Community Living Month takes flight
Vancouver Community Council member Yuko McCulloch, son Charlie (right) and friend Fraser (left) at Burrard Station in Vancouver.
Early on the morning of October 6, 2010, CLBC staff, Community Council and family members, self-advocates and special guests held events in four communities across BC to celebrate Community Living Month and promote CLBC’s public awareness initiative ‘Start with Hi’. Participants handed out Globe and Mail newspapers and Start with Hi stickers and bracelets at busy locations in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Abbotsford.
The events were organized as part of CLBC’s public education partnership with the Globe and Mail to increase awareness about the importance of inclusion and building safe, welcoming communities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The events were a great success with plenty of Start with Hi stickers, bracelets and papers handed out in each community. VIPs, including representatives from the local Fire and Police Departments, City Councillors and Mayors were on hand to show their support of CLBC and help spread the message “Start with Hi…and see what happens”.
In addition to these events, a number of municipalities across BC proclaimed October as Community Living Month.
The Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (centre), joins Rod Sutton, Penny Soderena (back row), Lynn McCormack and Ruth Stanton (front row) to celebrate the proclamation of Community Living Month by the city of Prince George.
The proclamations, which were signed by Mayors in Victoria, Fort St. John, Quesnel, Kelowna, Vancouver, Prince George, Courtenay, Comox, Dawson Creek and Campbell River, declare:
“Community Living Month celebrates the achievements of people with developmental disabilities, including independent living, workplace accomplishments and community and social participation. Community Living Month also recognizes the hard work of individuals, families and community members to create inclusive communities and opportunities for all British Columbians with developmental disabilities.”
These communities and others have also met with CLBC staff, self-advocates and Community Council members over the last year to talk about how we can work together to build more inclusive communities, and create more opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
To learn more about these events and see more photos, please visit:
