Micheal Prince of the Broadbent Institute is recommending increase to the disability rates. In a story by the CBC, it outlines that the rates are not indexed and have not been raised significantly since 2004. As a result, people with disabilities are living well below the poverty line. Michael Prince said, the \”annual rates right now are not enough to cover living expenses. The rate now for a year is a little over $11,500,\” he explained. \”I\’m looking at getting that up to the neighbourhood of $19,000, or $19,500. To get there, that means a steady, not immodest amount of money — $50 million to $150 million each year — incrementally invested through two governments and eight budgets.\”

Let\’s hope that this upcoming provincial budget has earmarked some funding for this important issue.

The good people at the CBC are reporting that the number of HandyDart trips will be increased by 85,000 trips in 2017. That is excellent news for people who depend on the service for their mobility in the community. It also looks like they will further increase service for the next three years after. Much thanks to the folks at Translink.

The CBC weather folks have forecast another winter storm that adds another 10-20 cm starting Wednesday afternoon and lasting until Thursday afternoon at which point it is supposed to turn to rain. As a result, I have decided it is prudent to close CVS for this Thursday, February 9, 2017.

Please know that when we call a snow day it is a big deal. We understand the impact on the people we serve, families and our staff. At the same time, we don\’t want to put anyone at risk of a car accident, getting stuck or a fall on slippery surfaces.

Spring is around the corner…

After consulting the news (the paper got delivered), looking out the window to see if the sidewalks are still clear, and seeing the traffic moving about we have decided to be open today at CVS. HandyDarts are running on essential service only (renal & cancer) so transportation for some will be a problem.

We have done our best to have our lots cleaned, but it has snowed since so please be careful on slippery sidewalks, parking lots and streets. If you have any questions please call Linda King at 604.644.0093.

Finally, it is not all bad the snow looks so pretty here in the Tri-Cities… so take a moment and enjoy the view.

Congratulations to the Tri-Cities Rotary Clubs: Coquitlam, Coquitlam Sunrise, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam for winning the Not-for-Profit category in the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.  All four of these Rotary Clubs do a lot of good for our community. At CVS we have 3 staff who contribute to the Rotary effort but we get back so much more as our involvement has helped us get to know people in the Tri-Cities and weave ourselves into the fabric of the community.

Out of concern for all the people we serve, our staff and family members we have decided to call it a snow day and close CVS. Please call Linda King at 604.644.0093 if you have questions or concerns.

CVS is piloting a Girls Night for women (19+) that is devoted to building friendships, social skills and fun activities. To register contact Holly Calver at [email protected] or at 604.939.8070 ext 2028. For more information please see the poster below.

CVS is hiring for our Community Inclusion Programs, Residential Services, Foster Care, Respite and Shared Living Services. For more information please check out our website or call Pete Stone, Manager of Human Resources and Quality Assurance at 604.939.8070 ext. 2027 or send him an email at [email protected]

We have moved our Port Coquitlam location from Shaughnessy Street to Unit #1120 – 1368 Kingsway Avenue. We have more space now to create more employment opportunities for the people we serve. We are still getting settled but if you want to drop by and have a look please call Norm Waunch at 604.939.8070 ext. 2040.

Community Ventures Society is pleased and proud to host a familyWORKs meeting on February 23 from 7 pm until 8:30. familyWORKs supports and connects families to work toward employment with their family members who have disabilities. The focus of this meeting is on CLBC employment options. See you there!