Big Thank You!

We would like to sincerely thank all individuals supported, personnel, family members and other stakeholders who contributed to such a positive survey outcome, and we look forward to what the future holds for BeConnected.

CARF Updates

Please see attached the accreditation letter and BeConnected’s official 2021 carf survey report. These documents confirm that BeConnected has been successfully accredited for a SEVENTH time by CARF International for a period of three years. We are pleased to announce that BeConnected Support Service’s official CARF Survey Report confirms we received no recommendations. 

BeConnected’s Accreditation Letter addressed from Brian Boon, President/CEO of CARF, states that this accomplishment is achieved on only 3 percent of CARF Surveys – and 2021 was BeConnected’s THIRD no-recommendations survey result!

2021 CARF Accreditation Letter - Letter of CARF Standard Approval from Surveyors

2021 CARF Survey Report - Detailed report of the survey

#40 Accreditation Bulletin - Letter

#39 Accreditation Bulletin- Letter

Vaccination Updates and Demographics

The details regarding Covid-19 are rapidly evolving and as a result, information may be subject to change. We respectfully ask that we are patient and kind with each other while we navigate this complex time together – we are all here for the best interests of the individuals we serve, and to support their quality of life in community, as well as providing a healthy and safe home/work environment for residents and personnel alike.

We still ask that employees wear their masks when indoors, this includes BSS homes and vehicles at all times

Some meetings will take place virtually while some committees have returned to in-person gatherings

As per BSS’s Vaccination Policy, updated on September 7^th, all employees are requested to report their vaccination status to BeConnected Management.

COVID-19 Vaccination Collection Q&A

BeConnected’s Outbreak Response Team is meeting on Monday September 20^th for a refresher

BC Vaccine Card

What you'll need:

• Date of birth 
• Personal Health Number (PHN)
• Date you got dose 1 or dose 2

Health Gateway will generate your virtual BC Vaccine Card.

Then save or print you cord to present at restaurants, gyms, public events etc.

Those who can't access a computer and printer can:

• ask a friend or family member to print their vaccine card for them;
• call the province's call centre at 1-833-838-2323 to have their card printed and sent by mail;
• visit a Service B.C. location in person to have the card printed.

Set up your vaccine card here

BC Restart Plan

The Government of British Columbia recently has further reduced restrictions in their COVID-19 Restart Plan! Everyone at BeConnected is looking forward to when we can safely gather together again.

BCs Restart Plan, perhaps to add that BC’s transition to Phase 4 scheduled for September 7th was delayed due to impact the 4^th Wave of COVID-19 is having across the province.

View the stages of British Columbia's reopening plan here.

Phase 3 in BC - Getting Back to Normal

What an exciting couple of months it's been as the province reopens and we move from Phase 2 to Phase 3 . We'd like to take this chance to highlight some of the newly available amenities:

• Movie Theatres
• Outdoor Gatherings of Up To 50 People
• Marathons
• Outdoor and Indoor Team Sports
• Group Classes
• Schools

ArtAbilities Youth Class

Upcoming Movie Releases

Access 2 Entertainment

Nation Day of Truth and Reconciliation STAT

Message from www.canada.ca:

The Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation and ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten.

As you may be aware, the government recently passed legislation to make September 30th a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Like all Canadians, this day provides an opportunity for each public servant to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection or participation in a community event.

Our current collective agreements include provisions to allow for an additional designated holiday if one is proclaimed by an act of Parliament. As a result, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will become a designated paid holiday and will allow employees in the federal public service to observe and participate in this important day starting September 2021.

More Information Here

Submit Your Selfie by

Noon on September 29th

We'd like to invite you to participate in our Orange Shirt Day photo collage project. “Selfie”-type photos of chest/shoulder up of persons wearing their orange shirt, should be sent to Heidi by September 29th for inclusion in the art project. By sending Heidi said photo, a person is consenting to have their photo shared on BeConnected’s website and social media platforms. 

We wear orange on September 30^th at BeConnected to honour the survivors of residential schools and to take a moment to remember the children who never returned home, to observe the residential school experience and its impact both past and present, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

Phyllis Webstad, who attended a residential school in British Columbia in the 1970s, is credited for starting Orange Shirt Day. Phyllis was initially excited to go to school and went shopping with her granny to pick out a new outfit for school; she chose a shiny orange shirt. That shirt was taken away from her when she arrived at school and was never returned to her. On September 30th we wear an orange shirt to demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation and opening and continuing the dialogue about Canada’s residential school past. Today’s date was chosen because it was the time of year when Indigenous children were taken from their homes and sent to residential schools. The slogan for Orange Shirt Day is “Every Child Matters.”

As an act of reconciliation, BeConnected is committed to ongoing learning about colonialism and its impact on Indigenous Peoples. To learn more about Orange Shirt Day, visit orangeshirtday.org and/or victoriaorangeshirtday.com.

Please submit your Orange Shirt selfie to Heidi at [email protected] to be featured in

BeConnected's Art Project

2021 Federal Election

It’s your right to vote.

It’s your responsibility to vote.

It’s your right to choose who you feel will best represent you in Canada’s next government.



It’s your responsibility to learn about voting, about the candidates in your riding, and about the issues that are important to you and people like you.

#IAmVoting Guide

Online Voter Registration

More helpful links on our website

Your Voting Selfie

Submit your photos of yourself exercising your right to vote to be featured in BeConnected’s voting mini-art project. Please submit your selfies to Heidi at [email protected]

SABF Water Bottles

The SABF water bottles have arrived and they're looking great! Great job to all the participants of the SABF June Water Challenge

Mindful Art Therapy

With restrictions lifting this summer were able to pick back up with in-person art therapy sessions. Class was held at beautiful Mount Douglas/Beacon Hill Park on August 16th from 10:15 to 12:15. We also offered an online class so we could support those who feel more comfortable at home.

BeConnected’s Fall Art Therapy sessions will be hosted

Fridays at 1:00 pm by Video contact Kristen to register.

What to do with the art after therapy?

What makes Art Therapy such a helpful tool?

Art making and creativity can assist the journey into the mind. 

It helps to reflect our inner elements outward.

Through art making, the intangible (emotions and thoughts) becomes tangible (art objects).

It is important to remember that some thoughts, feelings, and behaviours cannot be expressed using verbal words alone.

It's purpose is to provide a nourishing outdoor artistic activity for individuals with diverse abilities.

- Vahini Govender

MC:AT, BA (Psych.), DVATI, RCC

Thanks for the lift!

Here we have Ginger and Julia modelling the new wheelchair lift for the house van at Tamarack. The lift has made outings more accessible and relieved so much anxiety around the logistics of travel.

We love to see those smiling faces!

Reunited and it Feels So Good!

We're so thankful we were able to safely gather outside while reuniting old friends, and making a few new ones!

We're Hiring!

Want a job that can make a big impact? We are hiring support workers to provide services to individuals in community and their homes. Contact [email protected]

BeConnected is also recruiting individuals and families to become Contracted Home Share Providers for the Victoria area; and Home Share Providers and 1-to-1 Community Inclusion Contractors for Duncan/Cowichan Valley region.

For more information about sharing a home with an adult with developmental disability, and other contracting opportunities, visit Contracting Opportunities with BeConnected on our website.