Location: Cariboo Friendship
Society (upstairs boardroom), Williams Lake, BC
In
attendance (from sign-in sheet): Janice Breck, Pratyush Dhawan, Jon Jackson, Ashlee Hyde, Rosanna
McGregor, Shannon Thom, Anne Burrill, Jessica Dunn and Bruce Mack.
Regrets: Larry Stranberg, Diane Wright
Review Agenda and
Minutes
· Review meeting
agenda for Oct 22, 2018
MOTION to accept
agenda as presented - motion was seconded, all in favour, motion CARRIED
· Review meeting
minutes from Sept 24, 2018
MOTION to accept minutes as presented -
motion was seconded, all in favour, motion CARRIED
Lived Experience Presentation - Anne Burrill
Discussion
- Utilizing Lived Experience when researching any topic is an emerging best
practice (strengthening over the past few years). Anytime there is planning, it
is important to engage with people who have "lived experience in the
subject". Not just in a token sense, but through a meaningful process.
THRIVE
Williams Lake is using this best practice in the project. In an engaged qualitative
way (rather than in a quantitative way). You cannot just invite people to a
meeting, they need to be engaged properly and supported.
When
there is a table full of professionals - it is hard to attract Lived Experience
people (intimidating environment). Respectful, meaningful dialogue while supporting
them in the process of participating works best. A Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Coalition
Publication provides many ways to engage (electronic copy available - put your
name on it).
THRIVE
Williams Lake Project specifics:
1)
Interview (casual conversation initially - tell me your story, and then prompt)
- 6 people so far.
2)
Online survey - opportunity to share anonymously (with question - can we
contact you for an interview?). Article in paper, posters around town, on
facebook (starting to pick-up steam) - 28 people have taken this survey so far
(goal is not a representative sample - to gather information only). Of
the participants to date, 14 want an interview.
Handout
was provided with some summary data of information already collected - Sample
questions discussed:
1) What
does poverty mean to you personally?
Stress
(listed by all), isolation and embarrassment also high responses - really shows
in our survey (and expressed in interviews). Significant mental health
component.
2) What
would it take to help your situation?
Housing
is still identified as the top issue.
Currently
the vacancy rate is the lowest it has been in many years.
1
bedroom a year ago was 625, now 750 dollars rent per month.
1000 dollars
or more for a nice basement suite currently
Almost
in a crisis situation locally with so many people living here temporarily (on
temporary assignments including many road workers).
THRIVE
Williams Lake project - will be bringing people with lived experience together
to provide input as a group. In a non-intimidating environment (only lived
experience participants will be invited) - likely taking place in November.
Advocacy workers are invited to attend with clients.
Other Discussions:
One local
employee had to quit her job because they have been homeless for over a month,
and the employer didn't even suspect this.
Question
- BC Housing - what are the plans for the Williams Lake Area?
Answer
- Capacity to organize projects of this size is an issue in Williams Lake (huge
projects can only be built every 5 years or so with current capacity). First
Avenue development is currently taking place. There is also a great need for
transitional housing locally.
Having
lived experience info/voice is invaluable, but there is a risk in adding too
much weight to any one perspective. Also
impact is much more powerful and of value when you directly hear from
people themselves.
Rosanna
- participants at the Minister's table (legislative work behind the scenes)
have been appreciative of the inclusion of lived experience being shared (philosophy
from the beginning was to include lived experience and they have). Natural gas
prices is also an identified issue in the north - not just housing
affordability.
Hydro -
two tier rate system is also hurting people in the north financially.
In even a small apartment -
people can pay up to $100/month for electric bill in 2018
THRIVE Williams Lake Update
Project
in general has felt slow to start, and is now "roaring down the freeway".
-Business
at it's Best update: partnership (including City, CF, Chamber, WLCBIA). Gathering
examples of good employers - treat
employees well, pay well and use creative ways to attract good employees. Then
- the project will SHARE this to other employers with a celebratory event in
the new year with the goal to share and promote other employers to consider
some of these ideas. No shame and blame - focus on the positive entirely.
-Work
Summit event with the Regional Education Council's steering committee in
February - summit on employment potentials - what are things we can do within
the community to address the gaps between the demand and supply between service
providers and people looking for employment. The goal is to explore solutions
and actions that can be taken.
Rosanna
- There is a Cariboo Friendship Society workshop in November to engage young people
from an entrepreneurial side, and she will keep the two ideas connected at this
event.
Annual General Meeting reminder
Monday Nov 26 OPEN HOUSE from
10:30 am - 2:30 pm (AGM Business at 12:30 pm)
Check
out the new office space
Participate
in the survey sent out by the SPC
Learn
about CTC
Learn
about THRIVE Williams Lake
AGM
Business (& Election of Officers) at 12:30
Coffee,
tea, and snacks
Roundtable Updates
Shannon Thom (Williams Lake Employment Services) - Nov 29th event Find
your Fit Tour (career exploration event geared towards youth). Interactive
tables that are appropriate for children. Apr 1st, the Workplace BC contract is
up for renewal.
Rosanna McGregor (Cariboo Friendship Society) - Interior Health opiate
overdose response and evaluation re: aboriginal mental health and wellness plan
(ten year). Small sharps portable - pushing for testing of drugs. Ministers
Poverty reduction committee - lots of great ideas coming. Williams Lake Social
Housing Society - approved to take a daycare space (and funding is approved).
They have signed an agreement to pay $25/hour (dictated by government funding).
WLSHS AGM Oct 29th at 12:00 pm (at 2004 - Third Ave).
Question - is there enough qualified ECE's locally for this daycare to
hire? Also, comments - I think this would be the highest paid ECE position
starting wage within the City! Answer - yes, some ECE's are not working after
other local daycare closures.
Jon Jackson (Red Cross) - 2017 Wildfires: recovery efforts are still
underway (including Housing repair and reconstruction efforts addressing those
who sustained damage and need to rebuild with links and supports to other organizations).
2018 Wildfires: current assistance for early recovery. Team is in Dease Lake at
this time (then travelling to near the Yukon Border). More than early recovery was requested - under
current review.
Ashlee Hyde (United Way) - Grant cheques sent out last week. Local Love
is this year's campaign slogan. Video will be shared. Community Wellness teams
are still out in the community (assessing gaps in services). Brand new project
(partnership with WorkBC) - Fire mitigation job creation partnership -
currently 4 participants being trained in fire smarting people's homes for
seniors and people with low mobility. Package being developed. Signed an MOU
with SD 27 & Interior Health to deliver program called "Cook it, Try
it, Like it" - teaches kids to cook and try new foods (with request to
bring it to Williams Lake). RCMP & Interior Health discussions taking place
to bring back "positive ticketing". United Way purchased a poverty
reduction simulation kit - can be taken to places for people to learn what it
is like to live in poverty.
Pratyush Dhawan (Red Cross) - Four community partnerships program (3 in
BC - 2017 BC Wildfires, 2018 BC Wildfires, and 2018 BC Floods). For 2017 funding
is now shifting towards long term projects (for 2019 - and beyond with lots of
mental health supports, safety and wellbeing, and aboriginal partnerships).
Still looking to fill gaps. Red Cross has an increased capacity nationally now.
New program guidelines with workplans etc. Updated list of projects online -
approx 100 partnerships currently. Still working in our area - no deadlines yet
and more support for longer term projects. Questions - contact Pratyush
directly (or via other methods of contacting the Red Cross). New deadlines for
2018 - end of April next year (gave more time as requested/ broader window of
time now).
Bruce Mack - looking forward to Summit in Feb (See Anne's updates)
Anne
Burrill (Changemaker Consulting) - As part of the THRIVE Williams Lake project,
the Adaptive Leadership Training workshop is taking place Oct 29 - 30th - this is an experiential and hands on
workshop. Housing First moved to CMHA (formerly out of Fraser Basin Council
office). Low caseload at this time (due to higher current rent supplements and
lack of available housing).
MOTION to adjourn meeting was made at 1:04 pm, was seconded, all in
favour, motion CARRIED.
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