Dear friends,
Parliament is now recessed for the summer and I’m sure glad to be back in East Van after a long session. The economy and the recession dominated the NDP’s work – holding the Conservative government to account for failing to help Canadians in these tough economic times. I was happy to see my Housing Bill C-304, for a National Housing Strategy, go through its first hour of debate in Parliament with strong support. The second hour of debate on the Bill will happen in September. I encourage you to support it by visiting http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=61565311521.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy summer and hope you will take the time to enjoy the activities in our community such as block parties, the East Van Farmers Market, Chinatown Night Market, the Powell Street Festival, and the PNE. There are also many great summer camps and activities for youth.
I encourage you to attend our Food Security Forum on July 9, and our 3rd annual MacLean Park Family Barbeque on July 12 (details inside).
Enjoy the summer!
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The next deadline for submission to the Community Links Bulletin is Friday, July 24 for the September / October 2009 edition. Listings must be under 40 words and include event, date and time, location, sponsoring agency and contact name and number. Information can be emailed to daviel1@parl.gc.ca, faxed to 604-775-5811 or mailed postage-free to 2412 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E2. Disclaimer: Information in the Community Links Bulletin is subject to change without notice. Please check with the contacts provided to ensure accuracy.
EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
Saturday July 4 – Sunrise Summer Kick-Off Celebrate Hastings
Time: 10 am – 3 pm; Location: 2500 block Franklin Street Community Parking Lot
Sunrise Summer Kick-Off Celebrate Hastings is a community celebration and a way for the businesses to thank the community for their support over the years. The celebration will include a safety fair, children’s interactive entertainment, RBC Olympians and hockey players from the Giants Hockey Team. The event is free. For more information, contact Hastings North BIA at 604-215-2401 or email hastingsnorthbia@telus.net.
Friday July 17 to Saturday July 18 – First Nations Cultural Community Celebration
Time: from 11 am; Location: Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre (1607 East Hastings)
First Nations Cultural Community Celebration event is a two-day celebration that will take place at the Aboriginal Friendship Centre. The public will get to enjoy a variety of First Nations performances, cultural displays and food, and speakers from Olympic and Paralympic athletes. For more information, contact Vancouver Venture for Diversity Society at 604-788-0042 or email to pdudoward@yahoo.com.
Saturday July 18 – Arctic Sizzle: Summer Youth and Family Day
Time: 11 am – 3 pm; Location: Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House (2131 Renfrew Street)
Summer Youth and Family Day is a free event to introduce the sports of the Winter Olympics through summer adaptations of traditional winter sports. Demonstrations will include street hockey in lieu of ice hockey, rollerblading as figure skating, and skateboarding instead of snowboarding. All children participating will receive prizes and participation awards. To add carnival flair to the event, there will be arts and crafts tents (flag making), winter foods (snow cones), entertainment, and carnival games and face painting. For more information, contact Jennie at 604-251-1225 or email to jennie@froghollow.bc.ca.
Friday July 31 to Sunday August 9 – The 2009 World Police & Fire Games
Biannual International Games featuring 12,000 competitors from over 70 countries competing in 67 sports at over 40 venues. The Games will be supported by over 3,000 volunteers. For more information, visit www.2009wpfg.ca.
Wednesday July 22 – The Farm Team Puppet Show
Time: 11 am; Location: Vancouver Public Library – Strathcona Branch (592 E. Pender Street)
Friday July 31 – The Farm Team Puppet Show
Time: 10:30 am; Location: Vancouver Public Library – Hastings Branch (2674 Hastings Street)
He shoots he scores! Packed with plenty of action and laughs, the Library’s Renaissance Puppetry Troupe returns with another fun show based on Linda Bailey’s The Farm Team. For kids aged 4-9 years.
Saturday August 1 to Monday August 3 – Dog Days
Time: To Be Advised; Location: Russian Hall (600 Campbell, at Keefer)
Dog Days Carnival is a free event at Ray-Cam Community Centre which provides unique opportunities for children and youth to participate in creative and cultural performances. A group of professional actors, designers, and musicians will work in collaboration with children aged 8-12 from the surrounding community to create outdoor cultural events. For more information, contact Adriana Bucz of Leaky Heaven Performance Society at 604-488-0003 or by email to leakyheaven@gmail.com.
Sunday August 2 – Vancouver Pride Day
Vancouver’s annual Gay Pride Festival Week, as well as Parade draws 500,000 spectators. For more information about Pride Festival Week and the annual Pride Parade and Day, visit www.vancouverpride.ca.
Wednesday August 12 – Build A Business Information Session
Time: 3 pm – 5 pm; Location: EMBERS (209-124 East Pender Street)
EMBERS is hosting an information session for community members interested in becoming self-employed. Attend the session to find out how the affordable Build A Business entrepreneurship training course can assist you with market research, financial management, operations planning and marketing. For more information, contact EMBERS (Eastside Movement for Business and Economics Renewal Society) at 604-692-0781 or by email to embers@dtes.ca.
Sunday August 16 – Latin Summer Fest
Time: 11 am – 7 pm; Location: Trout Lake / John Hendry Park
Celebrate the 9th annual Latin Summer Fest at Trout Lake. Come out and enjoy the market, music, food fair, kids and more. For more information, visit Latinos in Action Vancouver’s website at www.latinsummerfest.com or contact the coordinator at 604-533-4380 or by email to info@latinsummerfest.com.
COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT SERVICES
ARA Mental Health Action Research and Advocacy Association
ARA Mental Health offers advocacy services for mental health consumers living in the Greater Vancouver area. Advocacy or intervention includes: locating resources, accessing food, health and safety issues, medical/dental, substance abuse, child apprehension, appeals and tribunals, safe and affordable housing, legal referrals, counselling and one-on-one support. Hours are 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and a drop-in safe space with accessible computers is offered to mental health consumers. Address #423-119 West Pender Street, Vancouver. Phone 604-689-7938
Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland
Big Sisters of BC helps vulnerable girls in our community by providing them with female mentors and friends who understand the unique challenges they face growing up female. Big Sisters strives to provide these girls (ages 7 – 17) with a “champion” – a mentor who is there to listen to them, cheer them on, and tell them they can do it through the Big & Little Sister program and the Study Buddy program. For more information, please visit www.bigsisters.bc.ca or contact 604-873-4525.
East Van Food Bank just for Families
Date / Time: Thursdays, 10:30 am to 12 pm; Location: 2650 Slocan St. (Broadway and 12th). For more information or to make a food or cash donation, please contact 604-254-2489.
KidStart: Volunteer Mentoring Opportunities
KidStart is a volunteer mentoring program that supports children and youth between the ages of 6 and 18 years. Volunteer mentors develop supportive relationships with individuals by engaging them in community, cultural, recreational, sport, and artistic activities. For more information about the program and volunteering, contact KidStart at 604-375-KIDS, or visit www.kidstart.ca.
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada
The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada launched a new website for students with learning disabilities. The site is fully accessible and offers support such as Browse Aloud, which features a real person reading the contents of each webpage. Developed by young people themselves coping with learning disabilities, the site is geared toward youth and focuses on completing high school, getting to and succeeding in a post secondary environment, and successfully transitioning into a career path after completing their degree. For more information, visit: www.youth2youth.ca.
MOSAIC – Workplace Connection Program
Put your professional experience, resources and compassion to good use. Join MOSAIC’s program and help a skilled immigrant to accelerate their job search. As a volunteer you give a few hours each week to introduce your newcomer to professional resources, chat about your industry in Canada, and workplace culture. When and where you meet is flexible. All interested professionals are welcome, including healthcare workers, engineers, and business and human resource professionals. Training and support offered. For more information, contact Astarte Sands at 604-254-9626 ext 483 or email mentors@mosaicbc.com.
Vancouver East Employment Resource Centre – Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Our Employment Resource Centre offers free information, counselling, and referral services for employment and career options, education and training opportunities, community resources, and job search tools to those who are unemployed or under-employed (working less than 20 hours a week) and legally entitled to work in Canada. Address: #300 – 1638 East Broadway, Vancouver. Phone: 604-434-0367, press 4. Web: www.fsgv.ca/programpages/employmentskillenhancement/
VEEES Community Service
newSTART Bridging Employment Program
newSTART Bridging Employment Program for Women offers an individualized 6-month program for any woman dealing with violence and abuse issues, whether she is currently on income assistance or not. Program components include counselling, employment-related skills workshops, a work experience placement, educational assistance and certification for First Aid and SuperHost. newSTART now provides continuous intake.
newSTART 1691 East Pender Street, Vancouver, 604-215-4344
newCHAPTER and newCHAPTER2 Community Employment Resource Centres
The centres offer free services to all job seekers, providing internet access, fax, phone, photocopying, one-on-one resume and job search assistance, and Service Canada Case Management services, including: development of Return to Work Action Plans and assistance with and submission of SDEB (skills training financial assistance) applications.
newCHAPTER 2106 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, 604-254-3353
newCHAPTER2 835 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, 604-215-2295
FUNDING $OURCE$ / AWARD$
Benjamin Moore – Support for community and heritage groups
Thirty-three community agencies across Canada are receiving grants and Benjamin Moore paint as part of the Benjamin Moore Community Restoration Program, a partnership between Benjamin Moore and Community Foundations of Canada. This year, the program is awarding $75,000 in grants and more than $14,000 in paint to community groups. The application process for the 2010 Benjamin Moore Community Restoration Program will begin in October 2009. For more information on how to apply, visit: www.cfc-fcc.ca.
Canadian Wildlife Foundation
Deadline: September 1
The Canadian Wildlife Foundation (CWF) is now accepting funding applications for conservation and educational programs related to wildlife and research. The CWF distributes funding to registered charitable nonprofit organizations for wildlife and habitat conservation initiatives. Priority is given to Canadian-based programs and research. For more information, visit www.cwf-fcf.org.
Canon Canada – Nurture Nature Award
Deadline: September 1
Canon Canada announced the launch of the 2009 Canon Canada Nurture Nature Awards. The Nurture Nature Awards is an environmental program that encourages Canadians to help protect or improve the natural habitat of an endangered or threatened species in their community. Individuals can submit a proposal consisting of a short video and a brief written plan on how they intend to impact a threatened habitat in their area. For information, visit www.canon.ca.
City of Vancouver – Transit Shelter Advertising
Deadlines: July 24 & August 21
The City of Vancouver’s Transit Shelter Advertising Program offers free access to transit shelter advertising space to not for profit arts, culture and community service organizations based in the City of Vancouver. The intent of the program is to provide opportunities for the organizations to
promote events and services in Vancouver that are open to the public. For more information, visit http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/oca/grants/transitad/index.htm.
Community Investment Grants
Community Investment Grants supports non-profit organizations in their efforts to help families achieve economic success. The grant will focus on projects that help low-income individuals and families, new Canadians and youth, and that clearly support one or more of the focus areas: Youth leadership; Economic revitalization; and Access and inclusion. Grants can be used for project that support or provide services for individuals, families, and communities; and organizational development. For more information, visit https://www.coastcapitalsavings.com or email to communityinvestment.fund@coastcapitalsavings.com.
EcoAction Community Funding Program Deadline: November 1
EcoAction encourages project submissions that will protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future. Projects require matching funds or in-kind support from other sponsors. EcoAction supports projects that address the following themes: Climate Change; Clean Water; Nature; and Clean Air. Non-profit groups are eligible to apply to the program. For more information, visit http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction/what_is_e.html.
Face The World Foundation Deadline: September 30
Face The World Foundation is dedicated to helping Vancouver’s less fortunate. We look to alleviate the pain caused by hunger, sickness, homelessness, mental illness and drug, alcohol and physical abuse. For more information about funding criteria and eligibility, please visit http://www.facetheworldfoundation.com/recipients.htm.
Margaret Mitchell Fund for Women
The Margaret Mitchell Fund supports programs and initiatives that promote economic and social justice for women in Vancouver East. Priority will be given to projects that alleviate poverty, promote equality and help women to gain confidence and power. For more information about the Margaret Mitchell Fund, please contact the VanCity Community Foundation at 604-877-7241.
Neighbourhood Matching Fund
Deadline: October 31
The Neighbourhood Matching Fund supports projects by neighbourhood-based groups who want to make creative improvements to local public land. It supports projects which actively involve people in developing community and building neighbourhood connections while improving parks or other public spaces. The Vancouver Park Board will supply funds up to $10,000 to match the contribution the community makes through funds raised, supplies donated or volunteer labour. For more information, please visit: http://vancouver.ca/parks/arts/nmf/index.htm.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation – funding for environmental projects
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) is a national organization with a grassroots focus that supports local environmental projects and works with people who want to protect and preserve the environment in their own backyard. Canadian nonprofits, municipal governments, and educational institutions can apply online for funding that typically ranges from several hundred to several thousands of dollars, depending on the scope and size of the project. TD FEF supports a wide range of projects including: Wildlife rehabilitation; Education programs for children; Environmental cleanups; Tree planting campaigns; Conservation and recycling initiatives; and Urban renewal. Applications are accepted year-round but should be submitted well in advance of the project start date, as TD FEF does not provide retroactive funding. For more information, including full eligibility requirements, visit: www.fef.td.com.
GOVERNMENT & OTHER REPORTS … RECEIVED RECENTLY and only ONE copy. Availability is on a first come first served basis. To obtain it, please contact my office at 604-775 5800
1. Achieving 2050: A Carbon Pricing Policy for Canada – National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy
2. Atlas of Child Development (BC). By Paul Kershaw et al.
3. Bullies and Denial Kill. Let Us Teach Our Children Not To Be Abusive While We Teach Them To Survive. By Elaine J. Barbeau
4. The Colour of Justice. Policing Race in Canada. By David M. Tanovich.
5. Conversations with Champions of Medicare. By Ann Silversides.
6. Current Housing Research: Social, Economic and Technical Research. CMHC – Summer 2008 and Winter 2008-2009.
7. The Federal Disabilities Report: Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities. Government of Canada (2008)
8. Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan. By the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan.
9. Lock Me Up or Let Me Go. By Betty Krawczyk.
10. Making a Bad Situation Worse: An Analysis of the Text of the Canada-Columbia Free Trade Agreement.
11. No Laughing Matter. By Margaret Mitchell.
12. Rolling in the Grass Roots. By Les Benjamin with John Warren.
13. The Sweetest Embrace: Return to Afghanistan. National Film Board of Canada DVD.
14. Three Wishes. Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak. By Deborah Ellis.
15. Tiger Dreams (novel). By Almeda Glenn Miller.
16. Treading Water (novel). By Anne DeGrace.
17. The Unpaid Second Man…A Salute to the Wives and Widows of the Now Retired Members of the RCMP. By A. Harold Clark.
18. Vital Communities, Vital Support: How well do Canada’s communities support parents of young children? Phase 1 Report: What is known – Invest in Kids 2008.