Press Release:  Social Hub Now Available for the Non-Religious Community (June 28, 07)

Contact:   Justin Trottier
Phone:     416-402-8856
E-mail:   
Address:  216 Beverley St., Toronto M5T 1Z3
Web site: http://www.centerforinquiry.net/toronto 

THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Social Hub Now Available for the Non-Religious Community

Ontario’s New Centre for Atheists and Secular Humanists Hosts Open House to Unveil Ambitious Series of Community and Social Services

Toronto (June 28, 2007) - The Centre for Inquiry Ontario – the only venue in the province dedicated to the 15% of the population who are atheists and humanists - is pleased to announce a free Open House for its new Social & Community Services, the most ambitious series in the country of alternative services to those long monopolized by religious institutions.  The event will be held on Sunday July 8, 2007, and will run from 2-5 pm at CFI Ontario, located in downtown Toronto at 216 Beverley Street.

 

The hosts of each program, as well as resources, information and signup sheets will be available.  “All services integrate the mission of the Centre for Inquiry Ontario to promote reason, science and freedom of thought in all aspects of human endeavour,” said Executive Director Justin Trottier.  Services are free and open to everyone, and include:

 

SECULAR ORGANIZATIONS FOR SOBRIETY (SOS)

SOS offers a path to sobriety that does not require belief in a supernatural power.  It is a secular, self-empowering, effective alternative to spiritual-based 12-step recovery programs and has won recognition as a fully legitimate alternative in US courts and Canadian rehabilitation centres.  Unlike Alcoholics Anonymous, this secular sobriety program supports healthy skepticism and encourages the use of the scientific method to continually better understand all aspects of alcoholism. 

COPING WITHOUT RELIGION SUPPORT GROUP

CFI Ontario provides a space for a Coping Without Religion Support Group which offers a safe, anonymous space for many people who are leaving a religion, or are dealing with problems related to leaving or living without any religion, especially related to relationship problems with family and friends.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Until now many new non-religious immigrants to Canada had no alternative for free ESL programs to those provided by religious institutions.  CFI Ontario is proud to offer free ESL courses in a thoroughly secular environment, providing reading material that promotes critical thinking while teaching the skills of reasoning and argumentation, crucial to integration in a secular democracy.

COGNITIVE QUITTING FOR SMOKERS

A systematic, step-by-step process for quitters to follow so that they can make rational choices instead of lighting up.  The process provides research-based tools and techniques to examine behaviour and disconnect urges, and has resulted in lasting results achieved without resorting to chemicals or medication

 

CFI Ontario will also provide information on the availability of humanist officiants, for those seeking humanist ceremonies for weddings or other events.  “The importance of robust social and community services in creating a vibrant and satisfying secular freethinking environment is obvious,” said Trottier.  “We aim to turn CFI Ontario into the recognized leader in this area.”   

 

Centre for Inquiry Ontario is a nonprofit, educational and advocacy organization promoting reason, science and free inquiry and acting as the country’s premier venue for humanists and freethinkers.  The Centre’s website is http://www.centerforinquiry.net/toronto.

 

 

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