August 23, 2023
Toronto, ON — The Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto (MNLCT) is excited to announce the launch of our new Community of Care Mobile Application. This app is a digital space for people seeking to improve their mental well-being, build community and support one another. The platform also offers a 24/7 digital space for learning, sharing, reflection, and action.
The project was funded by the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative and developments started as early as April 2021. The MNLCT partnered with our technology partner iCent to host the service on its platform. The MNLCT and iCent have previously worked together to develop the Newcomer Support app – the Community of Care app will be a part of this existing application, providing users a one-stop destination for various services and support.
The app was co-designed and co-created with participants from MNLCT’s women, seniors, and men groups, who expressed the need for a safe online space where members can connect at all times and communicate with each other to provide peer support which would allow them to feel less alone and more empowered. Since they revealed the uneasiness they feel discussing their personal issues on public social platforms, the Community of Care app provides them a safe and secure environment to share their feelings.
During COVID-19, our participants indicated feelings of isolation, anxiety and stress increased beyond their ability to cope and were exacerbated by lack of access to weekly in-person group sessions further their mental health. This platform acts as a thread used to weave a community of care around marginalized groups, such as immigrant women, men, seniors, and youth who experience declining mental health in a post-pandemic world.
It is common knowledge that the recognition of mental health is increasing; and this application arrives at a critical time to help members of our community to regain agency of their wellbeing and mental health care. Within the app, we all can learn, reflect, take action, and find support 24/7. I am happy to be touched by this mental health awareness process; it has been about people, their growth, and how this growth can inspire each other. Being part of this process, among professionals, sharing ideas and finding the best solutions to create the application has been an amazing experience!”
— Olga Potikha, member of the Advisory Committee
The app will also act as a way for MNLCT’s Mental Health team to identify areas of concern.
This new app will help us to identify those who are in need within the community. Many people are hesitant to seek assistance in mental health and less likely to seek professional help when they are in a new country. I am incredibly proud of the team for their collaborative effort in order to serve our clients better. This app will increase our reach and spread the word about the good help our organization provides.”
— Dwayne O’Connor, MNLCT Executive Director
The Community of Care app is now available for download at mnlct.org/cc-app.
About the Mennonite New Life Centre Toronto (MNLCT): www.mnlct.org
MNLCT has been serving newcomers since 1983, founded by local Mennonite churches with a vision of service and solidarity with refugees and displaced peoples. The organization offers holistic settlement services, language instruction, job preparation and career bridging training, mental health and wellness counselling, counter-human trafficking supports and more, with programs evolving to meet the needs of an ever-changing immigrant population.
For more information, please contact:
Tracy Docheff
Communications Manager,
Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto
tdocheff@mnlct.org | (647) 812 -1332 ext. 5014
