Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS)
History:
Punjabi Community Health Services was founded on July 5, 1990. It was incorporated as a not-for-profit community based agency on October 25, 1995. It became a registered charitable organization on April 1, 2010.
How PCHS has grown over the years?
1990: Established Punjabi Community Health Project – 5 July 1990
1991: Operated out of the Peel Health Office at 199 County Court Blvd. Work started with seniors.
1992: Two research projects started “to determine the extent of alcohol use in the Punjabi community” and “Sikh Community and Gaps in Social services in the GTA, July 1992”
1993: Organized four conferences on the topics of “Anti-Racism”, “Career Choices” and “Leadership for Youth” and “Seniors Well-being”
Final Report of the Punjabi Community Health Project released in December 1993.
1994: Pilot project - Sahara Men’s Group started
Video developed – Dealing with Alcohol: It’s effects and treatment
1995: Incorporated as Punjabi Community Health Project and Logo developed
Print resources developed - Parenting manuals
Video developed – Parenting in Canada in Punjabi language
South Asian Men’s Project developed in DPNC
1st year - SAHARA Men’s Group
1996: PCHC developed a two health promotion projects “Punjabi Women and Health Promotion – May 1996 and Punjabi Parent Development Project – July 1996”. In addition two research studies were also undertaken “Tobacco Use Amongst Punjabi Youth, Sept. 96 and Enhancing Access to Prenatal Classes, Oct. 96”.
A video was also developed, titled “Dying for a Cigarette” in Oct. 96.
1997: Research Study – “Health Project for Seniors” released in March 1997.
PCHC developed a one year Health Promotion project with South Asian Seniors in partnership with Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) and South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC).
1998: Two conferences were organized on “Health and well-being of Seniors and Women and “Intergenerational issues (Youth) in partnership with Can-Sikh Cultural Centre”.
United Way of Peel Region funded a one year project on HIV/AIDS South Asian Youth Education Research Project.
1999 PCHS helped organize the first ever “Blood Donor camp organized in the Sikh community”. PCHS started the Parenting Sessions at Mississauga Gurdwara (Sikh Temple). In addition, a Family Violence Project with COSTI was also started. Unforgettable Memories (a forum for seniors) and
Violence Against South Asian Women workshop in partnership with PCAWA was also undertaken.
2000: PCHC, in partnership with Inter-Cultural Neighbourhood Social Services (ICNSS) organized “the Body Image Problems amongst South Asian Girls in Peel Region” project. It also started the one hour radio program (Tuhadi Awaz – Your Voice) on 1320 AM.
An innovative project with Victim Services of Peel (VSOP) “South Asian Family Violence Volunteer Response Team Project” was initiated.
2001: The following projects were undertaken:
Ontario Trillium Foundation funded the Community Neighbourhood Co-operative Cluster project through which PCHC was given an office space at ICNSS office – January 2001.
ICNSS and PCHC were jointly funded by the Region of Peel to run the Youth project.
Ontario Trillium Foundation funded a joint project of PCHC with VSOP for 5 years called “Mentoring For Change”.
PCHC supported Can-Sikh Cultural Centre to organize the 11th World Kabbadi Cup in Brampton.
Project to enhance the 'SAHARA' group initiated in partnership with William Osler Hospital - Withdrawal Management Services
PCHS receives funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation for four years to “Develop Social Capital in Peel”
1st year - 'SAHARA' women’s group started at the Gurdwara
“SAHARA” seniors group started at ICNSS
1st Annual Fundraising dinner successfully completed
2002: PCHC organizes the following projects and activities:
PCHC starts a television program started “ Youth ConneXion” at Sur Sagar television.
PCHC launches an EcoAction project. This project develops awareness in the environment issues within the Punjabi community.
One year United way funded project launched – Training Sikh Priests towards enhancing understanding of women abuse issues.
Drinking and Driving research amongst South Asian youth findings released in November.
Research study in partnership with Centre for Addictions and Mental Health in the areas of Addiction, Mental Health and Barriers to Access completed.
Translation projects undertaken using the 9 step guidelines.
Peel Heart Health Network allocated funds to the PCHC to develop awareness of heart disease in the Punjabi community.
Drinking and Driving report released October 2002.
2003: The following projects were undertaken
PCHC receives funding from the HEAL Network.
PCHC receives funding by CAMH to counsel clients with “Gambling” problems.
1st strategic Planning undertaken by the Board, staff and volunteers.
PCHC started celebrating the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2003 at 3050 Confederation Parkway.
2004: PCHC starts the 1st annual children’s camp at the head office in Brampton.
2005: PCHC released three research studies under the “Develop Social Capital in Peel” project. The research studies are “HIV/AIDS research report released October 2005”, “Homosexuality research report released August 2005”, “Sexual Abuse research report released November 2005”.
PCHC received funding from Health Canada to start two projects – “Hep C project” and “Tobacco project”.
2006: PCHC received funding from New Horizon Seniors Program and started a partnership project with Community University Research Alliance (CURA) to explore a research project in the Sikh Punjabi community.
2007: PCHC started a comprehensive campaign to strengthen itself organizationally. It started to negotiate with Central West – LHIN to receive funding for serving the South Asian community.
2008: PCHC name changed to Punjabi Community Health Services. Central west LHIN funded PCHS in the addictions, mental health and againg at home programs. In addition, PCHS was allocated a van for transportation purposes. PCHS developed two videos – one, “Let’s Talk About It – Senior Abuse video” and two, “Parenting video developed with 4 Peel Schools”.
PCHS, on October 25, organized a historic Community Forum to discuss Youth problems at Chandni Banquet Hall. Over 800 people attended this session.
2009: Chana Group of Co. donated the office space at the Ebenezer Road in Brampton. Seniors Health fair and Diabetes Camp were organized. PCHS also received funding from the Ministry of Health Promotion under the Healthy Communities Stream. The Executive Director also Co-Chairs the Diversity Core action Group of Central West – LHIN.
PCHS The following activities were undertaken:
2010: In January 2010, the Executive Director made a presentation at Food Corporation of India staff at the New Delhi office. This was the first such presentation in New Delhi, India. The topic was children and personality development.
United Way of Peel funded PCHS to develop a Youth Project to address Violence issues in Malton.
In January 2010, Seniors High Risk program in partnership with SHIP and PSL was initiated. This program is funded by CW-LHIN.
