Community Scoop

While not an opportunity, the FCT felt it important to highlight to the community this exciting new documentary feature, a debut of director Thea Loo!

Filipina Canadian producer and director Thea Loo’s documentary feature debut Inay. Produced by No More Productions, the film takes an in-depth look at the trauma experienced by many Filipino Canadians because of the “flawed” immigration pathways that have separated many Filipino children from their mothers. Principal photography commenced in February, with an all Asian-Canadian cast and crew and filming will take place in Ottawa and Cobourg, Ontario and Vancouver, North Vancouver and New Westminster, BC.

With the desire to help answer unresolved questions and heal lingering wounds, Inay investigates the flawed immigration pathways between the Philippines and Canada that kept so many Filipino children from their mothers. Inay, which means “mama” in Tagalog, is an intimate and personal look at the experiences and trauma endured by many Filipino Canadians. Filmmaker Thea Loo and her husband Jeremiah Reyes, who is also the film's Director of Photography, explore the intersections of mental health and migrant labour and the effects that continue to be felt years later. Through intimate conversations, this self-reflexive documentary aims to bridge the silences and disconnect between the first and second generations of the Filipino community.

Inay is produced in association with the Knowledge Network, Canada Media Fund and The Cinematheque. The documentary features cast and subjects Shirley Lagman, Jeremiah Reyes and Thea Loo. Priscilla Galvez (Islands, Sing Me a Lullaby) serves as executive producer, Natalie Murao (Blue Garden, No More Parties) is associate producer and Jeremiah Reyes (Like Minded, Nanay) and Christian Yves Jones (To Make Ends Meat, Pride: The LGBTQ+ History Series) are co-directors of photography.

Inay is set to air on the Knowledge Network in the summer of 2024.

UFL is an organization running multiple programs aimed at improving literacy in language, mathematics, and computers. A calendar of their programs is attached below. They have both virtual and in-person classes. If you are interested in knowing more, you can contact Pooja Verma (pverma@unitedforliteracy.ca,
1-800-555-6523 x 1202)

You can also find more info on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedForLiteracy/
And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedforliteracy/?fbclid=IwAR02uQWs_hXc1c9w39SGIfhl7ZsSfP7XhXEL1HUUGJQX798_j_cupiFf6hk

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Has your income been affected due to COVID-19? Are your monthly payments too high? Are you behind on mortgage payments? Harold the Mortgage Agent can help!

1st and 2nd mortgages with a quick closing.

To learn more, phone or text Harold Gertsei, Mortgage Agent (Broker License #12580): 647-400-4653

Pinoys on Parliament is an Ottawa-based, youth organization established in 2019 to bring together young Filipino Canadians to discuss issues important to our community, with a focus on representation in various spheres of influence.

This year's annual conference will be the fourth ever Pinoys on Parliament conference, with the theme of Balikbayan.

The 2023 conference will be held in-person in Ottawa, Ontario. It will consist of a keynote address, three speaking panels, twenty one workshops, a cultural showcase, and community symposium. The conference is open to Filipino-Canadian youth from various provinces.

More information and registration for this conference can be found here: https://www.pinoysonparliament.com/

Bridge to Health Care: Alternatives Online is an online platform, accessible anytime, anywhere.

This program provides:
➔ Canadian workplace values and expectations
➔ Health care terminology and communication
➔ Current job search techniques and strategies
➔ Linking with a professional health care mentor
➔ Completing a work placement
➔ Participating in virtual employer networking events

Industry-specific certification includes:
➔ Blended SFA, BLS, and WHMIS

This Program is available at NO COST to people who are/have:
➔ Permanent Resident, Convention Refugee, Landed Immigrant, or Live-in Caregiver
➔ Internationally Educated Professional with a degree in a health care-related field
➔ Minimum two years work experience in healthcare outside of Canada
➔ Legally entitled to work in Canada
➔ English language level equal to CLB 7

REGISTER FOR AN UPCOMING SESSION!
905-604-8455
1-866-592-6278
b2hca@jobskills.org
www.jobskills.org

Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Now that we have begun the 2022-2023 school year, Polycultural has some exciting in-person youth programs at our Scarborough South location (located near Markham and Eglinton).

On Monday’s, we will be running our Arts and Crafts Club from 4pm-5pm. On Tuesday’s, we will be running our in-person homework club from 4pm-5:30pm. Both programs are for children ages 6-13.

On Wednesday’s, we will have our Feminine Fusion group for teenager girls ages 13-18. This will be a fun and interactive group for teenager girls to meet other girls in the community and spend time doing fun and engaging activities as well as empowering each other and developing leadership skills.

For those thinking of applying for post-secondary, we will be running a virtual post-secondary 101 workshop on October 6th, 2022 from 5pm-6pm. We will go over the post-secondary application process in Ontario, financial assistance as well as important dates. This will be an informative workshop for those who need more clarity and resources.

To register, please contact aravindran@polycultural.org or (416) 261-4901 ext 3248.

Key Info
➔ Program funded by the province of Ontario
➔ Program Duration - 28 Weeks (740 Hours) 18 weeks of theory (Hybrid) and 10 weeks of placement.
➔ Free Tuition and Books provided.
➔ Up to CAD 5000 paid towards placement stipend.
➔ Placement will be held in the Durham region.
➔ A Free Laptop will be provided for digital skills training for the students after enrollment.
➔ Initial costs for medical checks and police clearance will be borne by the applicant.

To enroll in the program, the following prerequisites need to be completed. The program is meant only for Permanent Residents, Canadian citizens, or Protected Persons
➔ There is no specific limitation on age, however, having a good physical health record is required for the PSW profession.
➔ Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent OR pass a basic literacy and math test
➔ Provide a complete immunization record - Due within 45 days (including weekends) of the enrollment date.
➔ Provide clean criminal and vulnerable sector police clearance record
➔ Two-step vaccination for COVID-19 is mandatory

Councillor Cynthia Lai of Ward 23 recently hosted two sessions aimed at making seniors aware of the City of Toronto services available to them and their caregivers. The slide decks used for the presentation are shared below (one in English, one in Mandarin/Cantonese) .

A recording of the English session can be found here: https://youtu.be/to2c2tpT_ss.

Seniors and caregivers are encouraged to take advantage of these resources, and contact Councillor Cynthia Lai's office with any questions or concerns they may have.