A Community of Care
Inspired by Jeffery Hale
Jeffery Hale Community Partners (JH Partners) is a community-based charitable organization whose mission is to better the health and wellness of the English-speaking community of the Greater Québec City region with a focus on those most at risk.
JH Partners promotes the personal and shared well-being of English speakers in the Québec City region by offering a range of health promotion program
We aim to provide you with quality services and continue developing programs and activities adapted to meet the health and social services needs of the English-speaking community.
Truly a “Community of Care” in Action!
JH Partners is able to provide its range of activities also thanks to close collaboration with the non-profit organization Voice of English-speaking Québec, and with Jeffery Hale – Saint Brigid’s, a public health and social services establishment.
Programs & Initiatives
With an emphasis on health and social services, JH Partners strives to improve the quality of life of the members of the English-speaking community, especially those most vulnerable, through our four areas of strategic focus.
Truly a “Community of Care” in Action!
Upcoming Events
RESOURCES AND LINKS
JH Partners can provide information about the English-speaking population of the Greater Québec City region, particularly
when it comes to the health and social services needs of the community we serve.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
- Sit less, move more: You don’t need an intense workout plan. A simple daily walk, light gardening, or even standing more often throughout the day can make a real difference.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Excess body weight is associated with increased risk — gradual, sustainable habits matter more than drastic changes.
- Limit alcohol, avoid smoking, and reduce processed meats: These factors are all linked to higher colorectal cancer risk.
- Choose fibre-rich foods and include dairy: Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and adequate calcium intake all play a protective role in digestive health.
- Persistent changes in bowel habits (frequent diarrhea or constipation).
- Narrowed stools.
- Bright red or very dark red blood in the stool.
- Black stools.
- Pain or discomfort in the rectum.
- Bleeding after bowel movements.
- Are between 50 and 74 years old.
- Have no symptoms.
- Have no personal history of colorectal cancer, polyps or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Have no family history of colorectal cancer, polyps or genetic syndromes.
- Are insured by Quebec’s public health insurance plan.
- Between 40 and 74 years old.
- A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (without a known genetic syndrome).
- Has no symptoms.
- No personal history of colorectal cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease or genetic syndromes.
- Insured by Québec’s public health insurance plan.
Do you ever notice how often we compare ourselves to other parents? Sometimes we don’t even realize we’re doing it. Is it even possible not to compare unless we completely isolate ourselves? (And that’s not good for anyone.)
We compare everything — parenting styles, sleep patterns, routines, milestones, behaviour, screen time, activities, successes, challenges. The list goes on. It’s not that we want to judge other parents. More often, we use those comparisons to judge ourselves.
And while we’re being honest, we are often our own harshest critics. I constantly hear parents say:
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“I should be doing it differently, but…”
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“I know I shouldn’t…”
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“The recommendations say not to, but…”
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“It’s my first baby, so…”
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“I know my baby should be doing this by now…”
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Sometimes, I even hear parents begin with, “I know I’m a bad mom/dad and I should…”
That word — should — carries SO much weight. And it starts early: “I know I should sleep when my baby sleeps, but…”
As our children grow, the “shoulds” simply change shape. They show up in decisions about daycare (or not), language choices at home, schooling options, extracurricular activities, screen use, or simply doing things differently from the “norm.”
On top of that, we often receive unsolicited advice from people who feel compelled to tell us how we should be doing things. ☹
So we defend ourselves. We explain. We justify.
But when I hear a parent say, “I should…” what I really hear is: “I am trying really hard. I am doing my best. This is what works for my family. It may not look like what everyone else is doing — but it works for us.”
And that matters. It is okay to be different. It is okay to carve your own path. It is okay to choose what works for you, your child, and your family.
I truly believe we need to hear this more often — especially today. In 2026, with the constant influence of social media and endless access to information, opinions and images, it’s no wonder parents feel overwhelmed. Sometimes it feels like we second-guess ourselves all the time.
There was a time before the internet when parents had less outside noise. Perhaps they trusted themselves a little more. Today, the world is different. We can’t change that — but we can choose how we respond to it.
We can adapt. We can quiet the noise. We can trust ourselves.
In case no one has told you lately:- You are the parent your child needs.
- You are in the best position to understand and support your child.
We are often so self-critical. What if we practiced being self-positive instead? It’s more than okay to speak kindly to yourself. Try saying:
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“I am a great mom/dad.”
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“I try really hard to be a good parent.”
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“I give so much of myself to my family.”
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“I am proud of myself.”
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“Look at my beautiful child — I helped shape this human.”
We hope you can join us.
Hello everyone! I hope you’re doing well and finding ways to cope with the short days and cold weather we’ve been experiencing lately. This combination can sometimes take a toll on our mood and energy, leaving us feeling unmotivated, tired or irritable. The good news? We’ve made it through the shortest days of the year, and more sunlight is on its way in the weeks ahead. Now is not the time to feel discouraged. At JH Partners, we’re jumping into Heart Health and Love Month—quite literally with our hearts in hand!
As you know, February often invites conversations about love and caring for others. Staying true to my usual perspective, it’s also a timely opportunity to reflect on care through a prevention lens.
Twelve ways to prevent dementia
Recent research suggests that up to 40% of dementia cases worldwide may be linked to twelve risk factors that can be modified across the lifespan. Many of these risk factors overlap with everyday health promotion strategies that you are likely already aware of:- Regular physical activity to support cardiovascular health and helps manage blood pressure, diabetes and weight.
- Reduce alcohol intake and quitting smoking to lower the risk of multiple chronic conditions, including cognitive decline.
- Stay socially connected, through community activities, volunteering and informal gatherings like our Brain Power Drop-in. This helps protect mental health and reduce isolation, especially important for older adults.
- Managing hearing loss with proper screening and hearing aids has also emerged as a meaningful, and often overlooked, prevention strategy.
Caring for those who care
For informal caregivers, this information matters on two levels. Caregivers are at higher risk of depression, social isolation and chronic stress — all of which are themselves dementia risk factors. Taking steps to protect your own health is not an added task on an already full list; it is a way of sustaining your capacity to care. This February, rather than focusing on grand gestures, consider prevention as a practical form of care — informed by evidence, shaped by realistic choices and adapted to your own circumstances. Small, daily actions remain one of the most reliable tools we have to support long-term brain health.
Savour the sweetness of September
I don’t know about you, but as September approaches, I often feel a sense of dread. The shift in routine, the return to school and …
Savour the sweetness of September
Hello everyone! I hope this message finds you well and that you’re making the most of summer. With August just around the corner, I’d like …
Remember who you are and celebrate you
I don’t know about you, but as September approaches, I often feel a sense of dread. The shift in routine, the return to school and …