After over 45 years of working for Circle of Care, we bid a fond farewell to PSW Evelyn Renard.

Evelyn started with the organization in 1978. In addition to her important work as a frontline staff member, she has assisted with many projects and events over the years.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to work for this company as a PSW,” says Evelyn. “I’ve done my best to take care of and support thousands of people in need. I want to take the opportunity to thank the staff that have guided me over the years and supported me through the good times and some that were very stressful.”

Evelyn gives a special thanks to her supervisor, Marianna, and to all of the Call Centre staff over the years.

Please join us in congratulating Evelyn on a well-deserved retirement and wishing her all the best in this next chapter of her life!

As Diwali approaches, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the joy, hope, and togetherness that this beautiful festival brings.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a time to reflect on the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair. But most importantly, it’s a time for family, community, and reconnection.

Even though many of us are far from home, Diwali continues to be a cherished celebration. Our colleagues have found ways to keep the spirit of Diwali alive—whether through lighting lamps, sharing sweets, or gathering with loved ones. Diwali reminds us that even in the darkest times, light, hope, and togetherness will always prevail.

From everyone here at Circle of Care, we wish you a Happy Diwali! May this Festival of Lights bring joy, prosperity, and warmth into your homes and hearts.

Working as a healthcare worker means not only offering physical care but also providing emotional support.

Listening is one of the most valuable skills you can bring to your work. It not only helps your clients feel valued, it can also help you to better understand them and meet their needs.

Listening Tips:

• Let them know that you are listening. Simple phrases like “I’m here for you” or “I’m listening” can go a long way.
• Avoid distractions. Try to take some time during each visit to really focus on your client without checking your phone or looking away.
• Don’t make it about you. Avoid the urge to give advice or share your opinion. Focus on what they are saying and feeling instead.
• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get it right. Remember, you are not there to fix the other person or solve their problem. You just need to be present and let them know that you want to understand.
• Avoid telling the other person how to feel or dismissing their feelings. Regardless of intentions, comments like “Don’t be sad” or “Stop worrying, it’s not that bad” can make someone feel like you aren’t taking their pain seriously.
• When in doubt, try rephrasing instead. Restating what you heard in your own words shows the other person that you’re listening and offers them an opportunity to elaborate or correct misunderstandings.
• Don’t underestimate the power of just listening. By offering someone an attentive ear and allowing them to share their feelings, you are already helping.

The art of listening is like any art—it requires practice and commitment. The more you listen, the more comfortable you will become. People will know when you’re truly listening because they’ll feel it. Whether you’re helping with daily tasks or having a casual conversation, listening with empathy makes a significant difference.

Want to practice your listening skills?

Try this quick active listening exercise from the Greater Good Science Center.

As per Article 3.03 of the Collective Agreement, employees need to work a total of 1300 hours in the current calendar year (January 1 – Dcember 31, 2024) to qualify for or maintain full time status for 2024.

If you are interested in working more hours or expanding your availability, please contact your Service Coordinator.

Here are the steps to complete your VSS:

1. Apply: Go to your local police station (in person or online) and apply for the VSS.
   • For Toronto residents only: Our organization code is 202310TPSONDFEEA. Write this down as you will need it to complete your application with the Toronto Police Service if you live in Toronto.
2. Pay: You pay for the VSS upfront and send your receipt to klucki@circleofcare.com for reimbursement.
3. Receive Results: You will get your VSS results in about 10 business days. Please send the results to klucki@circleofcare.com within 30 days.
4. Reimbursement: After you send your results, HR will refund you within 30 days. The refund will show up in your next pay.

PSWs are the backbone of the essential care we deliver every day, which is why we are always looking for ways to support you better.

We are excited to announce that on November 5, we are introducing a dedicated phone line for urgent or risk-related issues. Calls to this line will be given higher priority, which means quicker response times and better support from the office when you need it most.

Please call this line ONLY in the following situations:

• Client fall
• Reporting client death
• Injury to client
• Injury to PSW
• Abuse
• Not Seen Not Found

Future Improvements: Looking ahead, we’re planning to add new features that will allow you to communicate through multiple channels, like text and email. These changes will help you stay connected and get the response you need, when you need it. Stay tuned!

These updates are part of our ongoing efforts to give you the tools you need to do your job effectively.

Safe Routes, Smart Choices

We know you’re committed to your clients, but your safety always comes first! Taking safer routes, even if they take a bit longer, can protect you from unexpected dangers.

When planning your route:

• Plan extra time in your commute so you don’t feel rushed or tempted to take unnecessary risks, even if there are unexpected delays.
• Stick to well-lit, busy areas whenever possible.
• Avoid shortcuts through isolated areas like alleyways or parking lots, especially in the dark.

Choosing a safe route can reduce the stress of your journey and help you arrive safely at your destination.

Have you had your mask fit tested and CPR training? Circle of Care requires all PSWs and Homemakers to be certified with valid and current CPR training and properly fitted for N95 masks.

Book your CPR training and mask fit sessions through First Aid Care today!

You can also book by calling 905-272-9214

Who should get vaccinated?

Everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine every flu season (with rare exceptions).

Getting vaccinated is especially important for people who are at a higher risk of serious complications from influenza such as the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised people and people who spend time with any of these groups – like PSWs and homemakers.

When should I get vaccinated?

Most people should receive a dose of the influenza vaccine by the end of October, every year. This ensures you will be protected before the flu begins to spread. However, getting a vaccine later can still provide protection during the peak of flu season. (Getting vaccinated earlier than September is not advised, because the protection provided by the vaccine will decrease over time.)

Where can I get vaccinated?

You can get your FREE flu vaccine from:

• your doctor or nurse practitioner
• walk-in clinics
• community health centers
• participating pharmacies (like Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall)
• some public health units

Public health units offering a flu vaccine this year: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/system/services/phu/locations.aspx

Can my children get vaccinated?

Yes! But there are some things to note:

• Children under 5 years of age cannot get a flu shot at a pharmacy and must visit their doctor, a nurse practitioner, or local public health unit.
• Some children may need two doses of a flu vaccine, so those children should get the first dose as soon as possible to ensure full protection during the height of flu season.

What is GreenShield EAP?

GreenShield EAP is a confidential service designed to support your overall well-being. It offers a safe space where you can comfortably discuss life challenges – such as work, family, or other areas of life – with someone outside your usual circle who can provide you with guidance and support. Whether you need a listening ear, advice, or guidance, the EAP is here to help.

The EAP provides access to:

• Counseling Services: Speak with a professional, whether individually or as a couple, without long wait times or complicated processes.
• Health & Life Support: Get help from experts on topics like work, health, nutrition, and financial or legal issues.

How can I access GreenShield EAP?

We are currently piloting this program for our PSWs from September to December. During the pilot period, registration will be on a first come-first serve basis, capped at 50 employees. If there is enough interest, we hope to expand the program beyond the 50 employee cap.

This service is not anonymous, but it is completely confidential. Using this service will not be held against you and your personal information will always be private. Circle of Care will not know which services you use or what you talk about.

We’re excited to offer a relaxing massage sessions with three registered massage therapists on Tuesday, December 3, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm in Boardroom A.

Each session is 15 minutes, and spaces are limited, so please only register if you’re sure you’ll be able to come into the office for your massage. We want to make sure everyone who signs up gets the chance to enjoy this!

October is Healthy Workplace Month!

The Ontario Caregiver Organization and CMHA Ontario’s Your Health Space are offering a webinar series is designed to help double-duty caregivers find balance at home and work.

These sessions are packed with practical tips and support to help you manage the demands of caregiving in both your personal and professional life. The final session offers tips and support for balancing work and caregiving.

• When: Oct 29 (12-1 pm)
• Where: Zoom (link sent after registration)

Click on the link below to secure your spot for this final session. Let’s find balance together!

“Covering” is a way of describing how a person might downplay their identity to fit into the mainstream.

You can learn more about this topic in the next course in our DEI series, offered by our Learning & Development team.

Please note that all staff must complete this mandatory course by Friday November 1, 2024. You are automatically enrolled in Dayforce and you will be paid for 20 minutes after completing the training.

Stay safe at work!

If you did not complete the STF Prevention eLearning module in 2023 – or you just need to refresh your memory – it’s not too late to self-enroll through Dayforce.

Log into your Dayforce account, select the ‘Learning’ tab and then choose the STF Prevention module from the ‘Courses Catalogue’ at the top.

Experience the Human Library, an innovative event that allows you to borrow people instead of books!

This online event creates a safe space for participant ‘readers’ to challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue with human ‘books’. Human ‘books’ openly share their cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and life experiences to prompt an enriching and respectful conversation with readers.

When participating as a reader, you’ll be automatically assigned to meet 2-3 ‘human ‘books’ in groups of 6-10 people.

Upcoming sessions

• Tuesday November 26 @ 9:00 AM
• Tuesday December 3 @ 9:00 AM

Keep in mind that is an interactive experience, so make sure you are available to participate for the entire duration of the session.

To register, follow the link below and click the orange ‘select a date’ in the top right corner.

Circle of Care is committed to cultivating an environment where all staff, volunteers, students, and clients feel safe and protected. We unequivocally condemn all forms of hatred, racism and discrimination including Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate.

We encourage everyone to take this time to learn more about Islamic traditions,  explore the rich histories of the Islamic world, and celebrate the important contributions of Muslims in our communities.

Additional resources:

Guided Roots provides community resources for Muslims in Canada experiencing distress and family-related crises, including counselling and other supports.

Islamic Relief Canada works with communities to strengthen their resilience by supporting basic services such as education, water and sanitation, and healthcare, as well as by providing emergency aid.

Has someone gone above and beyond at work? Give them a High Five!

The High Five program lets you publicly recognize staff members for their outstanding work. High Fives will be posted in your weekly Inside the Circle newsletter.

To give a high five, just click on the button below or use the link in the rotating banner on the Portal home page.

Please note: We do not accept anonymous submissions for this program. High Fives must be submitted by an individual person, whether they are a staff member or member of the community.

Have a question? Submit your questions or feedback anonymously below!

Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers. If your question hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you as soon as we can.