WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)
Gordon Neighbourhood House – Community Flow Yoga
*If the tickets are sold out, please email anfisa@gordonhouse.org to get on the waiting list.
Move in community through this yoga class that combines gentle movements and elements of strength building with deep breathing techniques to create a calming flow. The pace is slow and deliberate, with an emphasis on mind-body alignment and modifications offered throughout the class.
All levels are welcome!
Bringing your own mat is encouraged (extra mats are available with an advance request via email).
Blocks will be provided.
Free childminding in a separate room is offered for kids ages 2+ upon request via email at familyplace@gordonhouse.org to secure a spot.
This event is by optional donation by cash or card in-person at Gordon House. All of the donations go to building community programs at Gordon Neighbourhood House.
About Gordon Neighbourhood House:
Gordon Neighbourhood House began in 1942 as a place for residents in Vancouver’s Downtown-West End neighbourhoods to drop by for a cup of coffee. Today, we work closely with local residents, businesses and organizations to create dozens of programs, services and initiatives that respond to the needs and dreams of our neighbourhood. From childcare to seniors programs, we walk with our community through every chapter of life.
To learn more about Gordon House and our Family Programming, please visit our website at: https://gordonhouse.org/program/children-youth-families/
WHEN: Tuesday, June 3rd | 6:30PM – 7:30PM
WHERE: Gordon Neighbourhood House (1019 Broughton Street Vancouver, BC)
COST: Free! | Click here to register
Free the Fern – Monthly Invasive Pull
Monthly Invasive Pull
Come join us for our Monthly Invasive Pull event at the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden! Help us protect our native plants by pulling out invasive species. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, meet fellow nature enthusiasts, and make a positive impact on the environment. No experience necessary – just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to get dirty! See you there!
This event is organized by Free the Fern Stewardship Society with funding support from Park People.
Accessibility info:
- We are committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with mutual dignity and respect.
- We ask all participants to read and abide by our Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Policy
- All ages and abilities are welcome for this event
- We encourage those who are able to walk, roll, or transit to our event
- Complimentary 2-zone transit tickets are available
- We will be meeting on a paved basketball court in the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden and removing invasive plants along the Red Alder Trail, which is a paved, accessible trail
- Various sizes of shovels, clippers, and gloves will be available
- Gluten-free & dairy-free snack options will be available
- A wheelchair-accessible, gender-neutral washroom will be available for volunteers
- If you have any accessibility needs that you would like to share with us, please reach out
We are honoured to be able to steward the shared, unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Please bring a water bottle, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing. We will provide gloves, shovels, snacks, hot tea and juice!
WHEN: Saturday, June 7th | 10:00AM – 12:00PM
WHERE: Douglas Fir Teaching Garden (Red Alder Trail Vancouver, BC)
COST: Free! | Click here for more information
ConnecTra’s Abilities Expo: How to Thrive in 2025
WHEN: Monday, June 9th | 10:00AM – 4:00PMWHERE: Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC)
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 June?
Click on the link below to see what’s happening:
https://www.destinationvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/vancouver-events/
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Click here to find your market!
Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Community Lunch
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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
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 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.
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)
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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, June 12th | 10:00AM – 11:30PM
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!