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Community Events & Team News


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


Celebration of Life for Kathy Taylor

For those that knew and spent time with Kathy, please join us in remembering her at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House Multi-Purpose Room

November 15th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm | 5288 Joyce St Vancouver BC

Free underground parking via Euclid St and 2-hour street parking in the area.


Real Talk – CQC Presents Queer Movie Night

Connecting Queer Communities is having a movie night!

It will be a low-key event to hang out and watch a movie with an LGBTQ storyline on Friday November 15th from 7pm – 9pm at 336 Columbia St. in New Westminster. There will be drinks and snacks but not a full dinner.

Email john@real-talk.org for more information.


Still Moon Arts – Fall Planting and Blackberry Blast at Renfrew Community Park

Fall Planting and Blackberry Blast at Renfrew Community Park

Planting season is here! Join Still Moon for an afternoon of supporting native species. This is a great opportunity to plant native species, support habitat restoration, and connect with your community. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a first-time planter, everyone is welcome to participate and help us support our local stream ecosystem.

At this event we will remove invasive species (focusing on invasive Himalayan Blackberry) to create room for the native plantings, get native species in the ground, and mulch the surrounding area to prevent weed regrowth and to help the soil retain moisture.

Still Moon Arts will provide plants, gloves and all tools necessary for both removal and planting. Just bring yourself, some rain gear and water!

This event is led by Still Moon’s Stewardship Program Manager, Connelly Stirling, who is keen on community stewardship and loves to share knowledge about birds, bugs, and plants!

Details

  • Date: Saturday, November 16
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Location: Renfrew Community Park (2929 E 22nd Ave, Vancouver). Meet in the parking lot next to the dog park, on the west side of the park (Google Map). If you arrive late, look for us west of Renfrew Community Center, where Still Creek resurfaces at the southern end of the park. From the northeast corner of Renfrew & 22nd continue northeast down the slope and you will see us (Google Map).
  • Age: This event is suitable for all ages, kids 14 and under require adult supervision.
  • Be Prepared: We will be working on and near slightly steep slopes. Please wear sturdy closed-toe footwear (hiking boots, trail runners, or rubber boots with good traction). Photos and/or videos will be taken to document the event for Still Moon Arts Society’s archival and promotional purposes. You will be asked for consent at the beginning of the event and your choice does not impact your ability to participate fully in the experience.
  • Please Bring: Bring a full bottle of drinking water
  • Food & Drink: We will provide light snacks, fruit snacks and granola bars, as well as some beverages, such as tea and bubblys. Please bring a water to stay hydrated!
  • Photos and/or videos may be taken to document the event for Still Moon Arts Society’s archival and promotional purposes, and reporting to funders. You will be asked for consent at the beginning of the event and your choice does not impact your ability to participate fully in the experience.

Getting There

  • Renfrew Community Park is located at 2929 E 22nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V5M 2Y3 (Google Map)
  • Bus numbers #16 and #25 will take you 1 minute away from entrance points.
  • Limited free car parking is available at the meet-up location.
  • We recommend walking, taking the bus, riding your bike, or carpooling when possible.

Accessibility

  • This site has both flat and sloped areas, and is accessed by a flat path, there is something for everyone to do here! If you need help getting to the site, or have other questions about accessibility, please email connelly@stillmoonarts.ca.
  • There are gender-universal washrooms available at Renfrew Community Centre, next to where we will be working.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & TO BUY TICKETS!


What is happening in Vancouver in November?

Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (November 20-23, 2024)

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 November

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, Nov. 12, 2024: Cream of broccoli soup, BLT or AvocadoLT sandwich, salad, chai spiced muffins

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024: Beef or veggie stew, salad, snickerdoodle cookie

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024: Cabbage soup, chicken or falafel caesar wrap, salad, apple pie bars

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024: Chicken or tofu teriyaki noodles, salad, coffee cake

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024: Tomato and chickpea soup, spanakopita (spinach pie), salad, cranberry walnut cookie

Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024: Pork sausage or mushroom casserole, salad, vanilla cupcake

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Community Lunch Program at Renfrew Park Community Centre

[ID: a photo of the Renfrew Park Community Centre.]

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.

This week’s menu:
  • Caesar Salad
  • Beef and Ale Stew with Mashed Potatoes
  • Chocolate Chunk Cookies

WHERE: Renfrew Park Community Centre, Kitchen (Room 110) – (2929 E 22nd Ave, Vancouver, BC)

WHEN: Friday, November 15th | 12:00PM – 1:00PM


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.

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


BC Hydro – Free Portable Air Conditioners

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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:

  1. Review the eligibility criteria to make sure you qualify.
  2. If you rent your home, you’ll need to get your landlord’s consent. Complete the landlord consent form [PDF, 1.7 MB].
  3. Apply online for your free portable AC unit.
  4. After you apply, our team will reach out to you within a few weeks to let you know if your application is approved.*
  5. 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.
  6. 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!

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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. 

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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: Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 | 7:00PM – 8:30PM

Next Level 2 Webinar: Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 | 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, November 21st, 2024 | 7:00PM – 8:15PM

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'.]

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!