WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)
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.
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.
Real Talk – Pizza Party! (19+)
Come join Certified Sexual Health Educator Dee, Sexual Health Educator Zainab, and Peer Facilitator Larissa on Monday, April 22nd for an in-person Real Talk Classic Pizza Party.
This event will be in-person at 336 Columbia Street, New Westminster. It’s just across from the Columbia Expo Line Skytrain Station.
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 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.
You can just show up on the day, or you can register below. If you choose to register for the Real Talk Classic Pizza Party, we will email you two reminders for it.
Advance Registration:
If you register in advance, we’ll send you an email reminder for the event.
WHERE: Baci’s New West Offices (336 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC)
WHEN: Monday, April 22nd | 11:00AM – 1:00PM
COST: FREE
Monthly Maker Meetup
This Maker Meetup is an opportunity to break the ice at MakerLabs, meet other beginners, tour the facilities, and receive support from MakerLabs staff.
This event is open to members and non-members of MakerLabs, and we encourage both new and old members to attend and meet others in the community.
If you’re just getting started in hobby making or starting your small business, meeting other creatives in a co-working setting can be intimidating. Who can you ask for help? Where are certain tools or amenities stored at MakerLabs? How do you begin to network and collaborate with others? What’s the best way to kickstart your maker career? We’re here to help smooth your transition into the culture!
If you’ve been working on something cool and want to share it, you can do a 5 minute show and tell. Maybe you’re looking for collaborators on a project, or if you’ve recently learned a new skill, come share it with others.
The Woodworking residency will also be presenting their finished projects, so come and get inspired by other beginners.
This will be a loosely structured event with no formal curriculum or teaching. Ask for advice on your concepts or project, introduce yourself, or simply hangout and chat.
Interdisciplinary participation is strongly encouraged, but absolutely no experience required.
WHERE: MakerLabs (780 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC)
WHEN: Tuesday, April 23rd | 7:00PM – 8:30PM
COST: FREE, but please register!
Joyce Street Clean Up Party
Want to be part of the Renfrew Collingwood Community? Here is your chance!
Join our Clean Up Party on Saturday, April 27th from 10 AM to 12 PM.
We’ll be tidying up Joyce Street and nearby areas, followed by a fun BBQ and prize draws at St. Mary’s.
Make a difference and sign up for our Clean Up Party!
The Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party!
Click here for more information!
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
Experience the vibrant Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival from an authentic Japan Fair to communal dance, music, and delicious food. Enjoy haiku, pop-ups, picnicking, guided walks & biking, workshops, and more.
Visit vcbf.ca for the full event schedule.
Click here to view the full map of cherry blossom locations.
WHERE: Vancouver, BC
WHEN: Friday, March 29th – Thursday, April 25th
COST: There are both free and ticketed events!
Community Lunch Program at Renfrew Park Community Centre
Fees for this program are non-refundable.
WHERE: Renfrew Park Community Centre (2929 E 22nd Ave, Vancouver, BC) – Kitchen (Room 110)
WHEN: Friday, April 26th | 12:00PM-1:00PM
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-in-april/
SAVE THE DATE For Spectrum’s Annual Summer Picnic!
WHEN: Wednesday, July 17th, 2024
TIME: 2:00PM – 6:00PM
WHERE: JOHN HENDRY PARK – TROUT LAKE – PICNIC GAZEBO
More details to follow closer to the date!
FINANCIAL UPDATES
The CNH Tax Clinic
The CNH Tax Clinic will be running from February 24 until April 30 for folks wanting help with their tax returns!
The Clinic will be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1-3pm at the Annex (drop off and in-person) and on Saturdays from 10-3pm at the Main House (5288 Joyce Street; in-person).
http://tinyurl.com/cnhtaxclinicmain2024
2024 TD1 and TD1BC Forms
If there are any changes to your income circumstances, please ensure to fill out the following forms for 2023 and provide them to Accounting once complete.
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: Wednesday May 15th, 7:00 – 8:15pm
Next Level 2 Webinar: Thursday May 23rd, 7:00 – 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 16th, 7:00 – 8:15pm
Click here to register and for more information
HEALTH & SAFETY
ICord – Sleep Routines and Sleep Disturbances After SCI Survey
ICORD researcher Dr. Claydon and her research team at SFU, and community partner Spinal Cord Injury BC are interested in learning more about the sleep routines, disturbances, and barriers to sleep supports experienced by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), as well as the impacts of these sleep problems on daily life.
This survey study aims to characterize the milieu of routine and physiological sleep disturbances after SCI. The survey asks about sleep quality, sleep routines (i.e., turning), and sleep problems (i.e., sleep apnea, neuropathic pain, autonomic dysreflexia) as they present in the nighttime. We will also ask how your sleep
Why should you participate in this study?
Poor sleep quality is widely documented among individuals with SCI, with consequences of excessive daytime sleepiness, high levels of fatigue, and reduced participation. Unsurprisingly, 59-80% of survey respondents with SCI indicate having a sleep problem that interferes with sleep onset or sleep continuity. While the correlations between sleep problems and secondary conditions (chronic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, respiratory impairment) experienced in the daytime are strong, we do not know enough about how these problems present in the nighttime or how to best manage them.
As such, the principal focus of the survey is to characterize the frequency, severity, and management of 10 distinct sleep disturbances identified through literature review and community partner priorities: turning routines, sleep apnea, bowel care, bladder care, AD, thermal discomfort, neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, spasticity, and anxiety. Given the potential for reciprocal impacts between sleep disturbances and additive effects on sleep outcomes, it is necessary to study these sleep challenges post-SCI. With the support of patient and community partners, we hope that the results of this study will shed light on the under-recognized challenges of sleep post-SCI to provide context for meaningful change and inform clinical priorities.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
- Have an SCI (inclusive of all injury levels, severity, duration, and cause)
- Are living in Canada
- Are at least 19 years old
- Are able to communicate and understand instructions in English
Compensation for participation
As a thank you for your time, participants will receive $15 via e-transfer. At the conclusion of the survey, participants who wish to receive the honoraria will be linked to an external survey to enter an email to which the e-transfer will be sent. Your email will not be linked to your survey responses.
This study will take place:
- Remotely (online survey / phone / audio call)
Time commitment
This online survey is estimated to take 30 – 45 minutes to complete. Skip logic has been integrated so that you will only be shown questions for the sleep disturbances that you indicate. If not completed in one sitting, the page can be left open until you return to it. If you wish to complete the survey verbally, please contact the survey coordinator (rebekah_lee@sfu.ca) to arrange a call.
Click here to start the survey, or save https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/SleepAfterSCI to start later.
For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact the study coordinator Rebekah Lee by email at rebekah_lee@sfu.ca or call (778) 892-8560.
Sun Life Healthy You: Be a fan of your health
We launched the Sun Life Healthy You (SLHY) hub in 2023. We want to encourage Canadians to take charge of their health. We also want them to know that Sun Life is here as a partner that can help them live healthier lives. We built the SLHY hub as part of Sun Life’s ongoing multi-year partnership with the Toronto Raptors. It provides practical advice on the topics of goal setting, routine building, physical fitness, nutrition, and mental health.
Diabetes Coaching with Lumino Health Pharmacy
Lumino Health Pharmacy offers pharmacy services, provided by Pillway. In January 2024, they will begin offering diabetes coaching from a pharmacist to all plan members, free of charge!
Diabetes is a fast-growing chronic disease, and the cost of drugs to treat it is on the rise. Plan members with diabetes often experience other chronic diseases at the same time. Coaching with Lumino Health Pharmacy aims to help plan members follow their treatment and improve health outcomes.
About Lumino Health Pharmacy
Launched in July, Lumino Health Pharmacy is an optional service. There’s free delivery within Canada to help manage medication routines with confidence.
About the diabetes coaching program
To start a coaching session, plan members sign in to the Lumino Health Pharmacy mobile app or website.
- Coaching will focus on lifestyle, diet, nutrition, mental health, health literacy and medication management.
- On-going coaching is also available if needed.
- The pharmacist can also coordinate with other health-care providers (if requested by the plan member). This includes general practitioners, specialists, and dietitians to best support plan members.
SunLife will launch diabetes coaching to plan members in January 2024. They send emails directly to targeted plan members who are actively claiming for diabetes-related medication(s). These emails will aim to raise awareness about the service and encourage them to use it. Standard exclusions will apply for plan member communications.
When plan members sign in to the my Sun Life mobile app or mysunlife.ca, they’ll receive messages about the program.
More details will follow about the coaching program in January, along with a preview of the plan member emails.
CLBC Reminder to get your flu and COVID-19 shots
Community Living BC encourages everyone who has yet to receive their COVID and flu shots this season, to kindly do so as soon as possible, ideally before the holiday season. COVID-19 remains a risk to the population (especially for those who are unvaccinated) and influenza cases are rising.
Priority to receive the COVID-19 vaccination is given to all individuals supported by CLBC. Invitations for this season’s vaccinations have been sent through email or text to everyone who has registered for a COVID vaccination in the past. It is possible to book both vaccinations in the same appointment! These vaccinations are free and available at pharmacies, health care authority clinics, and some primary care provider’s offices.
You can book your appointment through the Get Vaccinated System.
If you need help booking your appointment, you can call 1-833-838-2323. This number is open 7 days a week from 7am – 7pm and 9am – 5pm on statutory holidays.
Click here for BC’s fall respiratory illness immunization campaign
For those receiving benefits with Spectrum, we offer our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) to provide 24/7 confidential support to our employees. If you are not currently receiving group benefits but are in need of support, please reach out to your supervisor or Human Resources at hr@spectrumsociety.org so we can provide you with accessible options of support. For immediate access to set up assistance, you can click here: Lumino VC (dialogue.co) OR download the app directly onto your smart device by going to the App Store and searching Lumino Health Virtual Care. The graphic is as follows and you will need your benefit group number and Access ID to set it up:
When accessing EAP via the app is not possible:
Plan members can get access to immediate help through their EAP by calling 1-844-342-3327. A Member Service Specialist will assess your needs and coordinate care with the appropriate resources.
Plan members are also able to access the EAP through the app or online.
If you or your dependents are having trouble using the app or website and need help accessing your account, they can:
- contact Dialogue by emailing sunlife-support@dialogue.co Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
- visit help.dialogue.co and use the chat feature for assistance, for after hours and weekend support.
For questions regarding benefits plan information, you can
- contact hr@spectrumsociety.org
*Applies to all Lumino Health Virtual Care products – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Primary Care, Stress Management & Well-Being
Spectrum recognizes that our teams do an incredible job of supporting people in our services. The work that each of you do is valuable and at times, difficult. Please do honor what your body/mind may be communicating. If you feel increased stress or grief, please pay attention to those signals and reach out to the EAP or us for resources of support.
Come Join the Health & Safety Committee
Are you passionate about enhancing workplace health and safety? Spectrum has a great opportunity for you to share your unique experiences and opinions as a part of the Health and Safety Committee.
Spectrum’s Health and Safety Committee are on a mission to fix and build our membership. The committee consists of Community Support Workers, Managers, and Human Resources personnel. The main purpose of the Health and Safety committee is to ensure we meet WorkSafeBC standards and that every employee and people we support know that their safety is a priority.
Some Roles and Responsibilities of Committee Members are:
- To review all workplace reports of injuries and illness
- Review reports of unsafe working conditions
- Develop and review safety plans and protocols
- Review training opportunities for staff
- Ensure our Policies & Procedures align with WSBC regulations
You might be thinking that this sounds like a big commitment with an already busy schedule. However, we meet just once a month for a couple hours and you are paid for your time. Additionally, you also receive 8 hours of paid Health and Safety training each year.
This is a great opportunity to contribute to Health and Safety at Spectrum, diversify your skills, as well as connect with fellow Spectrum staff.
If you are interested in this opportunity, or want to know more information, please email Safety@spectrumsociety.org or speak to your manager.
We hope to hear from you soon!
Your Health & Safety Committee
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!