The holiday break is just around the corner. While many of us will be using the break to relax and unwind with our family and friends, the joys of the holidays can come with a unique mix of health and safety considerations. Keep these tips in mind to enjoy a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season:

1. Be fire conscious.
   • Never leave open flames (including candles and cooking appliances) unattended.
   • Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are operational.
   • Only use lights and other electrical decorations that are in good condition. Turn off the lights when you are away or asleep.
   • Be mindful of electrical outlets; do not overload them.
2. Drive safely.
   • Take extra care when driving in inclement weather.
   • Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.
   • Do not use your cell phone while driving.
3. Shovel smartly.
   • Choose dry and warm clothing when shoveling.
   • Before beginning, warm up with some stretching.
   • Pushing snow is preferrable to lifting it. If you must throw snow, do not overload the shovel, and do not twist your body; always move with your feet.
   • Take breaks and warm up indoors. Stay hydrated!
4. Decorate wisely.
   • Safely use a ladder instead of chairs or other furniture to reach higher locations. Learn more about safely using a ladder.
   • Do not place cords across walkways, doorways, under carpets, or any location that might pose a tripping hazard.
   • Avoid placing breakable decorations in areas where they may be prone to being knocked over and broken.

For more holiday safety tips, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

On behalf of the Occupational Health & Safety Services (OHS) team, we would like to wish our entire Humber Community a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!

Dr. Vaughan reflects on everything the Humber College community achieved in 2023 while wishing everyone an enjoyable winter break in her latest AMViews blog.

We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to our workspace, a captivating piece of Indigenous artwork that promises to inspire and enhance our environment.

On the wall in the LRC staircase, between the third and fourth floor, is the installation of Patrick Hunter’s six-feet tall pride feathers. Patrick Hunter is a two-spirit, Ojibwe painter, graphic designer and award winning entrepreneur from Red Lake, Ontario. Patrick paints what he sees through a spiritual lens—inspired by his homeland, surrounded by the original works of Woodland painter Norval Morrisseau throughout his community. A QR code is available by the installation to offer students, staff, and community a further understanding into the artwork and artist.

This installation embodies Humber’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and dynamic work culture. It’s vibrant colors, intricate details reflect the diversity and creativity that define us all.

Miigwetch/thank you to Patrick Hunter and also Humber Libraries, Student Success and Engagement and Indigenous Education & Engagement for your work on bringing this piece to Humber College.

As part of our annual holiday tradition, the Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness raises funds for Ernestine's Women's Shelter—a non-profit organization dedicated to offering advocacy, crisis intervention, and shelter to women and gender-diverse individuals and their children facing violence.

Our fundraising goal is $2,000, and we invite the entire Humber College community to help us reach it - we are almost halfway there, with just a week left! Donations can be made at our Canada Helps page FHSW Annual Fundraiser for Ernestine’s 2023 until Friday, December 22. 

The holiday season can intensify stress and anxiety for survivors of gender-based violence. Your generous donations will play a vital role in ensuring that Ernestine's can consistently provide support to those within the shelter and across the community.

Tax receipts are provided, and every contribution, whether it's $10, $25, or more, makes a meaningful impact.

We sincerely appreciate your support.

Your friends in the Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness.

About Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter

Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter was opened in 1983 by a group of community members who saw a need for a safe place for women and children fleeing violence and abuse.

Ernestine’s is a non-profit organization that provides advocacy, crisis intervention and shelter to Women, Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-binary and Gender Diverse individuals and their children experiencing violence. Our services are evidence-informed and driven by values of inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression and respect. We seek to interrupt violence through education and advocacy for social justice.

Ernestine’s is a 32-bed emergency shelter with 14 private bedrooms.

We provide a home for individuals and their children – who stay with us from six months to over one year – until we find appropriate housing for them. During their stay, we provide them with all the necessities they might need (new bedding, clothes, school supplies, toiletries, baby supplies, prescriptions not covered by OHIP, loaded Presto cards, and anything else they might need).

In addition to shelter clients, we support over 600 adults and children from across the GTA through our Outreach Program. The shelter’s Outreach clients have access to counselling services and programs as well as the shelter’s on-site donation rooms and food bank.

We provide a range of holistic services to our shelter and Outreach clients. Our services and programs include 24-hour crisis assistance, individual and group-based counselling support, skills exchange programs, as well as legal, housing, and immigration support and advocacy.

Since we opened our doors in 1983, we have supported over 15,000 individuals and children.

Thanks to our supporters, last year we were able to:

• Respond to 1,258 crisis calls
• Provide shelter and support to 50 adults and 35 children, who called Ernestine’s their home
• Offer lifelines to 286 adults and 418 children in the community through our Outreach Programs
• Provide 397 check-ins and supportive engagement to children and youth, who form the majority of our clients
• 214 adults and 401 children were serviced as a result of the 637 times Ernestine’s food support services were accessed. Ernestine’s has continued to see an increased need for our services since the beginning of the pandemic.