Programs and Services

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

CBAC programs and services support physical, mental, and emotional health while also facilitating socialization and the continued engagement of our members in the community. These programs fall into three main categories: educational, exercise/fitness, and social/recreational activities.

Exercise supports good health by slowing the effects of aging, increasing blood flow and metabolic function, and positively impacting the brain, mood, and attitude.
Educational enrichment and continued skills development contribute to keeping seniors upbeat and fulfilled.
Social and recreational activities connect members and non-members, helping to break the isolation that seniors sometimes experience. These activities facilitate bonding, new friendships, discoveries, experiences, and adventures, all while imbuing a sense of support and belonging.

*All programs, except for Arts & Crafts, Stimulation, and Choir, require a fee, but they are free for members. Registration is required for all programs.

EXCERCISE

Exercise slows the effects of aging. A body in motion will age slower than one that is sedentary. Exercise facilitates weight loss, muscle strengthening, and building. Losing weight has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease and improve metabolic function in the liver, fat, and muscle tissue.

Studies have repeatedly shown that exercise can boost longevity in older adults. Just moving around and doing light-intensity activity has strong effects and is beneficial.

Aqua Fit: Aqua Fitness is CBAC’s longest-running physical fitness activity. It takes place at the Centre Sportif de la Petite Bourgogne swimming pool in Little Burgundy, which is adapted for the elderly. Aqua Fitness is held thrice weekly, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., year-round, except during holidays.
Chair Yoga: This safe and gentle exercise program targets those with reduced mobility and aches and pains, as well as those aiming to improve flexibility and reduce stress. It delivers many of the health and wellness benefits of traditional yoga.
Soca Fitt: This lively fitness class combines Caribbean dance moves with aerobic exercises to create a fun and energetic workout. It is designed to improve cardiovascular health, muscle tone, and flexibility.
Tai Chi: Tai Chi combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow, gentle movements. It's particularly beneficial for improving balance, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being.
Folk/Cultural Dance: Dancing, especially practicing intricate dance choreography, sustains and strengthens the mind, body, and muscle coordination. Dancing improves heart and lung function, improves coordination and balance, and reduces stress. Studies show that cognitively challenging dance strengthens both body and mind. Dancing is not only a fun exercise but a social and bonding activity as well. CBAC’s Folk/Cultural dance program draws on West Indian/Caribbean dance and sustains cultural connections. Participants in the program, known as CBAC Folk Dancers, are increasingly asked to perform at community functions.
Zumba: Zumba is a fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves. Zumba routines incorporate interval training—alternating fast and slow rhythms—to help improve cardiovascular fitness.
Line dancing is a popular form of group dance in which participants follow a choreographed series of steps in unison. It’s a fun way to exercise, improve coordination, and enjoy social interaction.
Choir: Although not typically associated with exercise, singing in a choir involves breathing techniques and physical coordination, providing health benefits for seniors. The choir at CBAC offers a vibrant sense of community, joy, and well-being. Learning and retaining the words of a song, as well as its pitch, key, and tune, engages the brain, exercises the mouth, involves the lungs, and facilitates breath control and deep breathing.

*All programs, except for Arts & Crafts, Stimulation, and Choir, require a fee, but they are free for members. Registration is required for all programs.

Education & Skills Development

Education

CBAC offers a variety of educational and skills development programs designed to enrich the lives of seniors, helping them stay informed, engaged, and connected.

This program caters to beginners and intermediate users, covering essential computer skills. Topics include:

Basic computer use, including how to operate a mouse and keyboard.
Navigating the internet and exploring its vast resources.
Creating and managing an email account, including sending emails, attachments, and uploading pictures.
Using social media platforms safely and effectively.
Understanding computer and internet safety to protect personal information online.
Word processing skills, including document creation and formatting.

Additionally, the class familiarizes seniors with various technologies, such as cellphones, tablets, iPads, cameras, and e-readers (like Kindle), helping them maximize the use of their gadgets.

The classes are two hours long and are offered weekly. While desktop computers and laptops are available, participants with laptops are encouraged to bring their own devices.

Skills Development

Members of this group meet at the Council on alternate Tuesdays to participate in mentally stimulating activities such as Scrabble, puzzles, trivia, and discussions on movies or documentaries. On alternate Tuesdays, the group engages in outings like bowling, trips to the cinema, or activities with seniors from other organizations.

This program emphasizes the importance of nutrition in maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, particularly as we age. It educates members on how small changes in eating habits can significantly lower the risk of diseases commonly associated with aging. The program also addresses the challenges of maintaining a healthy diet on a limited retirement income, offering practical advice on making informed food choices.

Art and painting classes inspire seniors by providing them with creative outlets that are both enjoyable and therapeutic. These activities help exercise the fingers and arms while also offering relaxation and fun.

This class covers a variety of handcrafts, including:

Chinese embroidery
Knitting
Crochet
Quilting
Needlepoint

Engaging in these activities has been shown to add meaning, joy, and a vibrant sense of well-being to seniors' lives. The creative process also promotes mental stimulation and emotional satisfaction.

CBAC organizes conferences dedicated to providing seniors with knowledge, support, and inspiration. These conferences feature jam-packed sessions that are open to the public, aiming to enrich the lives of seniors by helping them improve the quality of their lives, make informed decisions, and dispel myths and stereotypes about aging. The conferences also work to sensitize older adults about the realities of aging and provide valuable insights into the aging process.

Class Schedule

Fall Session Registration

Registration for our Fall session starts today, Monday, August 12, 2024, and continues until Friday, August 30, 2024.

Class Pricing: The cost for most classes and activities is $20, except for the Art class, which is $25. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. The deadline for registration is Friday, August 30, 2024.

Class Schedule and Start Dates:

Folk Dance: Every Monday, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (hybrid) at 8700 Hardy.
Soca Fitness: Every Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (hybrid) at 8700 Hardy.
Art: Every Tuesday, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (hybrid) at CBAC Center.
French Conversation Class: Every Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the CBAC Center.
Line Dance: Every Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 8700 Hardy.
Computer (Beginners): Every Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at CBAC Center.
Computer (Intermediate): Every Thursday, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at CBAC Center.
Zumba: Every Thursday, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 8700 Hardy.
Chair Yoga: Every Friday, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (hybrid) at 8700 Hardy.
Fun Friday/Handicraft: Every Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at CBAC Center.

Registration Process: To make registration as convenient as possible, you can either visit the CBAC office or request the registration form via email. Completed forms can be sent back via email. You can pay by cash or cheque at the office or via Interac (cbacmtl@gmail.com).

Established Activities Include:

Community Lunch (monthly): A regular gathering that offers social interaction over a shared meal.
Birthday Brunch (quarterly): Celebrating members' birthdays in a social and festive setting.
Seasonal Trips: Trips to cultural sites such as sugar shacks, museums, and theaters.
Educational Trips: Visits to educational locations that provide learning experiences.
Information Sessions: Guest speakers are invited to provide valuable insights on various topics.
Volunteer Lunch: An event to appreciate and recognize the contributions of CBAC volunteers.
Pre-Mother’s Day Tea: A special event to honour mothers within the community.
Father’s Day Brunch: A celebratory brunch dedicated to fathers.
Valentine’s Day Brunch: A social event designed to bring members together during Valentine’s Day.
International Women’s Day: Celebrating the achievements and contributions of women in the community.
International Seniors Day: An event highlighting seniors' importance and contributions.
Annual Picnic: A fun outdoor event that encourages community bonding.
Annual Variety Show: A showcase of talent and entertainment within the community.
Annual Christmas Party: A festive celebration to end the year on a joyful note.

Additionally, the class familiarizes seniors with various technologies, such as cellphones, tablets, iPads, cameras, and e-readers (like Kindle), helping them maximize the use of their gadgets.

The classes are two hours long and are offered weekly. While desktop computers and laptops are available, participants with laptops are encouraged to bring their own devices.

Social & Recreational Activities

CBAC activities are designed with a holistic approach to health and wellness, aiming to break loneliness and social isolation while enriching the lives of seniors.

Recognizing that seniors do not live in a vacuum, CBAC offers a variety of activities that engage the mind and body, helping to combat the negative mental health impacts that can arise during popular social events like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas.

These occasions, while celebrated, can magnify feelings of loneliness and isolation among seniors, and birthdays can also contribute to these feelings.

Activities that involve learning, moving, and socializing are especially beneficial for seniors, helping to perk up the aging brain. As with all Council activities, there is always a mental, stimulating, educative, or interactive component.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES