Connexions Resource Centre - Satellite Offices
Visits by appointment only
Shawville: 530, rue Main, Shawville, Qc, J0X 2Y0
Wakefield: 721, chemin Riverside, Wakefield, QC J0X 3G0
819-557-0615 •

Wrap-Up And Resources Shared during the Hull Adult Education Centre’s Health Forum

We had a wonderful time talking to students during the Annual Health Forum at the Hull Adult Education Centre (HAEC).

Every year, Connexions works closely with the HAEC to bring community organizations that work with youth and Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) specialists to the Centre in order to hold information workshops and set-up kiosks for students. The purpose of the Forum is to let students know what health and social services are available in the Outaouais area and to give them an opportunity to connect with community organizations that offer services specifically to young people.  This year’s theme was Healthy Lifestyles.

Students had the opportunity to attend 5 workshops:

  • The HAEC offered a hands-on cooking class for their students on “Healthy Eating, Healthy Minds” where students had the opportunity to create some easy-to-make recipes that were affordable and of course healthy. The workshop divided the students into groups to help them learn important skills including the importance of teamwork, how to follow instructions and how to create simple recipes to make at home on a low budget.
  • Josette Kodsi and Chelsey Culley, Social Workers at the Western Quebec School Board, spoke to students about anxiety and stress, and gave them valuable tools to help them cope with every day stresses.
  • PACT – Ottawa spoke to students about human trafficking, about the various reasons why human trafficking exists, why and how youth become victims and how they can stay safe, as well as where they can find support and resources for themselves or a loved one.
  • Portage Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Treatment Centre came with 4 residents who told their powerful story of drug abuse and how the Portage program helped them to deal with the issues that lead them to taking drugs.
  • Krishnan Sundaram of Flow Drumming organized a drumming workshop for students with a focus on building leadership and team work skills, enhancing creativity, stress relief, as well as good mental health.

Connexions also had the opportunity to speak to students at our kiosk, answering questions about mental health services, how to use 811, and sharing information on accessing health and social services resources in the community.  Here are some of the resources shared:

We would like to thank the organizations who came to provide information to students at the kiosks, including L’Apogée (French Website, but bilingual services at 819-771-5566), Le Bras, L’Autre Chez Soi , Western Quebec Literacy Council (WQLC), the Western Quebec Career Centre, Algonquin College, Cégep Heritage College and the Regional Association of West Quebecers.

We would like to thank the HAEC students for taking part in this full-day event.  And our sincerest thanks to Scott Cavers, Principal at HAEC, Sheldon  Macgillivray, Vice-Principal, as well as the teachers and support staff for their help in organizing the Wellness Fair.  A thank you goes out as well to the community organizations and WQSB specialists who came out to pass on information and answer student questions.  You have once again helped us make this Health and Wellness Fair a continuing success!