![[ID: Cute autumn scrapbook bundle, cozy fall icons or stickers with sweater, socks, mushrooms and leaves. Pumpkin, pie, tea cup and kettle vector set.]](https://www.spectrumsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Oct-Newsletter-1-300x208.jpg)
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)
Salish Singing and Drumming Workshop
Join us on Wednesday, October 9th for Salish Singing and Drumming! This is a free workshop with Russell Wallace, a composer, producer, and traditional Lil’wat singer.
All folks, regardless of age, experience, or ability, are invited to participate and try their hand at Salish singing and drumming. There will be a limited number of drums available on the day of, but if you happen to have your own drum, you are encouraged to bring it with you!
This event is co-presented by SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement and SFU’s Office for Aboriginal Peoples.
About Russell Wallace
Russell Wallace is an award-winning composer and singer from the Lil’wat Nation. Over the last 30 years his music has been part of a number of film and television soundtracks and theatre/dance productions. Wallace has been part of award-winning recording groups such as Kalan Wi and Spiritual Warriors. In 2019 Wallace was the artist in residence with the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
For purposes of documentation this event may be photographed, audio recorded, and/or filmed. By attending this event, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 9th | 6:00PM – 8:00PM
WHERE: SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 West Hastings Street Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre Vancouver, BC)
COST: FREE! But please click here to reserve a spot.
Day of the Dead
![[ID: A hand holding an incense stick over a candle over a Day of the Dead ofrenda. Photo via iStock.]](https://scontent.fyvr3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/461881404_987152186789630_528993751164994555_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s720x720&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=iZqBeTOZYVsQ7kNvgGA7zz-&_nc_ht=scontent.fyvr3-1.fna&_nc_gid=AH0m3HGcK_xO_A57dhjEM3P&oh=00_AYClUvZ-Hoy1XTfJCdzEGE6fmMwyh2mhstPBhAhsSkTWBg&oe=6705F89A)
Celebrate Day of the Dead with Collingwood Neighbourhood House and Ancestral Foodways!
On October 5, 12, and 26, we’re hosting a series of creative workshops where folks can learn how to create and decorate a plaster mask, and even learn some dance moves to show off during the Day of the Dead Celebration on November 2!
These workshops will be held at the CNH-Annex (3690 Vanness Avenue), with the Celebration happening at Ancestral FoodWays Fieldhouse at Strathcona Park (857 Malkin Avenue).
Register for the workshops through our RegPortal at: https://tinyurl.com/dayofthedead2024
The Lumiere Festival 2024
The Lumiere Festival provides meaningful space and opportunities for emerging and professional artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to create and share their work within the community.
This free, four-day festival from Nov. 7th – 10th, 2024 will feature small to large-scale illuminated artworks, light based projections, and dynamic performances following the theme of Elements.
Click here to see the locations!
What is happening in Vancouver in October?
![[Pumpkins After Dark. Recurring weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until October 31, 2024.]](https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/c_fill,h_300,q_50,w_300/v1/crm/vancouverbc/Snapinsta.app_363333720_17919817922769618_1700031537888542115_n_1080_987682E0-9570-645D-B12CFD6F945D7C04_98916131-00f4-2811-c287631e21e75a66.jpg)
Click on the link below to see what’s happening:
https://www.destinationvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/vancouver-events-in-october/
Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Community Lunch
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 | October 8, 2024 | Sweet potato soup, grilled cheese, salad, and banana bread |
| Thursday | October 10, 2024 | Roast chicken or eggplant with cornbread, salad, peanut butter cookie |
| Tuesday | October 15, 2024 | Fall harvest soup, salmon salad or veggie wrap, salad, and chocolate coconut muffin |
| Thursday | October 17, 2024 | Beef Shepherd’s pie (veggie option available), salad, and baked apple |
| Tuesday | October 22, 2024 | Green(s) soup, mini-meatball or veggie subs, salad, and brownie |
| Thursday | October 24, 2024 | Ground pork or tofu in black bean sauce with noodles, salad, and lemon poppyseed cake |
| Tuesday | October 29, 2024 | Tomato soup, ham and cheese sandwich, salad, and dessert |
| Thursday | October 31, 2024 | Chili with garlic bread, salad, and pumpkin cake |
![[ID: Collingwood Neighbourhood House logo.]](https://www.spectrumsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cnh.png)
Community Lunch Program at Renfrew Park Community Centre
![[ID: a photo of the Renfrew Park Community Centre.]](https://vancouver.ca/images/cov/feature/renfrew-park-community-centre-landing.jpg)
Meals include a hot entrée, salad or side dish, dessert, coffee or tea. We try our best to use locally grown seasonal vegetables and fruit from community gardens! Lunches will be served on a first come first served basis. Lunch can be bought in person with cash/credit card or online with a credit card, limit of 4 per person. Limited number of lunches available.
Adults/Seniors $7.62+tax | Children/Youth $6.19+tax
Fees for this program are non-refundable.
- Curry Coconut Cauliflower Soup
- Baked Salmon with Rice and Sauteed Mushrooms and Bok Choy
- Sesame Chocolate Pan Banging Cookie
WHERE: Renfrew Park Community Centre, Kitchen (Room 110) – (2929 E 22nd Ave, Vancouver, BC)
WHEN: Friday, October 11th | 12:00PM – 1:00PM
![[ID: logo of Vancouver Farmers Markets.]](https://eatlocal.org/assets/themes/VFM-2018/img/header_vfm_logo.png){kind=logo}
Click Here to Find Your Market!
Vancouver Community Fridge Project
![[ID: a photo of an open fridge, inside is various fruits and vegetables.]](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1606859191214-25806e8e2423?width=entropy%26cs&optimize=medium)
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
BC Hydro – Free Portable Air Conditioners
![[ID: a photo of an installed portable air conditioner.]](https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/photographs/objects-products/heating-cooling/portable-air-conditioner-660x216.jpg)
Available for income qualified households and individuals referred by regional health authority programs.
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:
- 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.
- 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:
- Review the eligibility criteria to make sure you qualify.
- If you rent your home, you’ll need to get your landlord’s consent. Complete the landlord consent form [PDF, 1.7 MB].
- Apply online for your free portable AC unit.
- After you apply, our team will reach out to you within a few weeks to let you know if your application is approved.*
- 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.
- 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.
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: 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
![[ID: a graphic design with a yellow background. There is a white hanging sign with bold yellow text that reads: 'Employee Referral Program'.]](https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/thumbnails/007/558/360/small/employee-referral-program-hanging-sign-on-yellow-background-for-business-marketing-flyers-banners-presentations-and-posters-illustration-vector.jpg)
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!