Sandra Van

• Designed health promotion adult programming, implemented and facilitated program; Seniors weekly food programming, exercise program for those living with Chronic diseases, community kitchen
• Researched, analyzed, and disseminated information
• Designed promotional materials; flyers, videos, info charts
• Supervised students and volunteers. Students from various disciplines: Social Work, Planning, Geography, Health Promotion, Community Development

Selected Accomplishments

• Initiated and co-led GARDENS GARDENS Project- Co-led and coordinated a food security initiative called GARDENS Pod Project-an urban agriculture and gardening program model. Developed and oversaw the annual GARDENS Summer Education Programming Series (10 educational sessions -virtual and in person, events, and promotions). Wrote and Designed - Diverting Food Waste through Education and Action (2021)
• In collaboration with 4 Villages Community Health Centre, wrote proposal and took lead role to design and implement comprehensive community based diabetes service. This model promoted service moving out of the hospital setting and into the community. The new model involved a partnership of five community health centres and three hospitals.
• Initiated and secured funding for an open concept harm reduction model called the Adult Drop In Program that would reach the most marginalized in the community; homelessness/precariously housed, people struggling with mental health, addictions and living in poverty. Designed life skills and pre employment program
• Oversaw and worked in partnership with HUMBER College to set up Community Kitchen. Age group of participants -80 to 3 years old.
• Set up and operated Weekly Food Program for seniors- Storefront Humber
• Wrote several successful grant applications from the following sources; City of Toronto- Housing and Homelessness and Community Service Grants, Live Green, Toronto Arts Council, Trillium Foundation, and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
• Mat Leave: provided leadership, support and supervision to 8 program staff; community services and health promotion departments including literacy, youth programs, newcomer services and community development, community relations programming.

• Developed youth programming for a summer program called the Youth Empowerment Program
• Worked with seniors advocacy groups and successfully achieved the goal of the first permanent publicly funded dental program in Toronto
• In collaboration with other providers developed programs to address substance abuse and youth issues; successfully secured funding and managed the following programs KHAT- Somali Substance Abuse Program, AIDS Not Me!! Project( Youth Peer Model for African Canadian youth ).

Facilitated weekly group week sessions for adults experiencing depression and stress

These sessions included a variety of activities, educational workshops, and discussions to assist participants in coping better with their daily lives