Community Updates – November 30, 2012

Community Updates – November 30, 2012
1) Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy

Would you like to be a volunteer literacy tutor? Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy is looking for volunteers to work with adults who want to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. Training is provided. For more information contact Janette Moller by phone 250-392-8161 or email partnerassistedlearning@gmail.com

2) Recreation Centre’s Free Public Swim sponsored by Taseko. December 8th, 2012 from 1:30pm-3:30pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank.

3) Child Development Centre Events:
Christmas Wish Buffet at the Ramada Inn - Reserve your spot to attend the Chistmas Wish Breakfast Buffet on December 19th at the new Ramada Inn. Donate a gift, and eat breakfast. The buffet starts at 6 am so book your table time by calling the Ramada directly.
Christmas Wish Buffet at Save on Foods – You can also donate a gift and eat breakfast directly at Save on Foods from 7 – 10:30 am on December 19th.
Yuletide Dinner – The annual Yuletide dinner is being held on December 5th starting at 5 pm. IF YOU ARE LEAN ON FUNDS, OR SHORT OF COMPANY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE 15TH ANNUAL FREE YULETIDE DINNER
When: Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Where: The Ramada (Overlander Convention Center) in the Convention Centre
Time: 4-7pm
If you require transportation, please contact CDC at 250-392-4481 by 4:30 Tuesday December 4th
3) Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (IMSS)of Prince George (Williams Lake Branch) invites Live-in Caregivers and Temporary Workers to a Free information session and workshop on:
Saturday, December 8th, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to Noon at: The IMSS school at 118 C North 1st Ave (Village Square), Williams Lake BC
Topics may include: Overview of the Live-in Caregiver Program, Provincial Nominee Program, Open Work Permit and Permanent Residence Application, and Common immigration problems and inadmissibility.
If you have other immigration questions or topic ideas, please let Ann or Lisa know ahead of time, by email or phone: ann@imss.ca, lisa@imss.ca, or 1-877-562-2977

To register for the session, or if you want to know more about the location or what we do at the school, email or phone Susan: susan@imss.ca or 778-412-2999
This workshop is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

4) William’s Lake Better at Home Community Engagement Highlights and Update (reminder)

Community Meeting:

When: Tuesday December 4th, 2012 from 1-3pm
Where: Williams Lake Public Library
What: Better at Home Community Meeting. Everyone is welcome to this meeting including seniors, prospective lead agencies, service groups, and anyone interested in supporting seniors in the community. At this meeting there will be:

A general introduction to the Better at Home program, and with a focus on non-medical services;
An overview of what has been collected while meeting with people and services:
What’s working in the community? (community strengths, available services, assets, etc.), What’s missing? (areas of need, gaps in service, priority areas, etc.), What agency would be the best fit to house the Better at Home program in Williams Lake? (suggested agencies, potential partnerships, etc.), and after this presentation there will be time for people to add to what has already been collected.
Stakeholders Meeting:

When: Wednesday December 5, 2012 from 9 am to 12 pm
Where: Williams Lake Public Library
What: Key Stakeholders Meeting. Key Stakeholders can include representatives of senior’s organizations, volunteer organizations, First Nations communities, caregiver associations, cultural and faith-based groups, health authorities, and other community based groups.
The Key Stakeholder Meeting will draw from the information gathered in the Community Meeting to select the Lead Agency for the Better at Home program in Williams Lake.
Following the selection of the Lead Agency, people will encouraged to put their names forward as potential Advisory Committee members. The list will then be forwarded on the Lead Agency as they begin to establish an advisory committee and the Williams Lake Better at Home program.
To Date: Williams Lake non-medical support Services top 4 requests: Drawing from several interviews, meetings, and emails, there are a few services that have been continually highlighted.
Transportation: It seems that there is a heightened concern for isolated seniors in the community of Williams Lake. Getting seniors around for appointments, errands, and recreation has been identified as a need.
Fire Wood: Helping seniors with wood (chopping, delivering, moving it inside, etc.) is identified as a specific need for Williams Lake
Snow Removal: Identified as a concern, specifically in regards to the strenuous nature of the work, and the presented slipping hazard. Light Housework: Including laundry, groceries (shopping, unloading, etc.), vacuuming, bed changing, etc., with a focus on strenuous everyday activities.
Other services have also been identified, however, these four have been repeated several times by many people.
For any local non-profit agencies that are interested in acting as Lead Agency for the Better at Home program;
Potential lead agencies are expected to contact me directly via email (jennifer.dustin@gmail.com) or phone (250 318 1359) to indicate that you are interested in pursuing the opportunity.
Potential lead agencies are also expected to do a brief 10-15minute presentation covering points such as: capacity and ability to offer the Better at Home program and manage the funds appropriately; willingness to work collaboratively with several local agencies in the interest of seniors of Williams Lake; demonstration of an established volunteer base.
Please pass this email along to any non-profit agency you believe would be appropriate for this opportunity, and if you have any questions feel free to contact me directly. I look forward to the next steps.
Thank you again for your interest and continued support,

Jennifer Dustin
Better at Home Program Community Developer – Williams Lake
250 318 1359
Jennifer.dustin@gmail.com
Better at Home
United Way helping seniors remain independent
betterathome.ca
5) UBC Aboriginal Youth Learning Circle - December 12, 2012: Indigenous Role Model Trevor Mack
Sent on behalf of Crystal Morris, Aboriginal Education Coordinator. Please forward to interested parties. *Apologies for cross-postings.*
Greetings,
You are invited to the UBC Aboriginal Youth Learning Circle on December 12, 2012 from 1 to 3 p.m. for an exciting presentation by Indigenous role model Trevor Mack (http://learningcircle.ubc.ca/2012/11/youth-circle-indigenous-role-model-trevor-mack/). Trevor is Tsilhqot’in from Williams Lake, BC. He is a writer and an award-winning director/filmmaker (or as he calls himself, a storyteller).
Date: December 12, 2012
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Where: Via videoconference OR Adobe Connect in partnership with the UBC Learning Circle
Registration: http://learningcircle.ubc.ca/youth/registration/ *Pre-registration is required to attend this event*
The Youth Circle is oriented towards Aboriginal youth aged 12 to 29 throughout BC. There are approximately two Youth Circles per month. The Circle gives young Aboriginal people a place to express themselves, to be entertained and to learn and teach others about what’s going on and what they want to do in their communities.
Overview: Trevor began video editing in 2005 while he was still in high school. He started with editing videos of people playing the popular video game Halo with montages accompanied by music. Since 2005, his montages have garnered more than one million views via the Internet. Trevor also works with a freelance group called Viral Design. He has travelled to Dallas, Texas and other events to shoot video and do photography for various companies. Trevor’s “Get Up, Move Up” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpN1ItlfEAA) public service announcement recently won the $5,000 first-place prize at the First Nations Health Council ‘Active Spirit, Active History’ video contest.

Trevor is currently attending Capilano University’s ‘Motion Picture Arts’ program in Vancouver where he is pursuing his Bachelor’s degree. Check out Trevor's website at: http://www.trevormack.ca/
How to Connect:

Registration is required to attend this Youth Circle. There are now two ways to join us at the Learning Circle.
a)) You can join this interactive, online presentation via videoconference. You will be contacted prior to the event by our technical support at Health Canada to make arrangements to connect via videoconference.
b) You can also participate via Adobe Connect from the convenience of your office, school, or home computer. Further information on how to connect with the Learning Circle via Adobe Connect will be distributed prior to the event.
For more information about the UBC Aboriginal Youth Learning Circle, and links to register, please visit http://learningcircle.ubc.ca/youth/
We look forward to meeting you at the Circle!
Warm regards,
Kathryn Berry, Program Assistant

Division of Aboriginal People’s Health
University of British Columbia
Tel. 604.682.2344 ex. 62242
Fax. 604.806.8499
http://learningcircle.ubc.ca
http://aboriginalhealth.med.ubc.ca/
6) Communities that Care’s Positive Action Program’s WORD of the WEEK is:
Curious – To be eager to learn how and why things happen.
For more information contact Carla Bullinger, Facilitator, Communities that Care in Williams Lake, BC, email: comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca or cell: 250-267-8249
7) Reminder: Earth Friendly Holiday Event at Scout Island Nature Centre (SINC)
Tonight (Nov 30th) from 5 -8 pm, and tomorrow (Dec 1) from 10 am – 3pm come make a holiday wreath or bird feeders, take a night walk, children’s games and activities, potluck dinner, and check out the “alternative gift ideas” table.
For more information contact 250-398-7929 or 398-8532 or email ccentre@ccconserv.org.
8) Womens Contact Society update:
a) The annual Purple Ribbon Campaign is now running. Be part of the solution and wear a purple ribbon to show your support against violence to women. Free ribbons are available at Intrigue hair studio, the Tribune, the Cariboo Advisor, and the Womens Contact Society.
On December 6, 2012 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, there will be an Open House and Free Lunch provided by Chiwid Transition House between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm at the Seniors Activity Centre in the basement. I have attached a poster.
b) Women’s Job Readiness program for Hairdressing and Esthetics which will go until February.
c) Our Women’s Zumba class has now ended until mid-January
d) Tuesday December 4: Cold & Flu Women’s Noon Hour Workshop – Lunch is provided
e) Tuesday December 11: Noon Hour Financial Workshop with Jim Tanis from Investors Group – Lunch Provided

9) From Big Brother Big Sisters in Williams Lake:
WOULD YOUR CHILD ENJOY BEING A MEMBER OF THIS FUN & ACTIVE SOCIETY?

Little Sisters are between 6 - 13 Years Old

Enjoy getting out of the house to do cool things

Little Sisters live in a one parent home
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Your daughter will be matched with someone who will do everything in her power to make your child feel special. This little bit of extra attention will increases her self-confidence and her self-esteem.
When your daughter is out with her ‘Big Sister’ this can allow you special time with the remaining children in your home.
Your child will be invited to monthly activities sponsored by Big Brothers & Sisters such as bowling, swimming, Gavin Lake, Christmas and Halloween parties and much more.
Your daughter may be eligible for sponsorship in sport or recreational activities through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation.
MEMBERSHIP IS COMPLETELY FREE! LEARN HOW YOUR DAUGHTER CAN GET INVOLVED WITH BIG SISTERS, TALK WITH ONE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS AT: 250-398-8391 OR CHECK US OUT BBBSWLAKE.COM
10) Communities that Care Community Board Updates:
a) Supporting breakfast programs – Schools need some volunteer help for their breakfast programs. Suggestion that secondary students might be able to help out in some schools. Jan indicated that Skyline students help out regularly at Marie Sharpe. Another idea was to contact the ECE program at TRU to see if students there might be able to give a hand. Someone also suggested sending out a recipe or nutrition tip. Lora indicated that she is already doing this. If you’d like to be on her distribution list, email her at Lora.Fairbrother@sd27.bc.ca If you or anyone you know might be able to help out with the breakfast programs, contact Jan: Janice.Fichtner@sd27.bc.ca
b) Meeting days - We’ve had requests to change the meeting day from Thursday to another weekday. The group decided to meet on the second Tuesday in the afternoon. Next meeting Tues. Dec.11 from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Co-op, 51 4th Avenue (beside the Boys and Girls Club). For more information on how to get involved please contact Carla Bullinger, Facilitator, Communities that Care in Williams Lake, BC, email: comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca or cell: 250-267-8249
c) CMHA ( Canadian Mental Health Association)
Parent-Teen Counseling – Parent-Teen Counseling program is now Family Solutions. The Contractor felt there was a gap in working with parents with mental health issues. If service providers are working with adults with mental health and other issues, please direct them to CMHA. Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) at MCFD is working with children and youth who have clearly defined mental health issues. CMHA is still able to work with children/youth who need counseling support (ie. Those who do not have clearly defined mental health issues), so continue to refer them to CMHA. If you are not sure where to send clients, refer to either CMHA or CYMH and they will figure out the best fit for the client.
Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health at Denisiqi and Cariboo Friendship Society also provide counseling for children and youth.
Multiculturalism Projects –CMHA has received approximately 45 submissions representing 43 different countries for its Community Cookbook. In addition to recipes, the book will also contain personal stories. CMHA is looking for a few more entries. Contact Marilyn Livingston for more information at marilyn.livingston@cmhawl.org
11) Daybreak Rotary donates benches to dog park

The City of Williams Lake was pleased to accept the donation of two park benches recently from the Daybreak Rotary Club. One bench is located in the small dog park area, and the other in the big dog area. The benches provide a space for owners to sit while at the park with their dogs, and are the first improvement to the park.
“This is a wonderful community amenity, and I’m so happy a community organization is helping to develop this park to be even better for users,” says Councillor Laurie Walters. “Anyone interested in contributing to the park in a similar matter is encouraged to call the City.” The grand opening for the dog park will be held next spring.