Carlington Community Health Centre

10/10/2025

🧠 Meet the Provider | Episode 3

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team
Featuring Evan Lothian – Trusted Voice & Mental Health Ally

📣 When mental health support can’t wait, our ACT Team is there — 24/7, 365 days a year.
They walk alongside individuals facing complex, long-term mental health challenges, offering care that’s intensive, compassionate, and community-based.

👥 Made up of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, mental health and addictions counsellors, peer support specialists — and dedicated frontline workers like Evan Lothian — this team brings wraparound care directly to the people who need it most, right where they are.

💬 “We show up — consistently and with care — because healing happens in relationships.”

Evan’s daily work embodies Carlington’s values of respect, inclusion, and collaboration. His calm presence and steadfast commitment help ensure that clients never walk their recovery journey alone.

✨ Together, the ACT Team is more than a service — they’re a lifeline, building hope and stability across our community.

🔗 Learn more about our ACT Team
👉 https://carlingtonchc.com/programs-and-services/assertive-community-treatment-team/

10/08/2025

🧠 Mental Illness Awareness Week | October 5–11
This week, we stand together to break the stigma and open conversations about mental health. 💬

At Carlington Community Health Centre, we know that mental health is not just personal — it’s community health. Our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team and Counselling Services work every day to provide 24/7 compassionate care, helping people find stability, connection, and hope.

💚 Because no one should have to face mental illness alone.
Reach out. Listen. Support.
Together, we can make healing possible.

📞 For a referral to ACT services, contact:
ACT Central Intake: 613-722-6521 ext. 7325 or 613-722-9731
Learn more: https://carlingtonchc.com/programs-and-services/assertive-community-treatment-team/



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🧠 Semaine de sensibilisation aux maladies mentales | 5 au 11 octobre
Cette semaine, unissons nos voix pour briser les tabous et parler ouvertement de santé mentale. 💬

Au Centre de Santé Communautaire de Carlington, nous croyons que la santé mentale fait partie intégrante de la santé communautaire. Notre équipe ACT et nos services de counseling offrent un soutien bienveillant, 24 heures sur 24, pour aider chacun à retrouver espoir, équilibre et connexion.

💚 Parce que personne ne devrait affronter la maladie mentale seul·e.
Tendez la main. Écoutez. Soutenez.
Ensemble, rendons la guérison possible.

📞 Pour une orientation vers les services ACT, communiquez avec :
Accueil central ACT : 613-722-6521 poste 7325 ou 613-722-9731
En savoir plus : https://carlingtonchc.com/fr/programmes-et-services/sante-mentale-et-dependances/

10/07/2025

🎃✨ Get Ready for Spooky Creativity!

Join us for our Halloween Costume Workshops — Stitch & Style Society! 🧵👻
Every Wednesday, our team is helping families bring their costume ideas to life with free materials, guidance, and lots of fun.

🗓️ Dates: Oct 9, 15, 22 & 29
🕐 Time: 1 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: 1475 Caldwell Ave
🎟️ Free • Drop-in • Everyone Welcome!

Bring your imagination — we’ll provide the rest!
Come make memories, costumes, and community connections before Halloween night!

🧡 Organized by Carlington CHC, in partnership with Caldwell Family Centre and TD.



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🎃✨ Place à la créativité d’Halloween !

Participez à nos ateliers de confection de costumes d’Halloween – Société de point et de style ! 🧵👻
Chaque mercredi, notre équipe aide les familles à donner vie à leurs idées de costumes avec du matériel gratuit, des conseils et une belle dose de plaisir !

🗓️ Dates : 9, 15, 22 et 29 octobre
🕐 Heure : 13 h à 15 h 30
📍 Lieu : 1475, avenue Caldwell
🎟️ Gratuit • Sans inscription • Ouvert à tous !

Apportez votre imagination — nous fournissons le reste !
Créez des souvenirs, des costumes et des liens avant la grande nuit d’Halloween ! 🎃

🧡 Organisé par le CSC Carlington, en partenariat avec le Centre familial Caldwell et TD.

10/05/2025

🍼💛Celebrating National Breastfeeding Week (Oct 1–7)!

Here, our amazing staff are sharing how they help to sustain breastfeeding/chestfeeding while working at Carlington CHC—proving that with support, dedication, and a little creativity, work and feeding your baby can go hand in hand.

Explore more of our perinatal and lactation support services here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/820563608421841

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🍼💛Célébrons la Semaine nationale de l’allaitement (1er–7 octobre)!

Ici, notre incroyable équipe partage comment elle soutient l’allaitement/l’alimentation au sein tout en travaillant au Carlington CHC — prouvant qu’avec du soutien, de la dévotion et un peu de créativité, le travail et l’alimentation de votre bébé peuvent aller de pair.

Découvrez davantage nos services de soutien périnatal et à l’allaitement ici : https://www.facebook.com/groups/820563608421841

10/04/2025

🌍🤱 Answer of the Day – National Breastfeeding Week!

Question:
What is the global recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding?

💡 Correct Answer:
✅ B) Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life.

👏Congratulations if you had the correct answer 👍

Breastfeeding gives every baby the healthiest start, while supporting families and communities for a sustainable future. 💛

🔗Learn more 👉 https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding =tab_2



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🌍🤱 Réponse du jour – Semaine Nationale de l’Allaitement Maternel !

Question:
Quelle est la recommandation mondiale concernant l’allaitement exclusif ?

💡 Bonne réponse :
✅ B) Commencer l’allaitement dans l’heure qui suit la naissance et allaiter exclusivement pendant les 6 premiers mois de vie.

👏Félicitations à ceux qui ont la bonne réponse 👍

L’allaitement donne à chaque bébé le meilleur départ possible tout en soutenant les familles et les communautés pour un avenir durable. 💛

🔗Pour en savoir plus 👉 https://www.who.int/fr/health-topics/breastfeeding =tab_2

10/04/2025

🌍🤱 National Breastfeeding Week Question of the Day!
Let’s test your knowledge:

What is the global recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding?

A) Start breastfeeding when convenient and continue for 3 months.
B) Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life.
C) Only breastfeed at night for the first 6 months.

Breastfeeding builds a healthy foundation for babies — and supports sustainable development for families and communities! 💛



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🌍🤱 Question du jour – Semaine Nationale de l’Allaitement Maternel !
Testons vos connaissances 👇

Quelle est la recommandation mondiale concernant l’allaitement exclusif ?

A) Commencer l’allaitement quand c’est pratique et poursuivre pendant 3 mois.
B) Commencer l’allaitement dans l’heure qui suit la naissance et allaiter exclusivement pendant les 6 premiers mois de vie.
C) Allaiter uniquement la nuit pendant les 6 premiers mois.

L’allaitement maternel assure un bon départ dans la vie, tout en contribuant à la santé durable des familles et des communautés. 💛

10/03/2025

🌟 Meet our Natacha Dessande 🌟
As a member on our Senior Leadership Team at Carlington Community Health Centre, Natacha is passionately running in the 10k tomorrow.

Here’s her story and why she’s running:

We often forget that it’s not always a matter of choice. As a mother, sister, and woman, I feel deeply touched by this reality. We all have a role to play in supporting those who are living without a home. Today, we may have a roof over our heads, but tomorrow, no one knows what the future holds. Kindness, love, compassion, and the desire to help others remain essential values for me, because a simple roof can change everything. Participating in this race is, for me, a concrete way to contribute and do my part for this cause. Together, let’s reach out and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

👉 Support Natacha in her upcoming 10k here: https://raceroster.com/events/2025/106339/race-to-end-homelessness/fundraising-organization/76165

👏 Join us in cheering on Natacha and the rest of Carlington Team HOME as they run to support safe, inclusive housing for all.

10/03/2025

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Meet the Provider Series | Episode 2
💛 Family Care That Grows With You – Featuring Areli Lopez, Family Support Worker at Annavale Head Start

At Carlington CHC, our Family Team supports children and caregivers through every stage — from pregnancy to parenting teens. One team member with a uniquely focused role is Areli Lopez, Family Support Worker based full-time at Annavale Head Start.

🌱 Areli provides holistic, daily support to 39 children aged 18 months to 4 years and their families — many of whom are newcomers or navigating complex challenges. Her work includes:

🔗 Helping families access programs and resources like food support, parenting workshops, early interventions, and referrals.
🧒 Supporting children's healthy development and school readiness — from First Words screenings to warm school transitions.
👪 Strengthening parent-child attachment through coaching, check-ins, and workshops.
🧠 Promoting emotional wellness and resilience for families facing trauma or financial strain.

🗣️ “Supporting families goes beyond referrals — it’s about trust, consistency, and helping children grow in a safe, nurturing environment.”

While Areli’s work is grounded at Annavale, she is part of a vibrant Family Team that includes perinatal educators, early years staff, youth workers, and more — all working together to nurture confident, connected families.

✨ Because when families thrive, communities thrive.

📍Learn more about how we support families at https://carlingtonchc.com/programs-and-services/families/

10/03/2025

🌍🤱 National Breastfeeding Week | October 1–7, 2025

At Carlington CHC, we believe that sustainability in breastfeeding goes beyond duration — it's about building a supportive, inclusive system that empowers families at every stage.

We are proud to be a Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) organization, committed to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding — from informed decision-making to skin-to-skin bonding, and access to culturally safe support.

✨ This year's theme focuses on how breastfeeding contributes to:
✅ Climate action 🌱
✅ Health equity 💚
✅ Community resilience 🧡

📄 Learn more about our Baby Friendly Pledge:
🔗 https://ow.ly/FGSn50X5OcX

Let’s continue building a future where every baby has the best start in life — and where breastfeeding is normalized, supported, and celebrated.



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🌍🤱 Semaine Nationale de l’Allaitement Maternel | 1er au 7 octobre 2025

Au Centre de santé communautaire de Carlington, nous croyons que la durabilité en matière d’allaitement va bien au-delà de la durée. Elle repose sur un environnement soutenant, équitable et inclusif pour toutes les familles.

Nous sommes fiers d’être un établissement certifié Initiative des amis des bébés (IAB), engagé à :
✅ Protéger,
✅ Promouvoir, et
✅ Soutenir l’allaitement — à travers l’information, le contact peau-à-peau, et des services adaptés culturellement.

✨ Le thème de cette année met en lumière le rôle de l’allaitement dans :
🌱 L’action climatique
💚 L’équité en santé
🧡 La résilience communautaire

📄 Consultez notre engagement envers l’allaitement :
🔗 https://ow.ly/Y4lg50X5OcY

Continuons à bâtir un avenir où chaque bébé a le meilleur départ dans la vie — dans une société où l’allaitement est valorisé, soutenu et célébré.

10/03/2025

🌍🤱 National Breastfeeding Week 2025 • October 1–7
This year’s theme aligns with World Breastfeeding Week, coordinated globally by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).

This year, WABA highlights the connection between breastfeeding, sustainability, and climate action.

By supporting breastfeeding, we reduce the carbon footprint of artificial feeding and contribute to a healthier planet 🌱🌎.

Let’s nourish our babies and our environment — together. 💚

10/02/2025

🌟 Meet our Team Captain, Shravana Ramgoolam 🌟

As a management member at Carlington Community Health Centre, Shravana is leading Carlington Team HOME in the Race to End Homelessness this Saturday.

Here’s her story and why she’s running:
Homelessness is not an overnight event- it's a slow unraveling shaped by social isolation, financial strain and barriers to care. Working alongside front-line counsellors, health promotors, nurses and physicians, I see these challenges unfold every day. These realities fuel my determination- and that of our team- to act with compassion and urgency. Homelessness is not just a personal struggle; it is a reflection of systemic gaps, and social support systems.

👉 Support Shravana in her upcoming 10k here: https://raceroster.com/events/2025/106339/race-to-end-homelessness/pledge/participant/38980538

👏 Join us in cheering on Shravana and the rest of Carlington Team HOME as they run to support safe, inclusive housing for all.

10/02/2025

Together, let's take steps - literally - to make sure everyone in our community has a place to call HOME. Support Team HOME!!!

🏃‍♂️ Meet Langmia Awah — one of our incredible 10K runners for Carlington Team HOME!

Here’s his story and why he’s running:

“We at Carlington Community Health Centre are a place of hope, healing and empowerment that stand alongside some of the most vulnerable members of the Carlington–Westboro community in Ottawa. For many of our clients, homelessness—or the risk of it—is not a distant concern; it is a daily reality. In the face of these challenges, we consistently remain dedicated to showing up with action, compassion, and care.

We consider ourselves more than just a health Centre — we are a place where real people can access the resources they need to build a thriving home and reclaim stability in their lives. We are proud to take part in the Alliance for Healthier Communities Race to End Homelessness as Team HOME, showing up together through four powerful pillars that make a real difference: Hope, Outreach, Momentum, and Empowerment.

With your support, we can grow stronger together and continue to ensure that everyone in our community has access to a safe, reliable, and inclusive home.”

👉 Support Langmia and Carlington Team HOME here: https://raceroster.com/events/2025/106339/race-to-end-homelessness/pledge/participant/39436540

💙 Let’s cheer on Langmia and the whole team as they run to ensure everyone in our community has the dignity of a safe and stable home.