Although it is more discrete, the second component of our community action is the psychological aid we provide to our families. This aid consists of promoting the functional autonomy of our participants to foster social inclusion and improve their standards of living.
 
Our social workers held 1200 meetings with individuals on various topics, such as, housing, job search, going back to school, financial difficulties, assistance for new arrivals, legal aid, issues of mental health and social integration. To achieve its mission, the Aylmer Food Centre (Centre) has adopted the principle of the CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, section 45:

“Every person in need has a right, for himself and his family, to measures of financial assistance and to social measures provided for by law, susceptible of ensuring such person an acceptable standard of living.”
Psychosocial Aid

The Centre promotes and participates in the development of self-reliance and provides
psychosocial and professional support to improve their standard of living.

Psychosocial aid is :
Homelessness prevention

  • 1087 persons receiving aid
  • ​1182 individual meetings 
  • 100 families were assisted in obtaining or maintaining housing
  • 57 families were referred to the OMHG[1]
  • 19 households assisted with issues of homelessness
  • 24 households assisted in obtaining housing

​ Families in Action
  • 9 outings with 400 participants
"C’est la fête"
  • 7 outings with 99 children

Conferences and workshops
  • 5 conferences and workshops were offered to 123 participants​

Other psychosocial interventions

  • 200 people were helped with health issues
  • 280 households received orientation services
  • 248 were referred to external organizations in the network




​
​Education and Social Integration

 
The Centre believes in training and self-development. Therefore, in 2017-2018, the Centre organized the following activities:

Social and occupational integration
  • 15 people benefitted from work internships
  • 13 people were accepted to undertake community work

Interships
  • 3 interns from courses in social work ("La Cité")
  • 1 intern from a course in special education ("Cégep de l’Outaouais")
  • 2 law students (University of Ottawa)

Be Your Own Chef
  • 41 culinary workshops
  • 35 youth/teen participants

Collective Kitchens
  • 49 participants
  • 115 beneficiaries​
Education
  • 35 people were assisted in their return to school
  • 720 snacks were distributed in schools in 2017-2018
  • 900 lunches were distributed in schools in 2017-2018
  • 460 lunches distributed (January to March 2018)
  • 2700 lunches in 3 schools (objective of school year 2018-2019)