BCHC Newsletter - August 2011

THE NEWS

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White Rock, Arts and Cultural Mapping Project 

White Rock Arts and Cultural Map

On July 25th BCHC presented the final arts and culture map of White Rock and the associated website whiterockculture.ca to the city council. The project kicked off in October 2010 and was established to develop an inventory of public and private sector cultural assets, services and facilities in White Rock.

With a focus on engaging local arts, culture and citizen groups the aim was to identify gaps and opportunities to develop recommendations for the cultural economy of the future.  BCHC’s Deirdre Goudriaan, facilitator for the Arts and Cultural Mapping project, presented council with a list of short-term recommendations to make the most of the information, which was developed through a series of public meetings and private interviews with stakeholders. Council referred the recommendations to the city’s Arts and Cultural Committee to form a strategic plan. Visit the website to read the full report or find out more in this latest news article.

Community Needs Assessment and Asset Mapping with UBC's Acadia Park Residents

BC Healthy Communities and the University of British Columbia Campus and Community Planning Office (UBC) have formed a partnership to design and conduct a community needs assessment and asset mapping process with residents and staff of Acadia Park, UBC's student family housing neighbourhood. The project focuses on community, recreation and youth program services by engaging residents and staff in the creation of an inventory of assets, gaps and opportunities and to develop recommendations for future community development. The BCHC Integral Capacity Building Framework will help to foster a sense of community amongst residents through dynamic, family-friendly community building processes.  For more information contact stacy@bchealthycommunities.ca

Walk to WIN!
From August 8th to September 19th, Healthy Families BC is challenging British Columbians to “Walk to Win” in a six-week contest to encourage walking, mapping and sharing favourite walking routes. Families or individuals can win BC getaway trips, bikes, fitness passes, footwear gift certificates and more. Communities can also win $10,000, or the additional $50,000 grand prize, to build or upgrade walking trails. Check out their website for more info

The Healthy BC Families Walking Challenge celebrates walking as one of the easiest and most beneficial physical activities for British Columbians to enjoy, especially with friends and family.

THE COMMUNITY
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Community Supports Re-Opening The Chandler - Gonzales Pathway

by Hazel Currie
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Residents, dog owners, parents, small business owners and more have a vision: to re-open a public walkway in Victoria, providing a safe route to a local elementary school and a pedestrian-friendly link for the entire community.

The Chandler-Gonzales pathway in the Capital city served the community for the better part of seven decades, before being closed in the 1970’s due to concerns from adjacent neighbours – but the city had the foresight to retain the property as a public asset. Now, a group of area residents believe the neighbours’ concerns can be addressed and has come together and gathered 651 letters of support to reinstate this vital community link.

“Walk and talk” meetings along the pathway have been held with city councillors, the 651 letters were passed along to the Mayor and the community is anxious to see the project made a priority, noting Victoria City Council formally voted to re-open the walkway in 2009, subject to funding.

Public pathways provide many benefits, and this one in Victoria would be no exception – a safer route for children to walk to and from school, a vital link to other public walkways as part of the city’s Greenways Plan and direct access to the green spaces of a city park.

Working tirelessly, area residents remain optimistic their efforts will pay off and the vision of a healthier community will be realized.

THE CHAMPION
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Jas Cheema

For over a decade Jas Cheema has been instrumental in building bridges and fostering a cross-cultural understanding between the ethnic communities in the Lower Mainland. She is a true Healthy Communities advocate and works toward fostering understanding and community connections. She has been a leader in the field of inter-cultural communication, diversity, community engagement and racism-free communities and organizations.

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A busy wife and mother, Jas has a Masters in Intercultural Communication and is the Leader for Diversity and Translation Services at Fraser Health Authority. In addition she has her own diversity consulting business and is an Associate Faculty Member with Royal Roads University. She shares her passion for social and cultural issues through her columns in the Surrey-North Delta Leader and Asian Journal newspapers. Her volunteer roles include Board Chair, Surrey Libraries; Chair, Major Gift Campaign Surrey Libraries; Advisory Board Member, School of Communication-Royal Roads University; Mediator, Surrey Neighboring Faiths Program.

Her work has been recognized; she is the recipient of 2011 Community Leader Awards, Queens Golden Jubilee Medal, Surrey Leader of the Year, Flare Volunteer of the Year and Woman of Distinction awards for her services to the multicultural community, and the Griffin Award for her contributions to the Canadian Society through the art of writing.
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THE PRACTICE
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Beat the post-holiday blues

The start of September means for many of us the start of the post-holiday blues. Not to worry, because the following tips of Cary Cooper, professor of organizational psychology at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, will help you beat this unpleasant feeling and will support a healthy happy work environment:

1. Stay in the holiday mood.

Although your boss is not going to let you enjoy lie-ins or siestas, you shouldn't abandon the rhythm of your holiday altogether. Even if you have a mountain of work awaiting your return set a work "exit" time - say 5pm - and stick to it. Don't be tempted to stay late catching up. If you've been enjoying an activity such as swimming during you holiday, try to work it into your week.

2. Prioritize your work.

Only tackle the really important tasks during your first few days. Colleagues may welcome your return with a deluge of "urgent" requests but "people are going to have to wait", says Mr Cooper.

3. End the tyranny of your e-mail inbox.

British workers are said to send and receive 190 e-mails a day. A two-week break could leave you wading through upwards of 1,000 electronic messages. "We're overloaded with electronic messages. Colleagues send and send and send. Much of it is trivial and can wait."

4. Take a break.

It may not be a substitute for dozing on a Mediterranean beach, but an hour in the canteen or five minutes by the water cooler can help keep you sane.

5. Plan more leave.

Mr Cooper says more and more of us are neglecting to take our full holiday entitlement. With four busy months before Christmas, it could be worth taking some days off.

6. "Oh, the guilt."

Don't feel guilty. It's bad enough missing your sun lounger and 800-page beach novel, don't make it worse by feeling guilty for leaving your colleagues in the "lurch" while you were gone.

(Source: BBC News)

Find out more about how to create a Healthy Work Environment on the Act Now BC website.

EVENTS

Forum ~ Healthy by Nature

What: A forum on the physical & mental health benefits of time spent in nature.

When: September 20 - 23, 2011

Where: Vancouver, BC

For more information click here

Webinars ~ Northern BC Citizens Series on Health Webinars

BCHC and Northern Health's Population Health Team have partnered to host a series of free web-based seminars on the role of citizens in building healthy communities. The webinars invite dialogue from northern communities on specific topics that are critical to improving the health outcomes of northern people.

Oct. 13, 2011 - 1:30 - 3:30pm 

"Reading Between the Lines: How Libraries and Literacy Contribute to Health"

Jan. 19, 2012 - 1:30 - 3:30pm 

"Beginning With the End in Mind: Creating Safe and Nurturing Environments for Our Very Young"

April 19, 2012 - 1:30 - 3:30pm 

"Beyond the Nest Egg: Feathering the Nest for Healthy Retirement"

For more information or to register click here
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Bright Ideas IV ~ Pre-Conference Learning Event - Youth Engagement 101
What: Youth Engagement Learning Event
When: October 18, 2011, 9:30am - 12:00 noon
Where: Victoria, Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre

For more information or to register click here ( Deadline: October 11th, 2011)
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Bright Ideas IV ~ Conference and Day of Action!
What: Youth Engagement Learning Event
When: October 25, 2011, 9:30am - 3:30
Where: TBA
For more information or to register click here ( Deadline: October 11th, 2011)
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Summit ~ Cities fit for Children

What: 3rd Annual Provincial Summit

When: Thursday, May 10 to Friday, May 11 2012

Where: Kamloops, BC

For more information click here

THE READINGS

The Power of Collaborative Solutions: Six Principles and Effective Tools for Building Healthy Communities

by Tom Wolff

Our helping systems are failing us and we have serious problems with traditional community problem-solving methods that are ineffective and create pain, waste, and dysfunction in our communities. In this groundbreaking book, the author spells out his real-world-tested key principles for creating collaborative solutions that build healthy communities.

Collaborative Solutions is a practical book that addresses how to solve contemporary social problems by bringing people of diverse circumstances and backgrounds together in working to solve community challenges. Filled with stories and tools, it shows how to make change happen in the real world. Find out more

BCHC Newsletter - July 2011

THE NEWS

BCHC partners up with BC Housing and Fortis BC on tenant engagement project

BC Healthy Communities is working in partnership with BC Housing and Fortis BC on a tenant engagement project related to energy reduction and tenant satisfaction at three sites in Vancouver and Burnaby. Tenant engagement is key to achieving energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of BC Housing buildings. Part of building tenant engagement is supporting and developing the capacity of the tenants to create and achieve a healthy community and to work together in the process.

In this picture, tenants are participating in a Live Green activity and are at the same time working together to beautify their surroundings. Please contact Deirdre Goudriaan, Kerri Klein or Magdalena Szpala, Sustainability Manager of BC Housing about this initiative.

New Youth outreach materials

The lack of sunshine isn't keeping the youth from participating in any of the events in Victoria this summer. Events such as Skafest and Pride are the perfect place for the Greater Victoria Youth Council (CVYC) and Youthcore to do some outreach and present them self with the help of some brand new materials.

To create the message for the new flashy hand bills, buttons, banners and t-shirts we used the results of the recently completed CVYC survey of over 350 people under the age of 25 in the greater Victoria area. We wanted to know about the issues that young people in Victoria identify as important so we asked about education, employment, affordable housing, youth-friendly spaces, youth voice, mental health, violence and more. The responses we received were insightful and challenging and as diverse as youth themselves. It encouraged us to imagine the possibilities of what could be in Victoria. That's why we are asking "What if...?" and encouraging youth to imagine a better city and community.

The new materials are designed to catch the eye of Youth and further inform young people about how Youthcore creates leadership opportunities and supports youth-led social change projects and the engagement opportunities that CVYC offers for people under 25 who live, work, hang out or got to school in Victoria.
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THE FEATURE ARTICLE
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Northern BC Citizen Series Webinars – Taking Flight Again!

by Theresa Healy, Regional Manager - Healthy Community Development, Northern Health

The first year of the Citizen Series on Health Webinars successfully concluded in April with the fourth webinar in the inaugural series. The final webinar hosted a panel from across BC speaking to the Healthy Schools movement. Dr. Andrew Macnab from UBC, in Prince George for other meetings, spoke to the success of the oral health program in Hartley Bay, and how the lessons of this health promotion approach of Northern BC has spread to Africa. Joann Bays spoke to the growing success of the Farm to School movement which was first trialed here in Northern BC. Sarah Lockman from the Directorate of Agencies for School Health (DASH) shared the work of the province’s Healthy Schools Initiative.

This final webinar demonstrated how far this “little engine that could” has gone. Originally the brainchild of Population Health and BC Healthy Communities’ partnership, the series was initially conceived with a focus on settings where citizens play a role in affecting health outcomes. The webinars invited dialogue from northern communities on specific topics that are critical to improving the health outcomes of northern people, recognizing that community and civic involvement is a cornerstone to healthy people and populations. The popularity and appeal of the webinars has grown, resulting in a commitment for a second series building on the lessons learned the first time around.

“We know people are really anxious for learning opportunities and really appreciate the resources and expertise that the speakers have so generously shared,” said Julie Kerr, Regional Manager for Population Health. She continued, "in each seminar we learned more about how we could make these effective and useful to community members, to practitioners, to partner organizations. You can see our success not just the growth of numbers but also in the diversity of people calling in. In fact, we are even attracting callers from across the province, not just the northern health region. Our dream is to see the series become a province wide program.”

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The new series was launched on June 28th, 2011 with “When Local Governments and Health

Authorities Say "I do": Creating Formal Partnerships to Improve Community Health. The second webinar " Reading Between the Lines: How Libraries and Literacy Contribute to Health' will be held on October 13th 2011. As has been the practice, the panel will include strong northern based voices, as well provincial or national leaders in the topic area. All you need is access to a phone and computer with an internet connection. This is a wonderful opportunity to gather colleagues and interested advocates together to access top flight learning at a very low cost – FREE! Do plan to join us by registering on the BCHC website or send an email to bchc@bchealthycommunities.ca

THE COMMUNITY

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Youth celebrate LGBTQ at Victoria Pride Parade!

On Sunday, July 10th Victoria had its 2011 Pride Parade. With over 20,000 in attendance, it was the most successful Victoria Pride Parade to date. Youthcore, together with Youth Combating Intolerance and the City of Victoria Youth Council, walked proudly in the parade, carrying the Youthcore banner and handing out buttons.

South Island Pride’s youth group was also there with us, launching their recently finished ‘zine called Pave the Way – MINE. A collection of stories, art work, photos, and poetry, the ‘zine was created to share – anonymously- some personal experiences and challenges of the LGBTQ community. It is the product of months of dedicated work and research, work that includes an interview with a gay military serviceman and anecdotes from Victoria drag groups. The ‘zine was sold at the South Island Pride table at Pride Parade, and will also be distributed to CampOUT campers. The project was funded by YouthCore’s SPARK Grant program, and entirely youth designed and led. We’re very proud of the zine’s success. Well done, South Island Pride! You too may be eligible for SPARK Grant funding! Check out youthcoreprogram.ca for details.
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THE CHAMPION

Magdalena Szpala, BC Housing

Magda is the Sustainability Planning and Reporting Manager at BC Housing. Magda completed her Master’s in Strategic Leadership toward Sustainability, at Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden. She holds the Certificate of Training in GHG Accounting from the GHG Management Institute. She is a member of the GHG Management Experts network, Climate Smart Network of Trainers, and the Natural Step Associate. In her role with BC Housing, Magda leads and supports sustainability integration in all of its dimensions.

BC Healthy Communities has been working in partnership with Magda through BC Housing and enhance sustainability and energy efficiency through innovative tenant engagement practices.

Magda consistently brings her great sense of humour and passion for contributing to a better world to her work. She demonstrates that Going Green is great for the planet and also needs the support of the people!

Prior to joining BC Housing, Magda worked as a sustainability consultant focusing on climate change challenge and solutions. Her clients included: Vancity, The Co-operators, and Climate Smart (a social enterprise).

THE PRACTICE

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A happy community is a healthy community
by Jodi Mucha

“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

What is Happiness?

Originating in Bhutan, India, in 1972, the Gross National Happiness Index was created based on a commitment by the 4th King of Bhutan: that happiness of the people was made the guiding goal of development. In a very summarized overview, happiness can be defined as:

1. A subjectively felt public good—a public good, since all people value it

2. It is relative and depends partly on frames of reference

3. It is relational in character

4. It arises from both external stimuli and inner contemplative methods

5. Its meaning changes with sensitivities and understanding of interdependence

6. It is the ultimate value in general

The concept of ‘happiness’ within the framework developed by Bhutan is what western cultures would consider ‘life satisfaction’ for wellbeing.

How to measure Happiness

A framework such as the Gross National Happiness Framework, developed in Bhutan, helps to support overall community health and wellbeing in that it supports multi-sectoral collaborations and provides a specific and comprehensive tool for measuring economic, social, health, and cultural and ecological aspects of a community. One excellent local example of how this framework has been adapted and is being used at the regional level is The Greater Victoria Happiness Index Partnership, a partnership between the Capital Regional District, City of Victoria, Community Social Planning Council, BC Ministry of Healthy Living, United Way, University of Victoria, Vancouver Island Health Authority, and the Victoria Foundation.

The happiness framework is evidence based and focuses on a range of determinants of health that link to wellbeing, or more specifically, ‘happiness’. These ‘happiness’ determinants include:

· Physical, mental and spiritual health

· Time use (balance among productive activities)

· Community vitality and social support

· Cultural vitality

· Education

· Living standards

· Good governance

· Ecological vitality

In late 2009, as part of the City of Colwood’s commitment to community happiness, they hosted three ‘happiness’ events: Community Happiness Roundtable, Colwood 2010 and Beyond working lunch session and an Economics of Happiness Forum. In Colwood’s comprehensive final report, they listed “A Dozen Action to Take in 2010” which were based on a report compiled by the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria and the results from the three Colwood ‘happiness’ events. Recommendations listed included actions such as: hosting other such similar events throughout other municipalities followed up by a conference, adopt a Genuine Wealth model at the CRD to enhance the Happiness Index, and create a regular media column whereby regular updates on Happiness on Vancouver Island could be written by Councilor’s from a different community each week (ie. What makes (my Municipality) a genuinely happy place to live?).

If you would like to learn more about how to support happiness (life satisfaction) activities in your community you can learn more from contacting: Michael Pennock, Population Health Epidemiologist, Vancouver Island Health Authority, Michael.pennock@viha.ca

Or check out the following resources:

· Gross National Happiness: The Centre for Bhutan Studies

· The Greater Victoria Happiness Index

· Video: What is Gross National Happiness

· Video: Gross National Happiness:

· Colwood Genuine Wealth Report, and the Colwood Economics of Happiness Report

EVENTS
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Forum ~ Healthy by Nature

What: A forum on the physical & mental health benefits of time spent in nature.

When: September 20 - 23, 2011

Where: Vancouver, BC

For more information click here

Webinars ~ Northern BC Citizens Series on Health Webinars

BCHC and Northern Health's Population Health Team have partnered to host a series of free web-based seminars on the role of citizens in building healthy communities. The webinars invite dialogue from northern communities on specific topics that are critical to improving the health outcomes of northern people. 

Oct. 13, 2011 - 1:30 - 3:30pm "Reading Between the Lines: How Libraries and Literacy Contribute to Health"

Jan. 19, 2012 - 1:30 - 3:30pm "Beginning With the End in Mind: Creating Safe and Nurturing Environments for Our Very Young"

April 19, 2012 - 1:30 - 3:30pm "Beyond the Nest Egg: Feathering the Nest for Healthy Retirement"
For more information or to register click here
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Summit ~ Cities fit for Children
What: 3rd Annual Provincial Summit
When: Thursday, May 10 to Friday, May 11 2012
Where: Kamloops, BC
For more information click here

THE READINGS

RESILIENCY: Cool Ideas for Locally Elected Leaders

Edited by the Columbia Institure Centre for Civic Governance

Resiliency: Cool Ideas for Locally Elected Leaders is the fifth volume in the Going for Green Leadership Series. Inspired by conversations at the Centre for Civic Governance forums, Resiliency highlights the bold and creative ways in which leaders and communities are responding to the major environmental challenges of our time.

In this book you will find:
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• Thought provoking discussion on community resiliency
• Big picture responses from urban design and the economy
• Stories from places that are getting it done, including Williams Lake,BC, Craik, SK, and Toronto ON
• Leadership tools for transforming your own community ( including BCHC's facilitator Kerri Klein's ideas on "Engaging Your Community on Climate Change)
• A few new ideas sure to create change in the upcoming years

To find out more or to download a copy of the book click here

BCHC Newsletter - June 2011

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THE NEWS

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Welcome to our summer student Ronnie!
We are pleased to announce that Ronnie Tadesse will be working with BC Healthy Communities as a summer student until August 12th, 2011. Ronnie is a former City of Victoria Youth Council member and SPARK grant recipient. She is currently enrolled as a student at the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. Ronnie is a natural leader and will be a great addition to the team. She will primarily be working at community events to do outreach to other youth about our programs and opportunities. We're very
happy to have Ronnie joining us!

THE FEATURE ARTICLE

The Healthy Communities Approach and Chronic Disease Prevention

by Jodi Mucha

In Canada today, more than nine million people suffer from some form of chronic disease. It is estimated that this number could significantly increase as populations age if action is not taken. Growing concern about chronic disease prevention in our society had led us to recognize that a more comprehensive and integrated approach is needed to address the causes of the diseases and we need strategies that extend outside of the health system. The Healthy Communities Approach is an effective, and integrated global model that takes an upstream approach to chronic disease prevention.

The Healthy Communities Approach
The international healthy communities movement originates from the World Health Organization’s “Healthy Cities” project, launched in 1986. Worldwide, the Healthy Communities (HC) Approach addresses the complex interplay of how the various aspects of health not only shape where we live, but how we live. This worldwide movement is based on the core value of capacity building and empowerment of individuals, organizations and communities and is based on:

• Multiple and interconnected determinants of health
  (Social, environmental, physical, cultural, economic, psychological, etc)
  
  
• Five key building blocks:
  
  1. Community/citizen engagement
  2. Multi-sectoral collaboration
  3. Political commitment
  4. Healthy public policy
  5. Asset-based community development
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There is recognition of the vital role of all levels of government (local, provincial, national) in creating conditions for health and human development. Also of importance is development of public policy in non-health sectors, policy that explicitly intends to improve community and population health (for example, ‘healthy’ policies developed by transportation and housing). Tapping into the positive assets of a community and building on the existing strengths and capacities of a community’s people, organizations, institutions and its physical assets is also key to overall community success.

Integrated Action for Chronic Disease Prevention
Research indicates there is an overall consensus on the seven chronic diseases which have the greatest effect on our populations mortality rate. These diseases include: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes respiratory diseases, arthritis, hypertension and mood disorders. Recent statistics and evidence also indicate that these diseases tend to co-occur and in fact, more than one-third of persons affected suffer from two or more forms of these diseases.

Chronic disease prevention is a complex community challenge—one that requires thinking and action that supports the complete state of health (physical, mental, social), which goes beyond the mere absence of disease. Healthy communities activities are inclusive community processes that encompass: 

a) an area-based development strategy that supports communities to have a greater role in their health and well-being,

b) preventative action on health determinants that encompass common risk factors to chronic diseases, and

c) inspiring change for overall improvement of population health that includes collaboration amongst a wide range of sectors.

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Taking integrated action on the determinants of health entails consideration of a range of community issues including income and social status, social support, literacy, employment, physical and social environments, personal health practices and coping skills, health services, gender, culture and healthy human development. Bringing multi-sectoral communities together to collaborate around a common vision for a shared future is one effective way for communities to grow and thrive in a health promoting way- an approach that is an upstream, proactive approach to chronic disease prevention.

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THE COMMUNITY

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Prince George, BC

by Jodi Mucha
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Last year, the City of Prince George completed my PG, an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). This plan captured the results of extensive public and stakeholder engagement aimed to create a vision of the long-term future of Prince George and outline what is needed to achieve this vision. Six of the top ten goals were social goals. Overall, residents of Prince George indicated they wanted a community that supports and encourages health and wellness for all. Youth was identified as one of the important aspects of this vision. health and wellness for all. Youth was identified as one of the important aspects of this vision.

In early February 2011, the City of Prince George partnered with BC Healthy Communities, the Northern Health Authority, the Canadian Cancer Society, Sustainable Childhood Obesity Prevention through Community Engagement (SCOPE), and a range of community groups such as the Storytellers Foundation as well as local schools to take specific youth engagement action around achieving healthier weight in children and youth. This project, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, will allow youth in Prince George to build skills in participatory action research, and develop a range of leadership skills around working together towards achieving healthier weights for children and youth in rural communities.

THE CHAMPION

Multicultural Youth Take on Homophobia in 'My Forbidden Disorder'
by Sarah Amyot

When Koyume Fukushima, age 17, was at her home in Japan, one of her friends revealed his sexual identity as being gay. The students in her school, including her, ostracized and ignored him until he changed schools. When Koyume came to Victoria as an international student, she realized the injustice of her actions. “I saw this [same-sex] couple walking down the street and thought, ‘Wow, they look so beautiful.’” She was determined to make amends and raise awareness about homophobia here in Victoria as well as at home in Japan. Although English is her second language and she had no prior experience with theatre, Koyume wrote ‘My Forbidden Disorder,’ a play that is both sophisticated and heart-breaking.

Koyume teamed up with five other multicultural youth to produce ‘My Forbidden Disorder.’ The diverse cast of youth comes from Japan, the Philippines, Mexico and Canada. Though they all grew up with divergent cultural perspectives on same-sex relationships, all the youth agree that homophobia is a problem that needs to be dealt with. They invited youth from the South Island Pride Community Centre Society to be involved in the production and a truly youth-led project was born. With the support of a small youth- action grant (called SPARK grants) from BC Healthy Communities’ YouthCore program, and in-kind support from several other community partners, the youth were recently able host a ‘standing room only’ two- night engagement for over 150 parents, friends, and community members. The play is a powerful tool that illustrates the disastrous effects of homophobia in a way that speaks to the youth and adults in our community and a poignant example of the power of ‘learning to lead through action’.

If you live in the greater Victoria area and have an idea for a youth-led change project you may be eligible for support through the BC Healthy Communities’ SPARK: Learning to Lead Through Action program. For more information contact Sarah Amyot, Youth Engagement Projects Coordinator at youth@bchealthycommunities.ca to discuss your idea. To learn more about the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society visit their website.

 
THE PRACTICE
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Juicy Collaborations?
by Deirdre Goudriaan

At BC Healthy Communities, we have the good fortune of supporting others with collaboration and we also collaborate and partner ourselves. Just notice the top leadership books, the headlines, the proposals and the business literature and you will notice collaboration appears virtuous and yet sometimes it appears easier to discuss collaboration than accomplish it.

 

The focus on benefits of collaboration could lead one to think that collaboration is a favoured approach in the world in our desire to improve health outcomes; lead organizations more effectively, improve community development practice, educate future professionals, and conduct health care research. Unfortunately, interdisciplinary collaboration as a practice norm is relatively rare out there and so I sense some great fortune for us to be on the frontiers of great collaboration.

 

Lately, I have been pondering why some collaboration just flourish (become juicy!) and others seem to fizzle…more on that in a moment. Before we look at those themes though it is equally imperative to look inside and explore our internal dialogue about collaboration. What is your inside story? Does it conjure up images of loss of control and fear? How about hostility and conflict and never really getting your needs met? Or does it create an image of a better community and world? Does it value multiple perspectives and believe that “we are better together”? Try to consider the story you are bringing to the table the next time someone asks you to collaborate – can you bring your best self forward? Can you acknowledge your fears and the loss of control? We can all be better collaborators just by taking this step.

So….after reflecting on my experiences and picking the brains of others who view collaboration just as importantly as we do, some themes are emerging. These are not the only factors or even the most important factors and they are intended to stimulate thinking and dialogue. We are not “done”, these factors will change, shift and grow over time just as we hope to do!

1. Spend time learning about your values and underlying assumptions about the project.

Many people have an “inside story” about the project and these values and assumptions will impact the project so in my opinion it is ideal if you can explore and investigate them sooner than later.

 

2. We need to suggest to funders (or better yet involve them)when they expect collaborative proposals that to be more effective collaborators, we need the time to do really meaningful development work in the front end of proposal development. This sets the groundwork for when the project is awarded and is such an important element to ensure you begin the collaboration on the right foot.

 

3. Learning and better yet reflection about our learning needs to be incorporated if we hope to gain collective ground during the collaborative process. Reflective processes help you to move forward with personal and collective development.

 

4. Make sure each partner has something substantive and necessary for the project so they remain engaged and see the importance of their continued commitment. Great collaborative groups learn from one another and are involved and engaged.

 

5. Spend time thinking about how to make good and effective decisions in collaborations. Some practices for better decision making include Holacracy, Wikis and Thought Stream, let’s consider other options that take us beyond consensus building. We need to get better at making integrated decisions and these tools are helping.

 

6. Conflict when managed well is a sign of growth, trust and reciprocity. Conflicts are bound to arise and in fact this can lead to unveiling new perspectives and possibilities that had not been considered previously.

 

7. We need to expect and empower people to effectively respond to change – if there is one thing we have learned it is that change has become a key driver in collaboration and our collective performance.

 

We are all voyageurs in the new frontier of collaborative practices, decision making and improving outcomes for people in our communities and the world. Let’s explore together and please share your ideas (the inside ones or the outside ones) since we are whole people in the whole community! Please contribute your thoughts, lessons, ideas, or conflicts about collaboration? I would love to hear them! Email me at: Deirdre@bchealthycommunities.ca 

EVENTS

Forum - Healthy by Nature ~ Vancouver
What: A forum on the physical & mental health benefits of time spent in nature.
When: September 20 - 23, 2011
Where: Creekside Community Recreation Centre (map)
For more information click here

Webinars - Northern BC Citizens Series on Health Webinars
BCHC and Northern Health's Population Health Team have partnered to host a series of free web-based seminars on the role of citizens in building healthy communities. The webinars invite dialogue from northern communities on specific topics that are critical to improving the health outcomes of northern people. Grassroots community members, local government representatives, service providers, and others are invited to engage and participate in shared learning about a range of specific issues related to health determinants. For more information click here

Save the dates!
Oct 15, 2011 - 1:30 - 3:30pm  Reading Between the Lines: How Libraries and Literacy Contribute to Health
Jan 19, 2012 - 1:30 - 3:30pm  Beginning With the End in Mind: Creating Safe and Nurturing Environments for Our Very Young
April 19, 2012 - 1:30 - 3:30pm Beyond the Nest Egg: Feathering the Nest for Healthy Retirement

THE READINGS

The Story of Stuff - The Book
Author: Annie Leonard

We have a problem with Stuff. With just 5 percent of the world's population, we're consuming 30 percent of the world's resources and creating 30 percent of the world's waste. If everyone consumed at U.S. rates, we would need three to five planets! 

This alarming fact drove Annie Leonard to create the Internet film sensation The Story of Stuff, which has been viewed over 10 million times by people around the world. In her sweeping, groundbreaking book of the same name, Leonard tracks the life of the Stuff we use every day—where our cotton T-shirts, laptop computers, and aluminum cans come from, how they are produced, distributed, and consumed, and where they go when we throw them out. Like Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, The Story of Stuff is a landmark book that will change the way people think—and the way they live. To read more click here