Community Events & Team News

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

DIGA Butterflyway Project at GF Strong: DIGA Pollinator Garden Workshop

Join DIGA for the Butterflyway Project gardening workshop at GF Strong!

Learn how to create a thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators. In this interactive session, Butterflyway Ranger Dolores will guide you through:

The best native plants for attracting pollinators
How pollinators support local ecosystems
Practical tips for building your own pollinator-friendly garden

Take home a native plant or seed packet and a beginner-friendly pollinator gardening guide!

This workshop is part of the Butterflyway Project, a national, volunteer-led initiative focused on building pollinator habitats in communities across Canada.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 21st | 1:00PM – 2:00PM

WHERE: GF Strong Garden (4255 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC)

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: Friday, May 23rd | 4:00PM – 5:00PM

WHERE: On Zoom, use the link above!

The Secret Plant Show II

VANCOUVER — IT’S HAPPENINGGG!!

THE SECRET PLANT SHOW IS BACK — PART 2

Hastings Room at the PNE: 7XM5+39, Vancouver, BC V5K 2A3, Canada

May 24 @ 10-6PM

May 25 @ 10-5PM

Admission and parking is FREE!

Family and kid friendly!

This time it’s BIGGER:

50+ vendors

Exotic & common plants

Arts & crafts

Pottery painting

Interactive workshops

Food trucks

ON-SITE TATTOO ARTIST

…endless planty goodness

Tons of FREE GIVEAWAYS — on IG @mysecretplantsociety & live at the show!

LEARN MORE:

https://linktr.ee/infothesecretplantsociety

Burnaby Parks, Recreations and Culture – Summer Activity Guide

We are excited to share the Summer Activity Guide. View our guide and start adding your favourite activities to your Wish List in WebReg today

Registrations for Burnaby residents open at 10 am on:

Monday, June 2 for recreation activities
Tuesday, June 3 for arts and heritage activities

General registration will open at 10 am on Friday, June 6 for recreation, arts and heritage activities. Rolling registrations continue for swimming lessons and skating lessons.

Learn how to register and prepare in advance for registration day: Burnaby.ca/HowtoRegister

If you have any questions, please contact us at 604-294-7450 or email us at parksrecandculture@burnaby.ca. For the most up-to-date facility hours and contact information, please check: Burnaby.ca/Centres.

SAVE THE DATE! Spectrum’s Annual Summer Picnic!

WHEN: Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025

TIME: 2:00PM – 5:00PM

WHERE: JOHN HENDRY PARK – TROUT LAKE – PICNIC GAZEBO

Save the date to join us for the Spectrum’s Annual Summer Picnic!

We are also looking for volunteers that would like to assist in the setup, clean up, and take down of the event. If you’re interested in being a part of the Picnic Team, please email Spectrum’s office at reception@spectrumsociety.org

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in the summer for another fun day of socializing, good food, and sunshine!

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.

What is happening in Vancouver in May?

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

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

Click here to find your market!

Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Community Lunch Menu for May

Tuesdays from 12:15 to 1:15 pm in the multipurpose room at CNH Main House (5288 Joyce St)

Please join us for one of our three-course meals, which offer a nutritious, healthy and affordable lunch. Our Food Hub team members will take turns showcasing diverse cultural cuisines at CNH, bringing flavours from different backgrounds to the community table. We hope to create a welcoming space where everyone can enjoy delicious meals and celebrate the rich food traditions that make our community unique.

Max. 40 people. No take-out meals, dine-in only. For questions, email Ross Oh at roh@cnh.bc.ca or call 604-435-0323.

Tickets can be purchased at reception on the same day as the lunch and are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis:
$7/meal for seniors, CNH staff, youth and students
$8/meal for adults

May 20, 2025: TBD. Our community member, Shara, will be hosting this week’s Community Lunch with support from our dietitian, Rani, serving a thoughtful and nutritious meal for everyone to enjoy.
May 27, 2025: Stir-fried udon, wonton soup, and mango pudding, hosted by the Reception team’s Jenny and Candice

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!

FINANCIAL UPDATES

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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, June 5th | 10:00AM – 11:30AM

Next Level 2 Webinar: Wednesday, June 11th | 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, 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

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!

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