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PEER GROUPS

by Millie Strom

Caring Sisters, Richmond Women's Group

Caring Sisters in Richmond was led until recently by Maxine Gens. The group meets on the 2nd Monday of every month to determine the activity for the month. It may be dinner, a movie, or a trip to Science World. The group averages about 10 women for each outing. A new facilitator for this group is needed. Please feel free to forward your resume and a cover letter to the Network if you are a woman consumer / survivor in Richmond who is interested.

Please note: our fax machine isn't working these days.

Expressive Art

The Expressive Art group meets weekly at the Richmond Art Gallery. The groups explores art through photography, painting, drawing and pottery. The Expressive Art group partners with the Richmond Mental Health Team, the Richmond Art Gallery and the Network. Occupational therapist Irene Shim facilitates the group. Participants can drop-in to the Program Art room at Richmond Art Gallery on Monday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm to explore their creativity.

Latin-American Group

Rosa Brand-Canadas facilitates the Latin-American group. This group meets every other Friday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Rosa says the group evolved over the years to only women members. Rosa likes to maintain the size of group at 10 members with about seven women attending each outing or workshop.

Community work is not new to Rosa. She has a Counseling certificate from Langara College and a Multi cultural / Settlement Training certificate from Vancouver community College. Rosa has worked with the Little Mountain Neighborhood House single mothers group and with Latin American refugees, many of whom were tortured in prison. They faced a language barrier and Rosa was glad she could support them.

"This Latin-American peer group also faces the language barrier," says Rosa,"It limits our group from interacting with other groups." Rosa also learned over the years not to focus on religion or politics, but instead, the members explore alternative remedies. they have had tai chi classes, massage therapy, acupuncture treatment, and they visited Chinatown to purchase inexpensive herbal remedies. They also exchange recipes for nutrition and natural healing.

"There is cohesion in the group, the women feel confident, and confidentiality is offered," says Rosa,"but we are always open to meeting new members." The group meets one block east from the Network's office at an accessible location.

Men's Group

The Men's Group meets twice a month for various social activities including bowling, seeing movies, having dinner out, or going to Science World. The group is a good place to develop friendships with people who have experienced similar difficulties. It is a place where men mutually support each other and have some fun as well. There are about 20 men in the group, of whom between five to 10 attend regularly.

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