Community Events & Team News

The office will be closed on Monday, October 12th

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

Spectrum Society | Annual Open House and AGM

Spectrum’s Open House & AGM Flyer 2026

WHEN: Monday, October 19th

Open House: 1pm – 4pm

Virtual Annual General Meeting: 6:30pm – 7:30pm

WHERE: Spectrum’s Office | 3231 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

Activities:

Strategic Plan update
Person-Centered Thinking information
Policy & Procedures information

Refreshments and snacks will be served and there will be prizes!

Meet the people who work at the office and in the community. Everyone is welcome to drop in and say Hi 😊

We look forward to seeing you!

Women with intellectual disabilities get together with Certified Sexual Health Educators to discuss dating, love, relationships, and sex.

Come join Certified Sexual Health Educators Dee and Sharon, and Peer Facilitator Larissa for a Real Talk Women’s Pizza Party. The event is free. It is for women with intellectual disabilities, and anyone who identifies as a woman is welcome to attend. If you want to bring a supporter or a friend with you – that’s totally fine!

At this event, we’ll eat some pizza, watch some Real Talk videos, and have meaningful conversations. We’ll talk about where to get good information, who can support us with this stuff, and how to figure out confusing situations. People are welcome to talk about things, or to just listen if they don’t want to talk.

Please register in advance so we can order enough food and send you an email reminder the day before the event. (It’s also ok to just show up if you can’t register.) Click here to find out more about how to prep for a Real Talk event, and feel free to email kelsey@real-talk.org if you have any questions about the event. Also – please do your best to arrive on time. We start each event with some agreements and if you’re late you’ll miss this. So we can’t let people in if they’re more than 10 minutes late.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 14th | 11:00AM- 1:00PM

WHERE: Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI) New Westminster Office| 336 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC

COST: Free | Click here for more information and to register!

BOO! Haunted Halloween Market

BOO! Haunted Halloween Market at Croatian Cultural Centre

BOO! Haunted Halloween Market at Croatian Cultural Centre

An all-ages Halloween market featuring local makers, merchants, monsters and ghouls 😉

If you’re not sure what time you’ll arrive, just make your best estimate and you can let us know your arrival time closer to the date. We’ll send out a reminder email before the big event! 🙂

Bring your family or your besties to this special Halloween market featuring face-painting, fun activities for children, 100 vendors, and thousands of original items by local entrepreneurs and artists- including many Halloween themed goodies you won’t typically see at a market!

Kids (12 and under) get in free with parents. But tickets are limited, so make sure you reserve them in advance!

Attendees are welcome to wear costumes to get in the Halloween spirit early, if they like!

WHEN: Sunday, October 18th | 10:00AM- 6:00PM

WHERE: Croatian Cultural Centre | 3250 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4E4

COST: $5 entry for teens + adults. Limited group tickets + face painting tickets also available. | Click here to get your tickets!

Nidus Free webinar | Representation Agreements and more!

Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre & Registry: You are invited to a free webinar for Personal Planning Month. This webinar is funded through a grant to Nidus from Community Living BC, for CLBC-funded service providers as well as other organizations that CLBC supports, including community-based organizations like FSI, Vela, PLAN, and Inclusion BC. It is also for others involved in the sector.

We will be reviewing the essentials of Representation Agreements and personal planning. There will also be a Q&A period.

WHEN: Monday, October 19th, 2026 | 11:30AM – 1:00PM

WHERE: Online | Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7If4ALguTTGzuF7P997JYg

COST: Free!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meeting banner

Killarney Community Centre Society | Movie Night

Bring your friends and family for a cozy evening of fun, laughter, and film. Grab your snacks from Sixty2Sixty Eats before the show!

It’s the perfect way to relax, unwind, and enjoy some good company. Don’t miss out—we can’t wait to see you there!

MOVIE: TBA

WHEN: Friday, October 16th | Doors @ 5PM – Movie starts at 6PM

WHERE: Killarney Community Centre – Seniors Grand Hall | 6260 Killarney St, Vancouver, BC V5S 2X7 | (Map)

COST: By donation – Donations of nonperishable food items to the food bank are greatly appreciated

Join the City of Vancouver Accessibility Committee

City of Vancouver: We’re seeking members with a wide range of lived experiences and disabilities!

You can apply if:

You identify as having a disability
You live in Vancouver

What the Committee does:

Provide guidance and advice on the City of Vancouver’s Accessibility Strategy and its renewal
Review and provide feedback on the Accessibility Strategy departmental action plans with the Multi-Year Action Plan
Help with the review of public feedback to identify barriers and solutions

To learn more: https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/accessibility-committee.aspx

Call 604-675-5926 to ask for support with the application if needed.

Questions? Call 604-675-5926 or accessibility@vancouver.ca

Vancouver City symbols | City of Vancouver

VIFF Centre | Accessible Movie Experiences

“VIFF is committed to making our events and screenings accessible to as many people as we can, and we strive to remove barriers to access whenever possible. For more information, please email accessibility@viff.org”

Click here to review VIFF’s Accessibility Page which details accessible tickets and upcoming screenings!

Click here to find your market!

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!

What is happening in Vancouver in October?

Click on the link below to see what’s happening:

https://www.destinationvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/vancouver-events/

FINANCIAL UPDATES

BC Hydro – Customer Crisis Fund

If you’re a residential customer experiencing a temporary financial crisis, such as a loss of employment or benefit income, unanticipated medical expenses, or a death in the family and you’ve fallen behind on your BC Hydro bill, you may be eligible for a grant payment to avoid disconnection of your service.

Eligibility for a grant

To receive a grant from the Customer Crisis Fund, you need to meet a few criteria:

Be a residential account holder.
Be applying for a grant for your primary residence account.
Your account must have payments overdue by at least 21 days or be facing disconnection. You can apply as early as when you have a balance owing on your account, but your application will be on hold until your payment is 21 days overdue or your account is facing disconnection.
You must have experienced a life event, within the last 12 months, that caused a temporary financial crisis.
Have an outstanding balance of $1,000 or less, and have demonstrated some attempt to make payments towards your bill.

You may receive one grant per account holder annually (one per year). If a grant application is denied and your circumstances change, you can apply again in the same year.

Click here for more information and how to apply!

Telus Exclusive Partner Program – EPP

Here’s a reminder for all Spectrum staff that we have access to the Telus Exclusive Partner Program – EPP. There are good rates on phones and very good rates on plans.

Register here:

https://www.telus.com/en/mobility/epp-corporate-plan/eligibility?campaign_id=EPPDigitalHubFAQ.

You have to use your @spectrumsociety.org email address.

More information and answers to questions here:

https://www.telus.com/en/mobility/epp-corporate-plan.

Credit Counselling Society

The Credit Counselling Society is an accredited non-profit that helps Canadians solve their money problems. We do this by providing free credit counselling, low-cost debt solutions, and education to help you manage your money better.

Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools for building the financial success that everyone deserves. We’re here to help you through your difficult times and towards a better future.

Click here to learn more!

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: Tuesday, November 24th | 7:00PM – 8:30AM

Next Level 2 Webinar: Tuesday, October 20th | 4:00AM – 5:45AM

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, November 26th | 7:00PM – 8:30PM

Click here to register and for more information

Plan Institute – Canada Disability Benefit (CBD)

Applications are now open!

After months and years of advocacy (and a whole lot of waiting), the moment is finally here – applications for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) are now open!

Applications opened on June 20, 2025 and are available on the Government of Canada website. You can submit your application via the online application portal, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.

You may have already received a letter from the government inviting you to apply for the CDB. The letter includes a unique application code and instructions on how to apply. If you did not receive a letter from the government and think you are eligible for the CDB, you can still apply.

It may be helpful to gather some key information before you complete the application, including:

Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Mailing address
Direct deposit information
Optional: your net income (line 23600) from your 2024 notice of assessment. Providing this information will speed up your application, but it is not required.

If you are a legal guardian or representative for someone with a disability and you are applying for the CDB on their behalf, you will also need to provide proof that you are authorized to act as the beneficiary’s legal representative.

Click here to learn more about the application process

When will I receive my payment?

The first payments of the CDB will begin in July 2025 for applications received and approved by June 30, 2025. If your application is approved in July or later, you will receive your first payment in the month after your application is approved.

How much can I receive?

The maximum benefit amount is $2,400 per year, or $200 per month. The amount you receive will depend on your income (and the income of your spouse or partner, if relevant).

Learn more about how your benefit is calculated

How do I know if I’m eligible for the CDB?

To qualify for the CDB, you must be aged between 18-64 and be currently approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). You must also have filed your taxes for the previous tax year.

Find out more about the eligibility criteria

Where can I get support?

Plan Institute’s Disability Planning Helpline can offer support with the CDB, including understanding the application process and finding out whether you are eligible. Our advisors can also support you to apply for the DTC.

You can contact the Helpline by calling 1-844-311-7526 or emailing helpline@planinstitute.ca.

You can also talk to Service Canada directly about the CDB on their designated CDB call center telephone line: 1-833-486-3007 or by teletypewriter (TTY): 1-833-467-2700.

Disability Alliance BC – MY DTC

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a tax benefit from the Government of Canada. It is meant to help people with disabilities and their families reduce the amount of income tax they have to pay. Benefits like the Registered Disability Saving Plan and the new Canada Disability Benefit coming in July 2025 can be accessed when you have the Disability Tax Credit.

My DTC is a free online guide to the Disability Tax Credit created by Disability Alliance BC. It has information on benefits, eligibility and the overall process, as well as tools to help with applying. Please note, My DTC does not allow people to apply for the DTC directly. This is done through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Visit My DTC here to explore the guide.

[ID: Disability Alliance BC logo.]

Disability Without Poverty | CDB Overview

Follow these steps:

1. File your tax return.

Need help? There are free tax clinics available to help you.

2. Apply for the Disability Tax Credit

Fill Form T2201 – Download the form from the Canada Revenue Agency website. Fill in Part A.

Find a Medical Practitioner – Take the form to a qualified medical practitioner to certify the impairment by completing Part B.

Submit Your Application to the CRA – Mail the completed form or submit it online. The CRA will review your application and send a notice of determination.

While you wait for the applications to open, see if you qualify for other federal programs like:

Registered Disability Savings Plan
Canada Workers Benefit
Disability Supplement
Child Disability Benefit

3. Apply for the Canada Disability Benefit

Applications for the Canada Disability Benefit open in June Payments start in July 2025!

STEP ONE: File your taxes for free

STEP TWO: Get help with your DTC application

STEP THREE: Learn more about the CDB

Community Support for Spectrum

Spectrum is a registered charitable organization that fundraises to provide the extra things that aren’t covered by government funding. We appreciate the support our community provides in these ways:

Donations: We receive donations through our monthly giving program from both community members and our employees.

Different ways you can donate to Spectrum Society

You can make a donation online through CanadaHelps.org on our secure donation page here.
You can complete this Donation Form and send a cheque to our office.
You can join our monthly giving club and provide us with permission to make a monthly deduction from your bank account. Complete this Donation Form and email it to donations@spectrumsociety.org or mail it to our office.
As an employee, you can give us permission to make a deduction from your payroll each pay period. Complete this Donation Form and email it to donations@spectrumsociety.org.
Remember Spectrum Society for Community Living when you are preparing your Will. We have an Endowment Fund that provides us with regular income to assist in providing supports to people with disabilities in the Community. Please call if you have any questions about this.

Click here for more information!

REFERRAL PROGRAM

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!

Staff Links

The office will be closed on Monday, October 12th