Month: November 2016

Metro: “Healthy, affordable food linked to anti-poverty efforts: advocate.” November 15th. http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2016/11/15/healthy-affordable-food-linked-to-anti-poverty-efforts.html CBC: “Rising food bank use leads to call for BC poverty reduction strategy” (audio). November 15th. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/programs/onthecoast

The rain finally let off just long enough for us to plant our new indigenous plants with the Britannia Secondary School Outreach class. The kids did well and are starting to warm up to the garden that they will continue to take care of as it grows. Funded through the Neighbourhood Matching Fund and working with herbalist Lori Snyder, the garden at the Britannia Community Services Centre Carving Pavilion will feature all indigenous plants and serve as an educational garden teaching us about traditional and contemporary Indigenous food, medicinal and other uses.

The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and the Living Wage for Families Campaign are hosting a 2-day workshop on Nov. 15-16 in Richmond for folks in poverty or those that work with them to develop skills and leadership in raising awareness and advocacy for systemic change. They are reaching out to 20-30 people from across the province with priority given to folks from indigenous organizations, newcomer organizations and directly impacted grassroots organizations. They are covering travel, accommodation, food and other expenses to make this event fully accessible.

Many local groups are over-burdened with dealing with the symptoms of poverty and need support in taking action at the systemic level to tackle the root causes of poverty. This workshop will bring together key provincial stakeholders for an intensive 2-day workshop in order to identify existing assets and work collaboratively on developing an effective provincial network. There has not been a provincial gathering of this nature in recent history so this has the potential to have a powerful impact.

During the workshop, asset mapping will demonstrate the strength of existing local initiatives and provide opportunities for learning across communities. The gathering will also include an evaluation of supports needed to work on systemic change and what is the most effective way to nurture that support within the local, regional and provincial context without adding too much to over-stretched groups.

 

BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

#810 – 815 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC  V6C 1B4

Coast Salish Territories

tel: 604-877-4553