July 2020
COMMUNITY NEWS
RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com
RISE has risen!
Newly renovated RISE Community Health Centre opened on June 15 by Sandra Bodenhamer The community had been advocating to bring primary care services back to the neighbourhood since the closure of the Evergreen Community Health Centre Primary Care clinic in 2014. Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) conducted extensive community engagement from 2018 to 2019 to ask local residents what services they felt were needed and what they would like to see in the design of RISE. Since many of our neighbours face barriers to accessing medical care, such as English literacy, lack of support, social isolation, poverty and stigma, a community health centre model was chosen to support health in a holistic way. From the 2018–19 consultations RISE Community Health Centre was born, as part of CNH. RISE stands for resilient, integrative, socially just and equitable, and those are the values the health centre aspires to achieve. “Now that RISE is open in its main location, more people will be able to get the care they need when they need it. This will make a difference for those who have been struggling to access healthcare services,” said Adrian Dix, the B.C. minister of health.
The staff at RISE, located at 3425 Crowley Drive and Joyce, provide medical care and services to support the health of the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood. Photos courtesy of CNH.
RISE Community Health Centre is different from a regular doctor’s office. The RISE approach recognizes that the social determinants of health
Racism must stop because our community is a place of love.
Building an anti-racist future Page 4
Courtesy printing of Adrian Dix, MLA Vancouver-Kingsway
Pop-up market at Italian Cultural Centre Page 8
Meal delivery for seniors Page 8
Continued on page 2
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS RISE: continued from page 2 (such as income and education) greatly influence individual and community health. In addition to providing direct medical care, RISE staff work with individuals and groups to address underlying social and economic factors that can negatively impact health and, in doing so, support the health and resilience of the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood. “Collingwood Neighbourhood House has long worked with local residents to improve the social determinants of health locally and give people a sense of belonging,” said Greg Allen, CNH board president. “Opening RISE
The inviting RISE clinic includes bright yellow accents, a plant wall, a tea and water station, soft couches and spaces to gather. Photo courtesy of CNH
Community Health Centre gives us yet one more way to work with local residents to help improve their lives and give them the tools to achieve a healthier life.” The new RISE space at 3425 Crowley Drive embodies what the neighbourhood asked for, including a warm, inviting and colourful space that “doesn’t feel like a medical clinic.” The neighbourhood also asked for diverse staff that are representative of the community and the key populations that will be accessing services. The 17 staff at RISE speak 13 languages between them and come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds. RISE has been providing limited services since November but is now ready to take on more clients and provide even more types of services. Services are modified according to current COVID guidelines; RISE is taking new referrals (phone 604-558-8090 and email risechc@cnh.bc.ca) and doing limited in-person visits. For more information check the website at www.cnh.bc.ca/RISE. Sandra Bodenhamer is the director of RISE Community Health Centre.
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Collingwood Corner: On COVID craziness by Loretta Houben How are you coping in the COVID-19 pandemic? Back in January, I was looking forward to 2020, with great plans that came to a crashing halt on March 11, the day the World Health Organization announced the global pandemic. From being told at first that “Canadians have nothing to fear from this virus” to the current situation, it’s been a dizzy few months. At first, I focused on the cons, all the bad news and the things I couldn’t do. What affected me the most were no church services, no shopping at retail stores, no visiting with our only son or our elderly parents, and worst of all, no travel! (To say nothing of not being able to find toilet paper, flour or yeast at my local grocery stores.) In June I turned 60, so I was planning a first cruise to celebrate. All the things I took for granted were gone in a few days. At first this caused me grief and depression, but then I noticed the wonderful beauty of nature in the glorious spring we have had here in the lower mainland. I began walking twice per day, instead of once, and I noticed the signs of hope in the neighbourhood windows, in the shape of hearts for the care workers in the thick of the battle. I noticed the kindness of strangers whose stories are told online. I noticed how companies, including Coast Capital Savings where my husband works, accommodating employees so they can work from home. I noticed I was at home more often, with no appointments or errands so I was spending more time in quiet meditation, writing letters or learning new craft hobbies. Then there is Zoom. I even tried that, but alas, I’m not a virtual person! My husband, however, lives most of his life now on Zoom. He even conducts his Scout meetings each week using Zoom, and his group loves the interaction with each other. They even had a virtual camp recently. So although our lives changed suddenly and swiftly, with a lot of grim news of death and suffering, all the positive good things help outweigh anxiety and despair. I hope this is the case for you, too.
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The following is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/Kingsway Dear Neighbours, I hope this finds you and your loved ones well! COVID-19 has brought about changes to our communities in ways that we could not have imagined. This summer will look different, but as Dr. Bonnie Henry has shared with us, this is not forever. The Province has taken a holistic approach early on to ensure everyone is 100% all in to flatten the curve. We have done so successfully, but COVID-19 is still very much present in our lives. I would like to express my appreciation to you again for all your sacrifices in protecting your family, friends, neighbours, elders, and community frontline workers from COVID-19. The Provincial State of Emergency is renewed every two weeks and is announced by Minister Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General to allow government to continue working on the COVID-19 pandemic response. Please visit www.news.gov.bc.ca for more information and to stay updated on when the declaration will be extended to. At a more local level, I am very proud and excited to announce the official opening of RISE Community Health Centre (CHC). RISE stands for Resilient, Integrative, Socially Just, and Equitable and is governed, owned, and operated by Collingwood Neighbourhood House. Located at 3425 Crowley Drive, the CHC will help connect more people with the health care they need, when they need it. This will make a significant difference for people who have been struggling for a long time to access primary care and health promotion services in Renfrew-Collingwood. Thank you to the tireless efforts of Collingwood Neighbourhood House Society, RISE staff, and all its partners to ensure people in the community and surrounding areas have access to proper health care services. For more information about referrals and RISE, please contact staff at 604-558-8090 or risechc@cnh.bc.ca. Since the beginning of June, thousands of K-12 students had the option to return to school on a part-time basis. With the start of summer vacation, parents and students may be wondering what classes will look like in September. At the moment, full-time school is set to resume in the Fall. For the most recent updates from the Ministry of Education, please visit www.gov.bc.ca/ safeschools or the Vancouver School Board at www.vsb.bc.ca or 604-713-5000. This year’s summer school courses will be offered online. A special congratulations to all the preschool, elementary, and secondary school graduates of 2020! I am very proud of your accomplishments and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. In recent weeks, we have witnessed horrific acts of racism and hate against Black
communities in the United States. I was devastated by the news of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and all the innocent lives that have been taken away. I know that it is more imperative than ever for us to take action against anti-black racism, systemic racism within our government, and other forms of racialized violence toward BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour). Black Lives Matter. I also acknowledge that these hateful acts are not new to our communities; they have existed for a very long time and continue to persist today. Our province and Canada have a history of racism and discrimination, from colonialism on the unceded and ancestral lands of Indigenous communities to the Chinese Head Tax to the Komagata Maru. I want to reiterate that any act of racism, hate, or violence will not be tolerated in Renfrew-Collingwood or in any part of our Province. It is dangerous and these kinds of injustices and hate must be addressed immediately. Thank you, Renfrew-Collingwood community members for all you do! For the past 23 years, the Youth Celebrate Canada Day team has hosted a fun and engaging family day event at Renfrew Park Community Centre on July 1st; July 2020 would have been their 24th year. Thank you to all the youth coordinators and community partners over the years for all the great work you have put in to creating this long-standing community event. I look forward to tuning in virtually to other community activities including Collingwood Days in August. While our office will be limiting in-person meetings as part of managing the COVID-19 virus, we will continue to provide services for constituents via phone and email. We are working on reopening our office, so please stay tuned; we greatly appreciate your patience. Please leave us a voicemail at 604-660-0314 or we are best reached at adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca, and we will get in touch with you as soon as we can. 基於抗疫措施，本辦事處暫時只提 供電郵及電話服務，如需協助請電 郵adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca或致 電 604-660-0314 留言。詳盡及最 新資訊，請遊覽辦事處網頁 www. adrian.dix.mla.bcndpcaucus.ca/.
Take care. Sincerely, Adrian Dix, MLA Vancouver-Kingsway
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Building an anti-racist future COMMUNITY NEWS The mission of this non-profit publication is to provide the residents, businesses and organizations of Renfrew/Collingwood with a medium for community communication. Paul Reid: staff writer and layout coordinator Lisa Symons: sales and distribution coordinator Julie Cheng: editorial coordinator
Contributors: Ann Wong, Anna Hofmarks,
Crecien Bencio, Hungerford Properties, Julie Cheng, Karen Vanon, Loretta Houben, Sandra Bodenhamer, Shila Avissa, Sophia Han
We want to hear from you!
Yes, You! Send comments, community events, press releases by regular post, fax or e-mail. Suggestions for improving the paper are welcome. We welcome appropriate, unsolicited editorial submissions if accompanied by the author’s real name, address and telephone number. The author should retain the original as we cannot return submissions without prior agreement nor does submission guarantee publication. We reserve the right to make editorial changes. The Renfrew/Collingwood Community News does not necessarily support the views of its contributors.
Next submission deadline: Jul. 10 The Renfrew-Collingwood Community News is an initiative of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).
Yo u C a n F i n d t h e RC Community News @ Libraries, Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Renfrew Park Community Centre, The Italian Cultural Centre, Collingwood Policing Office, other organizations, religious institutions, schools, laundromats, Starbucks, Rona, Superstore, Canadian Tire, Walmart, London Drugs and Safeway coffee shops, restaurants, markets, corner stores, other businesses, and coffee tables all over Renfrew-Collingwood.
Contact the RCCNews Phone: 604-435-0323 extension 261 Fax: 604-451-1191 Editorial: rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca Advertising: Phone Lisa Symons at 604.435.0323 email: rccnews-sales@cnh.bc.ca Renfrew/Collingwood Community News Collingwood Neighbourhood House 5288 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 6C9
by Crecien Bencio I write this article thinking about the collective grief over the murders of Rayshard Brooks, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. In my household and workplace, and with my peers, we watch the devastating news of how police have killed Black people.
people, are experiencing race-based violence. We are taking initiative by starting important conversations on how racism is embedded in systems of power. Racism plays a role in how we interact with governments, policies, education and policing and plays an ongoing role in informing these institutions. To be anti-racist means understanding and working to undo the violence faced by Black and Indigenous people and other People of Colour.
We are experiencing how racism is hurting people in our local communities, the United States and worldwide. We are also seeing how People of Colour, led by Black and Indigenous voices, are working hard to create an antiracist future. In May, board members of Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) hosted an online town hall on anti-racism. In response to the concerns that were voiced, the CNH community development team has committed to challenging racism in our community. We acknowledge that racism exists and that People of Colour, particularly Black and Indigenous
We must commit to undertaking transformative work to change systems of power for the better. We can build a city that invests in anti-violence, antipoverty, anti-racist city planning processes and anti-racist education. Anti-racism requires us to start the work with an open heart and open mind.
Racism must stop because our community is a place of love.
Courtesy printing of Adrian Dix, MLA Vancouver-Kingsway 狄德安省議員 免費印刷.
We want to support neighbours to learn about racism and then bring the community together through different physically distant activities to address racism.
Our first step is that we want you to commit to one way you can do anti-racism in your life. Let’s start that conversation together. Send your commitment to Crecien at cbencio@cnh.bc.ca and you will be entered in a draw to win one of three anti-racism themed books: The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power by Desmond Cole, Deep Diversity: Overcoming Us Vs. Them by Shakil Choudhury or Breaking the Ocean: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, We 've i mp le me n te d ne w s tr in g ent m eas ur es for social and Reconciliation by Annadi st an cin g a nd s an i ta ry gu id elines det ailed by the hid Dashtgard. C en te rs fo r Di se as e Co nt r ol a nd Prev ent ion. Our second step is that we want to continue the conversation and learn with you along the way. This summer, we will launch a new online book club at CNH where once a month, we will share resources and articles for you to review and discuss. To sign up, contact cbencio@cnh. bc.ca.
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Jul.
This article is written with strength and solidarity by Crecien Bencio and the community development team at CNH.
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Affordable new rental homes open at Kingsway near Boundary by Hungerford Properties An innovative, mixed-use housing and retail development has opened up in Renfrew-Collingwood. Located at 3583 Kingsway, The Link features 104 new rental homes, 44 subsidized, affordable rentals for residents 55+ and ground floor retail. Market rentals are now movein ready, with affordable rentals for residents 55+ available on July 1. The redevelopment of the property, from a seniors residence called Odd Fellows Manor into a new six-storey development, is a partnership between the Odd Fellows Low Rental Housing Society, Terra Special Projects, GBL Architects, the City of Vancouver and Hungerford Properties. Odd Fellows will operate the 44 subsidized units and community space, as well as programs focused around recreation and wellness for its residents. “Housing affordability is a big problem in Vancouver, and this project represents the wave of the future by showcasing what can happen when we work together to create affordable housing for those in need,” says Alex Fane, Odd Fel-
lows Low Rental Housing Society President. “We are looking forward to seeing the building come alive with residents and families after several years of hard work.” “This project fills two gaps in the market by providing quality, modern, affordable housing and much-needed market rental. We are grateful to be part of the solution by creating more affordable housing and providing diversified housing options in Vancouver,” says Michael Hungerford, partner at Hungerford Properties. By partnering with Hungerford, Odd Fellows replaced its seniors’ housing facility at no cost, while continuing to provide affordable homes for its residents. Odd Fellows will own its non-market units, while Hungerford retains the market rental homes through a strata arrangement. The location of the development, at the Vancouver-Burnaby border, is close to amenities and
transit for residents, and all seven units of ground floor retail have been fully sold. Market rentals include studios, one- and twobedroom apartments featuring a rooftop amenity, bike storage and underground parking. Rents start at $1,340/month. Hungerford is one of the first developers to combine social housing and market rentals in this partnership under the city’s Rental 100
Noticed in Renfrew-Collingwood
by Karen Vanon
program. The Rental 100 program encourages the development of projects where 100% of the residential units are rental, with capped rental rates. The policy targets moderate-income households, and will help the city reach its goal of creating 5,000 new units of market rental housing by 2021. For more information visit www. thelinkcollingwood.com.
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
NEW - AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY APPLY TODAY
Odd Fellows Low Rental Housing Society is pleased to announce the availability of 44 affordable housing units in the newly built development at 3595 Kingsway
• 44 units are available to qualified applicants 55+ years of age or older • 9 1-bedroom and 35 bachelor suites available • Hot water and heating included • Walking distance to Joyce & Patterson SkyTrain stations • Nearby parks and trails
MOVE IN JULY 1, 2020 Register now at oflrhs.com or call 604-568-6895
FOR MORE ABOUT THE AVAILABLE SUITES VISIT WWW.ROUTE65.CA
Thank You Three Links Support Staff For the month of June, the Three Links Care Society celebrated support service month to recognize the skill and tireless dedication of our kitchen, housekeeping and maintenance team to improve the quality of life of the residents we serve. Their hard work does not go unnoticed at the best of times. It has been particularly noticed and evident during the current pandemic. Please join us in continuously congratulating our entire Support Services team. We are so grateful to have you on our team. In June, Three Links planned special events to recognize our staff, including long service awards for five members of our team that are celebrating their 15th and 20th anniversaries at the Care Centre this year. With Junes celebration, we also recognized the leadership of, Marie Olsson our Director of Operations and Housing, that has helped lead the Three Links team since 2002. Thank you to Marie for you endless contribution and uplifting leadership.
Don Davies MP Vancouver Kingsway
Happy Canada Day!
Info Session (Over the phone): Monday, July 6 at various times based on your availability Call: 604.445.1773 Email: eertan@cnh.bc.ca Register today to save your spot! Register today to save your spot!
Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Canada Day! Community Office 2951 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5J4 604-775-6263 | Don.Davies@parl.gc.ca
DonDavies.ca
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Wednesday pop-up market by Fresh Roots and Italian Cultural Centre Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society is hosting a weekly pop-up market located at the Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street in Vancouver, every Wednesday throughout the summer until October from 4 to 7 pm. You can stop by to stock up on a selection of ultra-local produce grown on schoolyard farms, farm fresh eggs and seasonal B.C. fruit in addition to prepared food such as lasagna and pizza from the kitchens of the Italian Cultural Centre. Tables are set up so you can enjoy some live music, pizza
and a glass of wine while physically distancing. Fresh Roots is also partnering with Ritchie’s Bakery to host their artisanal sourdough bread pick-up. To get your hands on this amazing bread, reach out the them directly online www.ritchiesbakery.ca. There is ample parking on site and on the street. Look for the orange Fresh Roots signs directing you to their exact location. Fresh Roots has taken the following measures to ensure you, the community and staff have a safe and comfortable experience at the market.
• Veggie CSA Boxes will be pre-packed: please bring your own bags to unpack your Galen Taylor Jones, the Fresh Roots good food manproduce into ager, shows off just some of their ultra-fresh local pro- • The market will be duce available at their pop-up market at the Italian one-way from entry to Cultural Centre. Photos by Julie Cheng exit: Shop, Don’t Stop!
Get Involved July 2020 Keep active with online classes from CNH Zumba Gold Fridays, 12 pm Shake and groove with your favourite instructors from the comfort and safety of your own home with a simple click! Register: asabbaghan@cnh.bc.ca. Yoga Classes for Kids Wednesdays, July 8-30 3:30-4:30 pm Kids aged 9-12 are invited to get creative through this online yoga class. Register: asabbaghan@cnh. bc.ca. Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grant Apply to fund small-scale projects that connect people socially or involve sharing skills or talents with each other. Details: neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca/blog/newresponsive-nsg-grant. Historica Canada - Canada During COVID-19: A Living Archive Historica Canada is a non-profit dedicated to enhancing awareness of Canadian history and culture,
and makers of the Heritage Minutes. They’ve launched a new project called Canada During COVID-19: A Living Archive. Canadians are invited to share their COVID-19 experience through photos, videos, writing, artwork, songs -- however you choose. The goal is to foster connections and inspire creativity through sharing diverse Canadian experiences. The archive is growing daily, and submissions are coming from coast to coast to coast. To become a part of this living archive, you can tag @CanadaDuringCovid or use #CanadaDuringCovid on Instagram. Or you can email your contribution directly to our team at covidarchive@historicacanada.ca. They also invite junior- and seniorlevel students try their new free learning tool (https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/studyguide/canada-during-covid) to help participate in the Canada During COVID-19 archive. The learning tool encourages students to think more deeply about primary sources and develop a primary source of their own, based on their unique experience during the pandemic.
Fabio Rasotto, the director of catering at the Italian Cultural Centre, invites you to join in the delicious food and lively atmosphere on their plaza. The cultural centre is also planning to host summer pizza nights on alternating Friday and Saturday nights starting July. • Cash-free payment encouraged • Please practice physical distancing. Keep 2 metres between yourself and others • Staff will be wearing masks, gloves and washing hands frequently
• Hand sanitizer available for customers • Sorry, no dogs in the market area • Stay home if you are sick to keep our markets safe!
Frozen meals for seniors The Collingwood Neighbourhood House seniors department has launched a lowcost frozen meal delivery program for seniors in response to COVID-19. Meals are made lovingly in house by community lunch chef Najia Elacel. The servings are hearty and the meals are healthy. They are $5 each and available for delivery by volunteers. For more information phone 778244-4488. Najia Elacel prepares meals for delivery. Photo courtesy of CNH –Anna Hofmarks
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
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July 2020
Read On! A news section for Renfrew-Collingwood learners Celebrate Canada Day 2020 on Wednesday, July 1st
Read On!
has a web page. You can:
Read the articles http://renfrewcollingwood communitynews.com/category/ read-on/
by Sophia Han
What is Canada Day?
Reading levels on this page
Canada Day is celebrated on July 1, which is the anniversary of the founding of Canada’s original constitution in 1867.
Level 1
Level 2
In the past, cities around Vancouver have celebrated the day with fireworks. This year, it is important to maintain social distancing rules while celebrating the occasion.
Level 3
The Government of Canada and the city of Surrey have websites with information to help you celebrate the occasion virtually.
Celebrate virtually The Government of Canada has a website where you can download pages for children to colour. You can also watch video performances by Canadian artists. Canadian Heritage activity packs https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/ canada-day/celebration-kit.html https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/ canada-day.html The city of Surrey also has a website. https://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/node/1 The city of Surrey is asking people who are residents of Surrey and the Lower Mainland to send videos of themselves wishing Canada a happy birthday or singing Canada’s national anthem. https://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/submit-your-video-win
Celebrate Canada Day with a picnic In the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood, there are many outdoor places where you can celebrate Canada Day with a picnic. Everyone should bring their own food and keep 2 metres apart. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and hand sanitizer! Renfrew Ravine Park and Renfrew Community Park are nearby parks where you can enjoy a picnic and feel close to nature. Central Park, Trout Lake Park and Deer Lake Park are large parks that are also close by. If you want to picnic and enjoy a good view of the city, you should go to Queen Elizabeth Park. From this park, you can see Vancouver. If you want to enjoy a good view of the sunset, you should go to English Bay or Jericho Beach. Lighthouse Park is in West Vancouver but it is also a beautiful place to share a meal and enjoy the sunset. There are many ways to celebrate Canada Day. You can stay safe while enjoying the local scenery. Happy Canada Day!
Vocabulary Anniversary – the date when an event took place in a previous year Founding – the beginning Original – the first Constitution – a set of rules that guide how a country should be run Maintain – to keep doing Social distancing – rules to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 disease Occasion – special event Virtually – something you do using a computer Download – to move or copy a file from a computer Performances – shows Residents – someone who lives in a place
Lower Mainland – the city of Vancouver and the areas around Vancouver Anthem – a song that celebrates a country
Vocabulary Celebrate – to do something special for an important event Picnic – a meal you enjoy outdoors Apart – not close together Sunscreen - something to prevent sunburn Hand sanitizer – something you put on to kill germs Nearby – not far Close by – not far View – things you can see from a place Local – things or places that are nearby Scenery – things you can see around a place
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH)
H IGHLIG H TS
Joyce Location: 5288 Joyce St. ; Tel: 604-435-0323 / Annex Location: 3690 Vanness Ave. ; Tel: 604-428-9142 / Visit: www.cnh.bc.ca
CNH Board of Directors calls for nominations Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) is accepting nominations for its Board of Directors. This is an exciting time to join our Board as we have just opened a new, embedded community health centre, RISE at Collingwood Neighbourhood House. Applicants should live and/or work in Renfrew-Collingwood, have a broad understanding of the neighbourhood and feel committed to becoming engaged in improving all aspects of our neighbourhood. We are interested in hearing from people from all backgrounds and ages but are especially interested in applicants who are between the ages of 16-29 or are 50-plus. This year we have
a particular need for those who have been an active member in a residents group, have been active in a religious or spiritual group and/or are artists. We are also particularly interested in applicants from Indigenous, Latinx, Filipino and Vietnamese communities. The CNH Board of Directors is committed to an anti-oppression approach to its work and welcomes those who thrive in a vibrant, diverse environment. Applicants should be able to spend 8-10 hours per month on
Board-related work and be able to commit to a three-year term, starting this October. The deadline for applications is July 3 at noon.
If you are interested, please contact Jennifer Gray-Grant at 604-451-9855 or jgray-grant@ cnh.bc.ca.
Taking care of our mental health in difficult times By Shila Avissa, Community Health Worker at RISE CHC
With the need to continue physical distancing, added by the ongoing closure of community gathering places like Collingwood Neighborhood House (CNH) in an effort to “flatten the curve,” staying emotionally healthy can be a hard task for many people. Feelings of uncertainty about the future, concern for our health, and loneliness, not to mention the stress of losing income for many of us, often make the situation more dire. These are extremely challenging times that greatly affect our mental health and wellbeing. However, there are simple “tools” that we can use to take care of our mental health: 1. Connect with—and express—our feelings
Feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and loneliness often become more powerful when we try to ignore them. Practising mindful breathing paired with activities to express the emotions that arise like journal writing, singing, or moving your body could help bring us back to the present moment. Kelty Mental Health offers a wide selection of guided mindfulness audio you can listen anytime: keltymentalhealth.ca/collection/guidedmindfulness-meditations. 2. Connect with each other Creating a regular schedule to video call a long-lost friend, spending quality time with family, or finding new ways to virtually meet new people, such as joining a free online class are great ways to feel more connected. It reminds us that we
This page is sponsored by Collingwood Neighbourhood House
are not alone in facing the current challenges. Check out Zumba Vancouver’s $5 online classes (zumbavancouver. ca) or All Bodies Community Fitness Group’s free virtual classes (bossykatelee.wixsite.com/abcfit). 3. Connect with help if needed Sometimes our emotions are too overwhelming to deal with alone. Fortunately, there are plenty of available help out there, ranging from free virtual counselling to free online and phone-based coaching and skills-building programs. There’s no shame in reaching out when you need support. The Canadian Mental Health Association has great resources on their website: https://cmha.bc.ca/ covid-19/.
4. Be kind and gentle with ourselves For those who have to juggle with various responsibilities or experiencing financial stress, life could be so overwhelming as it is. It is alright to feel that the last thing we want to do is practising mindfulness or going for walks. The most important thing we need to do is to be kind and gentle with ourselves. You are already trying your best to survive and thrive in a difficult time. Sometimes, that is more than enough. For updates on CNH programs and services during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit: www.cnh. bc.ca/covid19.
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
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July 2020
July 2020 Ñ Happy Canada Day COVID 19 Updates Phase 2 Restart BC Continued:
WorkSafeBC Covid-19 Safety Plan Work Safe BC has developed a Covid -19 Safety Plan for employers. Each step has a checklist with items they need to address prior to opening. WorkSafeBC will not be reviewing or approving the plans of individual employers, but in accordance with the order of the Provincial Heath Officer, this plan must be posted at the worksite.
Upcoming Events Collingwood Days Festival August 18th Ð 22nd www.collingwooddays.com
Step 1: Assess the risks at your. Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6:
Implement protocols to reduce the risks. Develop policies Develop communication plans and training Monitor your workplace and update your plans as necessary Assess and address risks from resuming operations
Additional Guidelines are now available: Accomodations, Child Care & Day Camps, Health Professionals. For full description of each step go to www.worksafebc.com
BC Restaurant Now can seat more than 50% capacity As of June 11, 2020, Dr. Bonnie Henry revised her order for restaurants. Restaurants can now base on their capacity on their ability to space patrons 2 metres apart. Plexiglass barriers can be used where 2 metres spacing is not possible. LetÕs bring back customers and provide them with a safe experience.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: - Stay home if you are sick or not feeling well - SOCIAL DISTANCE 2 Meters apart - WASH HANDS OFTEN 20 seconds - BE PATIENT & STAY INFORMED
For more restaurant guidelines go to www.bcrfa.ca
Ñ COVID 19 Resource Links: IMPORTANT RESOURCES to keep up to date COVID-19 Economic Information ¥ Small Business BC ¥ Government of Canada Plans for Businesses and Individuals ¥ Government of BC Plans COVID-19 Health Information
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Government of Canada - Health Healthlink BC BC Centre for Disease Control Self Monitoring - Self Isolation - Isolation
How to Reach Us: @shopcollingwoodvancouver @shopcollingwood @shopcollingwood
Board Members Nominations: Our Annual General Meeting is coming up in September. We are always looking for new board members to join and share their ideas and help shape the Collingwood business area. If you have a business or own commercial property along Kingsway between Boundary Rd and Rupert Street, contact our office. We have committees as well.
#300 Ð 3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC T: 604.639.4403 E: info@shopcollingwood.ca W: shopcollingwood.ca