BCHC Newsletter - May 2013

THE NEWS

New Report Release: “Strengthening Neighbourhood Resilience: Opportunities for Communities and Local Governments”

Through our partnership with Fraser Basin Council’s Smart Planning for Communities program, The Building Resilient Neighbourhoods Project has just released a final report covering some of the research and lessons learned from the first phase of the project. Click here to read the full report and learn more about strengthening neighbourhood resilience.

New Partnership with the District of Mission through the "Active Seniors Project"

The Mission Seniors Centre Association in partnership with the District of Mission Parks, Recreation & Culture Department has secured funding through the UBCM Age-friendly Community Planning and Project Grants Program to develop a framework for volunteer management and recreation programming for seniors through the Mission Seniors Centre Association. 

As part of this project the District of Missions selected BC Healthy Communities as the successful candidate to take the lead on the “Active Seniors Project”. The main purpose of this project is to develop volunteer and senior friendly policies, procedures and tools to support senior recreation programming and volunteer administration. To learn more about this project please contact bchc@bchealthycommunities.ca

THE COMMUNITY

Tenant Engagement: Community Mapping for BC Housing in Victoria

Source: BC Housing Information Update

BCHC has worked with BC Housing in the past on the Livegreen Tenant Engagement on Sustainability focusing on Energy Conservation. BCHC facilitated the pilot project for the initiative and conducted workshops for the new facilitators that are engaging social housing tenants based on the model developed during the pilot.

Most recently BCHC facilitated three mapping sessions in Victoria. Tenants now have access to community maps that point them in the direction of a number of nearby resources including affordable food, health clinics and pharmacies, recreational services, transit options, and nature places. Large maps have been installed in the lobbies Hampton House and Battin Fielding, and Middle House at Evergreen Terrace. Through this community engagement process tenants were able to work together with their neighbours, talk about their community strengths and address concerns around issues such as safety.  All current and future tenants are provided with a brochure-size map specific to their site.

BCHC offers in-depth knowledge of strategies for community development and energy conservation at social housing sites. To learn more please contact bchc@bchealthycommunities.ca.

Source: BC Housing Information Update May 8, 2013, Vol.17; No.5; Ed.9

We’d love to feature your community in this section. Please contact us and tell us all about the activities that are happening in your community to help make it a safe and inclusive place.

THE CHAMPION

Hazel Currie – Community Builder

Hazel Currie is a shining example of how individuals, working together, often doing small things, can have a big impact on a community. She has lived in Victoria’s Gonzales neighbourhood for the past 10 years. In that time she has helped make subtle changes that have benefited the entire community including organizing events such as a block party complete with a tug-of-war and BBQ, and outdoor “neighbourhood playdates”, sometimes attracting up to 18 children to play street hockey, cycle or run around together. Hazel even organizes “group skipping” at the local elementary school, bringing kids and parents together and introducing them to some good old-fashioned fun and exercise.

As well as building the social fabric of the community, Hazel has helped make some physical changes: Pemberton Park now has a fence to help prevent little ones from darting out onto the busy road. The new Chandler-Gonzales pathway is well utilized by parents, students, dog-walkers, runners and cyclists.

Hazel has a background in communications and organizational work. She has also honed a reputation of being a friendly, approachable individual, who is not afraid to champion a good idea for the community. Currently, she is a full-time mom to two active young boys, and is able to volunteer with the Parent Advisory Council, work with the Committee to Re-open the Chandler-Gonzales Pathway, and bring individuals together to spark new friendships and a sense of community. Hazel shows that community-enhancing changes can happen by making an effort to connect with neighbours and being dogged in subtly championing a cause.

THE ARTICLE

Building Age-Friendly Communities in BC
By Krissi Spinoza

In 2011, seniors accounted for 15% of the population of BC; that figure is set to double by 2036 [1]. 7 of the 10 municipalities [2] with the highest proportion of seniors in British Columbia, therefore it is no surprise that BC local governments are working hard to make their communities age-friendly. An age-friendly community is one in which policies, services and infrastructure are designed to help seniors "age actively." In other words, the community is set up to help seniors live safely, enjoy good health and stay involved. For example, in an age-friendly community:

• sidewalks are well lit and kept in good shape;
• community gardens have accessible pathways and raised beds;
• seniors take part in community activities, such as visiting museums or libraries, taking courses or volunteering for charities or civic duties.

The Age-Friendly BC Recognition is an annual award presented to communities who have completed four steps in working towards an age-friendly community: passing a local government resolution, establishing an advisory committee, conducting an age-friendly assessment and develop and publishing an action plan – all with the leadership and involvement of local seniors. This year the award has been presented to eight communities; all of who received an age-friendly poster and $1,000 grant to complete a legacy project.

One of the communities recognized by the award is Creston. In 2011, 33% of the Town of Creston’s population was 65 years and older and the Town Council has a strong desire to ensure that older adults are active participants in all aspects of community life and municipal planning initiatives. To ensure that planning for the future of the community reflected the needs of seniors, the local government provided a range of age-friendly engagement opportunities, including workshops, roundtable discussions and focus groups as part of their Integrated Community Sustainability Planning process, which was being undertaken concurrently with the Age-Friendly Action Plan.

Seniors have been involved in making decisions about the location of additional benches for the community, and are currently participating in discussions regarding providing downtown public washrooms. Furthermore, Creston is working with specialized service providers to examine age-friendly transportation, and with the health authority to address the health needs of seniors. Many of these activities will benefit the whole community, as well as seniors in helping to fulfill Creston’s commitment to creating a community “where people of all ages, incomes and abilities feel connected, valued and safe”[3]. Streets that offer spaces for people to rest,  interact and celebrate with others benefit everyone in the community.

Creston is just one of the many communities working to ensure that the community is accessible to all. As Jodi Mucha, Executive Director of BC Healthy Communities, describes, “We are impressed with the level of enthusiasm and commitment that local governments around the province are showing toward age friendly communities. Planning for age friendly communities is a win-win for everyone – it helps the community be great for everyone.”

[1] Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.

[2] Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.

[3] Cultivating Creston: Integrated Community Sustainability Plan p.17.

Resources:
Integrated Community Sustainability Plan - Creston - February 28, 2013

EVENTS

Conference ~ Building SustainAble Communities

Where: Kelowna
When: November 25-28, 2013
What: This year's event features a half-day workshop hosted by BC Healthy Communities entitled Building Healthy Communities Through Multi-Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships. For info visit the conference website here

THE READ

Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Active Healthy Kids Canada recently presented the 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. This year's Report Card focuses on the decline in active transportation and the implications of this issue on overall physical activity levels of children and youth.  

   

Read the full Report Card, including the assigned grades on 17 different indicators of how we measure up as nation with respect to childhood physical activity and see why this year we received a D- for physical activity levels.

Active Healthy Kids Canada strives to arm influential individuals and organizations with the most up-to-date evidence and information in order to support and advocate for physical activity for Canadian children and youth. 

BCHC Newsletter - April 2013

NEWS

Call For Youth Leaders - Apply For 2013's Get Outside BC Project!

Youth, ages 13-18, are invited to apply for the Get Outside BC Project, an exciting leadership program and learning opportunity for youth who have a passion for getting more youth out in nature.  To find out more about the program read the Champion piece in this month’s newsletter or visit www.getoutsidebc.ca for more details or to download the application form.

Municipal Alcohol Policy - New Round of Funding Announcement

BC Healthy Communities (BCHC) is pleased to announce the second round of funding for the Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP) program for local governments in BC. BCHC is accepting expressions of interest from all local governments for seed grants of up to $7,000 to develop a Municipal Alcohol Policy for their communities.   

A Municipal Alcohol Policy helps support healthy communities by providing clear guidelines for alcohol use in municipal settings, reducing liability and contributing to a culture of moderation regarding alcohol use. For more information about the MAP program and the benefits for your community contact Krissi Spinoza at hccoordinator@bchealthycommunities.ca or 250 952 9177 or visit our website here.

THE COMMUNITY

Building Resilient Neighbourhoods Update

Over the past few months through our partnership with Fraser Basin Council's Smart Planning for Communities program, the Building Resilient Neighbourhoods workshop series engaged participating community members, local governments and organizations in BC’s Capital Region. These workshops explored a range of topics on building community and neighbourhood resilience, including:  expanding local, cooperative, and self-reliant community networks; strengthening social ties and community cohesion; and operating in greater harmony with ecological limits.

As a follow up to the in-person workshops, two final webinars were hosted by BCHC and broadcasted province-wide in March. These sessions, which were held on two occasions due to very high interest, shared lessons learned and resources with other communities and local governments from the Building Resilient Neighbourhoods project. More detailed information on this project is available on the Smart Planning for Communities website or by contacting Stacy Barter at stacy@bchealthycommunities.ca. Recordings and resources from the webinars are available on the BCHC website. 

THE CHAMPION

Ellyn Davidson – Youth Champion

Ellyn found her love for the outdoors and environment at an early age, after spending countless summers boating and camping at parks near and around her home town of Nanaimo BC.  She continued pursuing her interest in the environment at the University of Victoria where she completed a BSc in Biology and Psychology in 2011. While at UVic, Ellyn honed her leadership and engagement skills both as a Resident Advisor and as the president of the Yoga Club. In her position as the Post-Secondary Education Coordinator at Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), she strives to give post-secondary students opportunities to be successful in the field of ocean science.  Ellyn likes working with youth and the public to increase their ocean literacy. She has also taken an active role in the Cityof Victoria Youth Council (CVYC) as a member of the Ministry of Environment and of the Media team (follow the CVYC on Twitter at @VicYouthCouncil).

Recently, Ellyn became the Victoria regional coordinator for the Get Outside BC project. Get Outside BC is a project administered by BCHC that aims to get youth outside through youth led projects. Through the program youth learn a variety of skills including leadership skills, media training, event planning and then get the chance to organize outdoor events of their choosing. The regional coordinators act as resources and help the youth develop successful projects. Get Outside BC is facilitated by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society of BC (CPAWS-BC) and is supported by many other organizations like BC Parks, Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Child & Nature Alliance. Ellyn is excited to be a part of Get Outside BC in her supporting role as she feels that the position will let her skill set and passion for youth engagement and the environment shine.

In her spare time you can find Ellyn playing the ukulele, practicing Yoga and writing reviews for concertaddicts.ca.

THE ARTICLE

10 Lessons I've Learnt Through Working In Youth Engagement

By: Kluane Buser-Rivet, Coordinator of the City of Victoria Youth Council

Through my youth engagement work, in particular coordinating the City of Victoria Youth Council (CVYC), I have been challenged, have grown personally and professionally and have learnt the following ten lessons (amongst many others!). As a youth civic engagement initiative hosted by BCHC, the CVYC is a group of 14-24 year old young folks who are passionate about fostering positive change in their communities. My hope is that these ten lessons can help inform and guide the youth engagement work you’re already involved in, or are thinking of doing.

2012-2013 City of Victoria Youth Council 

1. The successes of youth engagement are often difficult to measure in a quantifiable way. They are the new gleam of confidence in a young person’s eye, their newfound ease in leading their peers, their ability to communicate their ideas in a clear and articulate way, and in the development of many more subtle but essential skills.
2. There are many different ways for youth to speak their truth. When I was in South Africa doing environmental education work with local youth [1], our project culminated in a large visual art mural where hundreds of youth each contributed their own illustrated piece demonstrating through words and doodles what they wanted their future to look like.
3. Finding creative ways to incorporate environmental sustainability in their projects is very, very important to our younger generations. The CVYC saw this motivation and took it to heart through the creation of a new project called the PedalBox Gallery, Victoria’s first mobile bike cart art gallery.
4. Organizations that seek to involve youth in their work need to deeply and honestly examine the reasons behind their desires to engage youth. I have seen too many instances of youth engagement gone wrong when the intent was simply to use the buzzwords of “youth engagement” to help secure funding, show clients that one’s business “listens to youth”, etc.
5. Responsiveness is key. Even more important than holding space to hear youth voices is what happens next.
6. In politics, there is an important distinction between deliberate youth non-participation and youth apathy. The difference being that youth non-participation is a conscious, deliberate response to feeling that candidates do not adequately represent them and their interests, whereas voter apathy is based on the principle that youth do not care about the issues at hand.
7. A few years ago, when asking myself why youth were not engaging in programming I was presenting, I fell into the trap of blaming the youth themselves for slacking, not showing up, etc. Now, more and more, I understand that I need to be asking a different question: “What is it in my programming that isn’t meeting the needs of the youth?”
8. Someone told me a few days ago that one of the most important parts of working with youth is just getting out of the way. Allowing for mistakes and the lessons that can only be learnt through experimentation is so important, especially when working with young people who are only beginning to find their way in the world.
9. When I was helping to lead a group of francophone high school students on a humanitarian trip in Senegal [2], I learnt that being a youth worker is being a generalist. Sometimes you’re a shoulder to cry on, sometimes someone with whom to share a joke, sometimes someone to chat with about the future, etc.
10. One of the most valuable contributions a youth worker can make is to support young people in discovering themselves and developing their sense of self and belonging.  

To learn more about the CVYC visit their website, follow them on Facebook or Twitter or contact Kluane at info@cvyc.net

[1] http://www.funsociety.ca/del-durban

[2] http://ecolevirtuelle.csf.bc.ca/programme/yaakaar/

EVENTS

Event ~ Youth Week

Where: British Columbia, various places

When: May 1-7, 2013

What: Youth Week is a provincial celebration of youth held annually during the first week of May. It is a week of fun, interaction, and celebration intended to build a strong connection between young people and their communities and to profile the issues, accomplishments, and diversity of youth across the province. Find out what is happening in your area here

Webinar ~ Guess Who’s Coming to Town: Health Impacts of Work Camps in Close Proximity to Communities
Where: Online
When: May 30, 2013, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (PST)
What: This two-hour session, hosted by BCHC in collaboration with Northern Health, invites 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. To register click here

Conference ~ Building SustainAble Communities

Where: Kelowna
When: November 25-28, 2013
What: This year's event features a half-day workshop hosted by BC Healthy Communities entitled Building Healthy Communities Through Multi-Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships. For info visit the conference website here

THE READ

The Leader's Guide to Influence: How to use Soft Skills to get Hard Results
By: Mike Brent and Fiona Elsa Dent

Creating effective working relationships is one of the most powerful ways to get things done at work. People skills are often described as ‘soft skills’, but there’s nothing soft about the impact they can have on your business performance. As a manager or leader, using your influence positively, working with others and getting things done through other people is critical to delivering your business objectives. This book shows you how to step up your people skills to get the results you want.

Source: Ashridge.org.uk

BCHC Newsletter - March 2013

THE NEWS

Funding Opportunity for Local Governments to Develop Healthy Communities

In partnership with the Ministry of Health, BC Healthy Communities Society (BCHC) is currently accepting applications for small grants (up to maximum $5000 per community) to support local governments to engage in the development of healthy community partnerships and to build their capacity for healthy community leadership and action.

Funding permitting, applications will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous intake basis up until June 30, 2013. Eligible activities must take place before March 31, 2014. To find out more please visit our local government funding page or read the official news release here.

‘Strengthen Resilience’ Webinar Recording Now Available Online

In March local governments and community members were invited to join the webinar ‘Strengthen Resilience’ to explore the key characteristics of resilient communities and opportunities and strategies to strengthen resilience at the local level.  Two webinar sessions were hosted as part of the ‘Building Resilient Neighbourhoods Project’ in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal, Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria, Transition Victoria and Smart Planning for Communities, Fraser Basin Council. The webinar resources and recording are now available online here. To learn more about the Resilient Neighbourhoods project please visit the website here or contact Stacy Barter at stacy@bchealthycommunities.ca.  

THE COMMUNITY

Welcoming and Inclusive Communities. A Snapshot of the Legacy Initiative
by Jodi Mucha

Over the past 3 years, BCHC has worked closely with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and several other partners (Big Brothers, Big Sisters Fraser Valley, Abbotsford Community Schools Society, Abbotsford School District and WJ Mout Secondary School) to support welcoming and inclusive communities in Abbotsford.  This work has had a particular emphasis on capacity building and leadership development for immigrant and newcomer youth (INY) and has helped us identify key “tipping points” for immigrant and newcomer youth integration in Abbotsford.

Some exciting outcomes of the work in Abbotsford include:

• Support more multicultural involvement through revising existing Go Girls/ Game On curriculum (program offered by Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley);
• Hosted 3 Dove Self-Esteem programs at Abbotsford Middle School, Centennial Elementary and Godson Elementary;
• Hosted a Family of Schools Gathering and Character Council Leadership Summit;
• Grand Opening of Reimer School HUB. Reimer principal, Reg Gabriel, emphasized the importance of bringing its neighbours inside the doors of the school, even while classes are ongoing.

“The big thing for middle school philosophy in general and in this community is a sense of belonging,” said Gabriel. “And that really meshes well with the neighbourhood feel we’re creating here.” (Abbotsford News)

The project also supported the development and implementation of a Teen Advisory Group (TAG) that works on proactive, youth engagement activities in partnership with the Fraser Valley Regional Library.  Some of the activities undertaken included a multicultural tea party and a holiday event night, called ‘Spooktacular Halloween Party’ hosted in partnership with the Clearbrook Library; and a Youth and Community Scrabble Tournament hosted at The Old Spaghetti Factory. TAG has contributed significantly to youth achievements in Abbotsford and will remain active in the community.

As a way to encourage and provide youth business opportunities a multicultural business group was established that serves youth (ages 19-30) through a local chapter of the Junior Chamber International (JCI). The group focuses on training, local community contribution business networking, fellowship, and local, provincial national and international experience. 

Overall the true legacy of this project will continue to be seen for years to come, as relationships deepen and champions continue to develop.

THE ARTICLE

Leading Through Relationships with Youth and Seniors
by Krissi Spinoza

BCHC was recently invited to talk with local government leaders at the Local Government Leadership Academy 2013 Leadership Forum in Richmond. The theme of the event was “Leading through Relationships” and BCHC was invited to facilitate two sessions on how to lead through relations with youth and seniors. Since building strong relationships with local governments, community members and other stakeholders is at the heart of all of our work it was inspiring to hear about the work local government leaders are doing with young people and seniors in their communities. We heard about youth-driven skateparks, super successful lunch clubs for seniors and other activities that engaged and involved both younger and older people.

It was great to learn about the work going on throughout the province and the many benefits that had resulted from including young people and seniors in project development and delivery. One of the key benefits highlighted was the expertise and energy that community members provided thus ensuring that projects were tailored to the target demographic.

We also really enjoyed the opportunity to share some of our work with the City of Victoria Youth Council, the Trust US project and Age-Friendly Communities. All of these projects involve working closely with local government and other partners to provide engaging community projects that make a difference to people’s lives.  For example, the Trust US project has been developing a guide to planning community gardens that are accessible and inclusive to everyone no matter what their age. By seniors and youth working together the Trust US project hopes to benefit the whole community. Showcasing the fantastic work and achievements of this dedicated group of people at the Local Government Leadership Academy was an honour.

BCHC would like to thank the Local Government Leadership Academy for inviting us to this event and thank all the attendees for sharing their knowledge and experience.

We understand that working closely with community members takes time and dedication but the feedback from local governments suggested that it can bring tremendous benefits to all parties. We are always looking for new and exciting ways to work with communities, if you would like to highlight the work you are doing with local communities or are interested in working with us then please get in touch bchc@bchealthycommunities.ca.

THE CHAMPION

Cheryl Ashlie – Maple Ridge

Cheryl is a Councillor for Maple Ridge, a community of approximately 76,000 that is situated on the shores of the Fraser River, 45 kilometers east of Vancouver. Cheryl has worked, lived and raised a family in Maple Ridge since 1995 and has been a Maple Ridge Councillor for the last 5 years.

Recently, Cheryl has been involved in developing a Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP) for Maple Ridge. This policy will help shape alcohol management practices at municipally owned and managed sites around the city. The process of developing the MAP included working with stakeholders and community members to discuss issues connected with intoxication and chronic alcohol use and planning on how to encourage moderation in drinking as part of helping people lead healthier and happier lives. As Cheryl says: “most of the population fits into the responsible drinker category. However, with escalating health related costs, if we don’t embark on a stronger program of prevention, like that done with tobacco, the social and financial fallout will not be tolerable.” This is borne out by the statistics; hospitalization rates caused by alcohol are projected to exceed those caused by tobacco by the end of the year. [1]

The collaborative process of developing the Maple Ridge MAP has been key in developing an approach that supports healthy communities and this process continues as Maple Ridge considers how to roll out the policy. Cheryl commented, “From a governance perspective, I believe in MAP as it shows leadership and modeling of expectations of reversing the trends that have become apparent in the health data. In regards to health, better health starts at home and living in a healthy community makes it even more achievable. Maple Ridge embraces a healthy community model and MAP is a natural fit.”

When she’s not working hard as a Councillor, Cheryl enjoys taking political science courses with the goal of achieving a degree, volunteering in the community, hiking and walking the dikes and spending time with family and friends.

[1] BC Centre for Disease Control and University of Victoria 2010

EVENTS

Summit ~ Surrey Community Summit

Where: SFU, Surrey
When: April 6, 2013, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
What: The City of Surrey’s inaugural Community Summit will be a two-way dialogue where residents can discuss ideas, learn how to become more involved in their community, gather information on topics important to them, and learn more about their city. Learn more

THE READ

Report “Promote, Protect, Prevent: Our Health Begins Here”.
BC’s Guiding Framework for Public Health (the Guiding Framework)

The Ministry of Health recently published this new guiding document for the public health system. The Guiding Framework unifies resources and strategies that are in place to support public health and address key public health challenges. It defines a collaborative process to identify and set new priorities, make strategic investments and increase focus in areas that contribute to a strong, effective public health system. Furthermore, the Guiding Framework reinforces the importance of effective partnerships and strategic connections within the health system (particularly with the primary and community care sectors) and with external partners to support the broader population health approach.

Implementation of the Guiding Framework will be done in collaboration with key partners, reinforcing continuous quality improvement and ensuring effective and efficient resource use to support the overall health and well-being of British Columbians and a sustainable public health system well into the future [1].

To download the guide click here

[1] P.4 -“Promote, Protect, Prevent: Our Health Begins Here”. March 2013