The Building Capacity Project Newsletter
Summer is here and the Building Capacity Project team is ready for it! We’re excited to cheer on our incredible community partners doing important capacity-building work in this glorious warm weather and watch projects, programs, and people blossom alongside the annuals!
Here are just a few upcoming and recent highlights to celebrate. Stay tuned for more updates every two months, and in the meantime, we wish you a fabulous summer!
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ASK FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
ASK Friendship Society officially launched their bus rental program in early June with a lively gathering at City Hall funded in part by the United Way’s AIM Grant. The event, also compliments of the City of Vancouver’s “Older Persons and Elders Advisory Committee”, garnered more recognition among city staff, councillors, and the Mayor, about the need for seniors’ transportation within the city.
ASK’s two buses—one which seats 19 people, and the other 8—are ready for adventure and rentable by local seniors-serving organizations looking to get out and enjoy the sites of summer (or any season year round!).
For more information, please contact Miranda Hayley at 604-263-7333
DEMENTIA CO-CREATION ACADEMY
The Dementia Co-Creation Academy officially launched their programming at the end of May with a lively first meeting of the “Hi-Five Club” at Rideau Care Home in Burnaby. A great turnout of roughly 50 people came together to reconnect with friends, meet new people, share some snacks, and partake in team-building activities.
Organizers shared a short photo presentation of some of the work they’ve done in community and offered heartfelt words of thanks to participants. They then initiated a fun writing prompt activity for everyone to engage with. The group was serenaded by a twelve-year-old guitarist who had taken it upon himself to fundraise to support this new, exciting venture. And the inaugural event came complete with cake for all and a beautiful collective singing of “Happy Trails” to send everyone off on their day.
A month later, DCCA partnered with artist and facilitator Abby Green-Bull to host a moving drum circle that lifted spirits all around. The positive impact of this group after just two events is already undeniable and there are many more gatherings already planned for the near future!
Learn more at dccacademy.ca
GIBSONS SENIOR CENTRE & SUNSHINE COAST RESOURCE CENTRE
Gibsons Seniors Centre and Sunshine Coast Resource Centre held their first “brain health” workshop last month at Harmony Hall with an astounding 68 participants in attendance to the delight of event organizers. Guests received an informative lecture on brain health followed by some guidance from a local librarian around finding resources.
ONTARIO
THUNDER BAY
Thunder Bay’s Dementia Gardens plans are in full swing now thanks to the work of the Building Capacity Project Team and the North West Dementia Working Group. The two hard-working groups are busy securing further grants at the local, provincial, and national level, to access larger items like sheds and bulk gardening material. But the process has taken root!
BCP Knowledge Broker Carlina Marchese and North West Dementia Working Group Member Bill Heibein hosted a booth at this year’s Rural Health Fair on May 29 at the Kakabeka Legion, advertising the Dementia Café “A Place to Belong” and The Centre For Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH). The fair was hosted by NorWest Community Health Centre. It was set up like an expo with booths from various health and social care organizations looking to connect and build awareness.
The event was a great success, with many folks from the surrounding municipalities in attendance including some friendly faces from the North West Dementia Working Group itself.
UPCOMING EVENTS
BRITISH COLUMBIA
July 25th
Maple Ridge’s Purple Angels have got quite a celebration in the works. Watch for carefully wrapped gifts, a fully adorned holiday tree, plenty of children and adults caught up in the magic of the “season”, and the big man himself who will make a cameo appearance while guests enjoy some delectable holiday sweets.
From Free lunches and Dementia Cafés to fitness and workshops, check out all the upcoming events on the Building Capacity Project calendar.
THUNDER BAY
July 5th
The Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH) team will be touring the Adelaide Butterfly Garden! This is a wonderful opportunity to glimpse a smattering of gorgeous Ontario native plants and get inspiration for the upcoming Dementia Gardens!
July 18th
The same group will tour the Roots Community Food Centre! They have a newly renovated building, a gorgeous dining room, and spacious kitchen as well as access to a beautiful outdoor space. CERAH team members Elaine and Carlina met with Roots and learned more about their senior and Elder meal program which offers a free meal twice a week.
There are always exciting and inspired events happening in our communities.
Thank you for reading and please check back every two months for more updates!
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