| Dear B.C. Self Advocacy Community and Supporters,
A warm hello from Community Living BC!
In this message, you will find the following important updates:
- October is Community Inclusion Month
- CLBC Welcome Workshops launched across the province
- Councils help find and share welcoming places in their communities
- RDSP Awareness Month: Spread the word
- Share your story in Celebrate Diverse Abilities magazine
- New stories on SelfAdvocateNet.com
October is Community Inclusion Month
- The government has changed the name of October’s Community Living Month to be called Community Inclusion Month.
- This is the 20th year that we are recognizing the contributions of people with diverse abilities in our communities in October.
- Events are being held throughout October. Check out the Community Inclusion Month webpage here and the online Events Calendar here to learn more.
New CLBC Welcome Workshops launched across the province
- People new to CLBC can now register for CLBC Welcome Workshops.
- This series of 4 workshops is presented by a self advocate, family member and CLBC facilitator.
- Workshops include activities to learn about CLBC, as well as other supports and community connections that can help in adult life. Learn more about the workshops here.
- Contact our local CLBC office to register. You can find your nearest office by using the office locator feature on www.communitylivingbc.ca here or by calling 1-877-660-2522.
Councils help find and share welcoming places in their communities
- CLBC’s Vancouver Community Council and Thompson Cariboo Community Council have partnered with their local libraries to host community mapping workshops.
- Community mapping asks people about where they feel welcome, connected and included in their community.
- The information gathered at these mapping events will be displayed in their area library as a resource for other people.
- To learn more about mapping events that may be happening in your community, please contact CLBC’s Self Advocate Advisor at Jessica.Humphrey@gov.bc.ca
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Awareness Month: Spread the word
- October is also RDSP Awareness Month.
- An RDSP is a way for people with diverse abilities to save money for their future. You don’t have to have any money to start an RDSP because the government can put money in for you.
- You can get help to open an RDSP right away from organizations like the Plan Institute (www.rdsp.com), Disability Alliance BC, and BCANDS, which has RDSP Navigators to provide support for people in the Indigenous community.
- Learn more and find stories on the RDSP page on CLBC’s website here.
Share your story in Celebrate Diverse Abilities Magazine
- CLBC’s Celebrate Diverse Abilities magazine is published every summer and winter.
- The Editorial Board of self advocates decides on the theme and stories for each edition.
- For the winter edition, the theme is Empowering People with Diverse Abilities – Stories of Inclusion and Equality.
- If you, or anyone you know, has a story to share about this theme, please send the story (and any photos) to Jessica.Humphrey@gov.bc.ca.
- Stories and photos will be accepted until November 14.
New stories on SelfAdvocateNet.com
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We hope you are having a wonderful Community Inclusion Month so far, and look forward to keeping you updated on CLBC news and projects in the coming months.
Sincerely,
Seonag Macrae
CEO, Community Living BC
Jessica Humphrey
Self Advocate Advisor, Community Living BC |
