2009-2010 UEY Submission to BFL Annual Report

Charlene SanJenko and Stella Castillo presented an overview of the remarkable work being done by Burnaby Family Life in our local community. BFL describe themselves as a deeply rooted, community-based, social-profit multi-service agency. Their extensive network and broad base of programs and services have built a respected reputation. They are an accredited agency, with highly trained, caring and trusted professionals who provide quality services and opportunities for families and individuals.

The main purpose is to support the successful settlement and integration of immigrants into Canadian society, to provide learning opportunities, emotional and practical supports, childcare and counselling services and to strengthen our community by empowering individuals and their families. Some of their newer initiatives were especially interesting including the Burnaby South Secondary Childcare Centre which will be the home of Burnaby’s first daycare garden thanks to a generous donation from the Burnaby Firefighters who are assisting in the start-up program.

Others include Women of the World, a relationship-building and mentoring program that has been formed to support the attachment of new immigrant women to their communities, and to the workforce, by providing them with personal and professional guidance, assistance and support.

Another program is the Lending Library which offers high-quality, sturdy, and durable hands-on learning materials such as; colour games, flash cards, pattern boards, puzzles, etc. for families to enjoy at home.

The BFL Pregnancy Outreach and Baby and Me Programs provide support to high-risk pre and postnatal women and their families. Due to the present economic conditions, there is a noticeable increase in the number of families and pregnant mothers with food security issues requiring emergency food rations. This demand is met with emergency food packages.

The above represent the tip of a large iceberg of worthwhile services. Community and business supporters are numerous, reinforcing the value and credibility of this organization. Our club has been a strong supporter over the years and will continue to do so.

By William Johnston, Rotary

To Morley Childcare staff from BC Centre for Ability

Going for Gold: Making Connections

The event hosted approx.  100 participants, 60 professional women and 30 immigrant women.  These women were motivated and empowered with the amazing life stories shared by Sarah Doherty (www.sidestix.com) and  Jas Cheema (iceintercultural.com).  Thank you so much!

Thank you to all of you who helped make this event happen and to all of you who attended.  We hope to do it again soon.

Event 4 Final Agenda

We have all seen him standing tall  downtown… IT’S THE GOLD MAN!!!

Profiles of a Welcoming and Inclusive Community will be a photo and story display of individuals who have contributed to, experienced, and are champions of establishing Burnaby as a Welcoming and Inclusive Community.

At our event, GOING FOR GOLD: Making Connections Luncheon on March 29th, we will be honoring some of those selected for inclusion within this profile. Do not delay in submitting your nominations!

Contact Charlene SanJenko, Business Development Consultant at charlene.sanjenko@gmail.com.

GOING FOR GOLD: Making Connections Luncheon

Monday, March 29th, 11:30 am – 2 pm Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

For over a decade, Jas Cheema has been  instrumental in building bridges and  fostering a cross-cultural understanding  between the ethnic communities in the  Lower Mainland. She has been a leader in  the field of inter-cultural communication,  diversity, community engagement and  racism-free communities and organizations.

In her role as a consultant, she has helped private, public and non-profit organizations address their diversity and community engagement issues. She has published many articles about social, cultural and racial issues. She has a Masters in Professional Communication with a Specialization in International and Intercultural Communications.  Her work has been recognized; she is the recipient of the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal, Surrey Leader of the Year, Flare Volunteer of the Year and Woman of Distinction awards for her services to the multicultural community, and the Griffin Award for her contributions to the Canadian Society through the art of writing.

Jas is busy raising a young family, working fulltime, and running a consulting business.  She is also very involved in her community.  She looks forward to sharing some lessons she’s learned in terms of being an immigrant women and keeping a balance while you work to give back to the community that’s given you so much… Learn more about Jas at www.iceintercultural.com

GOING FOR GOLD: Making Connections Luncheon

March 29th, 11:30-2pm, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

For further information or to register for this event, please email Charlene SanJenko at charlene.sanjenko@gmail.com or call 1.604.741.7985.

From a young age, Sarah Doherty has been athletic and competitive with a great passion for the outdoors.  Her passion served her well after an accident that changed her life drastically. At the age of 13, she was hit by a drunk driver and lost her right leg and hip.

Sarah’s accident and the resulting physical and emotional  rehabilitation had a profound effect on her choices in life.  Returning to sports was a natural transition in her  recovery, and by 1983 Sarah was a member of the US  disabled ski team. She left in 1985 and her team  continued on to take part in the first (Paralympian)  adaptive ski racing demonstration in Calgary, Alberta  1988.

In 1984, using adapted forearm crutches that she had created, Sarah became the first woman amputee to climb Mt. Rainier without an artificial limb. The following year using the same specialized climbing crutches, sidestix.com/, Sarah was the first amputee without an artificial limb to climb Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, and in 2009 she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Sarah’s life has been full of challenges and rewards. She has a great sense of humour, an uncanny sense of direction and a sixth sense for creative technology. She looks forward to sharing with you the importance of understanding your story, how your story shapes what you do best, and how your community plays a critical role in connecting the two. Learn more about Sarah at  www.sidestix.com

GOING FOR GOLD: Making Connections Luncheon

March 29th, 11:30-2pm, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

For further information or to register for this event, please email Charlene SanJenko at charlene.sanjenko@gmail.com or call 1.604.741.7985.

Monday, March 29th, 11:30 am – 2 pm Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

A $5-$10 donation is requested to help cover the costs of our luncheon.

For further information or to register for this free event, please email Charlene SanJenko at charlene.sanjenko@gmail.com or call 1.604.741.7985.