March/April 2009 Community Links Bulletin

COMMUNITY LINKS BULLETIN
March to April 2009

Dear Friends,

It’s been just a little over a month since Parliament reconvened and it’s been a very busy time with the federal budget, and the need to focus attention to alleviate Canadians’ plight during the current economic recession.

I am very concerned that the federal budget does not protect our society’s most vulnerable people. The budget includes $60 billion in corporate tax cuts yet only $1.15 billion for the unemployed, for Employment Insurance changes. Harper failed to reform Employment Insurance by freezing payments, maintaining the two-week waiting period and not improving the already too-strict eligibility requirements. The budget also contains no mention of childcare spaces and maintains the attack on women’s ability to pursue pay equity complaints through the courts.

None of that, though, will stop me and many women from celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th. I will be remembering and celebrating women’s progress and profound contributions to family, community and society as a whole. Our scientific, economic, political and social achievements are becoming more recognized around the world, and we continue to work hard, make a difference and to get the recognition we deserve. Let’s keep up the ongoing struggle for women’s equality!

I wish you and your family and friends all the very best of Spring!

Sincerely,

Libby

The next deadline for submission to the Community Links Bulletin is Friday, March 27 for the May / June 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 ˜

 To April 3: Free Tax Help
Volunteer tax preparation clinic offers services to low-income seniors, students, employed individuals, families on social assistance and new immigrants. Tax clinic operates at Tenth Church, 11 West 10th Avenue (at Ontario). Tax clinic opens Saturdays only at 1 to 5 pm. For appointments or details, please call 604-876-2181.

 March 1 to April 15: Keep Vancouver Spectacular registration
Keep Vancouver Spectacular is an annual city-wide volunteer litter cleanup campaign that runs in May. The clean up team provides the volunteers; the City provides tools, equipment and free pickup of litter bags collected by the volunteers. For more information or to register, contact Steve Drake at 604-871-6544.

 March 2 to May 8: Income Tax Clinic by 411 Seniors Centre
The 411 Seniors Centre offers a free tax clinic for low income seniors (55 years of age and up) and people with disabilities of all ages who earn up to $25,000 a year or $30,000 for a couple. For more information, contact the Client and Counselling Services Coordinator at 604-684-8171 or by email at: gschiller@411seniors.bc.ca.

 March 8: DOXA's Documentary Film Series presents RiP: A remix manifesto
Sunday, March 8, from 7 pm at the Vancity Theatre - RiP breaks new ground with its edgy exploration of copyright laws’ effect on the future of art and our daily activities in a world where watching YouTube and downloading music is the norm. Tickets are $10 and available at www.doxafestival.ca, Videomatica, or DOXA office. For more information, call 604-646-3200 or visit www.doxafestival.ca.

 March 14: NEPP Workshop #1: Personal Emergency Preparedness
Saturday, March 14, from 9:30 am to 11 am, at the Trout Lake Community Centre (3350 Victoria Drive). Emergencies and disasters can happen with little or no warning. Being prepared could save your life or the lives of others and significantly improve your quality of living in the aftermath. For more information, contact 604-257-6955.

 March 17: CAVE Hiring Fair
CAVE Employment Resource Centre presents a Hiring Fair on March 17, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Firefighters Club (6515 Bonsor St., near Metrotown SkyTrain Station). Local and national employers will be accepting resumes for current and future job opportunities. They will also be highlighting career opportunities within their organizations. Representatives will be on-site to discuss their company's employment requirements and training programs. Contact: Tim Blake / Phone: 604-438-3045 / Email: tim@cave-employmnet.com. Web: www.cave-employment.com.

 March 21: Downtown Eastside Smudge Ceremony
To mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, join in prayer to honour women as sacred life-givers, clan mothers and leaders of the communities. The ceremony is conducted by 40 ceremonial elders and spiritual advisors along with the sacred races from around the world. For further information or to view last year’s ceremony, visit www.wavaw.ca.

 March 23: Something to eat, a place to sleep & someone who gives a damn
Monday March 23, 2009, from 7 pm to 9 pm at Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St., Alice MacKay Room - A screening of Les Merson and Ken Villeneuve's documentary film on homelessness in metro Vancouver, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker and experts on homelessness. A photographic exhibition on homelessness will be held in conjunction with this event from March 16-30 in the Moat at Central Library. Free admission but seating is limited. For more information, contact the Community Relations Office at 604-331-4044.

 March 25: Health & Wellness Fair
Wednesday March 25, from 10 am to 3 pm, at the Renfrew Park Community Centre (2929 East 22nd Avenue). Renfrew Park Community Centre, Collingwood Neighbourhood House and Adrian Dix, MLA Office invite you to the 3rd annual older adults Health and Wellness Fair. Enjoy a free lunch and various information booths on health issues such as pain management, diabetes and heart disease. Pre-registration required. FREE. For more information, contact Cheryl Palidda at 604-257-8388 or email cheryl.palidda@vancouver.ca.

 April 2: Sustainability 2.0
Thursday April 2, from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy Avenue) - The Strathcona BIA presents its 2nd annual Sustainability Expo for small businesses. Learn how to profit by going green and building community through collaboration. A free event featuring speakers, green ideas that work and inspiring conversations! Pre-registration required at 604-258-2720 or admin_strathconabia@telus.net.

 April 23: Celebrating Patrick McDonald
Come join Green Thumb Theatre in celebrating Patrick McDonald’s 20th anniversary with the company as Artistic Director. The celebration will be held on April 23 at the Heritage Hall. For event details, visit www.greenthumb.bc.ca or call 604-254-4055.

COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT SERVICES ˜

 Aboriginal Head Start
Aboriginal Head Start programs are free for Aboriginal children between 3 to 5years of age. There are 2 sites accepting registrations and all AHS site programs are based on a holistic approach to early childhood experiences which emphasize the needs of the child within the family, school and community through the following six components: Culture; Education; Health Promotion; Nutrition; Social Support Programming; and Parent Involvement. For more information, please call Julie at 604-253-3354.

 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 & Litter Sister program and the Study Buddy program. You can help by telling your friends and family about Big Sisters, referring a girl or becoming a volunteer! For more information, please visit www.bigsisters.bc.ca or call 604-873-4525.

 Canada Small Business Financing Program
The Canada Small Business Financing Program helps you with your financing needs. Under the program, the Government of Canada makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing risks with lenders. The program’s main objectives are: to help small businesses get started and established firms make improvements and expand; to improve access to loans that would not otherwise be available to small businesses; and to stimulate economic growth and create jobs for Canadians. For more information, visit strategis.gc.ca/csbfa or call toll-free 1-866-959-1699 or email csbfa-lfpec@ic.gc.ca.

 Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
If you have a complaint or feel you have been treated unfairly by a collection agency, you should contact the head of the collection agency, the agency’s ombudsman, the financial institution where you borrowed money, or your provincial regulator. The FCAC can help you determine whom to contact. The agency also informs Canadians of their rights and responsibilities when dealing with financial institutions and makes sure that banks and federally regulated trust, loan and insurance companies respect the laws and agreements that protect consumers. To reach the FCAC, call toll-free 1-866-914-6097 or visit www.fcac.gc.ca.
™
 More Than a Roof
More Than a Roof is a housing provider, advocate and resource group for people affected by low incomes and housing needs. They seek to bring assistance, hope and meaning to these people's lives through the provision of secure affordable housing. Office: Suite 100 - 1515 Charles St. Vancouver, BC, V5L 2T2. Phone: 604-215-4648 Fax: 604-215-4678.
Email: morethanaroof@telus.net. Web: www.morethanaroof.org/people/index.html

 Neighbourhood Law Clinic
The Neighbourhood Law Clinic presents Access Justice, a non-profit agency that provides volunteer lawyers who give FREE legal advice to those who cannot afford it. There are also different kinds of ‘legal clinics’ on different days, covering all areas of law. For more information or to make an appointment, call 604-878-7400.

 Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS)
PICS administers a federally-funded Wage Subsidy Program that serves individuals who are unemployed, legally entitled to work in Canada and meet program requirements. The program connects employees to employers in a wide array of industries for paid-on-the-job full time (minimum 30 hours per week) work experience. The program also subsidizes employers a portion of wages for hiring eligible individuals who are ready and willing to work. For more information on PICS Wage Subsidy Program, please contact 604-324-7733.

 Vancouver East Employment Resource Centre - Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Our Employment Resource Centre offers free information, counselling, and referral service 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 for Women is a 13-week Bridging Employment Program for women on employment assistance and dealing with violence or abuse issues; provides classes and workshops on: self management, career exploration, job search, educational upgrading (GED), basic computer skills, and certification for First Aid, SuperHost, Food Safe and Serving It Right.
newSTART: 1691 East Pender Street, Vancouver, 604-215-4344

newCHAPTER and newCHAPTER2 Community Employment Resource 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$ ˜

 Arts Partners in Creative Development (APCD)
Deadline: April 2, 2009
Arts Partners in Creative Development supports B.C. organizations in creating and developing original works in the performing and studio (visual, media and literary) arts. Eligible arts and cultural organizations can apply for up to 90% of a proposed project’s development and/or commissioning costs, to a maximum of $300,000. The next letter of intent deadline for the APCD program is April 2, 2009. For more information, visit: www.artspartners.ca.

 Celebration Grant Program
Deadline: March 9, 2009
Celebration Grants are for community-based festivals, cultural celebrations and large-scale parades, in recognition of the entertainment they offer and their contribution to a sense of community among Vancouver residents of diverse cultures, ages, and interests. Arts organizations are eligible only if they are not already receiving cultural grants. This is the only deadline in 2009. Web: http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/oca/grants/celebgrant.htm.

 Government of Canada - Multiculturalism Program
Under the Multiculturalism Program, the Government of Canada provides funding assistance in the form of grants and contributions for eligible projects that: address an issue related to one or more of the program objectives or the program priorities; use social development approaches to achieve measurable results; involve the broad community (community-based, neighbourhood-based and/or coalitions that are inclusive); focus on action and measurable results leading to sustainable and lasting changes to address community issues; involve partnerships, such as other federal departments; provincial, territorial and municipal levels of governments; public institutions; collaboration with the private or the voluntary sector, etc. Applications can be submitted throughout the fiscal year. For more information on funding guidelines, visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/multi/pgm/guide/101-eng.asp.

 Hbc Foundation
The Hbc Foundation is a leading charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians through programs that reflect our distinct Canadian values in these three key areas: Building healthy families; Creating strong communities; and Inspiring Canadians. Contact info: Hbc Foundation, 401 Bay Street, Suite 1410, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2Y4 (C/C Community Investment Coordinator). Phone: (416) 861-4863 E-mail to: hbcfoundation@hbc.com
Web: http://www.hbc.com/hbc/socialresponsibility/foundation/procedure/

 The Keg Spirit Foundation
The Keg Spirit Foundation will consider funding for both new and established projects based on the following criteria: the organization must hold, in good standing, a current charity registration number; the project must relate to children or youth in some way; the project must have relevancy to the past and the future of the community; and the project must be a fundamental part of the community. Grants are expected to be in the $5,000 range. For more information on how to apply, visit http://en.kegsteakhouse.com/kegspirit/grant.

 The Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation
Deadline: March 15, 2009
The Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation provides funding to stimulate and invigorate non–profit organizations in the cultural and creative arts and the social services who serve communities throughout British Columbia and the Yukon. The deadline for the one-year grant in the Fine and Performing Arts is March 15. Should the deadline date fall on a weekend, the deadline will be moved to the Monday immediately following. For more information, visit http://www.koernerfoundation.ca/.

 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.

 Metropolis at Metrotown
Registered nonprofit organizations can now apply for cash donations made possible by the Metropolis Express, a trackless train that runs through the corridors of Metropolis. The Metropolis Express is funded by Metropolis at Metrotown and rides are offered by donation to charity. To be eligible, organizations must be located in the Burnaby, New Westminster, or the East Vancouver area, and should be a grassroots program. For more information, and to submit an application, visit: metropolis.shopping.ca.

 The Minerva Foundation
Deadline: March 31, 2009
The Minerva Foundation provides grant funds to existing non-profit community organizations providing services intended to support programs that deal with issues of safety for women and girls. Prevention of violence against women, street safety and development of life skills are of special interest. For more information on funding and application process, visit http://www.theminervafoundation.com/grants/criteria.html.

 Neighbourhood Matching Fund
Spring deadline: April 15, 2009
The Arts and Culture office of the Vancouver Park Board is now accepting applications for the Neighbourhood Matching Fund. The Neighbourhood Matching Fund supports projects by neighbourhood-based groups, including community centre associations, who wish to make creative improvements to local public land. For more information, contact Anna Nobile at
604-257-8479 or visit www.vancouver.ca/parks/arts/nmf.

 Staples Business Depot - Community@Work Program
Staples Business Depot's new Community@Work Program supports organizations and initiatives that focus on education, environment and entrepreneurship. The program will focus charitable efforts in these areas: Entrepreneurship; Education; and Environment. To request a donation, complete an online request form at http://www.staplesinthecommunity.ca/donation/Default.aspx. Applications will be responded to in 30 days.
™
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. A Little Manual of Restorative Justice. Public Safety Canada

2. Branching Out. The Story of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Royal Canadian Legion

3. Calgary Papers. In Military and Strategic Studies. Centre for Military and Strategic Studies (2008)

4. Canada. Enroute to Prosperity. Volker Thomsen (2004)

5. Enter at your Own Risk. Canadian Youth and the Labour Market. Richard Marquardt

6. From Immigration to Integration. The Canadian Jewish Experience: A Millennium Edition. Ruth Klein and Frank Dimant (2001)

7. Goodbye Canada. Paul Hellyer (2001)

8. Let my People Go! The true story of present-day persecution and slavery. Cal R. Bombay (1998)

9. MAI: The Multilateral Agreement on Investment and the Threat to Canadian Sovereignty. Tony Clarke and Maude Barlow (1997)

10. Missing Sarah. A Vancouver woman remembers her vanished sister. Maggie de Vries

11. Murals from a Great Canadian Train. Ian Thom (1986)

12. My Journey with Jake. A memoir of parenting and disability. Miriam Edelson (2001)

13. New Pioneers – Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs

14. Social Security. More not less. Robert Eisner (1998)

15. Style Manual. Amnesty International (1998)

16. The security of freedom. Essays on Canada’s anti-terrorism bill. Ronald Daniels, Patrick Macklem and Kent Roach (2001)

17. The University of Manitoba. An Illustrated History. JM Bumsted (2001)

18. Tortured People. The Politics of Colonization. Howard Adams (1999)