Assignment Task.
Social Determinants for Mental Healthcare:
Freedom from discrimination and violence • Social inclusion • Access to economic resources
Employment and working conditions, Unemployment and Job security, and Health Services.
Poverty and Economic inequality are the main issues related to childcare centers.
Social determinants of mental health include, aboriginal status, disability, early life, education, employment and working conditions, food insecurity, health services, gender identity, housing, income and income distribution, race, sexual orientation social exclusion, social safety net, unemployment, and job security. (choose from this topic that relates to the early-on centers- mainly the ones highlighted in red.)
One of my neighbors had a kid going to the Delta family healthcare. They also go to the food bank. While discussing the act of kindness and visiting a food bank, I thought they would be of some help, and I could go ask if they knew how to volunteer in the food bank. They suggested me to go and talk in person. I talked to them for a few days about the act of kindness and they suggested I volunteer at DELTA FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE, which their kid was already enrolled in.
Apart from this, I also learned from my elder sibling that the Delta Family Resource centre has many services which include, Counselling Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) Student Family Advocate Program (SFA) OZ – Ounce of Prevention MMERE DANE Youth Justice JOURNEY TO ZERO-Mpatapo Bell Let’s Talk Youth In Transition Kujistahi Family Resource Centre / EarlyOn: Food Pantry LGBTQ2SIA + YOUTH After-school Program Black Youth Success in School Basketball Leadership Program Canada Summer Jobs Program Seniors’ Program Seniors Exercise Seniors Cook & Learn Volunteering/Internship/Placement Program (VIP), etc.
I chose to go to the Family Resource Centre / EarlyOn as that was the closest to my place of residence. EarlyOn programs for Parents/caregivers with children Birth – 6 years. I live at Duncanwoods Dr, North York (M9L 2E1). I went to the Centre on 23th May 2024, Thursday. The first thing I noticed at the place is there were many kids of approximately under 4 years with their parents/ grandparents and teachers were playing with them. I let them know that I was interested in volunteering for a day or two and Mrs Lalita, informed me that I had to fill out the form and meet the manager at Kipling and Wilson intersection Branch, which is the main branch in this area. Next, on 28th May 2024, Tuesday I went to the main branch on the Kipling and Wilson Intersection. I met with Mrs. Shabina, the manager she informed me of the overview and guided me through some of the workloads depending on the size of the branch. Some common activities were cleaning, and preparing (organizing and serving) food to kids. Playing with them and watching the kids for any harm. She put me at the Islington center as that was close to my residence. Finally, I got the approval to volunteer. They gave me three days which were 31st May, June 03, and June 04, according to my availability I filled in the form to volunteer. The daycare at Islington operates from 9:00 AM- 12:30 PM. I was excited about that as I never had gone to a childcare center in Canada. On May 31st, early morning, I went to the center. This center was very small in comparison to the others. I met Mrs. Lalita and Mrs. Seema who guided me throughout the day. There were two rooms and a kitchenette. There were no kids that early in the morning. So, I helped them print some activity papers and arrange the colors and make table ready for the kids to start by coloring. They also informed me that the centre was going on a construction so it would be closed for next three days. They were breaking the wall to make a single large hall instead of two small rooms. After arrangement we had a personal short talk and then we washed some apples and removed yogurt into the bowls and cleaned the kitchenette. Then, there came a girl (2 yrs.) from Philippines (approx. 9:40). And then two (black, 2.5 yrs. old) boys, (approx. 9:55 maybe). A girl from India, (3 years), two boys from India (3.5 years), a (black, 1 year) boy. In between 10:00 – 10:25. I played with them Each teacher/ volunteer has to personally play with each kid for 30 minutes and then Read them books. And we also learnt animal names with the kids with the help of toys. Then served them meal, apple and yogurt and cereals. While teaching them to arrange pray and share food. At the end, we also sang some rhymes and danced.
- Identify social vulnerabilities that created a climate for the act of kindness to occur (ex. Food insecurity, housing insecurity, mental health diversity, economic disparity, etc.). – Provide location-specific data (ex. Statistics on homelessness in the city).
- Statistics from CBC, STATS CANADA (Only for Toronto./ North York region). Etc.
This section includes a theoretical component. Students must use at least 2 academic scholarly articles to discuss social determinants of health. An analysis of the distribution of the social powers involved in the act of kindness (ex. Why do you have the power to provide this meal?)
- Discuss from French and Raven Distribution of power
You were able to volunteer because of referent power. Discuss.
Discuss: Does this act make you feel heroic? Is that a type of social power?
- What community organizations can you identify that contribute to everyday heroism that is related to your act of kindness?
