Groups and Events Calendar

Most groups that you love are supported through Donations and Grants.
Get to know more about it on our Donate Now page.

Week of Jun 21st

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
June 17, 2024
June 18, 2024(1 event)

1:30 pm: Sharing Space Support Group Spring 2024


June 18, 2024

This program offers a 10-week professionally facilitated group counseling opportunity for adults with visual disabilities. Together, participants will explore various aspects of living with partial sight or blindness, delve into identity formation amidst visual challenges, assess support networks from friends and family, navigate the process of grief and letting go, manage feelings of stress and overwhelm, and celebrate personal achievements. Lisa Derencinovic, MSW, a professional counsellor with lived experience of blindness, leads the group. Lisa has provided therapeutic counseling at BALANCE for the past 7 years.

Limited space, so secure your spot now! To register, please contact our office at info@balancefba.org or call 416-236-1796 ext. 0.

June 19, 2024(1 event)

4:30 pm: Annual General Meeting


June 19, 2024

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
750 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5S2J2
June 20, 2024(2 events)

10:30 am: Stay Safe! A Comprehensive Self-Defense Class with Chris James


June 20, 2024

What images or concepts come to mind when you think of self-defense? Perhaps Mixed Martial Arts? Kicking and punching? Do you associate it with a particular experience? Or perhaps it conjures feelings of fear, apprehension, empowerment or confidence? For many of us, self-defense is not a part of everyday life, and is a concept or experience that can be shrouded in misconceptions. Wikipedia defines self-defense as a “counter measure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm”. As such, it is a broad concept and in our course, we intend to cover and convey its value both physically and emotionally.

BALANCE is excited to once again offer self-defense! This time, the classes will be taught by our new instructor Chris James. This self-defense program is rooted in a martial art called Commando Krav Maga. It's a mixed martial art based on real life scenarios. The techniques are real, simple, and practical and are useful on day one of learning them. Chris has been immersed in martial arts and volunteering for the last 13 years. He merged these two passions ten years ago when he started his charity initiative to share his knowledge of self-defense with his community. Alongside his incredible volunteers, he has taught self-defense all over the GTA as well as internationally. Chris is thrilled to partner with BALANCE, expanding this initiative to our community.

This course will encourage honest discussions about personal safety and violence, and teach self-defense techniques, in a safe space. Space is limited so register SOON! To register, please e-mail info@balancefba.org or call (416) 236 1796 ext. 0

Note: You are encouraged to bring your own yoga mat. If you cannot attend all 5 classes, you may request to be waitlisted for future workshops.

West Neighbourhood House
248 Ossington Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M6J 3A2
Canada

6:30 pm: Stress Management and Resilience Workshop- Spring 2024


June 20, 2024

This 7-week program caters exclusively to BALANCE clients.  Social Worker and BALANCE counsellor Melanie Marsden facilitates the workshop series. Melanie specializes in intersecting identities in counselling and is an experienced counsellor with lived experience of sight loss.  In this workshop, participants will learn fundamental mental health skills tailored to individuals with visual disabilities. Each 2-hour workshop builds on the next, covering topics such as understanding stress, mindfulness, reframing negative thoughts, assertiveness, and resilience.

Limited space, so secure your spot now! To register, please contact our office at info@balancefba.org or call 416-236-1796 ext. 0.

June 21, 2024
June 22, 2024
June 23, 2024