crossroads - Canadian Red Cross

C R O S S R O A D S
April 2008
Table of Contents
Page 1 ____________________
A Message from the Regional
Director
Page 2 ____________________
Give Back at RONA
Calendar of Events
Page 3 ____________________
Working Out Your Global Core
Calendar of Events (cont)
Page 4 ____________________
March is Red Cross Month
Calendar of Events (cont)
Page 5 ____________________
Program Spotlight: RespectED
Calendar of Events (cont)
Page 6 ____________________
Canadian Red Cross Membership
A publication of the Red Cross in the Lower Mainland
A Message from the Regional Director
As we move into spring and start a new fiscal year, we reflect on the dedicated work of staff and volunteers that
continue reaching diverse populations in the region. The Red Cross is a voice and support to the most vulnerable.
Our work with new immigrants and refugees in the Lower Mainland Region is responsive to needs, while
recognizing community strengths, assets and capacities.
Our work with newcomer populations continues to grow as partnerships are formed with agencies and
organizations who are working with communities. First Contact, a partnership with 26 agencies across the
region, showcases how, as a united group, we can provide resources and support to newcomers as they transition
smoothly into their life in Canada. The RespectED production called “Seeds of Respect,” focuses on the issue of
bullying and harassment through the experiences of newly immigrated youth. The young people involved in the
production are taking active leadership roles in promoting healthy relationships and creating safe environments.
Engagement strengthens the community as a whole and helps guide our work into the new year.
During March is Red Cross Month we launched the Membership program in the region to garner support from the
public to ensure we remain responsive to community needs and help guide the Red Cross’ direction in the future.
We encourage supporters, donors, volunteers and friends of the Red Cross to become members today as we
continue our work and celebrate humanitarian efforts in local and international communities.
Susan Borthwick
Regional Director
Canadian Red Cross Lower Mainland Region
Program
Canadian Red Cross
Lower Mainland Region
3400 Lake City Way
Burnaby B.C. V5A 4Y2
Tel: 604-709-6600
Fax: 604-709-6675
www.redcross.ca/lowermainland
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Page Calendar of Events
Regional Annual Meeting &
Volunteer Recognition Awards
Date: April 30th, 2008
Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: National Nikkei Museum
& Heritage Centre (100 – 6688
Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby)
Info: [email protected] or
604-709-6692
The Red Cross will be electing
members to the Lower Mainland
Council and recognizing volunteers
for their dedication to support
Red Cross work. Hosted by CBC’s
Kathyrn Gretsinger, the event will also
include keynote speaker Maiclaire
Bolton, Head of Seismic Safety of
the Provincial Emergency Program,
who will speak to the real threat of a
major earthquake and help prepare
the public to be self-sufficient during
a disaster.
Emergency Preparedness Week
– May 4th – 10th
Emergencies can happen anytime
and anywhere. Learn how to prepare
yourself and your family for any scale
of disaster. For more information,
visit www.redcross.ca/lowermainland
under ‘When Disaster Strikes’
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A publication of the Red Cross in the Lower Mainland
Give Back at RONA
Did you know that RONA is a national partner of
the Canadian Red Cross and initiated an intense
fundraising goal of $50,000 for community disaster
relief in Canada?
Red Cross Disaster Management volunteers educate
RONA customers on emergency preparedness during
the February fundraising campaign
Canada’s largest distributor and retailer of hardware,
home renovation and gardening products and the
Canadian Red Cross have a strong history of working
together to help Canadian families get back on their
feet after an emergency. Last year, RONA provided
50 clean-up kits to flood survivors in Terrace, B.C. and
40 kits to residents affected by the Prince George
ice jam. Rona also provides a significant financial
donation to the Canadian Red Cross each year.
In the month of February, RONA encouraged
customers to make a $1 donation to the Canadian
Red Cross to support local disaster management
programs.
“The havoc caused by this year’s snowstorm in
the Lower Mainland highlights the necessity to get
our resources ready to help people affected when
disasters strike,” said Magdalena Blasiak, Program
Manager, Disaster Management of the Canadian Red
Cross, Lower Mainland Region. “We’re very excited to
continue working with RONA on fundraising initiatives,
and know that RONA shoppers will get behind the
Canadian Red Cross.”
From Left: Andrew Kwan, Richard Miller and Doug Nesbitt
Photograph by Jeffrey Hook
Thanks to RONA’s in-store fundraising, $122,835
was raised across Canada – exceeding their initial
goal of $50,000! The Lower Mainland Region would
like to thank all stores in the region for their efforts,
especially the Maple Ridge and Surrey locations,
which were two of the top fundraising stores in
Canada. The Red Cross would like to also thank RONA
customers who generously donated in-store during
February. Your support allows the Red Cross to
remain responsive to disasters of any size.
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A publication of the Red Cross in the Lower Mainland
“Working Out Your Global Core”: Empowering youth to make a difference
World Red Cross Celebrity Soiree
Earlier this year 60 youth
gathered for two days to
learn how to make global
issues relevant to others.
The Red Cross Humanity
Strikes Back conference
targets students in grades
9 - 12 to help them give a
voice to causes that are
important to them.
Date: May 7th, 2008
Time: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Blue Water Cafe (1095
Hamilton Street, Vancouver)
Tickets: $85
Info: www.rcsoiree.com
The Canadian Red Cross and 186
National Societies worldwide will
be celebrating World Red Cross Day
and the Lower Mainland Region is
excited to mark the occasion with the
first ever World Red Cross Celebrity
Soiree. Walk down the red carpet
and enjoy a memorable evening with
celebrity appearances, fabulous
silent auction items, gourmet
appetizers, wine and much more.
Paws for Peace Dog Walk
Date: May 10th, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Second Beach at Ceperley
Park Picnic Site at Stanley Park
FREE
Info: www.paws4peace.ca
June Kinloch
June Kinloch was a student who attended in 2005
and returned this year as resource leader to help
organize and facilitate the event. “This is a great
opportunity,” said Kinloch. “Students don’t necessarily
have a chance in school to hear from people who are
interested and excited about things like landmines.”
Students from throughout B.C. congregated at the Red
Cross’ head office in Burnaby to learn about how the
world is affected by HIV/AIDS, landmines, small arms
and child soldiers. “This year’s theme was Working Out
Your Global Core,” said Kinloch. “We were playing on
the popularity of fitness – first we had to give the youth
knowledge and then help them take it back to their
community and work it out.”
The goal of the conference, through information
and action workshops, is to help the selected youth
create events in their communities that will spread
the message of the Red Cross and issues related to
the topics discussed. “[When I was a participant] the
conference changed the way I thought,” said Kinloch. “I
was in a global issues class at school so I was aware of
the issues, but I wasn’t inspired by them.”
The range of youth brings students who are there to get
community service hours together with others who are
passionate advocates. “It’s an amazing environment,”
said Kinloch. “Students get caught up in the excitement
and want to do more. They leave changed.” This year’s
participants are taking the information, networking
with others, and support from Humanity Strikes Back
to organize a series of concerts on Vancouver Island,
central B.C. and the Vancouver area.
The support provided by the 16 resource leaders, like
Kinloch, continues after the conference. The leaders
provide ongoing support to make concerts and other
events a success. “We email participants throughout
the year,” said Kinloch. “We are really active on
Facebook. Participants keep us posted on the wall and
can see what others are doing.”
There is no question Humanity Strikes Back is laying the
foundation for future global advocates. Kinloch is only
one of the many examples. “Humanity Strikes Back
inspired me to be a leader. It gave me hope that we can
change things.”
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Page Calendar of Events (cont)
A dog friendly event to raise
awareness and funds for the
humanitarian crisis of landmines.
Activities will include a dog walk
in solidarity for landmine victims,
guest speakers, face painting,
snacks, a raffle prize and more!
Seeds of Respect
Date: May 10th, 2008
Time: TBD
Location: Vancouver East Cultural
Centre (1895 Venables Street,
Vancouver)
FREE
Info: [email protected]
or 604-709-6646
Seeds of Respect explores youth
bullying and harassment issues,
as well as prevention strategies
through the performing arts.
Performed by newly immigrated
youth, this interactive violence
prevention production engages
multi-ethnic youth and adults to
express their experiences, feelings,
thoughts and ideas on bullying
and harassment in schools, the
community and the society at large.
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A publication of the Red Cross in the Lower Mainland
March is Red Cross Month : Celebrating the power of humanity
Every year, the Canadian Red Cross celebrates the
power of humanity during the month of March –
recognizing the efforts of the Red Cross Movement and
the compassion of the public to respond generously to
humanitarian needs.
The Red Cross is identified as a humanitarian
organization that helps the most vulnerable around the
world, but many people are unaware of how the Red
Cross impacts their community locally. Reaching more
than 280,000 residents each year, the Lower Mainland
Red Cross offers services in disaster response and
emergency preparedness, water safety and first aid
training, medical equipment loan service, violence and
abuse prevention education, global issues training and
more.
To launch March is Red Cross Month in the Lower
Mainland, the volunteer Communications Committee
organized an awareness-building fundraiser at Ceili’s
Irish Pub and Restaurant in Vancouver to promote
local Red Cross services. Comedian Phil Hanley, who
won the title of Vancouver’s funniest comic last year,
generously donated his time to put on an outstanding
show that left the crowd wanting more. More than 120
people attended the event to support the Red Cross
and helped raise over $1,300 for regional programs
and services.
Throughout the month of March, the Red Cross also
presented a number of events which showcased the
spectrum of the work we do, including a speaker
dialogue related to refugee experiences in Canada and
a performing arts production featuring immigrant youth
about the issue of bullying and harassment.
We celebrate the work of the Red Cross one month
in the year but everyday volunteers, donors and
supporters give generously to the Red Cross to help
those that need it most. Thank-you for mobilizing the
power of humanity.
Red Cross Event at Ceili’s Irish Pub and Restaurant
Photograph by Daniel deRegt
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Page Calendar of Events (cont)
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A publication of the Red Cross in the Lower Mainland
Program Spotlight
Seeds of Respect is produced by the
RespectED program, in partnership
with the African Stages Association
of BC.
Healthy and happy relationships bloom
with the RespectED: Violence & Abuse
Prevention program
A Story to Tell and a Place for
the Telling
Have you ever thought that instead of receiving honesty,
love and support in your relationship you would be
subject to jealousy and abuse? The reality is one
in five Canadian teens experience violence in their
relationships. Our society outwardly shows its affection
on Valentine’s Day or anniversaries with chocolates and
flowers, though a healthy relationship is much more
than gifts. Mutual respect, support and love make
up a healthy relationship. The RespectED: Violence
and Abuse Prevention program aims to educate
children, youth and adults about safe and supportive
relationships.
Date: May 20th, 2008
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Vancouver Public Library,
Central Branch
FREE
Info: [email protected] or
604-709-6662
“Coming soon to a neighbourhood
near you...” - The arrival of diverse
refugee populations from countries
around the globe to the lower
mainland impacts communities
in diverse ways. How are Lower
Mainland communities coping?
This presentation will hear success
stories as well as challenges as
neighbourhoods, schools, and
social services, often with scarce
resources, respond to newcomers.
A RespectED workshop aimed to educate youth,
“What’s Love Got to Do With It?,” examines healthy and
unhealthy peer romantic relationships, and focuses
on communication and prevention skills. “It always
seemed normal. I didn’t even know it was abusive
until my friend pointed out that feeling trapped wasn’t
healthy feeling in a relationship,” says a Grade 12
participant. We learn at an early age through the media
and parental culture that romantic love is the key and
neglect to educate youth about what is harmful versus
healthy in romance.
Colleen Bob
According to Colleen Bob, Coordinator of RespectED:
Violence & Abuse Prevention program in the
Lower Mainland, part of the reason relationship
violence flourishes among young people is that they
misunderstand that possessiveness and control are not
part of healthy behavior. With workshops like these, the
Canadian Red Cross has been helping to break the cycle
of abuse, harassment and interpersonal violence for
over 22 years.
For more information on RespectED and the workshops
offered, visit www.redcross.ca/respected.
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Page Compassion for Humanity.
Join Us. The Canadian Red
Cross Membership Program
Experience the power of humanity.
Help shape the future of the largest
humanitarian organization and show
your compassion for others in need
through the Red Cross membership
program.
By becoming a member, your voice
will help the Red Cross remain
responsive in the future as we
continue to improve the lives of
the most vulnerable people in your
community, in Canada and around
the world.
Members will have privileges such
as voting rights, receive information
about local Red Cross activities, as
well as an opportunity to provide
feedback, which contributes to our
long-term relevance and direction.
A publication of the Red Cross in the Lower Mainland
Support the Red Cross!
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To join or for more information, visit
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OR you can donate by:
Canadian Red Cross Lower Mainland Region 3400 Lake City Way Burnaby B.C. V5A 4Y2 • calling locally 604-709-6600
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Although we appreciate ALL donations, only those $10 and over will be
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Crossroads
Contributors
Writers
Nicole Charles
Jacqueline Khouw
Alice Lam
Karen Leung
Robin Thorneycroft
Andrew Wong
Layout and Design
Betty Chong
Cynthia Lui
Photographers
Daniel deRegt
Rita Hernandez