![[ID: Set of yellow leaves. Autumn design element. Vector illustration.]](https://www.spectrumsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/november-illustration-1-300x158.jpg)
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)
Spectrum’s Seasonal Office Hours
Wednesday, December 25th – CLOSED
Thursday, December 26th – CLOSED
Wednesday, January 1st – CLOSED
Real Talk LGBTQ Zoom Hangout (19+)
Adults with cognitive disabilities who are 2SLGBTQIA+ hang out online and chat with a Certified Sexual Health Educator.
Come join Ry, Zainab, and Alison on Thursday November 28th from 5pm – 7pm for a Real Talk LGBTQ Zoom Hangout.
Everybody has questions about dating, love, relationships, and sex. Things like:
- How do I meet a boyfriend / girlfriend / partner?
- How do I let my family know that I want to date?
- How do I come out to my friends or family?
- How can I make sex safer?
- What is consent?
It’s totally normal. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to get good information. At this event, we’ll watch some Real Talk videos, and have a conversation hosted by a Certified Sexual Health Educator. We’ll talk about where to get good information, who can support us with this stuff, and how to figure out confusing situations. People are welcome to talk about things, or to just listen if they don’t want to talk.
FAQs
Q: How old do I have to be to attend?
A: This event is for people 19 and over.
Q: What can I bring into the event?
A: Bring your questions and your knowledge / experience ! Think of some questions you have about dating, love relationships or sex that you can ask at the event. Or think about some things you’ve learned about this stuff that you could share with others. Or think about some experiences you’ve had that you’d like to discuss. Also think about what you need to help you feel comfortable and relaxed at the event. We’ll ask everyone this before we start on the day.
Q: Will everyone find out I went to this event and / or what I said at the event?
A: We don’t take names of people who are at the event. We do have some questionnaires, but you don’t put your name on them. At this event we specifically ask participants to not mention to anyone else who they see here or what people say here. Usually everyone respects that, but understand we cannot 100% guarantee they will maintain your confidentiality. It’s best to decide what you feel comfortable to share based on that.
Q: Do I have to take part in the conversation?
A: We try to make our events a comfortable, encouraging space to talk, and to give everyone the support they need to participate. But no one has to talk. Ever. You’re welcome to just sit and listen. Or to leave at any time if you decide it’s not for you.
Q: How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
A: Email john@real-talk.org
WHEN: Thursday, November 28th | 5:00PM – 7:00PM
WHERE: This event will be online at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87072955166?pwd=m10kmaibFYBc6QglgbRLsYZy809mY5.1
COST: FREE! | Click here for info and to register! (If you don’t want to pre-register you can just show up on the day.)
VIFF – Flow (Relaxed Screening)
In a future without humans, a solitary black cat survives a tsunami and finds refuge on a sailboat with a ragtag crew of animals: an excitable Labrador, a drowsy capybara, a materialistic lemur, and a gallant secretary bird. As he navigates a mystical, flooded world with his new companions, the cat must overcome both his fear of water and his wariness of others. Having made a splash at Cannes 2024, this atmospheric animated feature, complete with an orchestral score, provides an enthralling, emotional adventure for all ages.
Grounded with the use of animal sound recordings in lieu of any dialogue, Latvian director Gints Zibalodis’ sophomore feature deploys a dynamic virtual camera and gorgeously rendered environmental detail to bring to life a mysterious post-apocalyptic setting in which only artifacts of humanity’s influence remain. An entertaining allegory about the challenges and virtues of teamwork plays out through Flow’s delightful cast of critters.
Relaxed Screening:
The Sunday, December 8 12:30PM screening is a Relaxed Screening. Our monthly Relaxed Screenings are open to anyone who could benefit from a more casual, supportive and laid-back experience.
Click here to watch the trailer and to purchase tickets!
What is happening in Vancouver in November?
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. 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
![[ID: Collingwood Neighbourhood House logo.]](https://www.spectrumsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cnh.png)
Community Lunch Program at Renfrew Park Community Centre
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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.
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Sweet Pea Soup
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Roasted Pork with Squash Gratin
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Apple Crumble
WHERE: Renfrew Park Community Centre, Kitchen (Room 110) – (2929 E 22nd Ave, Vancouver, BC)
WHEN: Friday, November 29th | 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.
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 – 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, December 4th, 2024 | 10:00AM – 11:30AM
Next Level 2 Webinar: Tuesday, December 11th, 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, December 12th, 2024 | 10:00AM – 11:15AM
Click here to register and 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!