It was announced on January 26th, that in a 7-2 split decision, in the case of S.A. v. Metro Vancouver Housing Corp, the Supreme Court of Canada overturned British Columbia’s Court of Appeal’s decision on discretionary (Henson) trusts. In doing so, the court has set a precedent that will serve to shield the rights of persons with disabilities and helps to reduce poverty.
Discretionary trusts are used by parents and family members of persons with intellectual disabilities to provide financial security for their loved ones. The court decided that discretionary trusts should not be considered assets when determining income levels because the beneficiary cannot unilaterally force the trustees to make payments.
The appellant in the case was an individual with a disability living in a Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation (MVHC) complex. They were required to provide income verification every year as part of their application for rental assistance. In 2015, MVHC declined to approve the appellant’s application after learning that they were the beneficiary of a Henson trust. The Supreme Court ruled a Henson trust could not disqualify the appellant from being considered by MVHC for rental assistance.
The central issue in the appeal was whether assets in a Henson trust could be considered assets to assess an individual’s eligibility to receive social assistance benefits. This issue is of importance to people with disabilities as Henson trusts are a common estate planning tool used by families to ensure that their loved ones have a measure of financial security and autonomy after their death.
People First of Canada (PFC) and the Canadian Association for Community (CACL) served as co-intervenors advocating on behalf of the many persons with disabilities, and their families who regularly rely on discretionary (Henson) trusts as a tool to combat the systemic disadvantage and poverty persons with an intellectual disability face when their parents die.
“People with disabilities continue to face barriers in their participation as equal members of Canadian society. There is still more work to be done, but today we will celebrate,” said Joy Bacon, President of CACL.
This ruling does help, but it does not eliminate the need for good public policy that addresses the longstanding poverty of people with an intellectual disability, the barriers they face, and issues they encounter before and after their parents die.
This seems to be a good step in the right direction though.
Posted: March 1, 2019 by cvsadmin
DisDaBomb Continues to Innovate
2018 was a great year for our very own social enterprise, DisDaBomb. We grew our reach across the Tri-Cities and got our name out there in the community at a range of local events. The ladies in PoCo were busy throughout the year producing and packaging our beautiful bath bombs with direction from Dawn Walsh and the Support team in PoCo.
Alongside that, we truly expanded our product line and tested out some great bath bombs for a range of customers. Some of the highlights of 2018 were partnering with Save-on Foods to roll out two bath bomb campaigns to raise money for BC Children\’s Hospital, becoming an approved sponsor of the Tri-Cities Mom\’s Group and stocking our bath bombs at Pomme Natural Market in Port Coquitlam.
The team is always testing out new ideas in our PoCo location. One that they recently came up with is a Rainbow bath bomb (check out the video below) that is perfect for kids and just in time for Easter. It\’s still being perfected, but this video shows how excited kids are going to be for this bath bomb.
We\’ve also taken the time to look through all the products we launched in 2018 and really focus on the products that were our biggest sellers as we head into 2019 & beyond.
If you are looking to place an order for any bath bombs, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and we are excited for 2019 as it\’s already shaping up to be a year filled with success!
Posted: March 1, 2019 by cvsadmin
A Kelowna Mother\’s Story – More Support Staff Needed in Schools
An Okanagan mother is speaking out about current staffing levels at schools in Kelowna.
Christine McKay, whose six-year-old son Isaac has autism, says the Central Okanagan School District didn\’t have a resource teacher teacher at the beginning of the academic year, creating gaps in his education at South Kelowna Elementary. McKay is reaching out to state that more support workers are needed throughout the Okanagan to ensure children like her son aren\’t let down, and can thrive. With no resource teacher, McKay says there was no study plan for Isaac. McKay said that instead care workers walked the boy around the school\’s hallways throughout the school day.
The school district has responded, noting that they are meeting their requirements. McKay is one mom who is trying to take a stand for her son and whether the responsibility lies with the school district or the government to get her son further support to help with his needs, McKay makes a valid and important argument.
To learn more about Christine\’s story, click here. Tell us what you think about staffing levels in your local area and across BC as a whole. We\’d love to hear from you…
Posted: March 1, 2019 by cvsadmin
Special Olympics Winter Games in BC a Success
Vernon welcomed over 800 athletes in February to the Special Olympics Winter Games in BC. It sounds like this was a great event and everyone in attendance – athletes and volunteers – enjoyed the event and look at it as a big success for the Special Olympics.
The chairperson of the organizing committee for the Special Olympics B.C. Winter Games, Glenn Benischek, was overjoyed with the event. Benischek said that the event was \”a highlight of my life, something I’ll never forget. Just seeing the appreciation and having the athletes come up to me individually, sharing their experiences and how exciting this event was for them in their lives.”
More than 800 athletes, coaches and mission staff converged on the North Okanagan for the largest Winter Games in Special Olympics B.C. history. Athletes competed in front of large crowds in five-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating. The competitors qualified to advance to the 2019 Provincial Games by competing in regional qualifiers in 2018. They come to the Games with their regional teams representing the eight sport regions of B.C. and the Yukon.
To find out more about the Special Olympics games, check out this news article and to find out more about the Special Olympics in BC, click here.
Posted: February 13, 2019 by cvsadmin
Family Support Institute of BC Announces myBooklet BC
myBooklet BC was directly inspired by Julia, a vibrant and funny girl with complex health challenges. Julia has many gifts and strengths. She also has a very active life in her community. The Family Support Institute of BC collaborated with Julia\’s family to turn Julia\’s booklet into a FREE online tool. The tool aims to help, support and inspire families and people with disabilities in BC to create a person-centered plan using myBooklet BC.
The goal is that myBooklet BC will create opportunities for every person with disabilities in BC to have a rich life with active participation in the community, a strong sense of contribution and a social life free from isolation!
As mentioned in one of our blogs in January, the Family Support Institute of BC hosted a workshop to help with myBooklet BC. To learn more about upcoming workshops, click here.
Creating a free, online account is simple. Click here to start now or to learn more about myBooklet BC.
Posted: February 11, 2019 by cvsadmin
Weather Update – Snow – Wednesday, February 13th, 2019
CVS is going to be open. Handi-Darts are on essential service only. Some staff are unable to make it in so staffing may be difficult – but we will make do. Please be careful with icy roads and sidewalks. If you have any questions please call 604.218.8492.
Posted: February 6, 2019 by cvsadmin
CVS is Recruiting New Board Members!
It’s 2019 and the Community Ventures Society (CVS) is looking for new Board Members. Our current Board of Directors are an ideal mix of people who have adult children served by CVS and also professionals who bring their expertise to the Board. After many years of service some Board members are wanting to take a step back and create an opportunity for someone new.
CVS provides support and services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. We provide Foster Families, Summer Camps, Children\’s Respite, Life Skills, Community Inclusion, Employment, Specialized Children\’s Residential, Outreach, and Shared Living services. We have been serving the Tri-Cities since 1979.
To help ground our Board we are interested in people serving on the Board who have a loved one that is served by CVS. We feel that having family members on our Board of Directors makes us stronger and more connected to the people we serve with respect to our governance.
The commitment required of Board Members is as follows:
Board Members must act with integrity, honesty, and in good faith in the best interests of CVS with our Vision, Mission, and Values as a guide.
If you are interested please contact our Nominations Committee Chair, Valerie Irving at [email protected].
Posted: February 1, 2019 by cvsadmin
Securing the Financial Future for Persons with Disabilities
It was announced on January 26th, that in a 7-2 split decision, in the case of S.A. v. Metro Vancouver Housing Corp, the Supreme Court of Canada overturned British Columbia’s Court of Appeal’s decision on discretionary (Henson) trusts. In doing so, the court has set a precedent that will serve to shield the rights of persons with disabilities and helps to reduce poverty.
Discretionary trusts are used by parents and family members of persons with intellectual disabilities to provide financial security for their loved ones. The court decided that discretionary trusts should not be considered assets when determining income levels because the beneficiary cannot unilaterally force the trustees to make payments.
The appellant in the case was an individual with a disability living in a Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation (MVHC) complex. They were required to provide income verification every year as part of their application for rental assistance. In 2015, MVHC declined to approve the appellant’s application after learning that they were the beneficiary of a Henson trust. The Supreme Court ruled a Henson trust could not disqualify the appellant from being considered by MVHC for rental assistance.
The central issue in the appeal was whether assets in a Henson trust could be considered assets to assess an individual’s eligibility to receive social assistance benefits. This issue is of importance to people with disabilities as Henson trusts are a common estate planning tool used by families to ensure that their loved ones have a measure of financial security and autonomy after their death.
People First of Canada (PFC) and the Canadian Association for Community (CACL) served as co-intervenors advocating on behalf of the many persons with disabilities, and their families who regularly rely on discretionary (Henson) trusts as a tool to combat the systemic disadvantage and poverty persons with an intellectual disability face when their parents die.
“People with disabilities continue to face barriers in their participation as equal members of Canadian society. There is still more work to be done, but today we will celebrate,” said Joy Bacon, President of CACL.
This ruling does help, but it does not eliminate the need for good public policy that addresses the longstanding poverty of people with an intellectual disability, the barriers they face, and issues they encounter before and after their parents die.
This seems to be a good step in the right direction though.
Posted: January 24, 2019 by cvsadmin
myBooklet Workshop Hosted by Family Support Institute of BC
Have you had a chance to make your own myBooklet* yet?
Would you like some 1:1 personalized information to learn more about this new tool?
If so, please join us for a 3 hour hands-on tutorial session facilitated by myBooklet BC team.
WORKSHOP DETAILS / Registration required:
Space is limited so register today to reserve your spot!
Posted: January 24, 2019 by cvsadmin
familyWORKs Meeting
familyWORKs is having its next meeting on Thursday, February 14th from 7-8:30pm to discuss Attitude & Skill Building.
Please review the poster below for further information. To register either email Bob at [email protected] or call 604-944-7741.
Posted: January 9, 2019 by cvsadmin
Music Nights are Back – Check out our 2019 schedule…
Thursday is Music Night at Community Ventures Society with Glenn Argenal or Tony Prophet. Join us for a fun-filled evening with music, dancing and some light snacks.
When: Thursdays from 6:00pm-8:00pm
2019 Schedule:
Feb 7th & 21st (with Glenn) March 7th (with Tony) & March 21st (with Glenn) April 4th (with Tony) & April 18th (with Glenn) May 2nd (with Tony), May 16th (with Glenn) & May 30th (with Tony) June 13th (with Glenn) & June 27th (with Tony)Where: 2322 St. Johns Street, Port Moody
Details: Enter off of Spring Street, light snacks- cost is $5, people who need support should bring a support person. For more information call Dawne at 604.838.6381 or go to communityventures.ca.
Upcoming Events