The Building Capacity Project Newsletter
Happy new school year from the Building Capacity Project, everyone! Whether you’re in school or not, September is a time of resetting priorities and beginning new things. It’s a fresh new notebook filled with pages of possibility, and our work is no exception. We’ve enjoyed a summer filled with exciting events, and there are many more to look forward to in the coming months. Here’s what’s new:
BRITISH COLUMBIA
PURPLE ANGELS
Christmas came early this year in Maple Ridge, BC!
On the 25th of July, the Purple Angels hosted a delightful “Christmas in July” event for their members, families and friends in the community. It was complete with carols, holiday stories, seasonal cookies and snacks, and some lively games of bocce and corn hole. The whole heartwarming event sent participants home with smiles on their faces.
KITSILANO NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House is actively seeking volunteers for their Memory Buddy program, a meaningful service that pairs community members with people living with dementia to get together once or twice a week for an activity they both enjoy. These connections create new memories and relationships while also giving care partners some respite. Volunteer requirements include compassion, empathy, and a willingness to be flexible. Kitsilano Neighbourhood House provides all the training.
DEMENTIA CO-CREATION ACADEMY
Burnaby’s Dementia Co-Creation Academy offered a three-part series of pottery-making workshops for people living with dementia, their care partners and other seniors living in the community this summer.
Pre-registered participants headed to Palette Art Studio in New Westminster to learn to use the pottery wheel, make a beautiful item of their choice, and enjoy music, dancing, and some light refreshments with friends. For more information about upcoming events with the DCCA, please visit dccacademy.ca
BURNABY NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
Burnaby Neighbourhood House offered a series of brain-health-related workshops in early August. At the workshops, hosted by two BC Housing sites, they piloted the Building Capacity Project’s new dementia reflection cards as a jumping off point for conversation. Participants noted the prompts really helped initiative powerful dialogue on topics like stigma, hope and meaning, and personhood that are otherwise sometimes hard to begin.
These cards will be publicly released soon, so stay tuned!
ONTARIO
THUNDER BAY
CERAH’s Native Plant Garden Tour at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay was “A blooming success!”
On August 18th, the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health hosted a successful native plant garden tour with over 20 participants exploring five garden sites and an extra bonus site. Attendees learned about local plants and gardening tips directly from homeowners while volunteers from CERAH and the North West Dementia Working Group shared insights into the "Dementia Gardens: A Place to Grow" project. The event raised funds for the upcoming initiative, leaving participants inspired and eager for more.
Stay tuned for future events and learn how to support the Dementia Gardens project!
Lakehead University’s Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health team had a successful day at the Pass Lake Fair Booth on August 24th. We engaged with many local residents, providing information about our Dementia Café and Dementia Garden. The booth became a hub for meaningful conversations, including inquiries about dementia, interest in research participation, and support from families affected by dementia. We also connected with a community leader who invited us to present at her women’s group and a local veterinarian who shared her innovative animal therapy method to support mental well-being. It was a day full of connection and community spirit!
UPCOMING EVENTS
THUNDER BAY
September 13th
Cook Up Some Fun This September! Mark your calendars for Friday, September 13th, as we invite you to join our cooking class in Roots Community Food Center, exclusively for members of the Dementia Café and our working group. Learn the art of preparing delicious meals for small groups in a hands-on, interactive session. This is a wonderful opportunity to bond with others, share stories, and of course, enjoy some great food together. Spaces are limited—so be sure to register now! Please contact us at dementia.cafe@lakeheadu.ca
VANCOUVER
October 16th
Save the date! The Building Capacity Project is hosting its second networking event for BC-based community partners. This event, which will take place on UBC’s beautiful campus, will allow partners to reflect on their community development journey and efforts toward meaningful inclusion of people living with dementia in their communities. It will also give partners a chance to deepen connections with each other and share meaningful insights, lessons learned, and ideas.
Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
The Building Capacity Project wants to wish a special welcome to our newest team member! Jiaqi (Jessica) Li is a Research Coordinator working closely with Dr. Elaine Wiersma and Dr. Nisha Sutherland on capacity-building and international projects at Lakehead University. She recently graduated with a Master of Education in “Education for Change: Social Justice Education” (SJE) from Lakehead University, where she researched bilingual Chinese students' experiences in English. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from China. Jiaqi is passionate about enhancing the quality of life for people with dementia, and she is interested in social justice, health education, bilingual education and community-focused research, which drives her interest in this role. She is inspired by her personal experience with her grandfather.
Thank you for reading and please check back every two months for more updates!
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