BC CRN E-Connector Newsletter: November 2024

November 2024

Short Days and Cozy Nights

As the days get shorter and darkness comes earlier, our South Asian neighbours celebrate Diwali, the festival of light. Our article talks about the roots of Diwali and how to join this beautiful celebration to celebrate our freedoms. November is also the time to honour the Canadians who fought for our freedom over the years. National Indigenous Veterans Day (November 8) and Remembrance Day (November 11) commemorate the men and women who served our military. But not all were treated equally when they got home. Read on to learn more.

We also revisited the subject of clutter and hoarding. It’s easy to say someone is a hoarder, but there are very distinct behaviours with each and it’s important to know which apply and how to help people deal with their homes.

Our usual stories cover the goings-on at BC CRN: educational offerings, Tech Tips and CRNs in the Community.

In this season of hot soup, warm tea and remembrance, we wish you gentle days and cozy nights.

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Introducing Gurmit Sandhu, Board Member

BC CRN recently welcomed Gurmit Sandhu to the Board of Directors at the June 2024 AGM. Gurmit brings 15 years of education and experience in supporting vulnerable adults and their families to navigate their community resources and the healthcare system. She holds a Masters of Social Work in Healthcare and is currently working as a front line Clinical Social Worker for the Fraser Health Authority. Within her current leadership role in hospital-based acute care settings, Gurmit has a deep passion for emergency risk assessment, mitigation and coordinating support and resource referrals for people in crisis.

Meet Gurmit

CRNs IN THE COMMUNITY

National Seniors Day Celebrations, Safety and Services Presentations

Our CRNs kicked off October with National Seniors Day celebrations on the streets, health fairs and seniors’ expos. Other events throughout the month included safety presentations, advanced care planning and coordinated services showcases.

TECHNOLOGY TIPS

What AI Is Used For and How It Can Help You

Like many new things, artificial intelligence (AI) might seem to have arrived without warning. It popped up on your computer and offered to help write emails or check the spelling of a note. In the second part of our series on AI, we look at some of the uses of AI and how it can help you navigate online and make browsing, shopping and other tasks faster.

Get tips

FEATURED STORIES

Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights!

Diwali or Deepavali is a portmanteau of “deep,” which means lamp or “diyas,” and “avali,” which means a row of lamps. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” In Canada, Diwali starts on October 28, 2024. The Festival of Lights is a five-day celebration known as the most popular and elaborate event of the Hindu religion. Variations of Diwali are celebrated by Sikhs, Jainists and Buddhists, the other principal Indian religions. Diwali is said to be the biggest festival in the world.

Learn more

Canada’s National Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day: Honouring a Legacy of Service and Sacrifice

Each November, Canadians pause to honour our military veterans, recognizing the immense sacrifices made by those who served in times of war and peace. While Canada’s veterans fought for freedom and equality in the world, many Indigenous Veterans returned home to find they had lost their already limited rights.

Learn more

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS, STORIES & IDEAS

We would love to hear from you! Use our new form to submit your event photos, stories, and ideas so we can share them with our BC CRN community.

SUBMIT HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

Provincial Learning Event: Older Adults Staying Safe Online

November 19, 2024 | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm PST

During November’s Provincial Learning Event, you will learn how to recognize email phishing scams and other helpful prevention tips to protect yourself online. With digital literacy being a critical component to keeping older adults safe online, you will also gain confidence by learning valuable information from outreach coordinators at Connected Canadians.

See Something, Say Something! Online Presentation

November 5, 2024 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PST

You are invited to join us for this dynamic online presentation. The See Something, Say Something! Reducing Risk for Older Adults program is designed to help identify high-risk adults, particularly those who live alone and who may be isolated. Everyone can play an important role in the community in keeping others safe, secure and independent.

Introduction to Extreme Clutter Online Presentation

December 3, 2024 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PST

Clutter is formally defined as “a large group of usually unrelated or marginally related objects piled together in a disorganized fashion in spaces designed for other purposes (e.g. tabletops, floor, hallway).” The Introduction to Extreme Clutter program is designed to help people understand what clutter, hoarding, collecting and squalor are. Not everyone who collects, lives in clutter or squalor is actually affected by the Hoarding syndrome.

We're interested in hearing from you!

We welcome your feedback, story ideas and photos for consideration in a future edition. Email us at info@bccrns.ca.

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BC CRN acknowledges the generous financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

For more on the BC CRN and our free programs, visit us at | bccrns.ca.