NSDRC`S 5TH ANNUAL CONCERT FEATURING BARNEY

N ORTH S HORE D ISABILITY R ESOURCE C ENTRE
WINNER of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
“COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION AWARD 2012”
The 15th annual North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards were held on November 8,
2012. The North Shore Disability Resource Centre was nominated in the Community Contribution category.
We were finalists along with Lions Gate Hospital Foundation and Capilano Community Service Society.
N ORTH
S HORE
D ISABILITY
R ESOURCE
C ENTRE
A sturdy tree becomes a
person reaching upward
in celebration, its leaves,
transformed, break free
and take flight.
We work to ensure
that people with
disabilities, along
with their families
and friends, can
participate actively
as members of the
community. We are
committed to working
toward a community
which is free of
physical, financial
and attitudinal
barriers.
N ORTH S HORE
D ISABILITY
R ESOURCE C ENTRE
3158 Mountain Hwy
North Vancouver, BC V7K 2H5
604.985.5371
We are thrilled to announce that we were selected as the WINNERS!!!!
It is such a testament to the work the NSDRC has done over the past 36 years and to the leadership of the Boards
and families and the people we support!
of the Province of
BritishColumbia.
Summer
Housing for people with disabilities is a high priority for the NSDRC. Of the 1,000 people who called us
last year looking for information or support, over 180 called because they had concerns over the lack of
housing they were facing or were at risk of losing their current home. The lack of accessible and affordable
housing is a complex issue, but one of the biggest barriers for many of our clients is financial.
BURSARY PROGRAM 2012
The maximum amount a single person can receive from the provincial Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
Income Assistance program is around $906. Of this, the maximum a person is supposed to use for shelter
is $375.
While the allowable amount a person on PWD benefits can keep from employment was recently raised to
$800 a month, only about 50% of people with disabilities are employed in any capacity. As a result, very
few people with disabilities are in a position to earn extra money to pay for the average costs of rents on
the North Shore or the Lower Mainland in general.
$812
Average rent for
one bedroom suite
$923
Maximum Shelter
Allowance for People on
Person with Disability
Income Assistance
$375
L-R Duncan Wilson, Liz Barnett, Brad Eshleman
NSDRC’S 5TH ANNUAL CONCERT
FEATURING BARNEY BENTALL
The 5th annual concert featuring Barney Bentall and VAMS was another great success this year. We are happy to report that
we raised over $18,000 net. This would not have been possible without support of our sponsors, donors and the fans.
We would like to thank the following sponsors:
● A Moveable Feast
● Best way Major Appliances
● Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub
North Shore averages from 2010
People often use their entire PWD cheque to pay the rent and hydro. As a
result, every day in North Vancouver, there are people who have to decide
between shelter costs and food. We hear stories of people with disabilities
eating only one meal a day, or of people who have run out of food altogether,
relying on free food programs or food banks, if they can get to them. Leaving
the North Shore in search of cheaper housing often means leaving medical,
social and community supports that can be difficult rebuild elsewhere. Even if
you are prepared to leave your friends, family and neighbourhood, subsidized
housing wait lists for a single person can be 2 to 5 years, or longer.
Deciding between a roof over your head and food on your table isn’t the way
to a healthier community for all.
A recent poll by the BC Healthy Living Alliance found that 75% of British Columbians surveyed believe
that we must adjust income assistance (PWD) rates to account for the real cost of a nutritious diet and
real market rental rates. Both Vancouver and Victoria City Councils have passed resolutions urging the
provincial government to raise the rates.
The North Shore Disability Resource Centre is joining the call. If you are interested in learning more about
Raising the Rates, please check our website at www.nsdrc.org, or facebook us!
Quotes from people who received a bursary in 2012:
“The bursary helped keep my child engaged with other people.
Summer is the loneliest time of year without school and it helps to
keep busy. Staves off depression.”
“Last summer, out son went to a camp and willingly… completed
the activities as shown by the instructor. This summer, thanks
to the support of his own support worker, he made friends,
interacted with the children and instructors and came home
smiling everyday. It made a huge difference in his experience.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Without the summer bursary program I would not have been
able to afford the summer camps. My child enjoyed a stress free
parent. He enjoyed the outings to water parks and beaches and
learned how to swim in the ocean. His peer play and activity level
has increased and made a positive mark in our lives. I really
appreciate your support, Thank you!”
“Thank you so much for giving such a great opportunity for my
son. He had a wonderful time at Eureka camp this summer!”
“Thank you for your generosity and in helping make this a fun
summer for our child.”
NSDRC RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS
Congratulations To Our Lucky Winners
Thank You To Our Sponsors
“We were able to put our son in camps that provided excellent
volunteers and we wouldn’t have been able to afford the camps
without the bursary.”
● Concept Paints
A return trip for two to any scheduled WestJet destination.
Taxes, fees & surcharges included. Compliments of:
● Davies Pharmacy
SECOND PRIZE WINNER ~ Stephanie Varju
● Mumtaz Dhanji
● Lynn Valley Insurance Agency
Two tickets to watch a Canucks Game
Compliments of: Michael DeMarni
● North Shore Credit Union
THIRD PRIZE WINNER ~ Donna Colodey
● Pacific Arbour Retirement Centre
Mountain Bike. Compliments of: Val Hebden
● Smithwerks Carpet &
Upholstery Care Ltd.
The NSDRC provides bursaries to North Shore families of children with disabilities
during the summer to assist them in the cost of camp fees or to hire a worker of
their choice to support their child at summer camp. This summer we provided
bursaries to 168 families! All the money allocated to children is secured by
generous donations, grants and partnerships.
“My child attended PedalHeads Bike Camp which helps her
occupational therapy goal/skill of motor planning. Being part of
a group of her peers gave my child the chance to have support
with her social skills as well as learning to follow directions and
practice her social communication.”
FIRST PRIZE WINNER ~ Lenia Calico
● Blue Rock Construction
“The bursary allowed my son to attend a climbing camp. He loved
climbing, and was able to develop and practice social skills with
the other kids at the camp. This would not have been possible if he
didn’t have a support worker with him at camp.”
To donate to the Summer Bursary Program please call our office
604-985-5371 and the receptionist will gladly assist you. Tax receipts are
available upon request.
A BIG Thank you to all those who purchased
tickets and supported the NSDRC
● Taylor Automotive
● West Coast Lawns
● Prudential Sussex Realty –
Stephen Hamer Jackson
www.nsdrc.org
CARF accreditation was
awarded to NSDRC for
the following programs:
Supported Living,
Infant Development
and Community Based
We acknowledge
the financial support Services.
Raise the Rates
Average Rent for
bachelor suite
L-R Keith Browne, Anita Dadson and Liz Barnett
Working for a community for all.
L-R Dave Hicks, Barney Bentall, Norma Reid, Liz Barnett, Keith Browne
Did you know…you can now follow the
NSDRC’s Information and Advocacy
Program on Facebook and Twitter!
Find out about community news and events, workshops and other goings
on. To follow us on Twitter, simply sign in and search NSAdvocate and click
“follow”. For Facebook, Google-search NSDRC Facebook, or click the
Facebook link on our website: www.nsdrc.org.
Communities that value inclusion and are committed to creating opportunities for all.