Better health and wellness for refugees
Around the Region shares the work of community partners. In this edition, we hear from Reception House about their collaboration with Region of Waterloo Public Health’s Neighbourhood Nursing Program. Reception House, established in 1987, supports government-assisted refugees in Waterloo Region. Their services include temporary accommodation, integration services, life skills orientation, health referrals, housing support, and youth programming.
By Nariman Naber, Reception House Communications Coordinator
Supporting newcomers in Canada goes beyond providing accommodation; it includes tending to their health care and wellness needs as they adjust to a new environment.
Recognizing the complexity of individuals’ and families’ needs, Reception House has partnered closely with the Region of Waterloo Public Health Neighbourhood Nursing Program to offer health support to the refugee population when they first arrive in Canada. This partnership is crucial in supporting people’s transition by discussing health care concerns and providing health education soon after arrival.
How does it work? The Neighbourhood Nursing Program dispatches nurses to Reception House’s temporary accommodation twice weekly, providing Public Health services to newly-arrived refugees. The nurses administer missing and required vaccines to children and adults, for example, and offer guidance on healthy life choices. Topics of support include healthy eating, physical activity, mental wellness and preventing illness, among others.
The nurses also help make connections to other community health care services. Reception House staff then provide in-person support to help orient their clients at these new services, so they feel at ease accessing future resources and making appointments.
Public Health’s Neighbourhood Nursing Program also conducts information sessions that empower refugees with knowledge and resources they need to access health care services here in Waterloo Region. The sessions help to address individual concerns and provide guidance on health-related challenges. This establishes trust and helps newcomers feel they belong in the community.
During the first six months of this partnership, the Region’s Neighbourhood Nursing Program provided 695 vaccinations and made 66 referrals to community supports for refugees housed with Reception House.
“The collaboration with the Public Health Neighbourhood Nursing Program exemplifies the power of community partnerships,” says Craig Baila, Case Manager at Reception House. “By prioritizing health care accessibility, support, and education, this initiative paves the way for a smoother transition to life in Canada.”
Amber White, a manager in the Region of Waterloo’s Public Health, agrees. “Our goal is to provide wrap-around support to refugees, and working closely with Reception House allows us to achieve that goal effectively,” she says. “We are committed to making a positive impact on refugee health and well-being.”
As we work together, the Reception House and the Neighbourhood Nursing Program are showing the power of community partnerships. At Reception House, we are very grateful for working with our Public Health colleagues to build a stronger and thriving Waterloo Region community where refugees’ health needs are addressed. We look forward to continuing working together hand-in-hand, bringing change to people’s lives.
Learn more about Reception House Waterloo Region.
Learn more about the Region of Waterloo Public Health Neighbourhood Nursing Program.