For more information visit: www.centerforinquiry.net/toronto , or contact toronto@centerforinquiry.net or 416-971-5676

■ English as a Second Language

■ Seniors’ Hobby Group

■ Coping Without Religion Support Group

■ Toronto Break-up Support Group

■ Cognitive Quitting (for smokers)

■ Secular Organizations for Sobriety

Centre for Inquiry Ontario Community & Social Service Programs

About the Centre for Inquiry OntarioThe mission of the Centre for Inquiry Ontario is to promote and advance reason, science, freedom of inquiry and humanist ethics in all areas of humanendeavor. CFI Ontario’s broad areas of involvement include:

Event programming: CFI hosts a robust public education series on topicslike science and the media, the tools of skepticism, humanist ethics and theseparation of church and state

Campus outreach: Based at our headquarters, CFI supports a growing network of student groups dedicated to promoting scientific and critical thinking at universities and colleges in Canada

Community outreach: CFI strives to connect itself to the intellectual life and volunteer sector of our region by becoming a hub for humanist actionand community-education groups that work on humanitarian and social-justiceissues, while leading the province in providing humanist alternative social and community services

Library and media centre: CFI maintains a lending library on relevantissues in philosophy, science and religion for research by members, whileoperating a multimedia station for educational and entertainment purposes

Lounge and drop-in space: CFI runs the country’s first safe, inclusive andopen space for the primary use of atheists, humanists and skeptics, though of course available and welcoming to all.

Centre for Inquiry Ontario is wheel chair accessible.

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216 Beverley St., Toronto, ON M5T 1Z3Tel/Fax: 416-971-5676

E-mail: toronto@centerforinquiry.netWeb: www.centerforinquiry.net/toronto

For full information on these services, visit our website www.centerforinquiry.net/toronto,

and click on “Local Resources” and or Local Events Calendar”

Secular Organizations for Sobriety Group of Toronto (SOSGT):

SOSGT is a nonprofit, autonomous, nonprofessional self-help group. The typi-cal meeting is held weekly for 1.5 hours, with a 10-15 minute break in the mid-dle. Family or friends requiring support, and those with other addiction prob-lems (ex: gambling, drug addiction, etc) are welcome. SOSGT is:

1. Secular: SOSTT credits the individual for achieving and maintaining his orher own sobriety and is ideal for those uncomfortable with the spiritual contentof 12-step programs. The group is secular and religiously neutral.

2. Inquiry-minded: SOSGT is free from dogma or the towing of any party line.SOSGT is not in competition with other groups and respects recovery in anyform, regardless of the path by which it is achieved. SOSGT supports healthyskepticism and encourages the use of the scientific method to understand alcoholism.

3. Support-group based: Although sobriety is an individual responsibility, life does not have to be faced alone. The support of other alcoholics andaddicts is vital to recovery. In SOSGT, members share experiences, insights,information, strength and encouragement in friendly, honest, anonymous and supportive group meetings

4. Communications-based: Honest, clear, and direct communication of feelings, thoughts, and knowledge aids in recovery and in choosing non-destructive, non-delusional, and rational approaches to living sober and rewarding lives.

5. Effective: SOSGT is effective because it encourages the scientific study of all aspects of alcoholism and addiction, rather than limiting its outlook to one area of knowledge or theory of alcoholism and addiction.

Sobriety GuidelinesTo break the cycle of denial and achieve sobriety,

■ We first acknowledge that we are alcoholics or addicts

■ We reaffirm this truth daily and acknowledge without reservation that, as clean and sober individuals, we cannot and do not drink or use, no matter what

■ Since drinking or using is not an option for us, we take whatever steps are necessary to continue our Sobriety Priority lifelong

■ A quality of life – “the good life” – can be achieved. However, life is also filled with uncertainties. Therefore, we do not drink or use regardless of feelings, circumstances or conflicts

■ We share in confidence with each other our thoughts and feelings as sober, clean individuals

■ Sobriety is our Priority, and we are each responsible for our lives and our sobriety

Visit us online at http://sostoronto.tripod.com to read our SOSGT literature

About CFI Social and Community Services MandateCFI’s community services and outreach programs provide secular alternatives,opportunities for volunteerism, engaging with our community and stewardshipfor the quality and richness of life in the world around us.

The Centre for Inquiry Ontario is a secular, reason and rationality-driven communi-ty centre seeking to offer a series of alternative services and programs especiallygeared to those whose worldview often make the use of cultural or faith-basedproviders of community services a threat or simply ineffective. While there existpublic secular community centers throughout the region, our community of secu-lar freethinkers, atheists, humanists and skeptics tend to gravitate to a communityatmosphere dedicated to reason, science and critical inquiry.

We offer a welcoming, non-threatening and non-judgmental environment. The Centre is largely staffed by dedicated volunteers who give their time freelybecause they care deeply about their community and the challenges we all faceon a daily basis. All services described in this brochure are free and their commonality is the priority placed on rational thinking.

NEW INITIATIVES: Environmental Initiatives:CFI, with a commitment to the environment, is an active participant in EarthDay and other activities in Toronto. The schedule and activities will continue togrow as we engage in the sensible stewardship of this planet we call home toleave a livable world for our future generations – because we understand thislife all there is.

Food & Clothing Collection:CFI is launching this program to support the needy. We can demonstrate the humanitarian inherent in humanism by accepting stewardship for our fellow beings.

Centre Stage:The “Centre Stage” program is an initiative to get the Centre involved in the fes-tival culture of Toronto by making the space available as a venue for the FringeFest, the Jazz Festival, Art festivals and other cultural events, in order to makeCFI a vital participant in our community. CFI has a kitchen, washrooms, a stage,sound system and seating for 125 guests in the heart of the University districtmaking it an attractive venue.

NEW PROGRAM: Cognitive Quitting (for smokers)Why Struggle with Cravings When You Can Use Them to Quit Smoking? A free program at CFI.

Cognitivequitting is so-named because it is a systematic, step-by-step processthat quitters follow to make rational and appropriate choices instead of lightingup. It provides quitters with simple tools and techniques to examine their smoking behavior and disconnect automatic urges to smoke. Visit www.cognitivequitting.com

A craving is primarily your body messaging you about its needs; “I need: stimulation, relaxation, nourishment, etc.” Unfortunately Smokers have learnedto associate a cigarette with all of these needs. If you are a smoker who wouldlike to quit, or if you have already quit but still struggle with craves or urges tosmoke Cognitivequitting is a program that will show you how to identify themessages your body sends and respond appropriately.

For full information on these services, visit our websitewww.centerforinquiry.net/toronto, and click on “Local Resources”

and or “Local Events Calendar”

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5 6 7 8About Centre for Inquiry Support GroupsSelf help groups are based on the idea that talking about our problemsimproves our health and quality of life.

We offer self-help groups where the facilitator is not neccessarily a profes-sional such as a psychologist or a social worker but a person who also hasproblems related to the issue at hand. Support groups may not be for every-one. We suggest that newcomers try their best to attend at least 2 or 3meetings before deciding if this approach feels right for them.

WHAT WE OFFER:A non-judgmental group of peersShared experiences and resourcesA place to express yourself in confidence

WHAT WE DO NOT OFFER:A substitute for professional help

COST?Our support group is always free of charge. Members who can afford it make small donations to help support our operating costs.

SUPPORT GROUP GUIDELINES:

• Nobody has to talk, but everybody is encouraged to do so.

• You should not interrupt others while they speak.

• You should not have side conversations.

• Do not tell anyone what to do. But you may share what works for you.

• What is said in this room stays in this room.

• Everyone is equal.

Centre for Inquiry Ontario is offering two free English as a Second Language streams.

The first stream provides basic conversational language skills for becoming selfsufficient in day-to-day life. This program is a one-on-one pairing of an ESLteacher with a student. We will help students develop independence, makedecisions and properly assess the bewildering array of information that con-fronts us every day.

The second stream will consist of a group setting for practicing critical thinking,rational discourse, the skills of argumentation and the expression of opinions in the English language, through the exploration and discussion of contemporary issues.

ESL sessions at CFI Ontario will benefit from our large supply of literature and multimedia in diverse areas like politics, science and philosophy, as wellas the lectures, debates and discussion groups that more advanced studentsare free to attend. Capitalizing on these resources, CFI Ontario is pioneering a new ESL curriculum in critical argumentation, teaching how to form wellstructured, rational, reasoned and informed dialogue and practicing thesetechniques by applying them to controversial and significant local and world issues.

Canada is primarily a nation of immigrants. Most of us can identify with being new at something - a new job, a new school - and the bewildering flood of things to learn even before

one can become productive.

Especially for those new to Canada, where language, customs, traditions and values can be so different from elsewhere, our aim is to enable you to share and experience the opportunities, freedoms and joys

that so many of us take for granted but know in our hearts makes Canada special.

Coping Without Religion Support Group

WHO ARE WE?Coping Without Religion (CWR) is a real life support group in Toronto, Canada for people who are dealing with problems related to leaving organized religion. The group has been in operation since February 2004.

FACTSIn 2001, it is estimated that 16.2% of the Canadian population do not belong to a religion (Statistics Canada, 2001)

Polls of representative samples show that organized religion has declined greatly in many Western nations (Altermeyer, 2004)

Up to one-third of Americans switch religions at some time during their lives (Loveland, 2003)

“When I left Islam and ran away to Canada, I didn’t have much support

from others who were in the same shoes. I had problems such as anger,

anxiety, etc. The Coping Without Religion Support Group would have

been a great help but it didn’t exist back then.”Murtad Mama, Ex-Muslim

ReferencesAltermeyer, B . (2004). The decline of organized religion in Western civilization. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 14(2), 77-89.

Loveland, M.T. (2003). Religious switching: Preference development, maintenance, and chang. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 42(1), 147-157.

Toronto Break-Up Support Group

WHO WE ARE?The Toronto Break-Up Support Group is a real life support group in Toronto,Canada for people who are dealing with problems as a result of:

(1) A break up of a long-term romantic relationship

(2) A separation from a spouse

(3) A divorce

“I am recently separated and very depressed about it, I didn’t think a

support group would be that much help but after spending an afternoon

with a girl that had just broken up with her boyfriend, and sharing our

feelings and thoughts, I actually felt a lot better. That’s when I looked for

a support group and came across the Toronto Break-up Support Group.

It doesn’t matter how many people are in a group, it is simply important

to have another soul to relate to in a time when you feel so alone.

That in itself, can be the first step to healing.” Clair, 30 years old.

Do you support CFI’s mission to provide programming and services to the secular freethought community of humanists, atheists and

skeptics and anyone else interested. Are you uncomfortable with thereligious and homogeneous cultural environments of most other suchservice providers. Do you thrive in an atmosphere dedicated to reason,

science and critical inquiry? Consider joining CFI as a paid Friend of the Centre or making a tax-deductible donation.

Visit us online www.centerforinquiry.net/toronto

Would you like to be informed of new social and community services when they become available and of exciting events,

activities and opportunities at CFI?

Contact us today and ask to be added to our mailing list.

Seniors’ Hobby & Drop-In Group Our goal is to provide a diverse selection of educational, recreational and socialactivities in an open, inclusive, friendly and secular environment in order to improve the quality of life of older adults.

Food and beverages are supplied, as well as information and resources on travel,sports, hobbies and issues and organizations of particular relevance to seniors.

We are geared primarily to seniors but are open to people of all ages. We also welcome new immigrants and those for whom English is not a first language and recommend such individuals consider also joining our affiliated ESL program, described elsewhere in this brochure. Attending hobby group get togethers is a good first step in learning about the full assortment of social and community services CFI has to offer.

Centre for Inquiry Ontario is wheel chair accessible.

Past and Future Activities Include

■ Film

■ Cards games (bridge, euchre, etc)

■ Board games

■ Scrabble

■ Puzzles

■ Chess, checkers and backgammon

■ Ping-pong

■ Bingo

■ crafts

We also host experts in the following areas

■ needlework and crochet

■ origami

■ magic

■ photography

■ basic web surfing and email

■ singing

Looking for Meeting and Event Space? CFI offers space - free or discounted - to community groups

for meetings and events.

FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes

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