Healthy families make healthy communities

Today is World Refugee Day, a day to recognize the plight of refugees and how we can help refugees arriving in our communities achieve a safer, better life for themselves and their families. At United Way be believe in building healthy, caring, inclusive communities. Which is why we’re thrilled to partner with Langley Community Services Society to support its Newcomer Healthcare Workshops. These programs educate and empower local refugee families with the knowledge they require to navigate the often complex local medical system. Over 100 children and parents attended LCSS’ inaugural series of 12 workshops, which linked them with a family physician, and covered topics such as when to see a doctor, and access help for medical conditions and hospital treatments. “This initiative helps refugee families find their way in the Canadian medical system and also to network with local doctors,” explained Langley Community Services refugee health care consultant Julie Clayton. It also helps identify individuals within the Langley refugee community who have medical backgrounds and skills in interpretation and translation. Through this initiative also, LCSS has discovered a former medical doctor, a dentist, a nurse and multiple individuals skilled in medical translation. “This just goes to show how refugee clients are going to be instrumental in solving challenges in terms of ensuring adequate healthcare services to all newcomers to our community,” Clayton said. The series concluded on May 23 with a graduation event at the Southgate Community Church, hosted by LCSS were participating refugee and newcomers to Langley received Canadian Health Care Literacy ‘passports.’ “There are so many phenomenal things coming out of this initiative, including a local healthcare resource committee that would not have been possible without our fabulous partnership with United Way.” Who participated in the workshop series: • 56 adults and 43 children. • Countries of origin: Syria, 38 adults, 41 children; Iraq, 8 adults and 3 children; the Karen people, 9 adults and 7 children; Iran, 1 adult and 1 child. To learn more about how we work together to build strong communities click here.