Join our volunteer EPIQ hosts Liana and Amanda at the beautiful Base de Plein Air in Sainte-Foy for a Nature Walk with Children on October 1.  The topic for this walk will be Fall Trees and Liana will be basing the activity on the Nature Play Today curriculum by Sarah Szuminski.

Nature play is a great way for a child to learn about the world around them.  After a short chat about the environment that you will explore, toddlers can dive into the rich sensory experience that is the great outdoors!

The target age group for this activity is 2 to 5, though younger and older siblings are welcome!

Notes: This event will happen rain or shine so be sure to dress for the weather. Feel free to bring a snack for your child/children for snack time.  The walk should take about an hour.

About EPIQ

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre. Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

For more information, please visit the EPIQ web page. For regular updates about the activities, subscribe to our Family Matters e-newsletter or join the EPIQ Facebook group!

*** IT’S BACK! ***

Ladies and gentlemen, this may be your chance to find your Fiona or your Shrek! We have been invited to their humble abode, ahem, a peat bog in Beaumont. VEQ will provide the transportation to the Grande Plée Bleue for FREE. Once there, we will take an interpretive tour (2.5 hours) guided by experts in the field. The trail is 3,4 kilometers on flat terrain so families can bring a trail stroller.

•  When selecting your tickets on Eventbrite, choose “VEQ Newcomer” if you are a newcomer from the Greater Québec City region. Departure from Québec City: 8:00 a.m.   ( 1270 Ch Ste-Foy, Québec, QC G1S 2M4)
•  If you are part of the South Shore English Network (MCDC) group, select “General Admission” when getting your tickets. Departure from Lévis: 8:20 a.m.  (1190B Rue de Courchevel, St-Romuald, Quebec G6W 0M6)

The visit is free and donations to the Conservation Society are encouraged.

 ***Registration is required!***  The maximum of people is 30, children included. 

It is recommended to bring the following:

• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Hat, sunglasses and a water bottle
• Binoculars
• Good walking shoes (definitely do not recommend flip flops)
• Your smile!
• Snacks (it will be a long morning)
• A cold lunch

*** NEW EVENT ***

Ladies and gentlemen, this may be your chance to find your Fiona or your Shrek! We are visiting for the first time ever, a peat bog in Beaumont. VEQ will provide the transportation to the Grande Plée Bleue for FREE. Once there, we will take an interpretive tour (2.5-3 hours long) guided by experts in the field. The trail is 3,4 kilometers on flat terrain so families can bring a trail stroller.

The visit is free and donations to the Conservation Society are encouraged.

 ***Registration is required!***  The maximum of people is 15, children included. 

It is recommended to bring the following:

• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Hat, sunglasses and a water bottle
• Binoculars
• Good walking shoes (definitely do not recommend flip flops)
• Your smile!
• Snacks (it will be a long morning)
• A picnic lunch? The estimated time of arrival in Québec City is around 1:00 PM, there is a gorgeous park across the street (Samuel-Holland Park) with picnic tables, small tables, and chairs. Perfect place to fuel up and continue enjoying your Saturday.

Since the boardwalk in the bog doesn’t permit a 2 meters’ distance between visitors the mask must be worn at all times.

Baby Chat Café is back at the Wellness Centre!

A great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.

• Guest speakers on subjects of interest to new parents
• free of charge
• Expectant parents also welcome
• Scale available to weigh your baby

What’s new!

• Each parent/baby will have their own little “zone/bubble”.   We will space mats far enough apart to ensure safe distancing and sanitary measures.
• Please bring your own blanket and toys for your baby.
• Sadly, for now, we cannot offer coffee, tea and treats just to keep things as safe as possible.  Feel free to bring your own water or beverage.
• Registration required: We can only welcome 5 parents (with their babies) due to public health measures.

To register or for more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Giving birth in the midst of a pandemic is certainly not something any of us ever wished for!  It is, however, a current reality for many local English-speaking parents-to-be.  The Wellness Centre is here to support you in this highly unusual time.

Get ready for birth in these unusual times by taking part in a three-session virtual prenatal course guided by Doula, Camille Nadeau. Learn all about Camille in a recent article about her in the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph newspaper.

The aim of these sessions is to give you tips for an active and calm childbirth, and help prepare you for the unexpected. We hope empower you on how to make an informed choice in terms of medical decisions and how to stay calm and resilient, no matter what.

• Where: Online videoconference sessions. All you need is a cellphone, tablet or laptop with a camera and an internet connection.
• When:  Thursdays, September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 2021 at 6:30 pm

Topics to be covered

Our user-friendly online course is done in a way that will give you a chance to connect with the other participants.  In these three sessions, Camille will cover:

• Understanding labour
• Managing the intensity of birth
• Developing your  personalized birth plan
• Breastfeeding and postnatal period

Special notes and how to register

The Wellness Centre has offered to partly cover the cost of this course during the pandemic. Your cost is $50 for the package of four sessions.  For more information please contact  Jessica Price, Program Coordinator: jprice@jhpartners.net or reserve your place by making an online payment of $50 today.

Join us for an informative session with:

• Dr. Serge Gauthier, MD-Neurology
• Claire Webster, PAC, CPCA, Founder and President of Caregiver Crosswalk

Our presenters will share practical advice on how to care for a person living with dementia as well as important considerations to ensure the safety and well-being of both the individual as well as the care partner.

Registration in advance on Zoom is required. Click on the green register button above. 

In honor of Occupational Therapy Month, we invite you to join us in discussing the role of an Occupational Therapist (OT).

Karine Morel, OT, from the Day Centre of Jeffery Hale Community Services, will cover the following topics:

• The role of an OT
• Fall prevention
• How to get up from a fall
• Home safety
• How to access services

If you would like to join us, please send me an email at: cquenville@jhpartners.net

IMPORTANT NOTE: This activity has been postponed until Sunday, October 17 due to weather conditions.

Shelley Dupuis and Jarryd Smith will host a family hike on the Sentier de la Foret ancienne trail at Mont Wright on Sunday, October 17.  Meet in the parking lot at 9:30 a.m.  This is a popular place, so hopefully the early start will allow everyone to get a parking spot!  The plan is to hike to the top and enjoy a lunch together, so be sure to bring along a picnic lunch for your family.

Of special note

• Mont Wright charges a fee of $7 per adult.  Children under 17 are free. There is a ticket machine at the entrance to the trails, near the reception pavilion. You can pay by credit or debit (Visa, Mastercard, Interac)
•  The trail we will be taking is called ‘Sentier de la Foret ancienne’.  It is a 4km loop.
• We expect this outing to take 3.5 hours.  It will be a 2 hour hike to the top, a half hour stop for lunch, and then an hour to come back down.
• Be sure to dress for the weather and pack a lunch, snacks and water.
• See this map for directions to get there.

Who can attend

This particular event is open to all parents and kiddos!

For more details please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Check out the rest of the fall EPIQ schedule.

About EPIQ

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre. Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

For more information, please visit the EPIQ web page. For regular updates about the activities, subscribe to our Family Matters e-newsletter or join the EPIQ Facebook group!

Caregivers’ Circle On-line Yoga session with Susa Bernard.

You will need a computer/tablet with internet connection, Yoga mat, bottle of water and a smile 🙂

Send Claire an email to confirm your presence. cquenville@jhpartners.net

Susa is a member of the Canadian Yoga Alliance. She has taught yoga for two years and practiced it for seven years.

http://www.susasparkleyoga.com

Feeling anxious? What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? How to recognize if you or someone you love is feeling anxious. Tips and tricks to help you cope and take care of yourself and your loved one.

Our presenter Eric Souliere is a Social Worker at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, currently working in the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program. . Eric has worked in the field of Mental Health and Addictions for the last 15 years with very diverse populations.

Join psychologist Dr. David Martin to learn about performance anxiety & stress:
– Why do people get anxious regarding performance?
– Other factors that affect performance: family pressures, past traumas, motivational problems and depression
– What is stress and anxiety: why do we have it?
– Tools for managing situational anxiety

To register for the Zoom videoconference, visit:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlf-qrrTovGNGvvO2CXmgp2thSaaRgn57j 

For more information, please contact:
Ellie Fleming, 418-684-5333 ext.11835 or efleming@jhpartners.net

Join Voice of English-speaking Québec (VEQ) and the Wellness Centre for an informational evening about the Quebec school system.  If you ever wondered how the school system works in Quebec or how it is different from where you moved from, then this is for you!  Our guest speaker Gina Farnell will enlighten us on what is unique about Québec’s school system and how it is different from elsewhere.

Some topics that will be covered:

• A brief look at the history of the education system here.
• The levels of education from Pre-Kindergarten to Cegep and University.
• How the names of grades are different here from elsewhere.  Cycle 1 and 2, Secondary 1 and 2.
• What is a typical school day like for a child? How does before and after school care work?
• What is the Cegep system?
• Quebec universities and the low tuition rates.
• And more!

Click here to register and to get the Zoom info to access this session on your smart phone, tablet, computer, laptop or landline.

Learn more about our School Readiness series, where you will also find a link to helpful documents prepared the School Services team of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Questions? Please contact Maria Castro at Voice of English-speaking Québec (VEQ) for more details: newcomers@veq.ca

Unfortunately, we had to cancel this event due to low registrations.  We hope to be able to offer it in the winter of 2022.

Kate Nadeau, breastfeeding coach with Allaitement Québec and mother of two will offer practical advice to expectant parents about breastfeeding

• Learn what to expect as your baby begins nursing
• Discover tips to help baby latch on easily
• Find the position that’s right for you and baby
• Follow baby’s rhythm and establish your own family routines
• Learn what Dads can do to support the nursing process
• Ensure you know what do if minor nursing problems arise
• Rest assured baby is gaining weight, growing and thriving on breast milk alone

Get your ZOOM registration link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0od-GqrDMvHtB8rAygfjG7sTFhAfL7B4ri

For more details, contact Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net or 418 684-5333, ext. 12009

Unfortunately, we had to cancel this event.  Check out some of these other great Halloween activities around town.  

Join volunteer hosts Amanda and Liana for a fun morning of decorating pumpkins!  This will event will take place on the grounds outside the Gatehouse on the grounds of the St. Patrick’s Cemetery. next to Saint Brigid’s Home.

• Bring your own pumpkin(s) and we will provide the decorations.
• Tables are limited, so please bring a blanket for your family to sit on and decorate your pumpkin.
• This will be an outdoor activity, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
• Parking is available on ch. Saint-Louis on the east side of the road. (same side as the cemetery)

Who can attend

This event is open to all parents and kiddos!

Sign up FAST 

Only 25 people can register due to space restrictions and social distancing requirements.  For more details or to register, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

For more details please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Check out the rest of the fall EPIQ schedule.

About EPIQ

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre. Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

For more information, please visit the EPIQ web page. For regular updates about the activities, subscribe to our Family Matters e-newsletter or join the EPIQ Facebook group!

Join us and benefit from parent-to-parent contact, encouragement, valuable information including breastfeeding support.

• Connect with other English-speaking parents
• Support provided by our breastfeeding coach
• Scale available to check baby’s growth
• Everyone is welcome including expectant moms, moms who have breastfed before, those who are breastfeeding now, as well as those who have chosen another feeding option.

Registration required. We can only accommodate 5 parents plus your babies due to space restrictions and social distancing requirements.

To register or for more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Join us for a valuable information session with The Alzheimer’s Society of Quebec

This session will explore: 

• Caring for a relative and avoiding exhaustion

• Understand the conflicting emotions we may experience as a caregiver so we can define our strengths and set our limits in the caring context.

Please send Claire an email to register: cquenville@jhpartners.net

Centre RIRE 2000 is a non-profit organisation whose mission is providing opportunities to newcomers for academic and technological upgrading, socio-professional integration, and intercultural bridging.

Centre RIRE 2000 has a wide variety of services for newcomers, from computer skills (Word, Excel, Acomba, Sage, Autocad, etc.), support and guidance in your academic/professional recognition process, to French courses. We’d like you to explore what Centre RIRE has to offer!

Baby Chat Café is back at the Wellness Centre!

A great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.

• Guest speakers on subjects of interest to new parents
• You do not have to register to participate and it is free of charge
• Expectant parents also welcome
• Scale available to weigh your baby

Registration required. We have a limited number of spaces for this activity due to space restrictions and social distancing requirements.

Join us on November 9 to learn about communicating with your baby through signing.  Our volunteer guest speaker Shelley Dupuis will share her knowledge about how this communication tool can help your little one(s) talk with you through signs!

To register or for more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Moving to another city, country, or even culture can be exciting and challenging both at the same time! Two social workers from the Jeffery Hale Community Services will walk us through the stages of change as well as advise us what the different coping mechanisms are. Participants will also have the chance to connect with others and broaden their networks.

You will also learn about resources and tools that can help you adapt, such as:

• Language Courses
• Employment counselling
• Vocational training
• Social networks
• VEQ’s Finding Your Niche for Newcomers’ sessions
• Other support organizations

Individually wrapped snacks and drinks will be provided. Also, a participation prize will be raffled among the participants.

***IT IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER*** 

Click here to register.

Join Éducaloi for a look at basic rights and protections for consumers in Quebec.

This workshop will cover the basics of consumer rights in Quebec, including:

• Refunds and Exchanges
• Pricing Errors
• Warranties
• Online Purchases
• Compaints and Other Recourses

Click here to register.

This event was made possible with the financial support of the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise

Are you the parent of a child aged 10 and under? Are you concerned about their exposure to screens?  Do you worry about their online safety and how to manage it?  This information session is for you! Learn how you can be pro-active as a parent and set boundaries while also letting your child access technology in a healthy manner.

Please join us on Wednesday, November 10, for an online presentation on cyber safety by Dr. Geneviève Vohl from the Centre Cyber-aide.  Here are some of the topics that Dr. Vohl will cover:

• Safe and healthy use of technology
• Impacts of technology on child development
• Risk and protection factors
• Managing usage time and content
• Dealing with emotions and crises
• An inside look at certain apps
• Traps to avoid
• Dealing with cyberbullying
• Awareness of your own use
• Parental controls

Click here to register and to get the link to be able to access this workshop on Zoom on your smart phone, tablet, computer, laptop or landline.

Also see our part II in this series for parents of teens!

Learn more about our School Readiness series, where you will also find a link to helpful documents prepared the School Services team of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Questions?  Please contact Jessica Price, our Family Matters program coordinator: jprice@jhpartners.net

Parents, are you worried about keeping your pre-teen / teen safe while they browse the internet or use their electronic devices?  Please join us on Thursday, November 11, for an online presentation by Dr. Geneviève Vohl from the Centre Cyber-aide on the impacts of technology and how to use it safely. Here are some of the topics that Dr. Vohl will address:

• Health impacts of technology (physical, psychological, social)
• Risks and protection factors
• Recognizing overuse
• Managing emotions
• Cybercrimes
• Cyberbullying
• Sexting
• What to if there is an incident involving you or a family member
• Tools and references

Both parents and teens welcome! Click here to register and to get the link to be able to access this workshop on Zoom on your smart phone, tablet, computer, laptop or landline.

Also see part I in this series for parents of younger children!

Learn more about our School Readiness series, where you will also find a link to helpful documents prepared the School Services team of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Questions? Please contact Jessica Price, our Family Matters program coordinator: jprice@jhpartners.net

Centre R.I.R.E. offers a lot of services to newcomers, and in several languages, including English. Among their services:

Translation of your cover letters and CV to French, for FREE*

Digital literacy courses (Excel, Sage 50, Acomba, Autocad, Solidwork, Word, etc.)

Specialized services like helping you get your diplomas obtained outside of the country recognized (engineers, they have a partnership with the Fondation de l’Ordre des ingénieurs and they can help you all the way the process)

FREE language courses* (English and French)

And much more!!!  *Upon meeting eligibility criteria

Interested in learning more? Are you looking into getting your studies or experience recognized in QC but don’t know where to start? Then block the date and time in your calendar and join us!

Counting your losses can be a dismal exercise but it doesn’t have to be.

Learn the Grief Recovery Method once, and apply the method throughout a lifetime of loss.

What is the Grief Recovery Method exactly?

• it is a step-by-step action plan that starts with unlearning the conventional thinking about grief and loss and then learning the tools to deal with unfinished business and relearning that fond memories don’t have to lead to a lingering pain.

• it offers an effective way to say “goodbye” in order to lighten up and open to that which appears around the bend of our life’s journey.

• it addresses hearty topics like unmet hopes, dreams and expectations of a future not to be, and the things we wished had been different or better or more

About our Presenter: CMA Medeiros

• Having moved 27 times across 5 countries, she is well tuned to bearing losses of all kinds, including break ups (some happy and some sad) to the death of her dear Mum 5 years ago, and Gramma 4 years ago, and Auntie 3 years ago, all of whom were awesome Quebecoise women of strength and dry wit and deep loyalty to family. My Mom’s death was a huge blow, and I started a whole new search to find relief. I finally came across the Grief Recovery Method, which is simple (not easy) and practical and effective. My life changed for the way better, so I became certified to share this work with you and yours! I teach the Grief Recovery Method online (so you can be based anywhere!) both to individuals and groups.

Join us for the information session on November 16th and decide if you want to take the course.

• Starting November 23rd, Tuesday nights for seven weeks on Zoom, 7pm to 9pm
• There will be a short break during Christmas with sessions resuming on January 11th 2022

To register, send an email to Claire: cquenville@jhpartners.net

Join volunteer hosts Amanda and Polly for an enjoyable in-person evening learning all about soap.  You will even get to make your own “melt and pour” soap to take home!  Polly, master soap maker and small business owner (La Danse des Savons), will explain the what, how and why of cold-process soap.

• There is a $10 fee to cover the cost of the materials for the evening.
• Please note that you will need to show your vaccination passport on site to take part in this event.

Who can attend

This particular event is open to all parents who want to take a night off and leave the kiddos at home! For other events for the whole family, please see the fall EPIQ schedule.

Sign up FAST 

Only 9 parents can register due to space restrictions and social distancing requirements.  To register, please pay your $10 as soon as possible.

For more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

About EPIQ

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre. Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

For more information, please visit the EPIQ web page. For regular updates about the activities, subscribe to our Family Matters e-newsletter or join the EPIQ Facebook group!

Join us and benefit from parent-to-parent contact, encouragement, valuable information including breastfeeding support.

• Connect with other English-speaking parents
• Support provided by our breastfeeding coach
• Scale available to check baby’s growth
• Everyone is welcome including expectant moms, moms who have breastfed before, those who are breastfeeding now, as well as those who have chosen another feeding option.

Registration required. We have a limited number of spaces for this activity due to space restrictions and social distancing requirements.

To register or for more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

The education system in Quebec is unique in many ways.  Language laws dictate who is eligible to attend school in English and who is not. Parents and newcomers may find it hard to navigate the school system. The session “School Registration and the English School System in Quebec” will feature a panel of professionals from Central Quebec School Board to help answer your questions.

This online event is for you, if you’ve ever wondered:

• Is my child eligible to attend school in English?
• When and how do we register for Kindergarten, elementary school and high school?
• What school(s) can my kids attend based on where I live? If I am willing to drive my kids to school can they attend a school in another sector of town?
• What are the options in terms of preschool, Pre-K, programme passe-partout, and before- and after-school daycare and how do we access them? What are the related costs? And what services are offered in each program?
• Grade names here differ from those elsewhere. What is meant by cycle 1 and 2 and sec. 1, 2, etc. ?
• Is it true parents of elementary students are often required to pay for noon-time surveillance if their children eat lunch at school? If so, how does that work and what does it cost?
• Why do we have to purchase so many supplies each fall for kids attending public school. Doesn’t the school board provide these supplies? Who will give me the list of what materials my child needs and when?
• I live on the south shore; when will there be an English elementary school on my side of the St-Lawrence?
• What is all the fuss about school boards being replaced by service centres? What impact will this have on my child’s education and our local English-speaking community?
• Québec schools seem to put a lot of emphasis on provincial exams; at what grade do these exams start? How does QCSB compare to other local boards in terms of exam results?
• What is the difference between Québec’s adult education and DEP programs and CEGEP? Can we access these programs in English in Québec City? How do we apply? What programs are available and are there any fees for them?

Click here to register and to get the Zoom info to access this session on your smart phone, tablet, computer, laptop or landline.

Learn more about our School Readiness series, where you will also find a link to helpful documents prepared the School Services team of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Questions? Please contact Jessica Price, our Family Matters program coordinator: jprice@jhpartners.net

The Alzheimer’s Society of Quebec will present: How to better understand Alzheimer’s Disease.

Identify the signs and symptoms.

Our presenter Charlie Dorval will be available to answer your questions.

To register please send an email to cquenville@jhpartners.net

***PLEASE  be advised that this presentation has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. 

VEQ will provide transportation to go to Le Joker Pub Ludique (in Lévis) as well as the cover fee, where we will meet with newcomers from the Chaudière-Appalaches region. There, we will enjoy an evening of board games and networking.

Departure from Québec to Lévis: 1270 chemin Sainte-Foy at 6:30 PM. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before departure time so we can leave on time.

Departure from Lévis to Québec: We will be heading back to our offices in Sainte-Foy at 9:00 PM. Should you choose to stay longer in Lévis, please note that you will need to arrange your own transportation back to Québec City.

VEQ will also subsidize the cover fee to the Joker Pub Ludique for each participant. It is very important that if you have reserved your spot and cannot make it, you let us know ASAP, so we can allocate the resources to another participant.

Meals and drinks are not included.

***LIMITED SPACE, REGISTRATION REQUIRED***

*Vaccination passport required

Buy a Christmas Family Fun Box for your family or gift one to another family while supporting the Community Christmas Hamper Campaign!  Order your box before December 5th.

Thank you for helping EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec City) raise funds for the Hamper Campaign!

Only $20 per Family Fun Box! Order before December 1, then choose your pick-up date on either December 9 or 11.

For details and online ordering, please visit https://wejh.ca/family-fun-boxes

Special Baby Chat on Baby Massage

The Wellness Centre is offering a FREE baby massage workshop for parents with infants aged newborn to nine months (before babies are crawling or walking). Come meet other English-speaking parents and learn how to soothe your baby through massage with massage therapist Chrystine Roy from Zeste Detente.

• This activity will start at 9:30 a.m., which is a 1/2 hour earlier than usual for Baby Chat.
• You must register! Space is limited for this activity due to public health measures. First come, first-served.
• Parking is free for this event.

To register or for more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

About Baby Chat:

A great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.

• Guest speakers on subjects of interest to new parents
• Scale available to weigh your baby

To register or for more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Who We Are

Travellin’ Toddler Time (TTT) is free activity in English for children 3 and 4 years old and their parents/ caregivers or grandparents. Participants sing songs, hear stories, make crafts and enjoy a snack.

A New(comers’) Experience—On December 10^th, VEQ is taking you to a Remparts de Québec hockey game. A first for us, and maybe for you as well? Start warming up your throats and practicing your supporting chant for the home team!

To join in the fun:

Registrations are required, and a $5 fee per person will apply.

We will provide:

• Round trip transportation from the Jeffery Hale Pavilion parking lot to Le Centre Videotron
• Access to the Sunwing Lounge at Le Centre Videotron and a  meal: 2 hot dogs, fries, and a soda
• Your ticket to the game!

***LIMITED SPACE, we have 20 tickets***

*Vaccination passport required

The details:

• Meet at the Jeffery Hale Pavilion Parking at 4:45 p.m.
• The bus will leave at 5:00 p.m. sharp
• Eat and chat in the Sunwing Lounge, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• The game starts at 7 p.m.
• Our bus will leave at 9:30 p.m. to bring us back to the Jeffery Hale Pavilion parking lot. You may take the bus, or choose to opt-out (for example, if the game is not over), in which case your ride back will be your responsibility.

For more information and to register, please contact Maria Castro at newcomers@veq.ca or (418) 683-2366 ext. 225

Join our EPIQ hosts for an Informal Chat Session: Getting Through It Together. 

Getting Through It Together wishes to create a familiar place to allow parents to be heard, feel connected and maybe have a laugh. If you choose, come share what is going on in your life and be a listening ear for someone.  This is a bi-weekly event.

See you then!

Register with Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net to get the ZOOM details.

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre.

Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

Please check out the Family Matters e-newsletter or visit our EPIQ information page for more details.

We’ve been invited to an exclusive guided visit to the exposition “Voisins et voisines d’ailleurs“, where we will meet one of the artists, filmmaker Felippe Martin. After that, we’ll take our time to stroll through the museum’s latest exhibits, Pompeii and Ô Merde.

***EDIT: VEQ will no longer provide transportation to the museum from our offices. ***

Please read the proposed timetable:

12:15 ► Departure from our offices (by bus)   ***NO LONGER AVAILABLE***

12:45 ► Arrival at the Musée de la Civilisation, each participant is responsible for transporting themselves to the museum*.

13:00 – 14:10 ► Guided visit to the exhibit Voisins et voisines d’ailleurs.

14:10 – 14:20 ► Bathroom break

14:20 – 15:45 ► Free visit to Pompeii and Ô Merde exhibits. Participants can stay together as a group or go separately on their own rhythm.

15:45 ► Explore Old Québec on your own or with your new acquaintances! 😀

*costs not covered by VEQ

***Vaccination passport not required***

Pelvic floor health and you…

Join us virtually on January 18 and find out everything you need to know about pelvic floor health with Chantal Couture,  physiotherapist from la Clinique Femina.   Whether you underwent a vaginal birth or cesarean, there is something to learn for everyone.

Important update: With your health and safety at heart, Baby Chat Café will be held virtually until further notice.  It’s still a great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.  All you need to connect is internet access and  a cell phone, tablet, laptop or computer with webcam. If you prefer, you can opt to join by your landline.

Baby Chat Café is…

A great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.

• Guest speakers on subjects of interest to new parents
• Free of charge
• Expectant parents also welcome
• Scale available to weigh your baby (when in-person)

Registration required.  Register in the following ZOOM link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrde6vpz0oGNe08R51EXXLYwRt-m7ocaZL 

For more details please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Declutter in 2022 for your health!  Learn strategies to cope with chronic disorganization, hoarding, and downsizing from presenter Kathleen Murphy, a Certified Professional Organizer, Chronic Disorganization Specialist and Hoarding specialist

This presentation will cover what you need to know about chronic disorganization, downsizing, and hoarding. Kathleen will share definitions and misconceptions and real-life stories to show approaches and processes that lead to successful results.

To register, please visit:

https://chssn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tdO2vqjwjGNAkp47e5uvfYLs7EqmawPBw

Interested in discussing literature with other book lovers? Missing connecting over books in the Library?

Come join Pixels & Pages, the Morrin Centre’s new online book club!

Next Meeting: Thursday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. Please email library@morrin.org to learn more or to sign up!

Book Selection for January:

Have you noticed that locals love being outdoors even in the winter?!

You’ve been wanting to try snowshoeing but don’t own a pair?

VEQ in partnership with Accès-Loisirs will take you to the Jacques-Cartier Nat’l Park to enjoy a day of winter fun!

All you need to do is email María Castro (newcomers@veq.ca) and sign up.

We only have 10 snowshoes for adults and a similar amount for children’s sizes. It is thus important that you reserve your spot!

We are providing transportation to the Jacques-Cartier National Park, so if you recently moved to the Greater Québec City region and would like to explore this place and try a new winter sport while making new friends, you only need to sign up!

We will leave from our offices (1270 chemin Sainte-Foy) at 9:00 from where we will head first to Pascal le Boulanger*, a must-stop among hikers heading to the iconic national park. At the bakery, you can get your lunch to go in case you forgot to prepare one or simply indulge with one of their famous pastries. After this quick stop, the bus will take us to the Discovery & Services Centre, situated on km 10 from the park’s entrance.  Once there, you can choose the activities you would like to do, like exploring one of the many trails listed below. Please take into consideration the trail’s length and estimated duration. We will leave the park at 3:00 PM.

Every passenger is expected to follow Public Health’s recommendations regarding the prevention of the coronavirus situation. Please wear a mask at all times during the bus ride.

Click here to see the list of trails open for the season, difficulty, length, type of trail (roundtrip or loop), estimated duration (it all depends on one’s rhythm)

Please remember to follow safety guidelines when going for a hike, like wearing appropriate clothing and shoes, or notifying someone which trail you will explore. You can take a look at this suggested how-to dress checklist. It is also recommended that you download the trail map, you can do so here or on this website. The application AVENZA Maps also allows you to download them for free.

More websites with advice on how to dress and what to bring:

What to wear winter hiking

Snowshoeing Checklist

Snowshoe Gear Checklist

*at your own cost, VEQ will not pay for purchases made here

Please note that this event has been cancelled. 

Join EPIQ host Shelley Dupuis and other families for an afternoon of sliding at Myrand Sliding Centre.   With it’s artificial snow and its nighttime lighting, it is a great place for young and old alike to enjoy sliding on an inner tube.  This sliding centre (see location on Google maps) has six slopes: four easy and two advanced, with lifts for the advanced slopes.

• Public washrooms on site.
• Easily accessible by public transport.
• Please see the website for rules about height and age.

The opening of the facilities depends on the weather conditions!!

Cost:  The information is not yet up on their website for this year, but will posted nearer to the date of our outing. In past years, the cost has been about $5 per person.

Alternate date:  If we need to change the date due to freezing rain or mild weather, the  back up date will be Sunday January 30th at 2:00 p.m.

Who can attend:  This particular event is open to all parents and kiddos!  No registration required, just show up and join the group!

For more details please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

About EPIQ

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre. Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

For more information, please visit the EPIQ web page. For regular updates about the activities, subscribe to our Family Matters e-newsletter or join the EPIQ Facebook group!

Important update: With your health and safety at heart, Café au lait will be held virtually until further notice.

Join the Café au lait Crew from the comfort of your home via videoconference.  This is a relaxing, embracing space where you can benefit from parent-to-parent contact, encouragement, valuable information and  support from our breastfeeding consultant, Shelley Dupuis.  Everyone is welcome – including expectant moms. If you want to enjoy good company, please

join us online! You don’t have be breastfeeding to participate. Older sibs are welcome as well.

Sessions take place once a month on Tuesdays from 1:30pm.

How to register:

Register here through our Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrceCpqD0vGdLtsC8u1oYwjk2Q5aOPegGa

For more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

To learn more please visit  https://wejh.ca/programs-and-activities/family-matters/cafe-au-lait-crew/ 

Please join the Québec City Women’s Club for a presentation by Marie-Christine Cadieux (MSc. Université Laval), a research assistant with the Bylot Island long-term ecological monitoring program since 2002. Marie-Christine will present an overview of the research that is being done at the Bylot Island research station and how the team was able to overcome the Nunavut lockdown in 2020 and obtain data from their study site without stepping foot on the island.

Date: Tuesday January 25, 7:00 pm
ZOOM link: https://ulaval.zoom.us/j/68067413077?pwd=dUZSYlpndDBoemMxbDRTc1c1eE9ydz09

For more information, please contact Debbie Stowe (418-844-1840)

Are you a guy raising a child in Quebec City?  We want to know you better!  Please come and talk with us about what you want out of our programming going forward.  We’re looking for dads/step dads of newborns all the way to preteens. Join in and share your insights about how the Wellness Centre could better respond to  your parenting needs in terms of of current services/programs  and in the creation of new ones.  There will be a participation prize!

Get involved and help us make our community stronger!

Click here to register and to get the Zoom info to access this session on your smart phone, tablet, computer, laptop or landline.

Questions? Please contact Jessica Price, our Family Matters program coordinator: jprice@jhpartners.net

Start jotting down your tax-related questions!

This year the information session will be carried out via Microsoft TEAMS.

The session will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform. Participants will only have to use the link below to join. No software installation or license is required.

Microsoft Teams Meeting

Join on your computer, phone, or application

To participate, click here!

Or by phone (with audio only)

+1 437-703-4643,,396689244#   Canada, Toronto

ID Conférence Téléphone: 396 689 244#

Rechercher un numéro local | Réinitialiser le code confidentiel

Pour en savoir plus | Options de réunion

Here is an overview of the topics that will be covered:

• Introduction to the Canadian fiscal system
• Residency status for newcomers
• Do you have to file a tax return?
• How to file a tax return
• What documents do you need to file your taxes?
• Marital Status
• Most common tax credits and deductions for newcomers
• Canada Child Benefit (CCB) – Newcomers
• Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit – Newcomers
• Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) – Newcomers
• What should you do to continue receiving your payments?
• Direct Deposit
• Underground economy
• Authorize a representative
• Scams
• Learning about taxes
• Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP)
• Online service – My CRA Account

Is your son or daughter physically ready to start school? In recent  years kindergarten  teachers have noted children’s fine motor skills  may not be ready to hold a pencil, use scissors, tie shoes laces, undo buttons or engage in other daily fine motor activities. These skills are easily cultivated at home through games and simple daily tasks. Join us for an interesting informal  discussion with occupational therapist Sophie Lapointe. Learn more about the importance of fine motor skill development and the role it plays in school readiness in this free, online parent know-how session.

Click here to register and to get the Zoom info to access this session on your smart phone, tablet, computer, laptop or landline.

Learn more about our School Readiness series, where you will also find a link to helpful documents prepared the School Services team of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Questions? Please contact Jessica Price, our Family Matters program coordinator: jprice@jhpartners.net

Join our EPIQ hosts for an Informal Chat Session: Getting Through It Together. 

Getting Through It Together wishes to create a familiar place to allow parents to be heard, feel connected and maybe have a laugh. If you choose, come share what is going on in your life and be a listening ear for someone.  This is a bi-weekly event.

See you then!

Register with Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net to get the ZOOM details.

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre.

Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

Please check out the Family Matters e-newsletter or visit our EPIQ information page for more details.

Birthing a child is an historic family occasion. It can be a very emotional, awesome and even stressful time for parents-to-be. The Wellness Centre is here to support you, especially in this unusual time.  Pandemic or not, everyone needs to be ready for baby’s arrival.

Get ready for birth by attending four Prenatal Information Meetings given by the perinatal team from Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Due to COVID-19 and the most recent government measures that will be in place, it is yet to be decided if the meetings will take place online or in person, or both.   The decision will be taken one month prior to the meetings.

For more details and to register for these meetings, please visit the webpage of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Are you a woman entrepreneur looking for support to start or expand your business? Do you want to be part of a supportive community, be inspired, and elevated throughout your entrepreneurial journey?

If you answered yes to these questions, you’re at the right place! Let’s connect and you will discover the resources and funding options available to you as a woman in business.

In this free workshop, we will dive deep into how you can effectively boost your leadership skills, improve your time management skills, explore ways to balance work and family life and seek out financing for your small business, among other topics.

Don’t miss this informative, and interactive workshop that will serve as your entry ticket into the entrepreneurial community. Learn alongside other women and grow your business today.

Pre-registration is required. Once you have registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log on a few hours prior to the start time of the workshop.

Please Note: Those wishing to obtain business coaching services are encouraged to first attend this free workshop.

Register Here

Jot the date down!

***Given that this event will be subsidized, only participants who moved to the Greater Québec city region in the past 5 years are eligible for this activity. ***

Snacks and lunches are allowed and can be left unattended in the designated areas at the owner’s risk. VEQ will not be responsible for any stolen/lost property.

Eventbrite’s fees are non-refundable, so they won’t be returned to the ticket buyer unless the event is canceled, or if the buyer requests a refund for a duplicate charge within 7 days of purchase.

Having a baby is hard, it’s okay to say so…

Join us virtually on Tuesday, February 8, for an open and supportive discussion about how it is not always easy to become, or to be, a parent.

You may have experienced fertility issues, perinatal loss, a difficult birth experience, or breastfeeding challenges.  Perhaps you are missing your life before children or your pre-baby body, or are struggling with the pressure you feel to be the “perfect mom”.  Camille Nadeau, a certified perinatal grief consultant, will talk with us a little bit about grief and the many forms that it can take in relation to parenting.   She will also talk with the group about the new Uniting in Grief volunteer program offered by Les Perséides.

Important update: With your health and safety at heart, Baby Chat Café will be held virtually until further notice.  It’s still a great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.  All you need to connect is internet access and  a cell phone, tablet, laptop or computer with webcam. If you prefer, you can opt to join by your landline.

Baby Chat Café is…

A great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.

• Guest speakers on subjects of interest to new parents
• Free of charge
• Expectant parents also welcome
• Scale available to weigh your baby (when in-person)

Registration required.  Register in the following ZOOM link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkd-yqrTMiG9CDg__ZGO7Q6lnYTm3xjosn

For more details please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Start jotting down your questions!!! We’ll have the virtual presence of a Revenu QC representative to answer our questions and walk us through the process of filing our provincial taxes.

This event will be carried out online, through TEAMS. For reporting purposes to our funders, please type your first and last name when signing in.

________________________________________________________________________________

Réunion Microsoft Teams

If you are using a computer or a mobile phone

Click here to participate in the meeting

Please download the documents below for the info session:
New Residents and Taxation Conference: https://veq.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Nouveaux_arrivants_et_la_fiscaliteanglais.pdf
New Residents and Income Tax: https://veq.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IN-119-V2021-02.pdf
RQ Income Tax Guide: https://veq.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TP-1.G-V2021-12.pdf
RQ 2021 Form: https://veq.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TP-1.D-V2021-12.pdf

Birthing a child is an historic family occasion. It can be a very emotional, awesome and even stressful time for parents-to-be. The Wellness Centre is here to support you, especially in this unusual time.  Pandemic or not, everyone needs to be ready for baby’s arrival.

Get ready for birth by attending four Prenatal Information Meetings given by the perinatal team from Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Due to COVID-19 and the most recent government measures that will be in place, it is yet to be decided if the meetings will take place online or in person, or both.   The decision will be taken one month prior to the meetings.

For more details and to register for these meetings, please visit the webpage of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Join our EPIQ hosts for an Informal Chat Session: Getting Through It Together. 

Getting Through It Together wishes to create a familiar place to allow parents to be heard, feel connected and maybe have a laugh. If you choose, come share what is going on in your life and be a listening ear for someone.  This is a bi-weekly event.

See you then!

Register with Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net to get the ZOOM details.

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre.

Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

Please check out the Family Matters e-newsletter or visit our EPIQ information page for more details.

Warm up your vocal chords!
Join the Local Vocals choir every Monday starting February 14th through September 26th!

This presentation will focus on the dangerous consequences of social isolation and loneliness as well
as the positive implications a sense of belonging can have on our health and wellbeing as we age.
Throughout this presentation, we will discuss factors that put us at risk of isolation and loneliness. We
will also identify strategies that can help ensure we have continued opportunities to experience
belonging throughout our lives.
Objectives
1. To understand the ill effects of social isolation and loneliness.
2. To identify at least two health benefits brought about by experiencing a sense of belonging.
3. To identify at least three strategies that can help to support a sense of belonging.

Our presenter: Darla Fortune is an Associate Professor in the in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at
Concordia University, Montreal, QC. Her research focuses on the inclusion of marginalized individuals,
particularly within community leisure spaces and practices.

You fancy administrative work at the CIUSSS CN, join us online to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Find out about this short training program, the working field and ask your questions to our pedagogical counsellor.

To register for the information session: https://bit.ly/3LnQrqC

Please note that this event has been cancelled due to an insufficient number of registrations.  We hope to be able to offer this again the future. 

Do other people have a hard time understanding your three year-old talk? Is your child developing differently than their siblings? Is your child aged five or under and are you worried that something might be wrong? Does your family speak more than one language? Do you wonder if this is impacting your son or daughter’s language development?

To learn what is “normal” in children’s speech and language development, attend this informal online session  with members of the early childhood team from Jeffery Hale Community Services and speech-language pathologist, Kristy Findlay. Ask questions about your child. Get information about helpful resources, if need be.

Click here to register and to get the Zoom info to access this session on your smart phone, tablet, computer, laptop or landline.

Learn more about our School Readiness series, where you will also find a link to helpful documents prepared the School Services team of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Questions? Please contact Jessica Price, our Family Matters program coordinator: jprice@jhpartners.net

So the Story Goes is a series of activities presenting different forms of storytelling, from picture books to music and Indigenous storytelling. This project explores different forms of storytelling important to the Quebec Anglophone community and allows participants to experiment with many ways to tell stories.

This activity will include a short presentation by an author, journalist, and creative writing teacher, followed by a workshop during which the guest will present the basis of her art and will guide the participants in applying their new knowledge in a practical way.

To register and for more information:
https://www.morrin.org/en/event/so-the-story-goes-memoirs/

VEQ is pleased to host YES Employment + Entrepreneurship to deliver a FREE two-part workshop on creating and improving your LinkedIn profile. Come join us on Zoom!

Optimizing LinkedIn isn’t about filling your inbox with job offers, it’s about connecting with industry professionals and employers. We will take you step-by-step through the process of determining your personal brand, creating an “all-star” profile, and getting results all while making meaningful connections with people in your field. Learn how to leverage your LinkedIn account as you adapt to the COVID-19 job market and optimize your LinkedIn experience! This two-part workshop will allow you to share feedback with other participants and learn as you go. Bring your questions and get ready to work on your LinkedIn page. 

Pre-registration is required and will close on February 17 at 12 noon. Participants will be sent a Zoom link directly after registering.

To register: https://bit.ly/3uygipH

Questions? Please contact Susanna 418-683-2366 x222 or susanna.tang@veq.ca

Note: This workshop is part of a two-part series where Workshop 2 includes time for networking and feedback among workshop participants and the YES Employment Counsellor about participant LinkedIn profiles. Participation in Part 1 is not required for Part 2 but is strongly recommended. 

Workshop 2 is scheduled to take place online on Thursday, March 10, 2022 from 6:30pm to 8pm. Registration details will be posted later.

Birthing a child is an historic family occasion. It can be a very emotional, awesome and even stressful time for parents-to-be. The Wellness Centre is here to support you, especially in this unusual time.  Pandemic or not, everyone needs to be ready for baby’s arrival.

Get ready for birth by attending four Prenatal Information Meetings given by the perinatal team from Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Due to COVID-19 and the most recent government measures that will be in place, it is yet to be decided if the meetings will take place online or in person, or both.   The decision will be taken one month prior to the meetings.

For more details and to register for these meetings, please visit the webpage of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Interested in discussing literature with other book lovers? Missing connecting over books in the Library? Come join Pixels & Pages, the Morrin Centre’s new online book club!

Meeting details: Thursday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Book Selection for February:

Please email library@morrin.org to learn more or to sign up.

This art therapy session is designed to:

• Process and release emotions in order to make sense of the journey we have been
  through this past years with the pandemic.
• Treat yourself to some ME time and explore the power of art for self-care!

Art therapist: Sophie Lessard-Latendresse

*Spaces are limited

Play More!
Along with the South Shore English Network, we are sending out another invitation to spend an evening playing virtual board games with us! Join us on Zoom, and get ready to discover new games (and rediscover old ones) in a virtual setting with a host from La Revanche!
When: Friday, February 18th, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: on Zoom
Who: Everyone

Just for fun!
Our Virtual Game Night is all in the name of fun and games, but we also love seeing everyone being healthily competitive… so we will be giving Sépaq gift cards to the top 3 scorers!

To sign up
Please call (418) 683-2366 ext. 221, or send an email to info@veq.ca with:

• the participants’ names
• the email address where you would like to receive your Zoom link

Note
Participants using the same “Zoom window” will play as a team. If you would like to play separately, please sign up using different email addresses and Zoom accounts.
All ages welcome.

Warm up your vocal chords!
Join the Local Vocals choir every Monday starting February 14th through September 26th!

Important update: With your health and safety at heart, Café au lait will be held virtually until further notice.

Join the Café au lait Crew from the comfort of your home via videoconference.  This is a relaxing, embracing space where you can benefit from parent-to-parent contact, encouragement, valuable information and  support from our breastfeeding consultant, Shelley Dupuis.  Everyone is welcome – including expectant moms. If you want to enjoy good company, please

join us online! You don’t have be breastfeeding to participate. Older sibs are welcome as well.

Sessions take place once a month on Tuesdays from 1:30pm.

How to register:

Register here through our Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvfu-vqDosHN2kLymvG90KhhAmPvJAy1Ca 

For more details, please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

To learn more please visit  https://wejh.ca/programs-and-activities/family-matters/cafe-au-lait-crew/ 

This art therapy session is designed to process and release emotions in order to make sense of the journey we have been through this past years with the pandemic.
Treat yourself to some ME time and explore the power of art for self-care!

Art therapist: Sophie Lessard-Latendresse

*Spaces are limited

Join Quebec City Women’s Club (QCWC) bursary recipient Azanie Roy for this great workshop on Creating educational and meaningful activities to do at home for children ages 4 to 8.

During this virtual workshop, social work student and former teacher Azanie Roy will present different tips and tricks that will get your child away from their tablet and engaged in activities from home.  This interactive presentation will help parents get their children started on projects they can do after school, on weekends, and when they are home from school. Azanie believes every child’s creativity is a treasure meant to be fostered. She has over 15 years of experience working with children and is looking forward to sharing her experience with parents, grandparents, and caregivers in attendance.

Click here to register and to get the Zoom info to access this session on your smart phone, tablet, computer, laptop or landline.

For more details,  please contact Debra Stowe from the Quebec City Women’s Club:418-844-1840 or debbie@stowe.ca

Birthing a child is an historic family occasion. It can be a very emotional, awesome and even stressful time for parents-to-be. The Wellness Centre is here to support you, especially in this unusual time.  Pandemic or not, everyone needs to be ready for baby’s arrival.

Get ready for birth by attending four Prenatal Information Meetings given by the perinatal team from Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Due to COVID-19 and the most recent government measures that will be in place, it is yet to be decided if the meetings will take place online or in person, or both.   The decision will be taken one month prior to the meetings.

For more details and to register for these meetings, please visit the webpage of Jeffery Hale Community Services.

Join our EPIQ hosts for an Informal Chat Session: Getting Through It Together. 

Getting Through It Together wishes to create a familiar place to allow parents to be heard, feel connected and maybe have a laugh. If you choose, come share what is going on in your life and be a listening ear for someone.  This is a bi-weekly event.

See you then!

Register with Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net to get the ZOOM details.

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre.

Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

Please check out the Family Matters e-newsletter or visit our EPIQ information page for more details.

Caregivers’ Circle On-line Yoga session with Susa Bernard

You will need a computer/tablet with internet connection, Yoga mat, bottle of water and a smile 🙂

Susa is a member of the Canadian Yoga Alliance. She has taught yoga for two years and practiced it for seven years.

http://www.susasparkleyoga.com

Warm up your vocal chords!
Join the Local Vocals choir every Monday starting February 14th through September 26th!

Please note that this session was cancelled due to a low number of registrations.  We hope to be able to offer this kind of information session again.

Kate Nadeau, breastfeeding coach with Allaitement Québec and mother of two will offer practical advice to expectant parents about breastfeeding

• Learn what to expect as your baby begins nursing
• Discover tips to help baby latch on easily
• Find the position that’s right for you and baby
• Follow baby’s rhythm and establish your own family routines
• Learn what Dads can do to support the nursing process
• Ensure you know what do if minor nursing problems arise
• Rest assured baby is gaining weight, growing and thriving on breast milk alone

Get your ZOOM registration link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYufuutqjsjHNJLCEssFVhlISGaoQzgTNue

For more details, contact Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net or 418 684-5333, ext. 12009

Language development in babies

Join us virtually on Tuesday, March 1, for an informal, online session with speech-language pathologist, Geneviève Fily-Paré.  Come and learn about language development in babies and how you can best stimulate your little ones’ learning.   Bring your questions!   We hope to see you there!

Registration required.  

Register in the following ZOOM link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdOmsqTooGtzBr1jIL8x5voIt0YzZyJpv

Baby Chat is…

A great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.

• Guest speakers on subjects of interest to new parents
• Free of charge
• Expectant parents also welcome
• Scale available to weigh your baby (when in-person)

Important update: With your health and safety at heart, Baby Chat Café will be held virtually until further notice.  It’s still a great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.  All you need to connect is internet access and  a cell phone, tablet, laptop or computer with webcam. If you prefer, you can opt to join by your landline.

For more details please contact Jessica Price, Family Matters Program Coordinator:  jprice@jhpartners.net

Join Éducaloi for an online workshop looking at workplace issues in Quebec surrounding COVID-19 including:

• Working from home
• Vaccinations
• Enforcing office safety protocols
• And more…

Click here to register.

This event was made possible with the financial support of the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise

We are sorry but we have had to cancel this event due to low registrations.  We hope to be able to offer it again in the future.

In this short but information packed virtual workshop, certified doula Camille Nadeau will share her top tips for a positive childbirth. Whatever you have planned for your birth, you will want to hear this!

Camille will share with you what she thinks truly makes a difference during birth.  She will also answer any questions you may have, PLUS share her top 5 exercises to prepare your mind and body for the adventure to come.

This workshop is a great addition to the Prenatal classes from Jeffery Hale Community Services also taking place in February.

Who can attend?

We usually love having dads around, but this one is just for the moms and mamas-to-be.  Hope to see you there!

How to register

To register for this event please do so through this ZOOM registration page:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcuGgrzwtG9zlNsySe_rfUONrm53llnuh

For more information please contact our Family Matters program coordinator Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net.

Are you a woman entrepreneur looking for support to start or expand your business? Do you want to be part of a supportive community, be inspired, and elevated throughout your entrepreneurial journey?

If you answered yes to these questions, you’re at the right place! Let’s connect and you will discover the resources and funding options available to you as a woman in business.

In this free workshop, we will dive deep into how you can effectively boost your leadership skills, improve your time management skills, explore ways to balance work and family life and seek out financing for your small business, among other topics.

Don’t miss this informative, and interactive workshop that will serve as your entry ticket into the entrepreneurial community. Learn alongside other women and grow your business today.

Pre-registration is required. Once you have registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log on a few hours prior to the start time of the workshop.

Please Note: Those wishing to obtain business coaching services are encouraged to first attend this free workshop.

Register Here

Embrace winter and join us for a great walk in the park! 

Please join us in the great outdoors for a refreshing walk with your little one(s).   This will be a great opportunity to connect with other English-speaking parents outdoors while also visiting one of Quebec City’s most magnificent parks, Bois-de-Coulonge. Please note that the sledding hill at the Bois-de-Coulonge is closed due to construction but the walking trails are open.

Bring your strollers, baby carriers, pull your little ones in a sled (if the snow permits) or let them run!   This will be a fun outing that will do everyone some good!

A great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of preschool-aged children.   I  hope to see you there!

Meet us in the Bois-de-Coulonge parking lot on Friday, March 4 at 1:30pm.  Please note the event was originally scheduled for 10am but we moved it to the afternoon due to cold temperatures predicated for the morning.  

In case of bad weather: this event will be rescheduled.

For more details, please email Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net

Here we go again!
The Morrin Centre, The South Shore English Network and VEQ are proud to invite you once again to a Virtual Game Night, hosted by Jeanne Lebossé-Gautron from the Morrin Centre!

Join us on Zoom, and get ready to test your skills and knowledge.
When: Friday, March 4th, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: on Zoom
Who: Everyone

Just for fun
Our Virtual Game Night is all in the name of fun, but there are also prizes to be won for the top 3 scorers!

To sign up
Please call (418) 683-2366 ext. 221, or send an email to info@veq.ca with:

• the participants’ names
• the email address where you would like to receive your Zoom link

Note
Participants using the same “Zoom window” will play as a team. If you would like to play separately, please sign up using different email addresses and Zoom accounts.
All ages welcome.

Warm up your vocal chords!
Join the Local Vocals choir every Monday starting February 14th through September 26th!

Increase your LinkedIn connections!  VEQ is pleased to host YES Employment + Entrepreneurship again for the second part of our FREE online workshop series about LinkedIn.

In this interactive session, you will:

• Exchange feedback with fellow returning (or new!) participants on their LinkedIn profiles
• Draft requests for informational interviews
• Chat about your industries

Also featuring our special guest Mariève Tanguay-Lessard Talent Acquisition Advisor for the Central Quebec School Board. Learn about job opportunities at the CQSB and get a recruiter’s take on what to include in your LinkedIn profile.

Note: Participation in Workshop 1 is not a prerequisite for Workshop 2. Pre-registration is required.

To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vfuqqrjIrGtwQm431fpf_2jW2qmLNTOeT

Questions? Contact Susanna at 418-683-2366 x222 or susanna.tang@veq.ca

What is the difference between preservation and conservation? If mold or signs of an insect infestation are found in a book, what can be done to prevent it from spreading through a collection? What material is typically found when examining an old book?
Learn more during this conference broadcasted from our library with Marie Trottier, a book and archival document conservator, and our host Peter Black.
More information here: https://www.morrin.org/en/event/in-these-spaces-book-conservation/

Join our EPIQ hosts for an Informal Chat Session: Getting Through It Together. 

Getting Through It Together wishes to create a familiar place to allow parents to be heard, feel connected and maybe have a laugh. If you choose, come share what is going on in your life and be a listening ear for someone.  This is a bi-weekly event.

See you then!

Register with Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net to get the ZOOM details.

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre.

Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

Please check out the Family Matters e-newsletter or visit our EPIQ information page for more details.

When learning a new language, it is inevitable to sometimes get lost in translation. My beginnings in French were quite hilarious and often embarrassing, but at least it made me giggle. I remember that at first, I used to think that the “hôtel de ville” was a hotel chain, like Marriott, Hilton, Barceló, etc. Now learning idioms and expressions is even trickier! Sometimes, the best way of learning their meaning is by simply using them, which is why VEQ in collaboration with Canadian Parents for French is organising this fun game night.

At the end of the game, the winner of the game will get a $40 gift card (from Chocolats Favoris). Another gift card will be raffled among all participants.

To register for this fun activity, please click here.

An activity for those who would like to learn a new winter sport or those who would like to show off their skills.

Voice of English-speaking Québec is renting two areas for four teams of four people each to play curling. All you need is a pair of clean*, comfy shoes, and your enthusiasm.

Upon arrival, we will be met by two bilingual instructors, who will provide us with special soles for our safety on the ice. Each ice field will accommodate 8 people. All instructions will be given in English.

VEQ will also provide transportation from our offices (1270, chemin Sainte-Foy) to and from the Curling club, leaving Sainte-Foy at 9:30 am. The return to Sainte-Foy is scheduled at 12:15 pm.

This event has a limited capacity (15 people). Registration is REQUIRED. To register please click here.

The link will take you to a Microsoft registration form. Please note that given the limited capacity, it is extremely important that participants let us know at least 48 hours in advance if they are canceling, so we can allocate the resources to someone else on the waiting list.

*By clean we mean no snow, no sand, no gravel,  no salt.

Did you know that you can highlight your favourite passages while reading an e-book, change the speed at which you listen to an audiobook, or even alter the font size to suit your preferences on Libby, the OverDrive ebook reader app?

If you are already familiar with OverDrive and Libby, but still have a few questions, or would like to learn more about these advanced features, this is the perfect workshop for you! Join us virtually at the Library to learn more during this second workshop on Libby and OverDrive. This session is particularly useful for those in book clubs.

This workshop will take place over Zoom. Please email library@morrin.org to learn more or to sign up!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
VEQ invites you to view the commemorative Shannon Irish Show celebrating the 70th anniversary of Shannon — on the town’s 75th anniversary!
Join us online on March 12th at 7:30 p.m. for a Shannon Irish Show viewing in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day!

The show will be available on Voice of English-speaking Quebec’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VoiceofEnglishspeakingQuebec

See you soon!

Warm up your vocal chords!
Join the Local Vocals choir every Monday starting February 14th through September 26th!

Join Éducaloi for an online workshop to learn about Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities including:

• Leases
• Pets
• Deposits
• Discrimination in housing
• Landlord rights and responsibilities
• Tenant rights and responsibilities
• and more…

** This workshop is now full and registration is closed. We hope to offer it again in the future. In the meantime, visit Éducaloi’s website to find answers to questions and resources.

This event was made possible with the financial support of the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise

Come enjoy a string quartet concert and learn more about the ins and outs of acoustics in this presentation with professional musicians Ryan Molzan, Isaac Chalk, Brett Molzan, and Alexandre Sauvaire.

This virtual conference will be broadcasted from our College Hall ballroom with musician Ryan Molzan and host Peter Black.
More information here: https://www.morrin.org/en/event/in-these-spaces-acoustics/

Diabetes 101-Everything You Need You Know
Our presenter: Jennifer Hobbs-Robert
Senior Advisor for Community Health Promotion Programs
Sponsored and Hosted By: ECO-02

This presentation will focus on the basics of diabetes, a common health challenge. More specifically,
participants will learn:

How common is it?
-Type 1 vs Type 2- what is the difference
-How do we become diabetic?
-Symptoms
-Prevention & treatment options
– Diabetic emergencies (red flags)

Everyone has strengths – and vulnerabilities. And we all struggle and make mistakes. Typically we react by blaming and criticizing ourselves. 

Join us to discuss how self-compassion gives us the safety to flourish in the midst of difficulty. 

Through discussion of self-compassion ideas and practical exercises, we’ll learn how self compassion brings out the best in ourselves and others – and makes relationships more enjoyable! 

Join our guest speaker Jeanni Potter, she is an experienced therapist, counsellor, workshop leader, regional newspaper writer/photographer, and mom.

Please join us for an online presentation on  Factors that affect our Hunger, our Food Choices, and our Weight – QCWC 2021 bursary recipient: Inès Auclair Mangliar

Have you ever considered the internal and external factors that surround nutrition? In this presentation, we will discuss about our hunger and how it is influenced by our hormones, the food choices we make and the recommendations of the Canadian Food Guide, we will debunk assumptions about weight, and we will quickly overview the principles of Intuitive Eating.

Bio: After completing an undergraduate degree in nutrition at University of Ottawa, Inès Auclair Mangliar decided to pursue her education as a graduate student in nutrition at Université Laval. The majority of her time is invested in her work on prenatal health research, but she also works part-time at a long-term care home in the region and volunteers in nutrition-related organizations.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://ulaval.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5AkcO2prj0rHNUjrsOU6vaxrKaMKCgREo9U

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For more information contact Debbie Stowe (debbie@stowe.ca; 418-844-1840)

Interested in discussing literature with other book lovers? Missing connecting over books in the Library? Come join Pixels & Pages, the Morrin Centre’s new online book club!

Next Meeting: Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Book Selection for March:

Please email library@morrin.org to learn more or to sign up.

This St. Patrick’s Day, get your green on with us and start thinking about your summer garden!  Yes, there is still snow on the ground, but it’s never too early to start thinking about planting.  Sign up before March 4th to reserve a seed package to start your veggie garden.  Then, join EPIQ parent Monica Verweij, our passionate gardener Guru, for a virtual planting information event on March 17th.  As it will be St. Patrick’s Day, please join us in dressing up in all your best green attire for the occasion!

How to register

To participate and to get your package of seeds, please register via our ZOOM registration page for this virtual event.  We have a limited number of places for this activity so be sure to register soon!  Please select your pickup location for you seed package when you register.  Pick up choices will be either at the Wellness Centre, in Val-Belair, Beauport or Saint-Augustin/Cap-Rouge.

For more details or any questions, please contact Jessica Price at jprice@jhpartners.net 

EPIQ (English-speaking Parents in Quebec) events are organized by volunteer parents with support from the community Wellness Centre.

Some activities are just for parents (who doesn’t love a night out without the kids!) and other events are for the whole family.

Please check out the Family Matters e-newsletter or visit our EPIQ information page for more details.

Warm up your vocal chords!
Join the Local Vocals choir every Monday starting February 14th through September 26th!

Do you have questions about separation or divorce? Family separation can be a complicated and emotional process that differs widely between countries and other Canadian provinces. Join family mediator Carmen Cameron, M.S.W., t.s.  in this online workshop to learn more about the process and common misconceptions.

We will help answer questions about:

• The mediation process
• Common law vs. married couples
• Custody & child support
• Rights & responsibilities
• Where to go for additional resources

Click here to register.

This event was made possible with the financial support of the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise

The moment of truth has come. You sent your CV and cover letters and now you are being called for an interview… In other circumstances, you would be relatively nervous, but you are now living in Québec City and chances are the interview will be in French, or at least part of it. No need to panic! We are collaborating with the FORT program to offer you the possibility of practicing your French interviewing skills. At the end of it, you will be better equipped in terms of what kind of questions you can expect when interviewing in French, and how to prepare your selling points in the aforementioned language. Now, if your interviews are most likely to be carried out in English, then by all means you can practice in English!

This activity is 100% free !

To register please click here.