This October marked the 17th Community Living Month in British Columbia. This annual celebration recognized the contributions and accomplishments of people with developmental disabilities across our province. We’re happy to report that it was an eventful month with great celebrations taking place in communities across the province.
Thank you to everyone involved in coordinating and promoting the many great community events, which included dances, barbecues, award ceremonies and photo contests, for your ongoing dedication to the vision of good lives in welcoming communities! Check out the links below to see some highlights from the month.
Community Living Month Highlights
Community Living Month was launched with a government announcement, an op ed in the Vancouver Sun by Minister Michelle Stilwell and CLBC Board Chair Tom Christensen, and a message from CLBC CEO Seonag Macrae, in addition to announcements by other groups.
During Community Living Month we shared posts on CLBC’s Facebook and Twitter pages by using the hashtag #clmonth2015 and asked others to do the same. You can click the links below to see a roundup of many of the great social media posts:
#clmonth2015 on Twitter
#clmonth2015 on Facebook
This Community Living Month, CLBC also marked our 10th anniversary. To mark this occasion and to wrap up the month, CLBC staff, along with many guests for the community, listened to a special presentation by Al Condeluci on the importance of social capital. You can click here to see some photos from the event, and visit the links below to see many of other great stories, and photos from Community Living Month 2015:
- Photo gallery from the 16th Annual Edenvale Self Advocate Leadership Retreat
- PosAbilities hosts largest inclusion art show and sale to date
- Artist launches career through community inclusion – Video story published in the Vancouver Sun
- Brent Butt makes mentoring dream come true
- Saanich recognized for diverse workforce – published in the Saanich News
- Saanich demonstrates support for Community Living Month
- Conference brings self advocates together to learn and connect (including a photo gallery from the event)
- Victoria comedy class challenges conventions – published in the Times Colonist
- Art showcase in Newton gives new opportunities – published in the Surrey News Leader
- Athletes with developmental disabilities stick with it – published in the Surrey News Leader
- Play on! Story on annual Surrey ball hockey tournament
- Celebrating Port Alberni Association for Community Living – published in the Alberni Valley News
- Stewart sets sights on Paralymic dreams – published in the Maple Ridge News
- Minister Stilwell meets gold medal para-athlete
- Harvest Wishes Dinner and Dance in Salmon Arm (photo gallery)
- Surrey cemetery department honoured for inclusion after hiring West Bosma – published in the Surrey Now
- Reach honoured as an inclusive employer – published in the Delta Optimist
- Music therapy changing behaviours of those with special needs – published in the Victoria News
- Inclusive employers honoured – published in the Peace Arch News
- WOW! a chance to nominate B.C. inclusion champions
- Ministers visit Woodvan residents
- WorkLink program looks past so-called disabilities – published in the Goldstream Gazette
- Richmond Centre for Disability celebrates three decades
- Prince George Asks What Does Inclusion Mean to You?
- Six Comox Valley residents receive Welcoming Communities awards
- Communitas celebrates Community Living Month with Block Party – published in the Campbell River Mirror
- Kindale Community Living Month Dance in Vernon (photo gallery)
- Kindale Autumn Celebrations in Armstrong: Photo Gallery One, Two, Three and Four
- We all have a role to play in creating welcoming communities – published in the Asian Pacific Post
- Pathways Abilities on hand for Kelowna human inclusion chain
- Kelowna Proclaims Community Living Month – published in the Kelowna Now
- VIDEO – Human chain formed around Kelowna City Hall to celebrate inclusion – video captured by Castanet News
- Event honours employers – published in the Langley Times
- Diversifying Campbell River’s workplaces – published in the Campbell River Mirror
- Association of Community Living hands out awards – published in the Alaska Highway News
Proclamations
The Province of B.C. along with many municipalities and districts officially proclaimed October 2015 as Community Living Month. Click the links below to read the proclamations we received: