خلال الجلسة سوف نركز على النقاط التالية : التاثيرات والتغييرات في العلاقات العائلية والصحة النفسية بعد الهجرة الى مكان جديد، وارتباطها بوباء الكورونا. سوف نناقش الازمات المتعلقة بالاجيال والثقافات المختلفة والتي قد تؤدي الى عنف ضمن الاسرة. أيضا، سوف نتكلم عن مؤشرات العلاقات الغير صحية أو المسيئة وماذا نستطيع ان نفعله كاعضاء في مجتمعنا لمساعدة العائلات، لكي يشعروا بالامان مع بعضهم البعض. سنتطرق ايضا الى بعض المفاتيح الاساسية لمساعدة الاولاد والكبار بتطوير مهارات حل النزاعات. كما سنتكلم عن الخدمات المتواجدة لمساعدة العائلات بتحسين العلاقات فيما بينهم والمحافظة على السلام والسكينة. هدفنا الاساسي هو المحافظة على وحدة وسلامة الاسرة.

The #KeepFamiliesSafe campaign is rooted in raising awareness of family, friends, neighbours and people in the workplace, throughout Waterloo region, about family conflict especially under the strain and isolation of the pandemic. It encourages community to pay attention and equips them with ways they can help. Can you help us get the message out?

In this porch chat which will be in Arabic, we will:

 build understanding how family relationships, mental health, and stress levels change after arrival to a new home and how is that connected to Covid 19 situation.

 have a dialogue about cross-generational and cross-cultural conflict that can lead to family violence.

 present signs of abusive relationships and discuss what we can do as community members in helping families stay safely together.

 We will explore some tips to help adults and children to use conflict resolution skills to solve problems.

 We will elaborate on some services that are available to help families improve their relationships and maintain family peace.

 Our main goal help communities come together to keep families together and safe.

This is our 6th Porch Chats of 2020 the first four were in English. However, recognizing that family violence takes place in all cultures, we have worked with the #KeepFamiliesSafe collation partners to extend the conversation into languages other than English. Lucky to meet Asmaa Cober, she helped coordinate four of these Porch Chats, in four different languages starting with those she spoke including Farsi, Turkish, Arabic and Kurdish.

These are the first Porch Chats facilitated in languages other than English and we hope to extend the conversation into others of the rich and divers cultures that make up Waterloo region.

We are a coalition of 18 organizations concerned about the impact of the Pandemic on families. Like the increased stress and isolation of the pandemic, family stress is universal and we need each other now more than ever.

If you would like to facilitate a Porch Chat bringing this conversation to your culture, please contact Julie Thompson.

Since the onset of COVID-19, a coalition of community leaders has been working together to flatten the curve. Now, we need your help to fight what’s been called the shadow pandemic or second wave of family violence that is emerging due to isolation and stress. Some counties have reported a 39% increase in family violence as a result of Covid isolation. While physical distancing is important to keep the virus under control it can lead to significant stress in families. Violence is a potential outcome of this stress.

In April, Statistics Canada reported that

• 1 in 3 Canadians is very concerned about family stress and

• 1 in 10 women is very concerned about family violence

That’s why a coalition of 14 local agencies and municipalities is working together to raise awareness of the issue of family violence and sharing easy ways anyone can help at home, at work and in the community.

On Father’s Day – and just in time for the end of the school year – we launched the #KeepFamiliesSafe campaign. The campaign will run over the course of the summer and into the fall and includes social media, virtual events and outreach to groups including large employers and faith communities. Please discover more at www.preventingcrime.ca/KeepFamiliesSafe

While the research linking pandemics to violence in the home is very clear. It also shows that simple, early intervention can defuse tense situations before they escalate.

Porch chats are an opportunity for the community to come together and have conversations about what’s happening in our community. They are to promote understanding, build community connections and facilitate action among citizens and communities. Porch chats are part or the Friends of Crime Prevention initiative and chat ideas are brought forth my members of our community.

Usually Porch chats are held on the porch and surrounding gardens of the historic Governor’s house, home of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council at 73 Queen St. N. in Kitchener. But, adapting to Covid-19, we will meet on a virtual porch. BYOL (Bring your Own Lemonade) See you there!

Learn more about how to become a Friend of Crime Prevention