December 21, 2011
BACI Parent Information and Support E-Newsletter, December 21st, 2011
Dear parents and family members,
I would like to wish everyone a peaceful and happy holiday time. The next few weeks are an opportunity to reconnect with family members and enjoy some holiday cheer. Soon you will have to get your new calendars out and think about future planning for your loved one with a disability. BACI and our Community Living partners are hosting a series of great educational opportunities this winter and spring and we are looking forward to seeing you there!
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BACI EVENTS:
BACI Music Appreciation: Next Music on Mondays is Monday January 9th, 6 PM, 7724 Royal Oak. Please see THE FLYER for general information.
BACI Chinese Parent Support Group: Next meeting will be January 14th, 2012 6:30 PM, 7716 Royal Oak. Please see THE FLYER for general information and contact John Tsang for information on the speaker.
BACI Self-Advocacy Group: Learn more about self-advocacy,safety, rights, healthy
Relationships and become leaders in your own Community.
WHEN: Monday January 23, 2012, 10:30 AM – NOON
WHERE: BACI Still Creek Centre, Board Room
Please see THE FLYERfor more information.
Sibling Jam: A full day art-based workshop hosted by the Family Support Institute and BACI.
WHEN: Sunday, January 29th, 2012
WHERE: BACI Still Creek, 2701 Norland Avenue, Burnaby
COST: Free! Lunch will be provided.
REGISTRATION: Please see THE FLYER for more information or contact Valerie Irving at:
604-540-8374 ext.521 or email: virving@fsibc.com
Financial Planning for today, tomorrow and into the future: A full-day, comprehensive look at how families can use sound financial management to lower taxes, increase returns and protect benefits for their adult family member with disabilities. Our speaker’s list includes Jack Styan: RDSP Resource Centre , Ken Kramer: KMK Law Corporation and Don McMillan: TFCP Financial Corporation Hold the date on your calendar now!
WHEN: Saturday, February 11th, 2012, 9:30 AM – 3 PM
WHERE: BACI Still Creek, 2701 Norland Avenue, Burnaby
COST: Free! Lunch will be provided.
RSVP to hosts: familyservices@gobaci.com or mnelson@posAbilities.ca
Families Promoting Employment First & familyWorks: How can families play an active role in preparing, planning and pursuing employment for their family member with a disability? How can families use ideas and tools to profile, promote and support their sons and daughters towards employment?
WHEN: March 3rd, 2012, 9:30am – 4:00pm (Lunch will be provided)
WHERE: BACI Still Creek Centre, 2702 Norland Avenue, Burnaby
RSVP: February 24th, 2012 to Valerie Irving (604-540-8374 ext. 521) or email: virving@fsibc.com
BACI BLAST features new stories on BACI events and programs. Visit THE BLAST for these and more articles about the good things happening around BACI. The folks at AXIOM news would like to hear from families. If you have an achievement that you’re proud of, or a staff member you’d like to recognize, this is your chance! Please read THE LETTER for more information.
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Events and items of interest for Burnaby/New West:
Couples Strengthening Workshop Series: Today about one in two marriages will end in divorce. For couples with children having special needs, the odds of separation and divorce are dramatically greater. Strong, healthy families are the best possible resource and support to our children with special needs. Please see THE FLYER.
WHEN: January 9th – February 6th 2012, 7 PM – 9 PM
WHERE: Langley, BC
Please contact Hayley Nimmo for more details: fitnetwork@live.ca
Searching for Home: a national forum on policy, practices and innovations in
building and sustaining real homes for people with intellectual disabilities.
WHEN: Thursday January 26th and Friday January 27th 2012
WHERE: Coast Plaza Hotel, 1763 Comox St, Vancouver, BC
COST: $150 includes continental breakfast, coffee and lunch. Scholarships are available for family members, please contact kdelong@bcacl.org for application.
Please see THE FLYER for details or visit the WEBSITE.
Leisure Saturdays: For young adults with a developmental disability.
WHEN: Saturdays, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, starting February 4th 2012
WHERE: South Central Youth Centre, 6749 Nelson Avenue, Burnaby
Please see THE FLYER or Burnaby Parks and Recreation LEISURE GUIDEfor more information on how to register and other adapted leisure programs for youth and adults with developmental disabilities.
Kelty Mental Health Pinwheel Series: A monthly series of speakers on topics of interest to parents who have children with mental health concerns. Please see THE FLYER for more information and visit the Kelty WEBSITE. The website features many resources for parents and professionals including short hints on topics like dealing with holiday stress.
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Links of Interest:
Kathy Snow: Meaningful Gift Giving.
Burnaby Village Museum: Heritage Christmas runs until Jan 1st this year.
Things-to-do for the holidays: YoYoMama’s Holiday Happenings is a great resource for family activities. It covers the whole lower mainland and includes everything from craft fairs and Santa breakfasts to holiday trains.
FSI Kindling Connections: Family Support Institute’s December 2011 newsletter.
The Disability Benefits Navigator: Try out this new on-line tool from the RDSP Resource Centre, then leave some feedback on how it can be improved – or maybe it is perfect the way it is! You can find The Navigator here: http://www.abilitytax.ca/navigator/home.html
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Open invitation to family bloggers: BACI Family Services would like to invite everyone who has a family member with extra support needs to contribute to our family blog. Do you know someone special who has made a difference in your child’s life? Do you have a pet peeve? Have you always wanted a forum to talk about your sibling’s future? We would love to hear from you. Email Carol Stinson at family.services@gobaci.com or use the contact us link on the blogsite.
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For all events mentioned in this newsletter you can also see the CALENDAR at the BACI blogsite.
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BACI Family Information and Support contacts:
Sarah Baumbush: 778.319.8252
Carol Stinson: 604.763.5667
John Tsang: 604.928.8289
BACI Family Information and Support
Family Gathering Place
7716 Royal Oak Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5J 4K4
fax: 604.439.0363
web: www.gobaci.com
