retournera leur appel dès que possible afin de procéder à l’inscription.

Kudos to our partners at Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre for opening a new location to support adults living with dementia.

This space and support will make a meaningful difference not only for community members themselves, but also for their families and caregivers.

Our First Words team would like to invite you to a community screening of Sewâtsiwin: They Are Sacred (2025).

📅 Thursday June 4th
🕖 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
🎟️ $5/ticket
📍 Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street, Ottawa ON

The film follows Anders, an autistic child, and his father's journey to bring back traditional First Nations knowledge and philosophies in caring for neurodivergent members.

All gross ticket sales (only $5/ticket) and donations will go directly to the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition in support of their important community work.

Link to Register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/film-screening-ils-sont-sacresthey-are-sacred-hosted-by-the-first-words-program

To watch a trailer of the documentary, please click on this link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAHlaD-ipM4

Hello there! I’m Saskia, a Master of Social Work student at Carleton University. I began my placement at Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre with a bang at the end of April (right at the close of tax season) where I jumped straight into supporting the volunteer team that helped community members complete their taxes.

I’m excited to continue my education with an organization that promotes equitable and inclusive access to services, addresses the social determinants of health, and actively engages community members.

I hold a Bachelor of Social Work from Vancouver Island University and have a background working with older adults in community settings. I moved to Ottawa in August 2025 for my masters and have found it to be a beautiful and active city. I have a strong interest in working with diverse communities, including newcomers, Indigenous Peoples, and unhoused populations. I am also currently working in frontline support for individuals accessing shelters in Ottawa.

While being a student and frontline worker takes up a big part of my time and makes up most of my personality these days, I also love being outdoors, going to the gym, travelling, and doing arts and crafts!

Throughout my placement at PQCHC, I’ll be sharing my journey as I explore the many programs and community events we have to offer.

I hope you’ll join me on this learning journey as I gain a broader perspective on how a community health centre operates, collaborate with teams in the community, and learn the ins and outs of community health centre social work and beyond.

Happy Nurses Week to the incredible nurses, including Kate and Cindy, who care for our communities with compassion, skill, and heart every day. Thank you for the comfort, support, and dedication you bring to children, families, and colleagues alike — your impact is felt far beyond the moments of care. 💙

💙

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre will be closed on Victoria Day, Monday May 18.
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Centre de santé communautaire Pinecrest-Queensway sera fermée pour la Journée nationale des patriotes, le lundi 18 mai.