Chilliwack Society for Community Living
9353 Mary Street V2P 4G9 Chilliwack, BC, Canada

New provincewide public safety orders require people in BC to wear masks in most indoor public settings. People who do not comply with BC's new indoor mask mand...ate can now be fined up to $230. You DO need to wear a mask in: Malls, shopping centres Grocery stores Airports Coffee shops A taxi or ride-sharing vehicle or on public transportation Places of worship Libraries Clothing stores Liquor stores Drug stores Community centres Recreation centres Common areas of office buildings, court houses, hospitals and hotels City Halls Restaurants, pubs and bars when not seated at a table Common areas in gyms when not working out Common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations You DON'T need to wear a mask if: You have health conditions and cannot wear one You cannot remove a mask on your own You are a child under the age of 12 Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/23315

Thanks to our friends at the Semiahmoo Self advocates Network for releasing this video. Language is important! https://youtu.be/roHMkUaWHQk

It has been very painful to see two Chilliwack School District Trustees make and defend a hurtful use of the R-word last week. In this day and age, this word is... widely recognized as hurtful and dehumanizing to people with intellectual disabilities and their many friends and loved ones. To quote Special Olympics BC Langley athlete Christian Burton: The words we use can be very powerful and hurtful and cause a person to feel very badly about themselves. The R-word is one of the words that is very hurtful toward others. Even if it is not intended to hurt and is only used as slang or to make fun of a friend, it still hurts anyone who has an intellectual difference who may be listening. Using the word is never acceptable and we need to educate people to stop. Just Stop! We always want to be kind with our words as well as our actions. This is an opportunity for the School District No. 33 - Chilliwack to follow the inspiring example of their alumna Megan Owens, a recent graduate of their district and a true champion of inclusion who has led empowering Spread the Word: Inclusion and Inclusion Revolution Sports events in Chilliwack schools, opening many hearts and minds to the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities and the importance of ending use of the R-word. We call on all Chilliwack School District Trustees to make a public commitment to inclusion of all students by taking the Inclusion Revolution pledge, and sharing education district-wide that fosters respect and inclusion for all people with intellectual disabilities, and ends the hurtful use of the R-word. In hopes of seeing everyone come together to share education and a spirit of respect and inclusion for all, we are posting this statement on social media and we have emailed it to all the Chilliwack School District Board of Education Members. Trustee David Swankey has kindly responded that he had already taken the pledge, and welcomes any opportunity to support the campaign further. #sd33learns #ChooseToInclude #InclusionRevolution

Did you shake out today? CSCL did! #ShakeOut #shakeoutbc #GreatBCShakeout

We are absolutely appalled by public comments made by Chilliwack School Trustee Barry Neufeld, in which he used the R word. We're encouraged that the Minister ...of Education Rob Fleming is "looking at all possible options that Government may have to address this situation. Under the School Act, Cabinet has the power to remove an entire board but not an individual trustee." Students need to feel safe and welcome in their school and district. It is not okay that someone in his position continues to use hateful language, hurting those he is supposed to represent. We need stronger legislation that holds School Trustees accountable to their code of conduct.

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We want to hear from you! If you have lived or are living in home sharing, if you are a family member of someone with home sharing experience, or if you are pro...viding home sharing supports, please take this survey to help us make improvements when it comes to referrals and crisis response. Survey link: https://survey.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eldXDuH2cFTpTr7

Never JUST a DSP(direct support professional); we are so grateful for all the support workers at CSCL doing important work every day!!

Thanks to support from the Canadian Red Cross and the Government of Canada, these talks are spreading the word to families, caregivers and students throughout t...he province. Join us! Read the full article: https://lttr.ai/ZQIm @redcrosscanada @ESDC_GC #bcpoli #bced #Accessibility

November 20 is World Children’s Day! A day to reimagine a better future for every child.

Inclusion BC is hosting a free plain language elections webinar tomorrow at 1:00PM. Do you know anyone who might want to register? https://inclusionbc.org/our-servic/virtual-learning-series/

All the layers are important!

Winners from Week 2 of CSCL's Photo Contest - "How are you being Calm, Kind and Safe?

CSCL's fall edition of its' quarterly newsletter, "Out & About" is now available. Articles about October is Community Living/Inclusion Month, Lynn Nider Tribute, COVID Update, Wellness Challenge, CYS Update, NADSP info, People First update and other happenings at CSCL can be found in this edition. Click the link below to read now:... http://cscl.org/wp-cont//2020/10/Volume-12-Issue-4_sml.pdf

Happy thanksgiving!

Opportunity for all Youth with diverse abilities (under the age of 30) to submit their artwork and/or photography for Inclusion BC's 2021 Virtual Youth Employment Summit (YES). Deadline to submit is October 23, 2020.

Voting allows you to choose who you think will best represent you and your community. Check it out... https://inclusionbc.org/bc-votes-2020/ October 24th is Election Day in BC.

October is Community Living/Inclusion Month and CSCL's Photo Contest is back! This year's theme is all about "How are you being kind, calm and safe?" "We are thankful that we can still get together safely to have some fun and exercise!"

October 24th is Election Day in BC. It is your RIGHT as a citizen of BC to vote. Inclusion BC provides more information about how to exercise your right!

October is Community Inclusion Month in BC! Celebrating the lives of persons with diverse abilities and their contributions to our communities; focusing on enhancing inclusion, thus ensuring that persons with developmental disabilities can participate fully in society!

Show us your Orange Shirt !

Great article from CSCL's Natalie LeBlanc Karam...