Community Updates – November 23, 2012

Community Updates – November 23, 2012
1) Social Planning Council Monthly Meeting – Monday Nov 26/12
The next SPC monthly meeting is this Monday at 11:30 am at the City of Williams Lake. The agenda is attached and we hope to see you there.
2) United Way Youth Initiative Grants - in partnership with TELUS and Interior Savings - are available to individuals or groups of youth ages 25 and under. The key criteria for all grants is that they are YOUTH-led and partnered with a registered charitable organization.
There is two weeks left to apply for up to $1,500 in funding for a local community volunteer project! You can find the application and a (very) helpful information sheet available online at our website (http://www.unitedwaytnc.ca/all-that-kids-can-be/youth-engagement/youth-initiative-grants/)
Grant applications can have many different themes: recreation, arts and culture, poverty, bullying and self-esteem, environmentalism, life skills, etc!
The deadline to apply is next Friday, November 30 at 12:00pm. Applications will be reviewed in December and January. Winning recipients are announced at the end of January and cheques are sent out in early February. Recipients then have until December 31, 2013 to spend their funds and complete their project.
If you have any questions or need some help, please let me know!
Thank you,

Amy Berard
Youth Engagement/ Campus Liaison
youth@unitedwaytnc.ca

3) Thompson Rivers University’s Faculty of Social, Human and Educational Development – Williams Lake Campus

We'd like to invite you to an inquiry into the possibility of a part time offering of the Community & School Support (CSS) program.

The CSS program, this program incorporates 10 courses that provide a foundation of skills, knowledge and values for individuals who work supporting people with disabilities in the community and in schools. We have offered this program approximately every 3 - 4 years since 2002. Graduates have experienced success in finding employment or have used this program to ladder to our diploma and then to a BSW degree.

Our school district now requires this program (or an equivalent) to be hired as a teaching assistant for district schools. This program helps agencies meet the accreditation requirements of a number of community agencies as well as providing a solid professional foundation for people who provide support for children and adults living with disabilities.
Our hope in offering the program on a part time basis is that it will allow people to work and learn at the same time. We are seeking input from the community and relevant agencies with regard to what might work for current employees as well as issues like placement and availability of jobs.

The meeting will be held Thursday December 6th from 10-11:30 in Room 1303 at the University. Feel free to pass this on to anyone you feel would be interested in attending.
RSVP to jgoddard@tru.ca or call 250 392-8164 for more information
4) Williams Lake Employment Services (WLES) – Open House Dec 12/12
Dec 12 – 10 - 4 pm at 281 First Avenue N. - Job seekers, Service Providers and Employers Welcome.

Highlights include:

WorkBC Program Information,

Local Opportunities and postings

Featured Industries and Guest Speakers,

Networking and Labour Market Insights

Explore new Training Opportiunities
Call WLES at 250-398-5133 or email inquiries@hortonventures.com for more information.
Horton Ventures Inc. operates as Williams Lake Employment Services and is a WorkBC Employment Services Centre, providing full services and programs to job seekers and employers. They offer individualized service with experienced Case Managers, a staffed resources areas, regular resume workshops and assistance, specialized programs such as Skills Training, Self Employment, Wage Subsidy and Apprentice information and support. We also post free job listings for local area employers. Visit www.hortonventures.com for more information.
5) Communities that Care’s Positive Action Program’s WORD of the WEEK is:
Challenge - A task that calls for special effort
For more information contact Carla Bullinger, Facilitator, Communities that Care in Williams Lake, BC, email: comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca or cell: 250-267-8249
6) Earth Friendly Holiday Event at Scout Island Nature Centre (SINC)
Friday Nov 30th 5 -8 pm, and Saturday 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. This event is brought to you by a collection of groups including the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, SINC, WL Field Naturalists, WL Environmental Society, WL Food Policy Council and Cariboo Growers.
7) Made in the Cariboo Craft Sale: Sat, Nov 24 10 am – 3 pm

The Williams Lake Visitor Centre 3rd Annual Made in the Cariboo Craft Sale. Please Contact the Williams Lake Visitor Centre 250-392-5025 for more information.
8) Medieval Market - Nov 24 & 25th from 10 am – 4 pm at Columneetza Secondary School

Please join us at the Medieval Market for a weekend of fine crafts, good music, local gourmet foods, and old and new friends. November 24 and 25, 10 - 4pm
Entertainment features local musicians Oren Barter, Pharis Romero and Marin Patenaude, Youth Fiddlers, Carmen and Dena, Jenny’s Jam, Quintet Plus, Christine Constabel and Sherri Taylor, GADZukes, Steve Hunter, and Willow. And back by popular demand is Magical Jesaja.
9) City Council Highlights – Nov 20/12
Purple Ribbon Campaign:

Irene Willsie of the Violence Prevention Committee spoke to Council about the Purple Ribbon campaign, to increase awareness of domestic violence. Ribbons will be available in local stores in the coming days. The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is Dec. 6.
Speed Reader Board Placement:

Council endorsed the placement of speed reader boards in the areas of Third Avenue & Comer Street and Foster Way, and directed staff to consult with the residents of both neighbourhood regarding specific locations for each unit. Recently City Council has received two written complaints accompanied by petitions regarding excessive speeds on 3rd Avenue between Proctor Street and Comer Street and on Foster Way. These two locations would be ideal to install the reader boards as they will provide Council with important data and will determine if speeding is a concern in these areas.
Housing Needs and Demand Study:

Council received the completed Housing Needs and Demand Study for information. The City contracted with City Spaces Consulting in early 2012 to complete a Housing Need and Demand study to assist the Cariboo Lodge Site Redevelopment Task Force. The report has been received and reviewed by the Task Force. As described throughout this needs analysis, low-income singles (working singles and those living on fixed incomes, including seniors), individuals with special needs, and aboriginal households of all ages face the greatest challenges in finding and maintaining housing that is affordable, adequate and suitable. For some low income individuals, particularly those that have complex health and substance issues, finding and keeping any form of permanent housing is especially challenging. The study found that Williams Lake has many caring and compassionate individuals, organizations and faith-based groups, and a number of existing housing providers. Future partnerships and collaborations, together with the support of the City and BC Housing, will be required to comprehensively address current and emerging housing needs.
10) Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex Events
Nov 24 - Skate with Santa* from 1:00-2:30pm (Regular drop in rates apply)

Dec 16 - Surplus Herby’s is sponsoring a Free Skate from 2:45-4:15pm
*All free events are advertised under the FREE events tab on the www.activewilliamslake.ca website. Feel free to print off posters to display throughout town.
11) National Film Board Fall Screenings (all FREE screenings are in the CRDL Williams Lake Branch program room (Suite A, 180 N. Third Ave - Call 250-392-3630 for details or email cderksen@cariboord.bc.ca)
Film – Boxing Girls of Kabul - Wednesday December 16th, 7:00pm

Boxing Girls of Kabul: A group of young Afghan women strive to become world-class boxers, training without the benefit of even the most basic facilities at the national stadium, where only recently women were executed by the Taliban. The Boxing Girls of Kabul reveals a compelling journey of both personal and political transformation, and illustrates the power of fighting for what you believe in.