Community Event and Team News

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)

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Real Talk – Woman’s Dinner and Chat

Women get together over dinner to talk with a Certified Sexual Health Educator about dating, love, relationships & sex.

Improv Karaoke

On the last Wednesday of every month…

Come play improvised music in a collaborative setting! Open to improvising musicians of all genres and experience levels. Small ensembles will be randomly created from musicians that register (that’s you!) to play short sets together.

• Free/$10/$20/$xx
• Admission is free; donations are welcome at the door (cash only).
• Cash bar by donation.
• Set up 6-7pm, Music 7-10pm
• The event may be photographed, please let us know if you do not want your picture taken/shared online.
• Occasionally *free* tea and snacks – mugs provided.
• Listeners are always welcome and do not need to register.

For this event, we are doing a RELAY!

• All participants will be placed in a team.
• Each team will be given a colour.
• One person from each team will be on stage at a time.
• At any point, each performer can tap out/tap in another member from their team.
• This will result in continuous music.

To Participate, please register via Eventbrite:

• Registrations will open 1 week prior to each monthly event.
• Drop-in registrations at the door are available but capacity-dependent
• If it says Sold Out, come anyway and we’ll do our best to slip you into an ensemble!

Bring with you:

• your instruments, cables, amps, and smiles!

• Available on-site: drum set, piano, two guitar amps, bass amp.

*Electronic Instruments and Laptops welcomed.

When you Arrive:

• Please check in with us before 7pm in-person to play in Round 1 (starts 7pm sharp).
• Priority will be given to those who have signed up and check in on a first-come-first-serve basis. Latecomers will be moved to Round 2 (starts ~8:30pm).

This event will be co-hosted by Andrea Wong, Mike WT Allen, Matthew Ariaratnam.

*Thank you for coming out and supporting the improvised music community!

*This event is presented as part of the NOW Society sponsored Residency Program, hosted by the NOW Society at 8EAST. Please visit nowsociety.org and 8east.ca for more details.

WHERE: 8EAST (8 East Pender Street Vancouver, BC)

WHEN: Wednesday, September 25th | 6:00PM – 10:00PM

COST: Free Admission, donations are welcome at the door (cash only)

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Indigenous Makers Market

Every Child Matters. Join us to honour residential school survivor, Myra Ka’zez’semaka7 Pierre and celebrate local indigenous makers.

Featuring:

Ka’zez’semaka7 Creations | beadwork + cedar weaving

Amber’s Beading | beadwork

Shirley Brown | cedar weaving

plus more artists!

IMPORTANT LOCATION INFO

Look for the signs around Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions. Workshops will be hosted inside the building. Buzz 301 to enter.

Our space is fully accessible.

Yoga and Orange Shirt Pin Workshop requires a separate ticket/registration.

WHERE: Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions (67 W 6th Ave, Vancouver, BC – look for signs!). Workshops will be hosted inside the building. Buzz 301 to enter.

WHEN: Saturday, September 28th | 1:00PM – 4:00PM

COST: Free Admission.  Click here to register!

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Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Community Lunch Menu for September

Community Lunch Program at Renfrew Park Community Centre (FULL ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH)

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Click Here to Find Your Market!

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Vancouver Community Fridge Project

The Vancouver Community Fridge Project is a decentralized food distribution network and mutual aid initiative created to provide healthy, free food and essential supplies to our communities across lower mainland.

Our mission is to combat food insecurity by encouraging our communities to take part in laterally-directed mutual aid, starting with providing free, safe, non-policed, accessible and nutritious foods through community fridges and pantries.

Click Here to Find A Fridge!

All fridges and pantries that are apart of the VCFP network will be operating on a strict no policing, no-shame policy. This means, the VCFP does not condone patrolling how fridge users engage with the fridge, gatekeeping, or any exclusionary or harmful behaviours. The fridges should be accessible, welcoming places based on trust and communication of needs, established by and for the community.

Learn How to Get Involved! 

If you live in an income-qualified household and/or have received a recommendation letter from your regional health authority’s Home Care Program you may be eligible for a free portable air conditioner (AC).

This program is available year-round. If you apply during the winter and fall, you’ll have your evaluation completed and receive your unit sooner than during warmer months. Homeowners can also choose to self-install their units, which may help in receiving a unit quicker, during the summer.

This offer includes:

1. One portable AC unit: Portable units are on wheels and are installed by connecting a flexible duct hose through an open window. They’re plugged into a standard wall electrical outlet.
2. A one-time installation: You’re responsible for ongoing maintenance, take-down and reinstallation. If you own your home, you can opt to self-install your unit.

A portable AC unit is ideal for small, closed-in areas, like a bedroom. It can help create a safe cooling space during extreme heat events during the day and at night. For more information on how to prepare for heat events, see guidance from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

How to apply:

1. Review the eligibility criteria to make sure you qualify.
2. If you rent your home, you’ll need to get your landlord’s consent. Complete the landlord consent form [PDF, 1.7 MB].
3. Apply online for your free portable AC unit.
4. After you apply, our team will reach out to you within a few weeks to let you know if your application is approved.*
5. Approved applications will then be forwarded to our contractors. Our contractor will contact you within one to two weeks to schedule a visit to your home.
6. Customers who own their homes can choose to self-install their units or have the AC installed for you.

There are no fees or shipping costs.

* Please note that air conditioning units are available on a first come, first served basis amongst qualified applicants subject to funding. 

Spectrum is a member of Inclusion BC and supports their provincial advocacy on behalf of individuals and families with developmental disabilities.

Click here for their report on the provincial budget announced for 2024-2025. 

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Plan Institute Webinars

The Plan Institute has FREE upcoming regular webinars on the topics of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and Wills, Trusts and Estates Planning.

RDSP

The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a Canada-wide registered matched savings plan for those with disabilities to better financially plan for their futures. The Level 1 webinar is meant for those who want to learn about what the RDSP is, who qualifies, and how to apply. The Level 2 webinar is for those who already have a RDSP, or have already taken Level 1.

Next Level 1 Webinar: Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 | 10:00AM – 11:30AM

Next Level 2 Webinar: Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 | 10:00AM – 11:45AM

Click here to register and for more information

Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (BC Only)

This webinar is meant for those who want to become better informed on the process of wills, trusts and estate planning to better secure the future of your relative or loved one with a disability. There is a limit of 60 participants so early registration is encouraged!

Next Webinar: Thursday, October 24th, 2024 | 10:00AM – 11:15AM

Click here to register and for more information

REFERRAL PROGRAM

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Is there anyone you know that is looking for meaningful work?

If you have a friend, family member or meet someone in the community that is interested in joining the team and you refer them to Spectrum, you could be eligible for a referral bonus!

If the person referred is hired and maintains at least 6 months of consistent employment with Spectrum, we will award a $250 Referral Bonus.

*for more information on the program, please email hr@spectrumsociety.org

We thank you for bringing us quality applicants/employees!