Community Updates – January 25, 2013

Community Updates – January 25, 2013

1) Next Social Planning Council meeting is this Monday the 28th

Monday Jan 28th is our next SPC meeting at the Glass Slippers Boutique (second floor above Haines Office World / across the street from the Hobbit House) from 11:30 am – 1pm (lunch will be provided – donations appreciated). This is a Community Collaboration meeting and our focus is just that… what does it mean to collaborate? Come to the meeting and find out (agenda is attached).


2) Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex Free Events


Free Skate – Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club on Saturday Feb 2 from 1 – 2:30 pm


Free Skate – Sponsored by Oliver & Co. on Sunday Feb 17th from 2:45 pm – 4:15 pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank.


*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. For more info please contact the Cariboo Recreation Memorial Complex at 250-398-7665


3) Housing Needs and Demand Study released


Williams Lake City Council recently 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. The Cariboo Lodge Task Force will be using the study to inform their recommendations with regard to Cariboo Lodge. The report is available on the city web page.


The City would like to thank the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia for funding to assist in completing the study.


4) Communities that Care - Positive Action Word of the Week.


Good Morning,


Positive Action – The underlying philosophy of the Positive Action program is that positive thoughts lead to positive actions which leads us to feel good about ourselves which leads to positive thoughts, positive actions, positive feelings, and the circle grows stronger and stronger as we practice and use it.

Last week, our Word of the Week was “Thoughts” - Ideas that Result from Thinking. Our job is to come up with positive thoughts and help the children and youth we work and live with to develop these skills as well.


This week, the Word of the Week is “Actions” – What you do or cause to happen. Our positive thoughts will naturally translate into positive actions, and so we will do or cause GOOD things to happen. And then we’ll feel good about ourselves (and think more positive thoughts, do more positive actions, and so on, and so on, and so on!)


Have a great week,
Carla

For more info contact Carla Bullinger at comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca

5) Human Services Information night - Wed Feb 6th at 7 pm at TRU


“I am sending out a reminder of the event we have planned for Wed Feb 6 at 7:00 pm. This is an evening for individuals to explore educational options to prepare for working in the field of Human Services as well as the kind of work and volunteer opportunities available both in our community and as a career path.


The evening will involve a panel presentation of former students, persons working in Human & Social Service and local employers who will speak about the field, educational and personal requirements and what opportunities there are for entry level work and volunteering.


The event is aimed both at individuals who are considering working the field as well as people who have started working in Human Services and want to explore additional educational options.


If your agency would like to participate, we are asking you bring some information about your agency and the opportunities you have for work and volunteering. After the panel presentation, we will invite participants to meet with agencies for a Q& A.


Please confirm that you are able to attend so that we ensure you have a space for a display. Call me (250 392-8164) if you have any additional questions.”


Cheers,
Jay Goddard


6) Available Web conferences: a) Helping Schools, and b) Reducing Stigmata around Child & Youth Mental Health.

a) Webinar Helping Schools - February 27, 2013

Using Student Inquiry to Rethink Approaches to Teaching and Learning About the Use of Drugs in a Complex World


Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm


This webinar will include a short update on the latest evidence related to school-based efforts to promote health, address problematic substance use and foster resilience in our young people. The session will feature School District 68's (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) efforts to create a culture of inquiry in approaches to teaching and learning, which help young people thrive and survive in today's world where drug use is common. There will also be time for questions and discussion.


More information is available at http://www.carbc.ca/Portals/0/PropertyAgent/818/Files/293/130227webinar.pdf>


b) Webinar- Jan 29-Reducing Stigma around Child and Youth Mental Health


The webinar will take place on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (EST).


To register, see "CDPAC/PHAC Best Practices: Child & Youth Mental Health" at www.chnet-works.ca.


Reducing stigma around child and youth mental health is the focus of a webinar co-hosted by the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) Canadian Best Practices Initiative.

http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/mental_health_notes_story.asp?cID=1773681


7) Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society’s reminders


a) Culture Project Grants for Williams Lake and CRD Areas D, E, and F


Project grants are available for non-profit organizations or community groups in Williams Lake and the Central Cariboo (CRD Areas D, E, and F) to support and develop arts and culture within this region. Grants are not available to organizations outside this area unless partnered with another local organization and delivering a project within the Central Cariboo. The funding for these grants is courtesy of the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District (Central Cariboo Arts & Culture function), and is subject to the availability of funds.


The 2013 Grants program is now accepting Project Grant applications with a deadline of February 8, 2013 at 4pm. Application forms may be downloaded http://centralcaribooarts.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4bec4e96608908765cb86b0a0&id=63c32fd071&e=8493b15ded


Awards will be made by the Cariboo Regional District on the recommendation of the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, subject to the availability of funds.

Project Grants of between $300 and $2,000 are available for projects which: 1) Are new or build creatively on previous work, 2) Are likely to increase participation in arts & culture, 3) Take place within the Central Cariboo region (Williams Lake and/or CRD Areas D, E, and F) and 4) Will be completed before the end of the year applying for.


For further information on this program, contact CCACS Coordinator Leah Selk at:

Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society
90 Fourth Avenue North, Williams Lake, BC V2G 2C6
Telephone: 778-412-9044
Email: info@centralcaribooarts.com


b) Reminder - Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition


The Beetle Action Coalitions in BC, including CCBAC, has received funding from the provincial government to help mitigate the impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle. CCBAC is actively funding projects to positively impact its Cariboo Chilcotin communities as well as seeking more project applications. Information is available on the CCBAC website (http://www.c-cbac.com/funding-guidelines.html?with an ongoing deadline.


c) Art is Your Business

The Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society has enthusiastically partnered with Island Mountain Arts to present the Art is Your Business Conference in Williams Lake! The conference which had been originally scheduled for October 12-14th has been postponed to May 3-5, 2013. Visit http://www.imarts.com/artschool for more details.


d) Inter-Action: Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Funding

The Inter-Action Events stream provides funding, normally in the form of grants, to community-based events that foster intercultural or interfaith understanding, civic memory and pride or respect for core democratic values. The primary intention is to create concrete opportunities for interaction among cultural and faith communities. Event Applications will be considered year-round. More information is available on the Inter-Action website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/funding/index.asp?


8) Access Williams Lake Online Community Resource Database

Looking for help or resources? Visit www.accesswilliamslake.org to search by name, category, or to print a copy. Remember to also add or update your projects and organizations to this community database.