BACI Blast

BACI Babies!

Congratulations to Tanya Sather (Executive Director) and husband Clint on the arrival of their bouncing baby girl, Evelyn Rebecca Grace, born on May 20, 2009, and weighing in at 8 lbs 7 oz.  She has curly dark hair, just like her mom.    

Congratulations to Kathryn Urquhart (Outreach Services) and husband Mike, on the arrival of their baby girl, Kali Jeanne, 8 lbs, on May 26, 2009.

BACI’s Summer BBQ!

BACI’s Annual Bar-B-Q, held on June 26th, was a great summertime success. Individuals, family members, friends, staff, and community guests all enjoyed great food, fun activities, and fabulous entertainment.

ARTicipation Art Sale at Brentwood Town Centre a Huge Success!

Thanks to a generous donation of 30 pieces of art byAbdul Ladha of Able Auctions, this year’s ARTicipation Art Sale was a huge success. 

Held May 8th to 10th at Brentwood Town Centre, the sale raised over $4,000 for BACI’s youth programs.

Thanks to Ernie Bodie, Sharing Our Future Board Member, for organizing the event, and to all of the wonderful volunteers who made the sale such a great one!

Thanks also to the wonderful staff at Brentwood Town Centre, who helped behind the scenes to make our event such a success.

Woolley Plant Sale Flourishes at the Rhodo Festival!

Lois Woolley’s Plant Sale raised over $3,000 this year for BACI’s Day Programs.

Held on May 3rd at Burnaby’s Rhododendron Festival, the sale was a family affair. With daughter Rachel Goddyn (a member of BACI’s Board of Directors), Rachel’s husband Luis, and other family supporters, Lois was able to sell all of the plants that she had so lovingly grown.

We at BACI greatly appreciate all of the time and effort the Woolley family –particularly Lois and Peter — have so generously given over the past few years with their annual plant sale.

BACI Social Enterprises Seek Online Mentors!

We are looking for BACI staff and friends of BACI who are interested in being part of an e-Committee to focus on 3 social enterprises – to gather knowledge about each business and create a supportive on-line community. 

The 3 fledgling social enterprises previously existed as BACI Day Programs:  The Grape Box, The Work Crew, Action Packaging.  These enterprises provide paid training and supportive employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

BACI Staff News

A warm BACI welcome to two new staff, and to one who has moved to a new position:

Stephanie Liebe-McGinnis:

Job Title: Manager of Social Sustainability

Location: Still Creek and meetings throughout the community

Coming From:  Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver/Burnaby Branch and accessWORKS

Quick Facts: Stephanie has a foster daughter named Portcia and loves spicy food.

Go to Stephanie: To discuss issues or ideas relating to sustainability, purposeful purchasing, and employment initiatives.

 

Steve Withrington:

Job Title: Day Services Supervisor (BACI Employment Services and Training (BEST); COSC 3 & 4)

Location: Douglas Ave Offices (Across the street from Still Creek)

Coming From:  22 years of running disability services in the UK. Has also trained as an arborist and landscaper. Moved to Vancouver in August 2008, and joined BACI in May 2009.

Quick Facts: Likes hiking and the outdoors, mountain biking, and motocross. Lived in Spain for 2 years, and has been to Everest base camp.

Go to Steve: To discuss employment development and COSC 3 & 4.

 

Lisa Thomson:

Job Title: Assistant Manager, HR & QA

Location: Still Creek Head Office

Coming From: Supervisor at Deer Lake

Quick Facts: Has worked for BACI for the past 12 years. Has a background in ASL and a dog named Fergus.

Go to Lisa: To submit resumes, and discuss questions surrounding appropriateness of your current placement.

BACI Stories

By Margaret Selmser, BACI Staff

Long ago, there was BAMH (The Burnaby Association for the Mentally Handicapped).

There were individuals who aspired to become integrated — to be part of a whole community and away from institutions. There were parents who wanted to see their children become all they could be, living independent lives of quality.

 There I was, deciding on a career path and choosing to work under the umbrella of BAMH. It was not the most inviting name, but the core and soul of the association offered a vision –- supporting individual achievements and integration into the community, as well as offering people housing that have become homes in the deepest sense.

The Association grew and changed its name to BACI. Now there’s an inviting name — Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion! The leading-edge people serving the individuals at BACI are committed and driven with heart. They’ve listened to individuals from the days they first started supporting them. The individuals themselves have also been risk-takers –- participating in leading-edge program offerings and living circumstances, and enjoying the freedom to establish themselves in communities of their choice. Individuals involved with BACI have lots of little trails into the community and some have even taken their own road.

How many other organizations can say that a self advocate travelled to Australia? And BACI is just as proud to talk about an individual making their first pot of soup for lunch. Long-time parents are still very involved in the organization, and new ones are continuing to integrate as well.

Co-workers who are gone — some to other parts of the world, some to another life – check in every once in a while. New co-workers arrive from next door and globally. The core and soul of BACI has a very big heart. What a career choice this has been. If I had to start over, I’d do it again. I’ve taught a lot, I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve still got a lot to learn. It’s somewhat like a family, only you appreciate BACI more because you got to choose them. I chose well.

BACI’s Co-Executive Director Takes One Year Leave

Tanya Sather, who shares BACI’s Executive Director position with Richard Faucher, is taking a much-anticipated year-long Maternity Leave, starting May 15, 2009. We wish her and her growing family all the best, and look
forward to her return in 2010!

During her absence, Richard will oversee the full Executive Director role.
If you have any questions, please contact 604.299.7851.

EmployABILITY at BACI

Through BACI’s EmployABILITY initiative, individuals with varying abilities are assisted in securing and maintaining employment in the community — matching them with jobs that
align with their skills and interests, and providing them supports when needed.

For more information, please click here

BACI’s Member Reception for Burnaby Board of Trade – A Grape Success!

BACI was thrilled at the turn-out for their recent Reception for fellow Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) Members, hosted at The Grape Box (formerly known as the BACI Woodshop).

While enjoying wine donated by Pacific Breeze Winery – paired with fabulous appetizers - BBOT members mingled amongst the unique Grape Box products and the art on display from the Artists Helping Artists (AHA!) Coop .