Silayan Community Centre Bulletin: 3-Part Nanny Stories: Toronto Star Investigation

YEARS OF CHAMPIONING CAREGIVERS' CAUSE PAYS OFF

Pura Velasco has been waiting 20 years for this day.

Since her arrival in Canada as a foreign caregiver in 1989, the 59-year-old Filipina has been advocating for the rights of desperate foreign caregivers in Canada.

Yesterday, that work was vindicated.

When Ontario Minister of Labour Peter Fonseca rose in the Legislature to announce his government is introducing legislation to protect exploited caregivers, the soft-spoken, 4-foot-11 Velasco saw years of volunteer work finally pay off.

[note: above is an excerpt from Part III]

Please click on the links below from the Toronto Star to read full stories.

Part I: Nannies Trapped

Part II: Nannies not Protected

Part III: Victory for our Nannies

Welcome

Greetings from the SCC Board of Directors!

Dear members, volunteers and visitors to Silayan Community Centre Bulletin. We are currently undergoing improvements to the organization and as such this blog site will be used to reflect the on-going changes that will follow in the next months and upcoming new year.

We hope to provide the Filipino community with existing services and also endeavor to introduce new programs that are reflective of Toronto’s diverse immigrant population.

We ask for your patience and resolve as we embark on a new chapter in Silayan’s evolution towards a new era of community-building, social support, cultural appreciation and volunteerism.

This is a forum for sharing and communicating ideas and relevant information. Please drop us a line with your questions, comments and suggestions at silayancommunitycentre@yahoo.ca. We will try and respond to your queries in a timely manner.

Thank you for your continued support over the years. Mabuhay!

Services

Most of our services are accomplished through referrals and partnerships with other social service agencies. A majority of our programs are entirely volunteer-run and from time-to-time with funding we are able to provide the community with exceptional and specialized programs.

Immigration Support Services
We provide basic information on how to access services related to housing, employment, health, education, and social services. We give orientation and basic skills training for entry to the workforce such as typing classes and tutorial computer classes.

Crisis Intervention
We provide support counseling to individuals and families in crisis situation or refer them to professionals and appropriate agencies.

Community Education
We hold information sessions on issues that affect the general well-being of the community. Workshops may include health and wellness promotion, nutrition, drug-prevention program services, mental health, crime and safety and other topical issues.

Cultural Heritage Programs
Programs that foster understanding and appreciation of their cultural roots are offered to children and youth. Filipino language classes for adults are also offered.

Specialized Programs
With funding we are able to provide specific programs for seniors, youth, women and LGBT.

Community Centre Facilities
Drop-in, resource centre, networking, skills training, volunteering

Thank you!

SCC would like to take this opportunity to thank those people who have helped Silayan for the past 36 years. With your help SCC survived through years of social service cut-backs and at times an uncertain economic atmosphere. Thank you to the many volunteers who have honoured us with their expertise, time and effort. Thank you to our funders and project partners for providing the financial assistance and organizational direction. Thank you to the staff and board of directors for continuing to serve the ever-changing community over the years. Finally, thank you to the community members of Toronto Centre-Rosedale for allowing us to serve you over the years. Without your input and participation, SCC would not have continued to flourish. Salamat!

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3-Part Nanny Stories: Toronto Star Investigation

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