The initiative culminated on June 26, 2026, as part of the Living with Wellness Arts Festival
V Serve Canada delivered a12-workshop series, Healthy Living, Punjabi Roots, supported by Novo Nordisk, designed to empower the Punjabi community of Mississauga with the knowledge, skills, and resources to prevent and manage diabetes. The initiative culminated on June 26, 2026, as part of the Living with Wellness Arts Festival, where health promotion was integrated with culture, food, arts, wellness activities, and community engagement.
The program was developed inrecognition of the disproportionately high risk of type 2 diabetes among SouthAsian communities due to a combination of genetic, cultural, dietary, andlifestyle factors. It also addressed the reality that health information is notalways delivered in culturally meaningful or accessible ways.
Workshops were delivered in Punjabiand English and used culturally relevant, interactive approachesincluding cooking demonstrations, bhangra-inspired fitness, storytelling,family discussions, wellness education, and practical lifestyle guidance. Theseapproaches helped participants understand diabetes prevention while seeingtheir culture, food traditions, and lived experiences reflected in thesolutions being presented.
The workshop series covered the following 10 core health and wellness topics:
Together, these topics provided participantswith a comprehensive understanding of diabetes prevention and management, whilealso addressing related areas such as cardiovascular health, nutrition,physical activity, mental wellness, family health, preventive screening, andgender-specific health concerns.
The initiative addressed several keybarriers to diabetes prevention and management. Language and cultural barrierswere reduced through bilingual and culturally appropriate education.Participants learned practical ways to reduce sugar, salt, and unhealthy fatswhile continuing to enjoy traditional Punjabi foods. By incorporating diabetesand mental health education into community and cultural settings, the programalso helped reduce stigma and encouraged more open conversations about healthand wellness. Participants were further connected to healthcare services,screening opportunities, local diabetes programs, and community supportresources.The program directly reached approximately 2,000 communitymembers, with an average of about 200 participants per workshop. Pre-and post-program surveys showed strong improvements in participant knowledgeand confidence. 87% of participants reported increased knowledge ofdiabetes prevention strategies, while 84% reported a betterunderstanding of healthy nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle practicesthat could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes while maintaining traditionalPunjabi food and cultural practices.
Participantsengage actively during an interactive wellness discussion.
The program also encouraged participants to translate knowledge into action. 78% reported making or planning to make positive lifestyle changes, including increasing physical activity, preparing healthier meals, reducing sugar consumption, scheduling regular health screenings, and discussing diabetes prevention with family members.
Community engagement was furtherstrengthened by bringing together families, healthcare professionals, communityorganizations, cultural leaders, and wellness providers. These connectionshelped normalize conversations about diabetes prevention, healthy living,mental health, and preventive healthcare while reducing stigma and socialisolation.
The initiative's impact was extended through the Living with Wellness Arts Festival, where more than 25,000 community members were engaged through culturally inclusive health promotion activities, wellness exhibits, health education booths, screening opportunities, and community partnerships.
Participants also gained improved access to community health resources by being connected with local diabetes education programs, healthcare providers, screening opportunities, and community support services. This increased awareness of available resources and encouraged continued engagement with the healthcare system beyond the workshop series.
Overall, Healthy Living,Punjabi Roots successfully combined health education, cultural relevance,practical learning, and community engagement to strengthen diabetes awarenessand prevention within Mississauga's Punjabi community. The program notonly improved participants' understanding of diabetes and healthy lifestylechoices but also encouraged sustainable preventive behaviours, strengthened communityconnections, and empowered families to make healthier choices for themselvesand future generations.
The workshops were organized byV Serve Canada in association with Senior Sahara Services and facilitated byUrja Holistic Health and Mind Clinic.
Representatives from V Serve Canada and Senior Sahara Services at the workshop series.
Attached are photographs and relevant videos fromthe workshop series, providing additional documentation of participantengagement, educational activities, and community impact.
