REMINDER:
Spectrum’s Office will be closed Friday, April 18th and Monday, April 21st!
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)
SCI BC – Get Wild Dance Class
Get Wild is a seated based exercise class run by Utah-based instructor Sutter. We dance for an hour building up intensity and speed of movements for a great cardiovascular workout. We modify all movements for each individual to challenge balance, strength and endurance in a way that protects the shoulder joint. Come join us on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays!
How to Connect to Zoom:
- From your browser: https://utah-health.zoom.us/j/95432957916?pwd=aGJmSFdSbkJObTdselB3VEtTZlBPQT09
- Meeting ID: 954 3295 7916 | Password: 909190
If you have any questions please contact our InfoLine at 1-800-689-2477 or info@sci-bc.ca.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 16th | 3:30PM – 4:30PM
WHERE: Online – use the Zoom link above!
Mt. Pleasant Street Art and Mural
Vancouver’s Mt. Pleasant neighbourhood has one of the densest concentrations of street art and murals in the world, and Vancouver DeTours will be leading free public tours of the artwork throughout 2025. As official tour partners for the Vancouver Mural Festival, DeTours will guide you through the alleys and backstreets of this eclectic neighborhood, taking in the varied styles and stunning public art pieces: figurative, abstract, surrealism, graffiti, and beyond. We will also be using the artwork to explore both historic and ongoing processes in the city, as well as revealing some of the inner workings of one of the largest public art festivals in North America. Mt. Pleasant is also home to dozens of craft breweries, cafes, independent restaurants and shops to enjoy at the end of the tour.
This 1.5 – 2 hour FREE Tour includes
• 20-30 stunning murals, with detailed explanations of their meaning and creation
• Emphasis on indigenous artists, especially from the local Musqueum, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations
• Using art as an ‘entry-point’ to discuss larger topics, including neighbourhood change, colonialism, immigration, gentrification, de-industrialization and the rise of the tech economy
• Learn about public art policy
• Explore an ‘off the beaten path’ neighbourhood with a local guide
WHEN: Sunday, April 20th | 11:00AM
WHERE: 156 W 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC
COST: Free! Click here to reserve a spot!
Elections Canada – Ways to Vote
Election Day is Monday, April 28th!
To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old on election day and prove your identity and address.
Plan early. Make a plan and choose the voting option that works best for you. You can vote almost any time.
Click here to view the different ways you can vote | Click here to view information on accessible polling stations
Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Income Tax Clinic
Our annual income tax clinic will be available from March 1 to April 30, 2025. Book an appointment today and our volunteers will be able to assist with your taxes. Drop-offs are also accepted.
Services provided through the tax income clinic are free. However, donations are always appreciated. The income tax program is volunteer-coordinated and operated.
Files dropped off after April 30 will still be processed but there are no guarantees that it will be filed by April 30. (This only impacts clients expecting to owe taxes.)
Registration for all appointments is required.
- By phone: 604-428 9142
- Online: https://regportal.cnh.bc.ca/ (available up to 15 days in advance)
What to bring:
- Government-issued photo ID (passport, BC ID or BC driver’s license)
- All T-slips; if any are missing, please inform the volunteer or note on the intake form
- Copy of your prior year (i.e. 2023) tax return, if applicable
- A copy of your prior year’s notice of assessment/reassessment (letter you get from the CRA after you filed your taxes), if applicable
To cancel your appointment, you can do it online or call 604-428-9142.
Note: if you are exhibiting any flu or cold-like and not feeling well before the appointment, please cancel and re-book your appointment and refrain from entering the clinic.
WHEN/WHERE: Saturdays | 10:00AM – 3:00PM | In-person. CNH Joyce (5288 Joyce St, Vancouver)
Mondays and Fridays | 1:00PM – 3:00PM | Drop-off & in-person. CNH Annex (3690 Vanness Ave, Vancouver)
COST: Free. However, donations are always appreciated.
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: The Hermit of Treig (Hearing Assistance)
We think of hermits as reclusive. That’s not Ken Smith. He’s lived off-the-grid for more than 40 years, in a wood cabin on Loch Treig in the Scottish Highlands, a 27 mile walk to the nearest postbox. But he’s a garrulous, personable chap if you find your way to his hearth, as filmmaker Lizzie MacKenzie did some years ago. Now in his 80s, Ken chats happily about his lifestyle (“If you want to get away from civilization, you need to learn to fish”), his love of nature, and the circumstances which brought him to this place. Beaten up by a gang of youths at 26, Ken was in a coma for several weeks. To his doctors’ surprise, he relearned to walk, talk, and write, but especially to walk. He explored the Canadian wilderness solo for two years. When he returned home, it wasn’t there; his parents had passed.
It may be one part eco documentary, but the emotional subtext is the rapport between this cheerful old man—a wonderful photographer incidentally—and young Lizzie, who befriends him and films him as his health begins to fail and hard choices are faced.
WHEN: Saturday, April 19th | 3:45 PM
WHERE: VIFF Centre – Lochmaddy Studio Theatre (1181 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC)
What is happening in Vancouver in April?
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 April
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.
- April 15, 2025: Pork bulgogi, rice, egg roll, Korean pancake, kimchi, yakgwa. Please note that there is no vegetarian option on this day.
- April 22, 2025: Curry, rice, naan, salad, ginger cookie
- April 29, 2025: Chicken or veggie tamales, beans soup, pico de gallo, and lemon cake. Special collaboration with Ancestral Foodways
![[ID: Collingwood Neighbourhood House logo.]](https://www.spectrumsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cnh.png)
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
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.
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: Wednesday, May 14th | 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Next Level 2 Webinar: Tuesday, May 27th | 7:00PM – 8:45PM
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, May 22nd | 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
![[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!