BECOMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Winter Edition I March 17, 2022

BeConnected acknowledges and respects the traditional and unseeded territories of the Lkwungen (Songhees), Xwsepsum (Esquimalt), WSÁNEĆ (Saanich), Hul’qumi’numon (Cowichan), and K’ómoks (Comox) Nations on which we provide our services and supports.

LATEST NEWS

CCC Presents: February Holiday BINGO


Our Self Advocates for a Brighter Future and Cultural Competency Committee participated in this year's February Holiday BINGO. We learned about many of the cultural events that occur in February.


This year's categories featured:

  • Lunar New Year
  • Valentine's Day
  • Family Day
  • Black History Month
  • Other February Holidays


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CCC Book Club


BeConnected's Cultural Competency Committee has started a book club! The first book up for discussion is Life in the City of Dirty Water, a memoir written by Clayton Thomas-Muller


About the book:

A gritty and inspiring memoir from renowned Cree environmental activist Clayton Thomas-Muller, who escaped the world of drugs and gang life to take up the warrior’s fight against the assault on Indigenous peoples’ lands—and eventually the warrior’s spirituality.


Copies of the book will be available in BeConneted's library. Contact Head Office if you would like to check out a copy!

Pink Shirt Day


Anti-Bullying Day, also known as Pink Shirt Day, is an annual event where people wear a pink-coloured shirt to stand against bullying.


As people embrace their cultures, identities, and true selves the diversity around us is becoming more visible making this year's theme so important:


"Lift Each Other Up"


Members of the BeConnected family showed their support for diversity, inclusion, and acceptance by wearing pink!

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Spring Food Drive


Spring is just around the corner which means it is time for BeConnected's Annual Spring Food Drive! BeConnected chooses the spring as a time to donate as the shelves become bare in food banks after receiving the bulk of their donations in the holiday season. Donations can be dropped off at any Program or Office location by March 31st.

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RETURN TO IN PERSON ACTIVITIES

Central Orientation


BeConnected was able to host our first in person Central Orientation sessions for new employees this month!

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SABF


SABF Duncan has started meeting in person again, in a small group at the Duncan Library, and they video in to our regular SABF meetings. 


SABF will celebrate a return to in person meetings with our Annual June BBQ in the Park and regular in person meetings starting September 2022.

Art Therapy at the Launchpad


Art therapy with Vahini returned to the launchpad for a winter session.

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Friday Music at Tamarack


In person music Fridays has returned to Tamarack house! Contact Ginger for more information if you are interested in joining!

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WHAT'S NEXT?

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BeSocial Club


The BeSocial Club is heading over to Vancouver to watch the Canucks take on the Vegas Golden Knights on April 12th.


Go Canucks Go!

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Challenger Baseball


Challenger Baseball is returning to Hampton Little League this Spring.


We still have room in our Juniors program for ages 5-15!



Register online!

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Operation Trackshoes


Operation Trackshoes is back! This year's BeConnected Trailblazers team will be competing on June 11th and 12th at the UVic stadium.


Go Trailblazers!

PERSONNEL

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New Personnel


BeConnected creates loving homes and empowering programs for persons served by recruiting and hiring only the most qualified and caring individuals.


We are excited for you to meet 19 outstanding new professionals who recently joined the BeConnected team:



Employees

Adaku M.

Alyssa C.

Billy W.

Bolude F.

Desmond A.

Elizabeth H.

Elliot T.

Fatuma A.

Gabrielle C.

George K.

Ijeoma U.

Janice S.

Kohei T.

Lina Z.

Rhys C.

Tayler B.

Valla E.

Vincent W.


Contractors:


Jen K. (Home Share)


Thank you for making us your new workplace home!

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Employee Spotlight


Meet Ola, a Home Coordinator at BeConnected’s Hedgerow House in North Saanich. Ola began his career at BeConnected in April of 2020 as a community support worker, working in both of BeConnected’s children/youth and adult programs.


Ola demonstrated skill, caring, and compassion in his frontline role and also joined BeConnected’s Workforce Development Committee. Ola proved himself to be a wonderful asset to BeConnected and was soon, in January of 2021, promoted to Home Coordinator and tasked with the job of opening a brand new home, in the middle of a global pandemic!

 

Ola provides direct support services that ensure the individuals he serves are living full and meaningful lives, to the best of their abilities. He also provides leadership and supervision of the home and its team. Ola goes above and beyond in his support of the young men who call Hedgerow House home, and in ensuring his staff are trained and are following the protocols that keep everyone healthy and safe. 

 

See what Ola has to say about making a difference:

 

"Everything you do has an influence, and you have to choose how big of an impact you want to have." So be diligent, courageous, and stay focused in all you do; this will positively create a different atmosphere in your team and the individuals you serve.

 

Ola exemplifies the essential qualities we look for at BeConnected: passion, purpose, and an excellent fit for our caring culture. 


Thank you, Ola, we are so happy to have you on our team!

Now Hiring!


Last chance to take advantage of our winter hiring initiative!

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mental Health & Wellness Bulletins


New in 2022, we aim to distribute a regular communication that addresses a key concern of current times: personal wellness. View the first two editions of our monthly bulletin below. March bulletin coming soon!

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Free Webinar - Mental Health in the Workplace


As a member of the South Island Education Committee, BeConnected is hosting a free webinar for personnel focusing on the Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace. The webinar will take place on March 28th at 9:30am.


Register Online! Registration closes March 23rd.


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COVID-19 UPDATE

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Living with COVID-19


We are pleased to share how some of the temporary COVID-19 health safety measures that BeConnected implemented are adjusting to keep pace with changing public health conditions and orders.


The easing of restrictions announced by Dr. Henry is informed by current COVID-19 provincial data and is an encouraging milestone in BC’s ongoing pandemic response.


Thank you to all BeConnected personnel, for continuing to provide essential services to persons and families supported by BeConnected – for a full two years now! (Happy Anniversary!?)


Health and safety measures that have changed or are changing:

  • BeConnected program and office locations are open to visitors
  • BeConnected committees and teams may resume in-person or hybrid meetings
  • BeConnected has commenced planning for a return to in-person social events


Health and safety measures that are NOT changing at this time:

  • Proof of vaccination continues to be required to work in BeConnected programs
  • Proof of vaccination continues to be required to visit BeConnected program locations
  • Masks must be worn in BeConnected program locations and vehicles, at all times


With the fifth wave on the decline, the Provincial Health Officer is now signaling that we are entering a new stage of pandemic response. This stage acknowledges that we will be living with COVID-19 for many years to come, and that we have the experience and tools to effectively manage through periods of high or low rates of community transmission. 


BeConnected’s Strategic Planning Committee is meeting to discuss what Living With COVID-19 will look like for us at BSS – stay tuned for details.

Kristen Kay

Director, Programs and Service Quality

BeConnected Support Services


Head Office

240-4243 Glanford Ave | Victoria, BC | V8X 2J5

Ph: 250.727.3891 | Fx: 250.721.2571 | office@beconnectedsupport.ca


Duncan Office

202-321 Festubert St | Duncan, BC | V9L 3T1

Ph: 250.748.3858 | Fx: 250.748.3859

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