Arthur introduced Dr. Anna, a Certified Health Leader with over 20 years in health and social service leadership. Anna is a community advocate and a consulting stakeholder in the Canada-Hong Kong Pathway and Advisor at the Toronto Vaccination Table and Violence against Women Table in Toronto. She also serves as a Newcomer Advisor for the health equity table in the Central East LHIN.  A registered speech-language pathologist and doctor in speech-language pathology, she has served and published research on the vulnerabilities of populations with invisible disabilities.  Anna's research focuses on access equity for those with hidden disabilities and the impact of communication and messaging on society.

 

Anna's presentation took a departure from her previous talks to the club, concentrating on the past two years and the effects on her vulnerable clients not just by the Covid-19 pandemic, but from racism, misinformation, and disinformation, including cyberattacks spreading conspiracy theories that vaccines were being used to de-populate sectors of the world by race or otherwise. In addition to all of these challenges, CFSO had to deal with the shadow pandemic that resulted from isolation, increased unemployment and poverty, mental health stresses, and increased domestic violence. The workload increased exponentially for CFSO because it is the only organization of its type in Ontario that cares for this racialized community. The waitlist is now nine months long, which is much too long to address issues such as domestic violence, where the victims have no safe place to flee from their partner's abuse.

 

Anna related a graphic and shocking story of one of their clients who was attacked by her partner with a knife, stabbed in all four limbs multiple times as well as in the torso, and only survived a knife thrust to her head when her daughter held her hand up to deflect the blade, resulting in part of her hand being cut off. This type of domestic violence is escalating in the community during the ongoing health restrictions, much deadlier than punches and kicks.

 

In addition to domestic violence, there has been a rise in other crimes, such as senior abuse, visa students unable to travel home falling victim to human and sex traffickers, and rising numbers of addictions and suicides. The health emergency has increased all of these blights on our community, and Dr. Anna felt it essential to bring awareness of the wide-ranging effects of this shadow pandemic to our attention.

 

CFSO's clients are not looking for government handouts but are desirous of regaining their self-respect and self-sufficiency. They wish to become independent and participating members of our society. CFSO assists them with these goals through rebuilding their emotional and social stability and assisting them with their job search and applications.

 

Anna estimates that all of these problems will persist at a higher level for at least a year following the end of the health restrictions. Of course, it goes without saying that financial support will be required to assist CFSO in reaching as many marginalized clients as possible.

 

Dr. Anna fielded many questions, then Saifoo thanked Anna for her talk and all of the very worthwhile and necessary work she does in our community.

 

For Anna's presentation please follow this link:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/9s8gbllksq4759o/Anna%20Wong.mp4?dl=0

 

 

Sgt-at-Arms, Gerd Wengler, proposed something a little different today, asking everyone to share special memories of their time in Rotary. Special Rotary Memories were contributed by all, including:

 

President Danny then wished everyone a good week ahead and terminated the meeting.