We discuss last Friday's meeting, February 14th, where we heard from members of the Sanguen Health Centre Team.
President Martin began the meeting with the Canadian National anthem and, because it was Valentine's Day and his 34th wedding anniversary, a toast to love. President Martin then discussed how his and Diana's wedding day was just as snowy as it was on Friday. It was so bad, in fact, that their wedding video begins with a shot of a truck, nose down in a ditch, that pans over to the church.
President Martin recounted how he and Diana had forgotten their wedding certificate at home and how one of their relatives had to drive through the bad roads to get it and come back. He made it back just in time, and they were able to get married on Valentine's Day.
President Martin also reminded our club of the visioning exercise that will take place on March 22nd. This will be an important meeting to discuss the direction of the club.
After this announcement, President Martin opened the floor to club members.
Matt Webster reminded everyone that Marva and Crista will be traveling to Istanbul to attend the Rotary International Peace Conference. If you have any questions that you would like Marva and Crista to look into, please send them to Matt or directly to Marva and Crista.
Matt also mentioned how Clubrunner emails are not always going through on Hotmail or Outlook email accounts. If you are using either of these email providers for Clubrunner, please consider using a different email (e.g., gmail).
Terrie Jarvis discussed how the Children and Youth Committee has been having organizations that they collaborate with attend their meetings.
Aidan Harris reminded everyone of the upcoming panel on Human Trafficking in the Guelph Wellington region. The event will take place on Monday, February 24th, from 7:00-8:30 PM. Email ehtc.rotary@gmail.com to register.
Lastly, Lawrie Jones discussed the history of Valentine's Day beginning with St. Valentine who would secretly marry Roman soldiers, who weren't allowed to wed until their active duty ended. He also discussed how hockey players at St. Mike's, when he attended the school, weren't allowed to be in relationships either. They were only supposed to focus on their training. All of this was to say how far we've come in terms of love.
Lunch was served shortly after announcements.
Following lunch, Helmuth Slisarenko introduced our guests from the Sanguen Health Centre. Helmuth discussed how Sanguen Health has traditionally been focused on community health outreach, particularly for marginalized groups like the chronically poor, homeless, and those using substances.
He then introduced our three speakers: Bree Woods (Manager of Community Engagement and Volunteer Support), Lindsay Sprague (Director of Community Programs), and Steph Beaumont (Peer Mobile Outreach worker).
Bree and Steph then presented, on behalf of Sanguen, together. Bree explained that Sanguen Health is a not-for-profit community-based healthcare agency that believes in providing compassionate support and accurate health information to at-risk communities.
A significant portion of Sanguine's funding comes from the Ministry of Health for Hepatitis C work, targeting those at risk in the community.
Sanguen Health began with Dr. Chris Steingart, an infectious disease specialist, and his wife, Michelle, who began a mobile outreach service for people at risk of Hepatitis C.
Sanguen's philosophy is built around harm reduction, meeting people where they are. This means that Sanguen does not require individuals to change their drug use of be ready for treatment. It is about helping them in the way that works for each individual.
Lindsay highlighted the various programs that Sanguen offers, including the Community Health Van (which is shown in the image above), street outreach, needle pickup, overdose prevention, and drug checking among others.
The organizations also provides primary care, vaccinations, peer support programs, and system navigation for vulnerable populations.
During the pandemic, Sanguine worked with peers and volunteers to continue providing services, emphasizing the importance of peer-to-peer connections.
The organization has also partnered with Ontario Veterinary Clinics to provide animal care services, including setting up clinics in partner buildings and providing care for pets.
Bree discussed the barriers faced by vulnerable populations, including mistrust of the healthcare system, stigma around substance use, lack of childcare, and precarious housing situations.
Through the peer support program, Sanguen employs and values the expertise of people with lived experience, incorporating peers into all programs, including safe injection sites, outreach services, and drug checking.
Most of the peer support workers are paid, but due to stagnant funding, some peer support workers are volunteers. Bree explains that they would pay all of them, if they could.
For many peer workers, this is the first paid job that they've had in years. It helps them get their feet under them while helping individuals that are going through similar experiences.
In the work that Sanguen does, it is so important to build relationships and trust with the community, especially for those who have had negative experiences with traditional healthcare providers.
Because of this, many of Sanguen's services are anonymous to maintain low barriers. This, however, makes it hard to collect data on the impact of harm reduction services.
After Bree and Lindsay finished their presentation, Anne MacKay thanked them and presented our club's Speaker's Certificate.
As there was nothing more for the good of Rotary, President Martin concluded the meeting.
Notes taken by Otter.ai., transcribed and edited by Aidan Harris.
One of Guelph's most cherished organizations, HOPE HOUSE, led by Rotarian Jaya James, is once again arranging their annual COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR (CNOY) fundraising walk. Register and join an easy 2km walk in Guelph on Saturday afternoon, February 22 at 2pm. You can form your own walking team and recruit members, or join one of the existing teams such as Jaya's team which is called "HOPE WALKS." Hope to see many Rotarians there!
This year’s CNOY event in Guelph is on February 22, and the "Hope Walks" team will be participating in the 2 km walk starting from John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute, 21 Meyer Drive, Guelph. The walk will begin at 2:00 PM, making it convenient for all schedules without any rush as well as for those who prefer to walk in the daylight.
Fundraise: Ask your friends, family, and colleagues to donate to your fundraising page. Every little bit helps!
Walk with us: On event day, we’ll walk in the cold for a great cause!
Your support makes a huge difference, and we're excited for the chance to walk together again this year.
ABOUT HOPE HOUSE - WHERE THE OPPOSITE OF POVERTY IS COMMUNITY
Hope House knows that poverty, food insecurity, and health are all interconnected. That is why Hope House serves vulnerable people in Guelph – the unhoused and housed, the employed and the unemployed, those suffering a new, bewildering setback and those dealing with chronic, more complicated issues of poverty.
On February 24th, 2025 the Eradicating Human Trafficking Committee will be hosting a panel discussion on human trafficking in the Guelph-Wellington Region.
The discussion will focus on the root causes of human trafficking, the difficulties survivors encounter when transitioning back into our communities, and how we can ensure that survivors' voices are centred in the development of anti-human trafficking policies.
Our panelists include: Vicki Olatundun, Executive Directors of Seeds, Cindy McMann, Public Educator for Women In Crisis, Mandira Arnab Aich, Program Manager at WomenAtTheCentre, and Krystal Snider, Lead Consultant at WomenAtTheCentre.
If you'd like to be part of the change and gain a better understanding of this horrific issue, register by emailing ehtc.rotary@gmail.com.
Join us to plant a new forest in Guelph and enjoy an Environmental Fair near Earth Day - rain or Shine! As the forest matures, it will help clean our air and water, and sequester significant amounts of carbon each year.
Saturday, April 26th, 2025. 9 am to 2 pm at 335 Laird Road in Guelph.
Join us to plant trees and enjoy the environmental fair with a variety of booths, entertainment, and food.
Parking available (including for bikes)
Trees, shovels, mulch, pails, and planting instruction provided.
Wear boots and gloves for your comfort. Remember: There is no bad weather, just bad clothing.
Stay hydrated while you plant thanks to the City of Guelph's Water Wagon; bring your refillable water bottle and help reduce plastic waste.
This forest site will become part of a future pollinator flyway as we are adding a native wildflower section this year.
Trees such as native oaks, sugar maples, and shrubs like serviceberries are popular with pollinators and are well suited to restoring our natural heritage system. While native trees and shrubs are critical to the survival of many pollinator species (e.g. bees, butterflies, wasps, moths, some flies and beetles and hummingbirds), other species rely on different plants such as wildflowers and even some native grasses for food and habitat. Adding these plants to the site will enhance biodiversity and species richness, benefiting the entire site. Attracting more pollinators to the site will also support other species up the food chain, such as birds, amphibians, spiders and others that prey on pollinators as larvae and as adults.
Recognizing this, in addition to the 1,400 woody plants for this year, over 400 - 2" X 2" X 5" plugs of native Ontario wildflowers and grasses will be planted in clusters along the edge of the site. Subject to availability, the wildflower species planted will include: Pale Purple Coneflower, New England Aster, Fox Glove Beardtongue, Joe-Pye Weed, False Sunflower, Virginia Mountain Mint, Heath Aster and others. Grass species that could be planted include: Big Blue Stem, Indian Grass, Switch Grass and Little Blue Stem Grass.
These plantings will complement other established pollinator-friendly plantings nearby - including one site previously supported by TD FEF - creating a "stepping stone" effect of "pollinator patches" that facilitate the movement of pollinators across an urban landscape.
This new forest will help clean our air and water, and become a home for nesting birds and other animals. As the forest becomes mature, it will sequester significant amounts of carbon every year. The trees you plant will benefit generations to come.
This 4.2 hectare site at 213 Clair Rd W will form a critical but fragile link between two large important natural areas.
It is a pinch point between the wetlands and forests of the Hanlon Creek and the natural areas of the Paris Galt Morraine. It has been highlighted as an ecological linkage and restoration area in the Natural Heritage System of Guelph’s Official Plan because species and ecosystems can only thrive through large, interconnected networks.
The thousands of native trees and shrubs we plant over the coming years will create a native forest community on the site. This will improve the habitat and provide additional cover and refuge for travelling wildlife.
Located within the Hanlon Creek Subwatershed - a coldwater creek with the last remaining known brook trout population in the city.
The site is protected as part of the City's Natural Heritage System in the Guelph Official Plan a part of an Ecological Linkage that also extends south of Clair Rd.
The site provides the northern portion of the Ecological Linkage by connecting to the largest remaining natural area in Guelph. This natural area is comprised of Provincially Significant Wetlands, Significant Woodland, Significant Valleyland, Significant Wildlife Habitat, and several headwater reaches of Hanlon Creek including those with brook trout.
South of Clair Rd, the Ecological Linkage connects to another large natural area comprised of Significant Landform associated with the Paris-Galt Moraine, Provincially Significant Wetlands, Significant Wildlife Habitat and Significant Woodlands. This portion of the Natural Heritage System extends through the Hanlon Creek Subwatershed and into the Mill Creek Subwatershed. The Ecological Linkage provides the only connection between the northern portion of the Hanlon Creek Subwatershed and the Mill Creek Subwatershed in the City and therefore is important for the movement of wildlife and the spread of plants and genetics.
Clair Rd at the south end of the site is identified in the Official Plan as a Wildlife Crossing Opportunity which means that in conjunction with public infrastructure improvements, the City will implement species-specific mitigative measures to minimize human-wildlife conflicts.
The site is currently classified as Cultural Savannah meaning it is a sparse woodland that has originated through anthropogenic influences. The creation of a native forest community on the site will increase habitat potential and provide additional cover and refuge for travelling wildlife.
Aaron Mendes wins the North American Youth Championship in Chess at the age of twelve.
Past President Mahmud Hassain, who attended the celebration for Aaron's win, writes:
As a Governor and lifetime member of the Chess Federation of Canada (CFC), I am proud to share this inspiring Canadian youth success story.
Meet Aaron Mendes. At just 9 years old, he achieved an extraordinary milestone by defeating a Grandmaster, making him the sixth youngest player in the world to do so.
At 12, he demonstrated his exceptional talent at the North American Youth Chess Championship in Dulles, Virginia, USA—an elite competition open to players aged 18 and under from Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Rising to the challenge, he claimed victory in the tournament and earned the prestigious International Master title, a lifelong distinction.
It was an honor to join fellow leaders from the Chess Federation of Canada in celebrating this remarkable Canadian achievement!
What an incredible story and journey for the newest International Master, Aaron Mendes!
Rotaract is the global movement of young leaders, founded in 1968 by Rotary International to encourage young people between the ages of 18 to 30 to actively participate in Rotary's motto of Service Above Self. The Rotaract Club of Guelph has its home base on the University of Guelph campus.
The following article was published in The Ontarion, the campus newspaper since 1951 at the University of Guelph.
Behind the scenes of the charitable work of students
How Rotaract Guelph builds community through service
The Ontarion, January 2025
By Athavi Nishaanthan
For some students, volunteer work is just another way to boost their resume. However, for the students who are a part of University of Guelph’s Rotaract Club, it provides a sense of community and an opportunity to socialize with others. Rotaract Guelph is U of G’s version of the Rotary Club, an organization that focuses on charitable work. It aims to support local organizations on a community scale. Whether it is lending a hand to a campus organization or initiative, or giving back to the community of Guelph, the acts of giving and supporting fuel Rotaract Guelph’s drive to continue the charitable work they selflessly do.
For years, Rotaract Guelph has helped numerous individuals within Guelph by raising money, spreading awareness, and providing opportunities. Rotaract Guelph gives people involved the chance to network and build connections. Whether it is with fellow committee members or outside people within the community, Rotaract Guelph aids individuals in building bonds that last a lifetime.
Although Rotaract Guelph shares similar core values to other charitable organizations, its sense of community is the defining trait that makes it stand out from others.
Jada Welch, Rotaract Guelph’s head of volunteering, told The Ontarion that it was the club’s welcoming nature that encouraged her to join.
“For me, I really joined because in first year [a lot of first years feel isolated and lonely], so it was a mental health aspect [as to] why I joined,” Welch said. “Even at the first meeting, everyone was so friendly with each other, and it was really more a social thing for me at first.”
Welch added that the club provides a sense of belonging and is similar to that of a family due to its meaningful connections.
This sense of community has been a leading factor in the successful fundraising events Rotaract Guelph has done over the years. Each school year, Rotaract Guelph spends one semester focusing solely on one organization. Typically for this, the fundraiser is a larger event, as seen with their annual Gala event.
The other semester is spent focusing on numerous organizations, followed by smaller-scaled but still impactful fundraisers. Last semester, Rotaract Guelph made numerous contributions through their events. This included painting the cannon for Polio Awareness Month, hosting the “Blind Date with a Book” sale, ornament painting, and participating in Trick or Eat to help collect nonperishable items for food banks.
Despite it still being the start of the semester, Rotaract Guelph already has big plans. From bake sales and participating in Relay for Life, to hosting their tenth annual Gala, they are destined to make a significant impact as usual.
Ellie Petrak, the president of the Rotaract Guelph club, shared that this year’s Gala is set for March 7 with the theme of a starry night in honour of supporting The Nightingale Centre.
The Nightingale Centre is an amazing resource that offers grief support for youth and families. If a young one has lost a loved one, The Nightingale Centre offers a variety of support services such as free therapy and group activities for those in the Guelph-Wellington area. Recognizing that this type of resource is not available for all youth, Rotaract Guelph is focusing all its effort on providing support where it can.
With their desire to make an impact, Rotaract Guelph is always open to having new members. Whether you are interested in making a difference or want to build long-lasting relationships, there are endless reasons for getting involved.
People interested are welcome to attend the weekly Tuesday meetings at 5.30 p.m. in the Summerlee Science Complex in room 3317. Additionally, following @rotaractguelph on Instagram and joining them on Gryphlife is a great way to stay up to date.
The other semester is spent focusing on numerous organizations, followed by smaller-scaled but still impactful fundraisers. Last semester, Rotaract Guelph made numerous contributions through their events. This included painting the cannon for Polio Awareness Month, hosting the “Blind Date with a Book” sale, ornament painting, and participating in Trick or Eat to help collect nonperishable items for food banks..png)
