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is a Vancouver-based nonprofit organization that specializes in providing information and referral regarding community, government and social services in BC. Our help line services include 211, the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service (ADIRS), the Problem Gambling Help Line, VictimLink BC, and the Youth Against Violence Line.

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What is The Social Planning Council?

Activities:

o Monthly Meetings: Attend meetings with guest speakers from within the community &/or presentations at each meeting. We currently meet the fourth Monday of every month (excluding summer) at City Hall with light lunch by donation.

o Facebook & Email Group: Utilize the network on Facebook. Start discussions, learn about & share upcoming community events, projects and meetings. If you don’t use Facebook, then join the email network instead.

o Inform City Council: The SPC provides reports to City Council regularly and the City keeps the SPC informed. Use the network and have your voices heard.



Strategic Direction of the Social Planning Council of Williams Lake & Area:

o Poverty Reduction and the local Living Wage Campaign.

o Community Collaboration and Networking.

o Retention and Succession of residents within the Area.



Community Social Planning:

o Supports communities in building an integrated approach to complex problems that take into account social, economic, and environmental concerns.

o Maximizes the effectiveness of often scarce resources by working to reduce duplication, overlap and competition.

o Provides an ongoing forum for communication, coordination and conflict resolution.



Friday, May 10, 2013

Community Updates (10) – May 10, 2013



Community Updates (10) – May 10, 2013

1) Scout Island Nature Centre’s annual Plant Sale – Sat May 11

SINC’s annual plant sale is this Saturday May 11th from 9:30 am – 1 pm at Scout Island – find a selection of house and garden plants, sporting goods, books and more. Donations can also be made by drop off at the Nature Centre until 7 pm on Friday May 10th.

2) Mother’s Day Breakfast and Market – Sunday May 12
The Williams Lake Lions/Lioness Mother’s Day market and pancake breakfast is on May 12th in the Save On Foods parking lot. Breakfast is free for all Mothers from 8:30  - 11:30 am. The market runs from 8:30 am – 2 pm – space and table rentals are available for crafters, small businesses and garage salers. To reserve a space call Al at 250-392-6834.

3) St Joseph’s Mission Residetntial School Commemoration Events – May 16 - 18

Former students, their family members and others who have been affected by Canada’s Indian Residential Schools are invited to share their experiences with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), May 16 to 18 as part of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School Commemoration Project. Statements may be made publicly at sharing panels conducted by Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair of the TRC, or privately. Public sharing panels are scheduled in the Gymnasium, Thompson Rivers University, Williams Lake: Thursday, May 16 from 1:30 pm to 5 pm, Friday, May 17 from 1:30 pm to 3 pm, and Saturday, May 18 from 9 am to 5 pm.

Private statement gathering will begin May 16 and continue through Monday, May 20. Health support workers will be on hand. Sharing panels are free to the public and will be streamed live at www.trc.ca . Everyone who would like to learn about and bear witness to the legacy of the schools is encouraged to attend. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an independent commission established as a result of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in the 150 year history of the residential schools, and to guide and inspire a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.

For more information and a full list of events, please visit http://www.sjmcommemorationevents.com/

Note - A working group will be meeting with Dr. Brokenleg for a short time on the morning of the 17th to discuss how we can help facilitate moving our community ideas forward. Dr. Brokenleg will be holding a keynote at lunch and will also facilitate an afternoon workshop both of which are open to the public. For more information please contact Anne Burrill at the City of Williams Lake.

4) May 10 – May 24th – Degrees of United Way Contest
Contest details: United Way invites community members to submit a story about how they’re connected to United Way. Film a 30-90 second video telling your story or fill out the form on our website! www.unitedwaytnc.ca/6-degrees-of-united-way/

Top 5 video’s & stories get submitted into a random draw to win $75 Gift Certificates.

5) Annual Children’s Festival May 26th in Boitanio Park
The annual Children’s Festival organized by the Women’s Contact Society is on Sunday May 26th in Boitanio Park from 10 am – 3 pm.  Craft booths, picnic sports, local talent performances, free activities, door prizes and more including Magic Show by Magical Jesaja, Children’s concert with Alley-oop, and Interactive Theater with Terri Smith.

6) CTC’s Positive Action Word of the Week

The Positive Action Word of the Week is:  Trust – To have confidence or faith. For more information please contact: Carla Bullinger, Facilitator, Communities that Care, comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca or 250-267-8249.

7) 7th Annual Children’s Wish Trail Ride – Sunday May 26th
Volunteers are needed to help collect prizes from local businesses. Please call Karla or Rene at 250-989-5526

8) Property Crime in Williams Lake has Decreased 56% since 2008
Property crime has decreased by over 50% since 2008, and 20% since last year, City Council heard Tuesday evening as they received the Williams Lake RCMP’s First Quarter Crime Statistics Update.

Overall, property crime has decline 56% since the first quarter of 2008, including an 87% drop in vehicle theft, and a 71% decrease in robberies. Since 2012, theft of vehicle has dropped 71%, and robberies have declined by 50%. The 20% drop in overall property crime exceeds the “E” Division goal of 10% this year.

Reports of domestic violence have increased 40% since 2008, and are at 2012 levels. Inspector Warren Brown told Council that increased reporting may be a factor in the higher statistics, and that there is a community-based approach to addressing the issue.

“It is always welcome to see the hard work by the RCMP and Community Policing pay off in the form of reduced crime,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “We still have work to do, but the progress this community has made in fighting crime is amazing.”

Also at the meeting, Inspector Brown outlined the detachment’s Annual Performance Plan, which includes initiatives on crime reduction, building relationships with Aboriginal communities, employee wellness, and domestic violence. Safer Communities Coordinator Dave Dickson outlined current Community Policing activities, including alerting the public to fraud schemes, counterfeit money training, and Business Watch, which now has over 130 members.

Dickson also reminded Council and the public that the RCMP Musical Ride will be in Williams Lake July 18 this year.

For more information please contact:
Ken MacInnis, BJ (Hons)
Communications Coordinator
City of Williams Lake
Tel: 250-392-8488

9) Reminder - Salvation Army’s Non-residential Recovery Program starts May 13th
The Salvation Army will be offering it’s next 8 week non-residential recovery program starting May 13th and ending July 5th. This program is open to adults aged 19 year or older who are experiencing problems related to substance misuse/abuse. To register please contact Steve Hakes at 250-305-2492

10) Reminder - ASPECT Targeted Skills Shortage Program
Are you a small business owner? Do you work for a small business or a non-profit organizations? If your business is located within Williams Lake, has less than 100 employees and qualifies in one of the following industry sectors of Fishing and Forestry, Health Care & Social Services, Manufacturing, Mining & Natural Gas, Technology, Clean Technology, and Green Economy, or Transportation & Tourism… then ASPECT Targeted Skills Shortage Program can assist with training and upgrading skills for your employees.

Your company may qualify for up to a maximum of $1500 per employee ($7500 per employer) to assist eligible employees towards training that is specific to your workplace needs. Whether you want to increase employee motivation or skills, improve your organization’s adaptability, or reduce employee turnover. The funding is provided by Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement.

For more information on the eligibility of your employees, please contact Dora Althaus, at 250-398-5133 or email d.althaus@hortonventures.com or visit www.aspect.bc.ca

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Contact Us

The Social Planning Council is made up of volunteers from the community. Many of us work in social services agencies or also volunteer for other organizations.

Our Mailing Address is Box 20045, Williams Lake BC V2G 4R1

To reach the Society Coordinator Jessica Dunn please email spc-coordinator@xplornet.com or call 250-243-2126

To reach the Communities that Care Project Facilitator Barb Jones please email communitiesthatcare.wl@gmail.com or call 250-305-4838

To reach the THRIVE Williams Lake Project Manager Anne Burrill please email annelburrill@gmail.com or call 250-267-7211

To reach the current SPC Chair Larry Stranberg please email happytrails@cfdccariboo.com or call 250-392-3626