Arrimage Estrie celebrating five years this Friday

Arrimage Estrie, the Sherbrookebased organization focused on encouraging the development of a healthy and positive body image, will be celebrating its fifth anniversary this coming Friday with a special gathering at the Capsule Bistro-cinéma on Wellington Street South. The evening will feature an introduction to ‘Rockabilly Jive’ dancing and a performance by the band Les Kick Ball Change as well as free cotton candy, cupcakes and popcorn for all those present. Anyone who shows up dressed in “50s’ style” will be eligible for door prizes.

“It is a celebration and a chance to get to know the work of the organization,” said Julie Witty Chagnon, Director of Arrimage Estrie, explaining that the party is open to members of the organization and non-members alike. “People associate Arrimage Estrie with eating disorders, but it is so much bigger than just that; healthy body image is an issue for everyone and it is important to support it.”

Chagnon said that it was a shortage of resources relating to body image in the area that initially kicked off the founding of the group five years ago. Although people were free to turn to the local health and social services, all of the specialized groups focusing on disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, hyperphagia, orthorexia, or bigorexia were in either Quebec City or Montreal. Since its founding, the organization has been focused on valuing body diversity and advocating an anti-dieting approach based on listening to the signs of hunger and satiety and the pleasure of eating.

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The team at Arrimage Estrie is small, with four employees working only four days a week three seasons of the year, but the director said that despite that the organization manages to work with a broad spectrum of individuals across a wide array of needs. In 2016-17 alone 927 people participated in 37 education workshops held by the organization, 1310 youths visited 12 different kiosks set up by Arrimage Estrie in different areas, and 56 people were able to meet with resource people for help related to an eating disorder.

“It really addresses everyone,” Chagnon said. “We have men and women and everyone from students to 60 year old women.”

Asked about the organization’s English services, Chagnon said that one member of the four-person team is an Anglophone, but that the majority of the workshops and resources provided by Arrimage are in French.

Chagnon pointed out that the organization’s services regarding eating disorders are only for individuals 17 years and older, but she said that the group’s prevention work and projects to build positive self image work with people of all ages.

“It is never too soon for prevention,” she said, noting that children become exposed to negative ideas of self-image from a very early age. “Eating disorders are a consequence of poor body image, but dissatisfaction with our bodies is something that touches nearly everyone.” Drawing on that idea, Arrimage Estrie does not have a specific target group that it works with and anyone can come for resources or help if needed. The director said that although the organization does take referrals, those seeking the organization’s help do not need to have an official diagnosis, they just need to become a member.

“We are an autonomous community organization, our work is by and for the community,” Chagnon said, explaining that the group draws its annual budget from the Ministry of Health and Social Services and a regular contribution from the local chapter of United Way. “We don’t have clients, we have members who are a part of our decision making processes.”

Tickets to Friday’s celebration are available at the door and are $10 for members or $20 for non-members. More information about the work of Arrimage Estrie and about Friday’s event is available by calling 819-564-7885.