Community Living BC is excited to support B.C. self advocacy groups to lead connection activities and events to help people stay resilient and strong during the coming months of the pandemic.
Congratulations to Self Advocates of the Rockies (Cranbrook), the BC Self Advocate Leadership Network (Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island), Speaking Up for Self Advocacy Awareness (Kamloops) and TALK North West – The Advocacy League of Kindness (Kitimat/Terrace).
From January to August 2021, these groups will use grant funding to hire and pay self advocates to organize and facilitate both virtual and non-virtual ways for people in the same communities and across the province to connect.
Groups are designing phone trees, activity mailouts, talent shows, conferences, online hangouts, laughter yoga, game nights and special interest activities including gaming, drama, digital literacy, rights, LGBTQ+ peer-to-peer connection, meditation, chess and more.
“These self advocate led groups will provide new opportunities to support each other in the challenging months ahead. I encourage our partners, families, and service providers to help those we serve to get involved and connect to the events and activities these leaders will be organizing,” says CLBC CEO Ross Chilton.
CLBC is grateful to Inclusion BC for supporting this project and for their invaluable help evaluating the many impressive applications submitted by the self advocate led groups.
Please join CLBC in supporting and promoting the leadership of these five groups. Events and activities will be posted on the new Calendar for Connection hosted on the Family Support Institute website.
You can also contact groups directly using the information below to find out how to participate in upcoming events and activities.
TALK – North West (The Advocacy League of Kindness) – Contact: talknorthwest@gmail.com
Speaking Up for Self-Advocacy Awareness – Contact: speakupkamloops@gmail.com
B.C. Self-Advocate Leadership Network – Contact: info@salnbc.com
Self-Advocates of the Rockies – Contact: cranbrooksaor@gmail.com