The Multicultural Wellness Fair 2018 (MWF2018) will be held on October 10, 2018 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Hamilton Central Library. The MWF2018 committee invites your organization to participate and create awareness about your services.
The MWF is a multi-agency partnering initiative that aims to reach out to culturally diverse populations in Hamilton to provide education about mental health and community resources. The idea for the multicultural wellness fair was born out of the Facilitating Mental Health and Addictions Action and Inclusion Project in 2012. This outreach project led by HCCI found that despite there being a large culturally diverse population in Hamilton, many do not access and/or are not aware of services available to them in the community, due to a number of barriers, including myths and stigma about mental health and accessing needed supports.
The first Multicultural Wellness Fair was held in May 2013 and since then has run annually. It has grown to be a highly attended mental health event, both by service providers and community members, with 35 service providers and approximately 250 community members attending in 2017.
This event creates awareness about Hamilton services to multicultural communities, including newcomer immigrants and refugees. At the fair, different cultural performances and food are presented, providing attendees with the opportunity to appreciate Hamilton’s diverse cultures as well as hear the stories and voices of people who share their experience through performances and/or speeches. This year, the event also includes a keynote speaker focusing on mental health services for diverse populations.
Participating groups include, but are not limited to, Mental Health and Addictions, Counselling Services, Physical Wellbeing, Housing, Nutrition, and Cultural Community Associations. It is recommended that service providers bring information about their agency in different languages, if available.
The registration fee for agencies to have an information booth at the fair is $30.00. The money received from this is used to provide presenters and performers with a small honorarium for their contribution. To register, click here and we will send you an invoice.
If you would like any additional information on how to participate, volunteer or donate please contact us.
MWF2018 planning committee
Committee contact:
Liliana Figueredo
Email: LFigueredo@ywcahamilton.org
Phone: 905.522.9922 ext. 310
