Connexions holds community focus groups for English-speakers

Connexions holds community focus groups for English-speakers

Connexions Resource Centre is holding a series of five focus group meetings for English-speakers across the Pontiac region. Connexions is a non-profit organization serving as a bridge between English-speaking Quebecers in the Outaouais and various health and social services. There were six people in attendance at the meeting in Shawville on January 16, along with media and Connexions staff.

The objective of these meetings is to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the region on a variety of topics, from health care and education to the environment and economy. Attendees were also asked what changes they would like to see in their community.

Connexions community outreach coordinator Shelley Heaphy explained that the information gathered would be used to create a community portrait in order to help staff better target their services, as well as to better inform their advocacy when communicating with public officials.

Attendee Val Twolan-Graham, who is a municipal councillor in Bristol and engaged with various community groups, said that it was interesting to hear the many common concerns that attendees articulated around the table, as well as the changes they would like to see.

Upcoming meeting are as follows:

January 23: AutonHomme Pontiac (128 rue Front, Campbell’s Bay) 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

January 30: Portage-du-Fort Municipal Hall (24 rue de l’Eglise) 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

February 6: St-Joseph’s Centre (6 rue St-Joseph, L’Isle-aux-Allumettes) 1 p.m.-3 p.m.