BECOMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Winter Edition | March 2, 2020
Upcoming Events
March 8 - Daylight Savings
March 10 - SABF Meeting
March 16 - CI Day at the Raptors Centre
March 19 - Spring Equinox

Winter Wonderland
We would like to thank and acknowledge all BeConnected staff, managers, contractors, and administration who made it safely to work in order to provide our individuals with the supports they need.
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BECONNECTED SPOTLIGHT
BeSocial Club Takes Over Vancouver
A group of more than 30 individuals took a trip to the mainland in January to watch the Vancouver Canucks take on the St Louis Blues!
TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019
Each year we count down the top 10 moments, events, and happenings at BeConnected. Here is our list for 2019!

  1. Re-imagining Committees - BeConnected revamped multiple committees.
  2. My Community 4 - The 4th My Community Conference for self-advocates was held in March and attended by approximately 90 people!
  3. One Day 10 Year Anniversary - 2019 marked the 10 year anniversary of One Day. We marked the occasion with limited edition t-shirts and a free BBQ!
  4. Employee and Service Provider Appreciation Gala - In November we held our annual appreciation gala. 30 employees and contractors were recognised with years of service awards ranging from 5 to 20 years.
  5. Wellness Month - BeConnected held its first wellness month in November. To celebrate we held 5 different learning opportunities as well as the gala.
  6. BeConnected Art - 2019 was a big year for art! Along with our annual art show at the Spiral Cafe, BeConnected held Art Therapy for our Community Inclusion programs as well as Craft Night in the evenings.
  7. BeSocial - Our BeSocial group took TWO trips to Vancouver last year. One to see the Vancouver Canucks and another to see the BC Lions.
  8. Social Media - We kept in touch with individuals, families, personnel, and the community through social media.
  9. At Capacity - BeConnected is at capacity - we welcomed 22 people into the BeConnected family this year!
  10. SANGO Presentation at Inclusion BC - The annual Inclusion BC conference was held in Victoria this year. We supported SABF to present the history of their self-advocacy game, SANGO, and lead a group session for over 50 people!
RECENT EVENTS
Ice Festival Skate
BeConnected celebrated the holiday season with our second annual winter skate held on Christmas Eve.

Thank you to the Parkside Day Program for providing delicious treats and goody bags!
LATEST NEWS
New CEO of CLBC
CLBC has announced Ross Chilton as their new CEO.

Ross is a long-time leader in British Columbia's community living sector with a track record of advancing inclusion in social service agencies.

Include Me Surveys
CLBC's project Include Me! A Quality of Life Focus is making it's way to Vancouver Island.

The survey will be completed with all individuals by self-advocates and ask questions such as:
  • How do you feel about your quality of life?
  • Where are you experiencing positive outcomes?
  • How could the supports and services offered help to make things better?
Changes to the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Ac
On January 1, 2020, a number of changes to the Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act took effect.

Some of these changes include:
  • Ending the requirement for people on PWD to pursue Canada Pension Plan retirement benefits before the age of 65.
  • Removing the limit to the number of security deposits for Ministry clients.
  • Introducing a repayable pet damage deposit with the same requirements as a security deposit.
  • Changing the definition of spouse so that people can live together for 12 consecutive months (instead of 3) before being considered spouses
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Spring Food Drive
Each spring BeConnected holds its annual food drive at a time when donations to food banks drop significantly.

BeConnected will being its collection of non-perishable foods in early March.

Stay tuned for more information!
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Woebot App
Woebot is an automated conversational chatbot who helps monitor mood and learn about yourself by drawing from a therapeutic framework known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Developed by psychologists Woebot brings a DIY approach to CBT by asking how you're feeling and what is going on in your life. It talks to you about your mental health and wellness and sends videos and tools depending on your mood and needs at that moment.

Woebot is currently free to use and available on your app store. Find more information about Woebot on their website .
BECONNECTED SUPPORT SERVICES
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