SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT
Lip-reading (Speechreading) Classes offered by Communicaid for Hearing Impaired Persons (CHIP) from March 28 to May 23 at Chartwell Manoir Kirkland. Classes cover communication strategies, coping skills, advocacy and technological advances for those living with hearing loss. Friends and family members welcome. For more information, call 514-488-5552, local 4500 or email info@hearhear.org. Arthritis West Island Self Help (AWISH) offers spring programs of support and exercise to help individuals deal with arthritis and chronic pain. Programs begin in April. Visit awishmontreal.org or call 514-6313288.
The West Island Palliative Care Residence offers the following upcoming bereavement support group sessions: evening adult group (English) on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. (starting April 10); afternoon adult group (English) on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. (starting April 12); afternoon adult group (French) on Wednesdays (starting April 11). Email stevyaw@wipcr.ca or call 514-6931718, local 231. Low Vision Self-Help Association meets on April 11 at 1:15 p.m. at the Church of St. John the Baptist, 233 Ste. Claire Ave. in Pointe-Claire. Kaitlin Murphy will speak on All About Macular Degeneration. Free. Call 514694-2965 or LowVisionSelfHelpAssociation.weebly.com.
Adult ADHD Support Group — West Island. For adults and their loved ones who have ADHD. They meet every second Thursday at 7:45 p.m. Call 514-773-9815 or Email adultadhd.wi@ gmail.com. Quebec Grandparents Association. A non-profit volunteer organization to educate and support grandparents and their grandchildren to advocate their desire to continue a relationship that may be threatened with loss of contact, usually following family acrimony. For assistance and legal help, call 1-866-745-6110.
LGBTQ Support Group for parents of a child who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or questioning their sexual identity. A discussion group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Beaconsfield United Church, 202 Woodside Rd. Share and discuss your concerns in a safe and confidential environment. Call 514-794-5428 or visit lgbtq.youthcentre.ca.
West Island Community Resource Centre is a community-based, non-profit organization that offers West Island citizens resources and information by phone, email and in person. They also offer resource publications and free legal and tax clinics several times a year. Call 514694-6404.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a low-cost non-profit organization that help with weight-loss support. They meet every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Cedar Heights Park Chalet, 20 Robinsdale Ave. in Pointe-Claire. Visit tops.org.
West Island Cancer Wellness Centre (WICWC) is a place where you will receive compassionate support and can participate in programs such as yoga, massage therapy, counselling, and more, for free. They work with your health care professionals to improve your well-being and their services help you manage the emotional and physical challenges that come from a cancer diagnosis. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Wednesdays they are open until 8 p.m. at 115 Du Barry St. in Kirkland. Visit wicwc.org or call 514 695-9355.
Quebec Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association is a non-profit organization that is a national voice for people who are adversely affected by gluten, who are dedicated to improving diagnosis and quality of life. They offer information and support in following a safe gluten-free diet. The organization relies on membership and donations. Visit celiacquebec.ca, email info@celiacquebec.ca or call 514-893-9856. New Moms support group, offered by the West Island Women’s Centre, meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Columba-by-the-Lake Church, 11 Rodney Ave. in Pointe-Claire. Free of charge. Free childcare available. To register, call 514-781-8529. Gamblers Anonymous offers help to anyone suffering from a gambling problem. Call 514-484-6666 or visit gamontreal.ca.
Family Resource Centre, a nonprofit organization designed to support children aged six to 25, parents and professionals, offers a variety of services to help youth who have social, academic and behavioural difficulties. They offer one-on-one social and study skills programs to help children develop necessary skills. Group formats offered every Tuesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Pierrefonds. For more information, call 514-685-5912.
Literacy Unlimited, a community organization dedicated to empowering adults through improved literacy, offers free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring in reading, writing and basic computer skills. Call 514-694-0007 or visit literacyunlimited.ca.
Lou Gehrig’s Disease — SLA/ALS Family Caregiver Support Group meets the first Monday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. Offered by NOVA West Island. Call 514-6958335, local 209.
Compassionate Friends, an international self-help, non-profit organization, offers friendship, understanding, grief education and hope for the future to all bereaved parents. The Montreal chapter meets the first Tuesday of each month. Visit TCFCanada.net or call 438-257-0881. Look Good, Feel Better. Free cosmetic and hair workshops for women living with cancer on the first Monday of the month at the Lakeshore General Hospital. To register, call 514630-2225, local 1451.