Inside the Circle – March 1, 2022

Please be advised there are five (5) new stewards who will be representing SEIU members:

Liza Aquino VM# 1183
Edith Brown- Hinds VM# 1098
Odeth Campbell VM# 1135
Rowena Cerezo VM# 1781
Maria Cundangan VM# 1187

If you have any questions, please contact Murray Cooke, SEIU Healthcare at (905)-695-1767 ext. 3317.

March is Women’s History Month and on March 8th, we will celebrate International Women’s Day. This upcoming month is an opportunity to celebrate women and their contributions to society, history, and culture. We will be publishing a special edition of Care Mail for International Women’s Day, and as part of that newsletter, we’d like to include your thoughts and words.

To contribute, email Mary An at man@circleofcare.com by March 7 with the answer to the following question:
Who is a woman who inspires you? What have they done, and why is this important or meaningful to you? (Please keep your answers to 3-4 sentences).

Congratulations to this week’s Champions of Care nominees:

• “Thank you to PSW Zoukhra Ermakova for being so patient with my mom. Zoukhra has been an excellent communicator and was able to calm my mom down. She is also very caring and understanding. She is an angel.” – Client’s daughter
• “In a time of great need, Sheree Roberts and PSW Clarissa Satumba did not hesitate to help. During a home visit with me and another two colleagues, the client required immediate assistance with an incontinence episode. The client was resistive to my help for her personal care. I called Sheree who jumped into action. She called the client’s primary PSW, Clarissa, who volunteered her time as she was not scheduled to visit the client. Clarissa had already visited the client earlier that day. With Sheree’s help, Clarissa was able to arrive at the client’s apartment within 10 minutes. Clarissa assisted me with cleaning up the client. She showed a lot of compassion and empathy throughout this highly tense moment as the client was very overwhelmed and uncomfortable. Clarissa was able to sponge bath the client with her consent. This highlights the admirable relationship that the client and Clarissa have established over the years. Sheree and Clarissa exhibit these tendencies on an ongoing basis, putting the client’s needs at the center of their attention. This is not the only time they have shown their impeccable warm hearts and caring nature. They have gone above and beyond to assist the client numerous times. Thank you very much to Sheree and Clarissa for consistently showing kindness, leadership and teamwork!” – Sonia Ranieri

Maria has been a PSW with Circle of Care for over nine years, and a Union Steward for the past three years. She’s a passionate individual who supports not only her clients, but her fellow PSW colleagues as well. Maria is known to be a kind and approachable person, and many PSWs find it easy to come to Maria with issues or concerns.

In December, Maria was awarded the first annual Yvonne Greaves Award for Leadership for often going above and beyond and continuing to strive for a better workplace each day. Read more about Maria by clicking the button below!

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are both risk factors for coronary heart diseases and heart attacks, so it is important to monitor these conditions if you experience them. Some ways to control high blood pressure and manage cholesterol include:
• consuming less salt and eating more foods high in potassium
• making more meals at home
• being physically active
• limiting alcohol consumption
• being smoke-free
• finding other ways to manage stress.
You can also measure your blood pressure at home.

Healthy eating is eating a balanced and variety of foods every day that give you nutrients that you need to maintain your health. Eating a healthy diet makes you feel great, have more energy, and improve your health and boosts your mood. What we eat doesn’t just affect our physical health, it can also affect our mental health.

To learn more about food choices, eating habits, recipes, tips and resources, please visit:
• Canada’s Food Guide
• Cookspiration
• 5 Ways to Find Healthier Options while Grocery Shopping
• Quick and Healthy Snacks

February has been a time to celebrate and recognize many achievements the Black community accomplished, and there are so many independent Black owned companies all over Ontario that we may not be familiar with. Click the button below and check out some local Black businesses near you! February has been a time to celebrate and recognize many achievements the Black community accomplished, and there are so many independent Black owned companies all over Ontario that we may not be familiar with. Click the button below and check out some local Black businesses near you!