BC People First The Connector Newsletter August 27,2020

August 27, 2020

In this newsletter:

President’s Message
Video: BC People First Matters
We’re In This Together Tuesdays
Youth Leadership Committee
Monthly Prize Draw: #FoodForThoughtFridays
Self-Advocacy Skills 101 – Tip #3
Blogpost: Representation in Media
BCPF Recommends!

President’s Message

Hello BC People First Members, Volunteers, Community Partners, and Supporters!

We have learned a lot over these last few months, haven’t we? Some things have been challenging but we have also found strength along the way.

Thank you everyone for all you have done to keep yourselves and your communities safe and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thanks for keeping a safe distance away from others whenever possible and thanks for wearing a mask if you can when distancing is not possible – it does really help and our social sacrifices are working to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. British Columbia is doing a really good job thanks to the efforts of residents who are doing their part.

We have heard from many people about the hardships being faced right now, people are suffering in long-term care facilities and many people have been badly affected by the rising cost of living throughout the pandemic. It is hard right now, we know and we understand. Our Vice-President, David Sherritt, recently spoke at the 2021 Finance Committee Budget Consultation about the concerns of our Members and why PWD rates must be increased. We’ve been meeting with BCPF Members across the province virtually since April and are making your worries a priority in our advocacy work.

I will be attending the COVID-19 Disability Stakeholder call with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction on September 17th and I would love to hear from our BCPF Members about the questions you have for them. If you have a question or concern I can pass on for you please reply to this email by Sunday night (August 30th) with your question.

A reminder to all, we have self-advocacy resources available for our Members.

Please make sure your BCPF Membership form is up to date with your correct email address to be sure you have access to our members-only page and other resources for BCPF Members. Find all the Membership information and the enrollment form on our website HERE. You can send in the paper form by mail or fill out the online form if you like.

Let us know if you have any questions or need help with the form.

Stay safe everyone!

Sincerely,
Jo-Anne Gauthier, President of BC People First

BC People First…It Matters

We’re In This Together Tuesdays

You’re invited! Back by popular demand from BCPF Members and friends.

Join us for virtual video meetings on Tuesday evenings starting September 8th, 2020 until December.

These meetings are a place for BCPF Members, Self-Advocates, BCPF Supporters, and our friends from across BC to discuss issues that matter to us.

Join us on Zoom to connect, learn with us, share stories or concerns, and ask questions!

Please register by clicking HERE. You can attend just one meeting or attend every week. Tuesday evenings 7PM to 8PM starting September 8th.

We hope you can make it to a few! Find all the details at www.bcpeoplefirst.com/tuesdays.

Youth Leadership Committee

Are you a BCPF Member between 16 to 29 years old? Do you want to learn more about self-advocacy and work on special advocacy projects for the rights of young adults with disabilities? Do you want to help shape the future of advocacy in BC? Join our BCPF Youth Leadership Committee!

We are searching for at least 2 more people to join the team. Want to get involved? Please let us know if you’d like to join the team before our next committee meeting on Thursday, September 24th. Find more information on our website HERE or reply to this email with any questions.

Food For Thought Fridays Prize Draw

Checkout the BC People First Facebook and Instagram pages every Friday around lunchtime for our #FoodForThoughtFridays post.

Comment on our original post directly on our page every week to be entered into a monthly prize draw for the rest of this year.

Prize Contest Rules & Details

Ensure you are following @BCPeople First on Facebook and/or Instagram
Comment on our original #FoodForThoughtFridays post on one of our pages (not a shared post on another page)
Comments must answer the weekly “Food For Thought” question to be eligible for a prize draw entry
Comments must be posted on our original posts by the last day of each month to be entered into the monthly prize draw
There will be a prize draw in September, October, November, and December 2020 and you can get one entry into the draw each week
Each month we will draw for 3 prize winners (prizes are $25 Save On Foods or London Drugs gift cards)
Facebook and Instagram are not associated with this contest, it is put on by us at BC People First
Must be a BC resident to win, prizes will only be mailed out to addresses in British Columbia

Here’s an example post:

Self-Advocacy Skills – BCPF Tip #3

BCPF Blog: Representation Matters

Representation matters. We hear this all the time and it really is true. Representation matters! But what does this mean?

It means that everyone deserves to feel like they belong in our society. It means there should be vast diversity among people in positions of power and authority.

It means the popular media we use to tell and share stories should represent everyone, not just a few.

Read our latest BCPF blog post to find out more about why representation matters so much to us and why we’re optimistic about the future of media. Find it on our website HERE.

BCPF Recommends!

Follow the Self-Advocate Leadership Network (SALN) on Facebook and for more information checkout the SALN website at www.salnbc.com.

SALN is a network of self-advocate leaders in the province of BC and the group’s mission is to promote a good life through positive and informed: actions, networking, and advocacy.

Telus is connecting Canadians in need by offering internet for $10 a month to people with low incomes. Find all the details HERE.

Keep learning and stay active while practicing physical distancing throughout this pandemic. Find free interesting and fun courses from places like Semiahmoo House Society’s online campus, Kudoz online experiences, and Co Make Do.

Good times have been linked to community outbreaks of COVID-19 in BC. People who haven’t been socializing safely have spread the virus to friends, families, and strangers.

Let’s help stop the spread by following Dr. Bonnie Henry’s Good Times Guide.

CLBC WOW Award nominations close on Monday, August 31st at 5PM. Nominate someone helping people to stay connected and safe for a special COVID edition WOW Award. Find all the details and the nomination form HERE.

The Access RDSP partnership program (Plan Institute, Disability Alliance BC, and BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society) can provide free one-to-one support to guide people through the process of applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Find all the details and contact information HERE.