Tomorrow, October 10th, is a significant day worldwide—World Mental Health Day. It highlights the importance of mental health, reminding us that it deserves the same attention and care as physical health.
In 2024, mental health is more relevant than ever as we navigate the ongoing challenges brought by a fast-paced and ever-evolving world. As this important day approaches, let’s explore why mental health matters and how you can integrate meaningful support into your daily life.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
Mental health affects every aspect of our lives—relationships, physical health, and sense of purpose—yet it is often misunderstood or stigmatized. World Mental Health Day aims to encourage open conversations that break this silence, fostering compassion and acceptance.
Mental health issues can impact anyone, but many hesitate to seek help. By creating space for dialogue, we can dismantle stigma and support one another. Mental health, like physical health, requires care and attention, and with nearly 1 billion people affected globally, everyone has a role in promoting understanding and support.
Practical Ways to Support Mental Well-being
On Thursday October 10, let’s consider how we can weave mental wellness into our daily routines. Here are some simple yet affective practices to help:
- Practice mindfulness: Taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing, observe your thoughts, or simply be present can help reduce stress and increase self-awareness.
- Prioritize self-care: Whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book, or engaging in a hobby you love, carving out time for yourself helps recharge your mental and emotional batteries.
- Build a support system: Surrounding yourself with people who listen and care can have a profound impact on your mental well-being. It’s important to know you’re not alone.
- Seek professional help: Therapy, counseling, or coaching isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a proactive step toward well-being. Mental health professionals provide valuable guidance in navigating complex emotions and challenges.
Prioritizing Mental Health
Let’s commit to taking mental health seriously not just on World Mental Health Day – but every day. Whether through learning, offering support, or making small changes in our own lives, every action plays a role in advocating for a healthier, more empathetic world. Take time to reflect, actively engage, and take meaningful actions—both for yourself and those around you—focusing on creating lasting, impactful change.
*Insights taken from GroupHealth Benefit Solutions.
Posted: October 11, 2024 by cvsadmin
Make a Difference in the Life of a Child this Christmas – 2024 Campaign
Every year, the Family Support Services department at CVS works hard to create a memorable Christmas for the children & families we support in our Children’s Respite program.
We are happy to announce that efforts have started to pull together resources for our 2024 Annual Christmas Campaign – click here.
Christmas is a special time but it can also be a very hard time for many families. This holiday season, we hope you might consider donating to this important campaign to make this time of year a memorable one for the families in our program.
One of the easiest ways to send your donation to us is through our online donation form which can be easily accessed through our website. Simply click here and you will be able to make your donation to the 2023 Christmas Campaign.
If you would like to donate to the 2023 Christmas Campaign in person, you can drop off your donation at our administrative office at #307-2502 St Johns Street in Port Moody to the attention of Joanne Weidinger.
We want to thank you in advance for supporting this important campaign. In past years, your support has made such a difference in the life of the children in our program and their families.
You’ve put smiles on their faces and happiness in their hearts in the past – we are excited to do the same this year.
Posted: October 9, 2024 by cvsadmin
Ahead of World Mental Health Day
Tomorrow, October 10th, is a significant day worldwide—World Mental Health Day. It highlights the importance of mental health, reminding us that it deserves the same attention and care as physical health.
In 2024, mental health is more relevant than ever as we navigate the ongoing challenges brought by a fast-paced and ever-evolving world. As this important day approaches, let’s explore why mental health matters and how you can integrate meaningful support into your daily life.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
Mental health affects every aspect of our lives—relationships, physical health, and sense of purpose—yet it is often misunderstood or stigmatized. World Mental Health Day aims to encourage open conversations that break this silence, fostering compassion and acceptance.
Mental health issues can impact anyone, but many hesitate to seek help. By creating space for dialogue, we can dismantle stigma and support one another. Mental health, like physical health, requires care and attention, and with nearly 1 billion people affected globally, everyone has a role in promoting understanding and support.
Practical Ways to Support Mental Well-being
On Thursday October 10, let’s consider how we can weave mental wellness into our daily routines. Here are some simple yet affective practices to help:
Prioritizing Mental Health
Let’s commit to taking mental health seriously not just on World Mental Health Day – but every day. Whether through learning, offering support, or making small changes in our own lives, every action plays a role in advocating for a healthier, more empathetic world. Take time to reflect, actively engage, and take meaningful actions—both for yourself and those around you—focusing on creating lasting, impactful change.
*Insights taken from GroupHealth Benefit Solutions.
Posted: October 1, 2024 by cvsadmin
Community Inclusion Month – Social Media Toolkit 2024
October is Community Inclusion Month in B.C.!
Do your part in sharing your support for people with diverse abilities across all aspects of our world – work, rest & play. During Community Inclusion Month, we take time to reflect and celebrate diversity in the people we support and across our community. Throughout this month, we will highlight how inclusive workplaces, inclusive education, inclusive housing and inclusive communities create happier, healthier societies.
We invite everyone in our community to show your support of Community Inclusion Month by downloading one or all of the photos below to your personal, business or institutional social media channels. This will help raise awareness of what Community Inclusion Month is and help us encourage conversation about the power of inclusive communities!
Also, feel free to use these hashtags in your post & tag CVS at the following handles:
Hashtags – #inclusionmonth2024 #OctisCommunityInclusionMonth #celebratediverseabilities #inclusionBC #celebrateinclusion2024
CVS social media handles:
Instagram – @communityventuresbc or @dis.da.bomb (CVS social enterprise)
Facebook – @communityventuressociety
TikTok – @communityventures
Cover Photo
Facebook Frame
Frame Template
Frame Example
Click Here to Access the Community Inclusion Month Facebook Frame Template
Instructions for creating your Facebook frame – 1) When you click on the link, you will be guided to Canva. 2) Simply upload a headshot/profile picture of yourself. 3) Drag and drop that photo into the “image placeholder”. In Canva, click on “Share” and “Download”. 4) Upload the downloaded image as your profile picture on Facebook.
Profile Pictures
Profile Picture 1
Profile Picture 2
Instagram Photos / Slide Deck (for Reel)
If you have any questions or run into any technical issues with downloading the files above, please reach out to Miriam Hoolahan directly by email – [email protected].
Posted: August 16, 2024 by cvsadmin
Welcome to Ramneek Kaur
We want to take this opportunity to welcome Ramneek Kaur to the CVS team. Ramneek will be joining our Finance team as Payroll & Accounting Administrator and will be taking over the responsibilities for union payroll.
Originally from India, Ramneek completed her Post-Baccalaureate Diploma (PBD) in Accounting at Douglas College, She also holds a Masters in Commerce from India. Ramneek is proficient in payroll with practical experience in the field. In her spare time, Ramneek is passionate about cooking and experimenting with new recipes. She is also an enthusiastic hiker and adventure seeker, enjoying outdoor activities and exploration. Ramneek loves meeting new people, learning new experiences and sharing insights.
We are excited to welcome Ramneek and look forward to working with her in the coming weeks and months.
Ramneek can be reached at [email protected] or at extension 2017.
Posted: June 20, 2024 by cvsadmin
Annual Report 2023/2024
2023/2024 was another fun & exciting year for CVS. We continued getting out and about in the community as well as working towards our 4 strategic commitments. Please take the time to check out our annual report below.
Download the 2023/2024 CVS Annual Report
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Posted: June 4, 2024 by cvsadmin
Join Us for Another CVS Movie Night!
Grab your popcorn and a comfy chair, CVS is excited to invite you to another movie night on Monday, June 17th at 6:00 pm! For your $5, you will get entry to see Inside Out 2 as well as a small pop and popcorn! Running time for the movie is 1 hour and 36 mins and is rated PG.
Through the generosity of the City of Port Moody Community Grants Program, CVS is able to fun evening events like this one for the people we support. We now have the opportunity to host this event and we would love for you to join us. Thank you to the City of Port Moody for your continued support.
If you would like to attend, please complete the form below by Wednesday, June 12th – tickets will go quickly, so don’t miss out!
Advanced payment of the $5 is required to secure your tickets. Please send the payment of $5/ticket by e-transfer to [email protected] (please add reference: MOVIE).
Reserve your tickets ASAP in the form below
Enter your contact information in the form below to secure your tickets. Alternatively, you can contact Miriam Hoolahan directly at [email protected].
When: Monday, June 17th, 2024 – meet at 5:30 pm (come early to get your ticket & popcorn!)
Where: Cineplex Odeon, Coquitlam
Cost: $5/ticket
Reserve Your Tickets Now!
Enter your contact details below.
Sign Up – Movie Night – June 2024
Posted: May 3, 2024 by cvsadmin
Welcome to Serina Heckert, our new Assistant Manager of Family Supports
Join me in welcoming Serina Heckert, our new Assistant Manager of Family Supports. Serina will be joining CVS on Wednesday, May 8th reporting to Joanne Weidinger, Manager of Family Support Services.
Serina has worked in several capacities with families and youth since 2015. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at SFU in 2019 and the DABA program at Douglas College. She has worked in an Intensive Behaviour Support EA position in the school district. She is excited to apply her knowledge from these experiences here at CVS.
Posted: May 3, 2024 by cvsadmin
Welcome to Heidy Christie, our new HR Administrator
Join me in welcoming Heidy Christie, our new HR Administrator. Heidy will be joining the HR team on Monday, May 6th. Heidy is a recent SFU graduate where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration. Keep an eye out for Heidy in the coming weeks & make sure to say hello as she gets to know all of us at CVS!
Posted: April 19, 2024 by cvsadmin
New Changes in Community Inclusion & Homes
There have been some recent changes to staffing our Community Inclusion and Homes programs. These changes will take effect starting in May but we wanted to announce the changes now so everyone is aware and can congratulate Patrick, Philip and Ike on their new appointments.
Patrick Fowler has been appointed as the Discovery #1 Program Coordinator, reporting to Dawne Windblad. Patrick has been part of the CVS team for several years now and has most recently moved to this role from the Footloose Program Coordinator position. He will continue to help out and be at the main office as needed until then. Congratulations Patrick!
Philip Nkum will be starting the role of Temporary Footloose Program Coordinator on May 6th, reporting to Dawne Windblad. Over the past year, Philp has been working at Upper Inverness in a Temporary Program Coordinator role. Welcome to Community Inclusion Philip!
Ike de Vera will move into the role of Inverness Program Coordinator starting on May 1st, reporting to Adrienne Mohr. Ike held a permanent position at Inverness House in the overnight position previously. He then took the temporary PC position at Moore House before moving into this permanent role. Congratulations Ike!
Posted: April 5, 2024 by cvsadmin
Wanna Dance? Here’s an event for you on May 25th…
Join the Simon Fraser Community Council of Community Living BC (CLBC) for a fun night of dancing on May 25th, 2024. Check out the poster below –
Upcoming Events