WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)
Ballet BC – Community Dance
Starr Muranko and Margaret Grenier, Ballet BC Artists in Residence, will facilitate a movement-based workshop centered on contemporary and Coastal Indigenous dance.
Through exploratory work, improvisation, as well as sourcing through song and narrative, participants will engage in the shared experience of dance.
Learn more about Margaret Grenier
Learn more about Starr Muranko
Free to attend, RSVPs are required. All levels of experience are welcome.
WHEN: Friday, January 10th | 3:00PM – 4:00PM
WHERE: Ballet BC (1286 Cartwright Street Granville Island Vancouver, BC)
COST: FREE | CLICK HERE TO RSVP!
Social Club for Writing – What Are You Writing For?
Those who have experienced it can vouch that both reading and writing are two such tasks or hobbies/interests that are not just productive and meaningful but can help relieve stress and support your mental health. Join this club’s social meeting every week to sit together in a café or any other convenient place, to read/write a book, and explore a wonderful opportunity to pursue the most incredible feeling and most important relationship on this planet i.e. Love and Friendship. Talking about love and friendship, since this event is weekly with absolutely selfless and transparent intentions, you may expect those to remain and flourish sustainably if you invest your 100% in it.
So whether you want to read/write with intent to make transformational changes in the world, or want to make a social connection, or just want to come and spread positive energy, you’re welcome!
What to Expect
It’s been discovered that doing things together is more effective and rewarding than doing them alone. Come and join us for a reading or writing session together. In this non-judgmental space, feel free to open up and network, but don’t feel obligated to share your writing if you don’t wish to. The host will lead introductions if there are new participants.
What Should I Bring?
Whatever you need to be able to write!
Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block the cafe’s ambient music or the occasional conversation by other patrons.
Other Important Details:
The event is in the Library which is centrally located.
Parking, Coffee shops, and other amenities are quite approachable, should we wish to use any.
Arriving late and early departure is understandable.
The library closes at 5 PM sharp, so we will leave 5-10 minutes early to be considerate to the Library staff.
Feel free to socialize after the event, as per mutual convenience.
Location:
The location can be flexible between:
- Surrey Public Library, Guildford Branch [15105 105 Avenue, Surrey BC V3R 7G8, Canada],
- Burnaby Public Library, Cameron Branch [9523 Cameron St, Burnaby, BC V3J 1L6,
- New Westminster Public Library (Main Branch) [716 6th Ave., New Westminster, BC V3M 2B3]
- Coquitlam Public Library, Poirier Branch [575, Poirier St, Coquitlam, BC V3J 6A9],
- Surrey Libraries – City Centre Branch [10350 University Dr, Surrey, BC V3T 4B8]
- Vancouver Public Library – Fraserview Branch [1950 Argyle Dr, Vancouver, V5P2AB]
When you reserve the tickets for a weekend of your choice, participants may mutually decide on the venue as per our mutual convenience regarding the distance travelled.
Registration, Attendance, and Cancellation:
This is an event with limited participants (at times, as low as just 2 individuals), therefore if you’re expecting an event with a large gathering, this event is for you. Please also note that you will receive a mutual discovery call from the host to know each other wherein you can ask questions about our social group.
If your plan changes or you’re not able to make it then please take a moment to cancel your order or let the organizer know. The same could happen with the host too. Therefore, this event is subject to last-minute change or cancellation. Please be considerate to inform your cancellations reasonably in advance.
WHEN: Saturday, January 11th | 2:30PM – 4:30PM
WHEN: TBA
COST: FREE | CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
VIFF – Accessibility
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
Ticketing
For ticketing assistance, you can reach us at on the VIFF Infoline 604-683-3456 or feedback@viff.org
Wheelchair Positions: We encourage patrons requiring wheelchair positions to call ahead to reserve. The adjacent companion seat is also available to reserve.
Support Companions: Support persons who accompany patrons with disabilities are eligible to receive a complimentary ticket. Contact the Infoline to book ahead or book in-person at the Box Office.
Accessible Tickets: We offer a limited number of discounted tickets to each film for folks who face financial barriers and may not be able otherwise to attend a film. Discounted tickets are available on our website or at the Box Office while quantities last.
Accessible Screenings
Captioned Screenings: Our Wednesday matinee Captioned Screenings welcome Deaf and hard of hearing audiences, along with anyone who benefits from captions.
Relaxed Screenings: Our monthly Relaxed Screenings are open to anyone who could benefit from a more casual, supportive and laid-back experience.
SHOWING: Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Back (Hearing Assistance):
WHEN: Friday, January 10th | 9:00PM
WHERE: VIFF Centre: Lochmaddy Studio Theatre (1181 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC)
Inclusion BC – Call for Proposals 2025
Everybody Belongs is British Columbia’s premier event dedicated to intellectual and developmental disabilities, inclusion, and diversity. We will welcome delegates to River Rock Resort in Richmond, BC on June 19, 20 and 21, 2025.
We encourage you to submit proposals that:
- Are led by people with lived experience.
- Represent diversity within the disability community and honour the experiences of Indigenous, LGBTQ2S, and racialized communities from across Canada.
- Include music, art, film/video, movement, interactivity and great storytelling.
- Use person-first or identity-first language.
- Support full inclusion of people with disabilities in community life.
- Allow all attendees to participate fully.
- Promote evidence-based practices.
The deadline to submit a proposal is January 15, 2025.
Click here for more information!
What is happening in Vancouver in January?
Click on the link below to see what’s happening:
https://www.destinationvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/vancouver-events/
Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Community Lunch Menu for January
Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for an affordable three-course meal at our Multipurpose Room (5288 Joyce Street) for only $7-$8 from 12:15-1:30pm.
Buy your tickets at Collingwood Neighbourhood House reception!
For questions, email Susanna Chu at schu@cnh.bc.ca or call 604-435-0375.
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025: Cream of mushroom soup, deli turkey and cheese sandwich, salad, and carrot cake
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025: Meat or veggie loaf with mashed potatoes, salad, and oatmeal cookie
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025: Thai curry veggie soup, tuna or veggie melt, salad, and orange chocolate muffin
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025: Jerk chicken or mushroom with rice and beans, salad, and mixed berry cake
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025: Peanut soup, egg salad wrap, salad, and apple cupcake
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025: Pork or tofu stir fry noodles, salad, and mini-lemon tart
Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025: Hearty veggie winter stew, chicken or veggie pesto flatbread, salad, and chocolate chip cookie
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025: Beef or lentil pasta bolognese, salad, and panna cotta
![[ID: Collingwood Neighbourhood House logo.]](https://www.spectrumsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cnh.png)
Vancouver Community Fridge Project
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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.
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.
FINANCIAL UPDATES
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.
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!
![[ID: logo of BC Hydro Power Smart]](https://ecofitt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/bchydro.jpg)
Inclusion BC Provincial Budget Alert 2024-2025
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.
![[ID: logo of Inclusion BC]](https://files.constantcontact.com/5484ef30101/c09a3cee-3809-41f2-964f-ab73cfcb439f.png)
![[ID: a logo on a white background with text that reads: 'Plan Institute for caring citizenship']](https://planinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Plan_Institute_logo_2016_tagline-grey.jpg){kind=logo}
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: Thursday, January 16th | 4:00PM – 5:30PM
Next Level 2 Webinar: Tuesday, January 21st | 4:00PM – 5:45PM
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, January 16th | 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Click here to register and for more information
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
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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!