As Inclusion BC noted in its statement following the BC 2018/19 budget announcement this week, BC\’s latest budget included important new initiatives to make British Columbia more affordable, but there was a clear lack of support towards better lives and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, many of whom live in dire poverty.

BC’s new NDP government announced key changes that were widely welcomed after taking office in 2017, including a $100/month increase in Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefit rates, which had been frozen for a decade. A new $52 transportation supplement for PWD recipients, announced last fall, was also referenced in today’s budget. However, it was disappointing that a key pillar of the 2018 provincial budget, housing affordability, ignored the dire straits facing 100,000 British Columbians with disabilities who face monumental challenges trying to find safe housing with the maximum $375 housing allowance included in PWD monthly benefits.

Inclusion BC went on to note that people with disabilities belong in our province and have an equal right to income security. What is needed is a plan to raise PWD rates to a level that provides for a decent and respectful quality of life for people with disabilities, and to provide future security by indexing rates to inflation. Inclusion BC also expressed grave concern about the budget for Community Living BC (CLBC), where very modest annual increases continue to lag projected caseload growth of 5-6% annually.

BC Budget 2018 included several modest initiatives that offer welcome relief for people with disabilities and their families. Inclusion BC applauded the commitment to end waitlists for the Supported Child Development and Aboriginal Supported Child Development Programs, which fund supports that allow children with special needs to access childcare.

Community Ventures Society (CVS) agrees with the comments expressed by Inclusion BC. In late 2017, CVS voiced its concerns over the insufficient CLBC funding to the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. The reality is that people are on waitlists or have been given insufficient service hours for their loved ones. Unfortunately, the BC Budget 2018 did not address this ongoing issue.

CVS will continue to voice its concern to the Government of BC and hopes that in future BC budgets, the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities will be more adequately addressed.

Our Shared Living team recently said goodbye to one its members, Joshua Cullen, who is pursuing a career with the RCMP and is in basic training in Regina.

We\’d like to formally welcome Amrita Dhoot who has joined the Shared Living team as our new Assistant Manager. Amrita comes to us from Delta House where she supervised two individual programs. Prior to joining CVS, Amrita earned a degree in Sports medicine with a minor in Psychology from Vancouver Island University. She also has years of experience working with children and adults who have autism, developmental delays and other behavioural challenges. Amrita loves being active in the community, hiking, reading and travelling in her spare time. She has backpacked over 20 countries and of those countries, her most memorable moment was when she hiked to Everest Basecamp.

Amrita is excited to join the Shared Living team. She will be training alongside Colin Wood and Helen Stovell for the next few months before taking on a caseload of her own. Please join us in welcoming Amrita as the newest member of the Shared Living team.

We wanted to let you know about an exciting program that the City of Coquitlam has launched called, Get Connected, Get Active – Financial Assistance for Recreation. This program seeks to provide Coquitlam residents who are working through financial barriers to participate in recreation programs at Coquitlam\’s pools, ice rinks and community centres.

If you qualify, individuals can choose between Option A or B for each qualifying applicant –

Option A –

• 50 free drop-in admissions per year OR
• 2 free registered programs per year OR
• 4 half price registered programs per year

OR

Option B –

• ONE PASS year-long membership for $10 per person (includes unlimited drop-in admissions) PLUS
• 2 free registered programs per year OR
• 4 half price registered programs per year

This is a wonderful program for Coquitlam residents to take advantage of. Not only does it support individuals across the community to get involved in recreational activities, it helps those in need. This is a great way to encourage an inclusive community, regardless of financial situation.

Baby food manufacturer Gerber recently announced its newest Gerber baby – one-year old Lucas Warren from Dalton, Georgia.

Lucas won the hearts of the judges and was chosen out of more than 140,000 submissions. Lucas is the first child with Down Syndrome to be given the title since the contest began 90 years ago.

Lucas will be Gerber\’s \’spokesbaby\’ and will receive $50,000 which his family plans to use for education. The boy\’s image will be featured in the company\’s social media posts.

Well earned Lucas – you are a real cutie!

It\’s been an exciting few weeks for our folks in PoCo and the DisDaBomb bath bomb team. This past week, we were excited to team up with Save-on-Foods in New Westminster to create some Valentine\’s-inspired bath bombs to raise funds for BC Children\’s Hospital.

These special heart-shaped bath bombs are in some of our new vibrant colours and smell amazing. All proceeds go to support the BC Children\’s Hospital Foundation, helping us make a difference in our community.

So, if you are stopping by the Save-on-Foods at 1025 Columbia Street in New Westminster or in the area, don\’t forget to pick up a bath bomb in support of BC Children\’s Hospital.

If you want to treat that special someone to a Valentine\’s Day gift that will make them feel and smell great, DisDaBomb is the perfect gift. If you are interested in buying some of our bath bombs – we sell boxes and single bath bombs – please pop into the PoCo office (Unit #1120 – 1368 Kingsway Ave) or email your order to [email protected].

Happy Valentine\’s Day everyone! 

Can you believe it\’s been over a month since Christmas? Time is flying. As we begin 2018, we have been reflecting on the joy our 2017 Christmas Hampers brought their lucky recipients.

Children\’s Services had another successful Christmas Hamper Campaign. In addition to presents and gift cards being donated, we raised $1,110.00.  We also added an additional family who we learned had an extremely tough year.

Through your generosity, four families had a fantastic Christmas full of food, gifts and fun. Here are a few photos to show you how big-heartened our community was for their special Christmas Hampers.

Thank you once again to all who donated & we can\’t wait to help more families when we start organizing for our 2018 Christmas Hamper Campaign later in the year.