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Happy Holidays!
The Centre will be closed from December 18th until January 4th. However, you can access our registration platform during this time to sign up in time for your courses. We wish you and your family a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable holiday. We really look forward to coming all back together in the new year.
12 Days of Holiday Fun
Each day on Facebook, we will post a new opportunity to discover the wonderful and amazing parts of our lives. For those not on Facebook, we wanted to share with you what we will post each day.
Day 1: There are many parks and green spaces around the West Island - send us a photo of your favourite place!
Day 2: What's your favourite holiday treat? Send us a photo of what you most enjoy during this season.
Day 3: What was your favourite winter activity when you were young? Snow angels, snowmen, discovering holiday lights in your neighbourhood? Share ...
UPDATE – March 30, 2020: Closure of the Winter 2020 Session and Cancellation of the Spring 2020 Session
We would like to begin by thanking all our community members for your support. Your health and safety during this difficult time is very important to us and we recognize the challenges of maintaining social distancing. We very much appreciate your understanding as we evaluate the Centre operational considerations due to the COVID-19 situation.
As per government directives, we have officially closed our Winter 2020 Session and cancelled the Spring 2020 Session. However, if we receive directives that we can reopen operations in May, we will evaluate how we can offer a ...
Spring 2020 Course Schedule
Pre-registration for current members begins on March 9 at 7 p.m.
Open registration for new and current members begins on March 16 at 7 p.m.
THE PRO-RATED SPRING MEMBERSHIP FEE STARTING MARCH 16 IS $10.00
Courses begin April 14. There are no daytime classes April 21. There are no afternoon classes May 12. There are no classes and the Centre is closed May 16 and 18.
Free childcare is available for most weekday daytime classes.
To read the course descriptions, please click here.Note: Courses written in red are full - inquire about our waiting lists.
For more information, ...
Spring 2020 Course Schedule
Pre-registration for current members begins on March 9 at 7 p.m.
Open registration for new and current members begins on March 16 at 7 p.m.
THE PRO-RATED SPRING MEMBERSHIP FEE STARTING MARCH 16 IS $10.00
Courses begin April 14. There are no daytime classes April 21. There are no afternoon classes May 12. There are no classes and the Centre is closed May 16 and 18.
Free childcare is available for most weekday daytime classes.
To read the course descriptions, please click here.Note: Courses written in red are full - inquire about our waiting lists.
For more information, ...
West Island Women’s Forum: Speakers
PAULA M. TOLEDO, Singer-songwriter, writer, speaker and mental health facilitator
Paula M. Toledo is a Social Entrepreneur; singer-songwriter, writer, speaker and mental health facilitator using the power of wonder, play and art to promote mental well-being. She is a Canadian Mental Health Association Advisor for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace and appears as a correspondent on GlobalTV News Montreal. She is Founder of The SocialWell Collective, a community that encourages in person ‘net-playing’; a form of truly connecting with each other ...
West Island Women’s Forum: Speakers
PAULA M. TOLEDO, Singer-songwriter, writer, speaker and mental health facilitator
Paula M. Toledo is a Social Entrepreneur; singer-songwriter, writer, speaker and mental health facilitator using the power of wonder, play and art to promote mental well-being. She is a Canadian Mental Health Association Advisor for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace and appears as a correspondent on GlobalTV News Montreal. She is Founder of The SocialWell Collective, a community that encourages in person ‘net-playing’; a form of truly connecting with each other ...
West Island Women’s Forum: Speakers
VANESSA HERRICK, Communications and international development professional
Vanessa is an award-winning journalist, communications and international development expert. Her background is in community engagement and has worked on development projects in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bolivia, Peru, and other countries. Vanessa's expertise in content creation, story telling and working with vulnerable communities has led to projects that have empowered people to improve their quality of life.
West Island Women’s Forum: Speakers
SONALI KARNICK, CBC Montreal Radio One and TV host
Known to the Quebec audience as the host of All in a Weekend on Saturday and Sunday mornings on CBC Radio One, she is also the host of the CBC-TV program Our Montreal. Karnick joined CBC in 2000, working in various roles in radio from researcher and traffic reporter to story producer for federal and provincial elections. In 2005, she took on the role of sports reporter on Daybreak. She built a solid reputation in radio and television sports, reporting both locally and nationally on professional and amateur sports, ...
Social Engagement: How to use the power of play for resilience and recovery
3-4 p.m. Session
Are you looking for ways to become more present and energized in your life through building personal connections? Is it getting more difficult to find ways to connect with people in your own community? This session will explore the power of in-person and face-to-face connections to build resilience, reduce social isolation, and improve mental well-being.
Presenter: Paula M. Toledo
Paula M. Toledo is a Social Entrepreneur; singer-songwriter, writer, speaker and mental health facilitator using the power of wonder, play and art to promote mental ...
Supporting women in the West Island: Services that strengthen our community
Are you interested in learning more about services that support women in the West Island? Do you want to learn about how you can be more engaged in our community and further strengthen causes that support women? Discover how West Island organizations are improving the quality of life for women across our community.
2-3 p.m. Session
Finding the strength to continue being strong: Caregivers of children with challenging needs
3-4 p.m. Session
Raising a child that has challenging needs can mean drawing upon a lot of personal strength and resources. This session will cover how to take care of yourself so that you can continue to be strong for your own child.
Presenter: Lyne Charlebois
A McGill University graduate, Lyne Charlebois has been working in early childhood with a disadvantaged population for over 15 years. She began her financial career at Laurentian Bank, where she remained for eight years, before devoting herself to educating her two young sons who were born with Tourette ...
Finding the support that you need as a caregiver for a senior
2-3 p.m. Session
Are you looking after a senior family member or friend? Is it becoming harder to find ways to get support for yourself in a challenging situation? Whether you are providing emotional or physical support to someone in your life, this session will explore how you can find the support that you need and the resources available for caregivers.
Presenter: Anne Mackay
Anne Mackay is the medical transport coordinator for the N.D.G. Senior Citizens’ Council. She is also the NDGSCC representative for “One Voice” Community group, a group of ten ...
Navigating the world of social media: How to build an online community
3-4 p.m. Session
Whether you are using social media for fun or for your professional life, this session will cover how to become more engaged online with your community. This session is for anyone looking to discover how to promote your ideas, causes close to your heart, or your business online through the experience of a professional blogger and media personality.
Presenter: Rhonda Massad
It is with dedication, heart and boundless energy that master connector, Rhonda Massad can be seen all over the West Island, camera in tow, meeting new people, covering local ...
Protecting yourself online: Staying safe in a digital world
2-3 p.m. Session
Are you curious about staying safe in our digital world and protecting your online security, privacy, and reputation? This interactive and informative workshop will explore these topics and more, helping you navigate your digital life and use technology responsibly.
Presenter: Callayna Bajer
Callayna Bajer was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and moved to Montreal in 2013 to study at Concordia University. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Human Environment and Urban Studies. During her last year of university Callayna took an ...