Community Development

Social Justice Advocate

Social Advocacy ensures that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services and opportunities they require to meet their basic needs and to develop fully. The Advocate serves as a point of contact for citizen concerns with local, federal and provincial social issues. This is accomplished through individual consultation and referral and community education activities that enhance public knowledge of governmental and community processes and activities.

Common Social Concerns:

· Housing, including Landlord/Tenant issues

· Human Rights

· Employment Standards

· Family Issues including Custody and Maintenance

· Poverty, and Financial Assistance

· Gender Equity

· Health

In addition, the Advocate provides consultation and education to groups and organizations, and facilitates citizen participation on social justice issues in this community. The advocate also engages in community social planning activities that facilitate collaboration between, and development of, programs that address Social Issues. The Advocate does not provide legal services, but can make referrals to appropriate Legal Professionals.

Housing Outreach

The Housing Outreach Program assists persons who are homeless, or at extreme risk of becoming homeless, to access housing in Revelstoke. The Housing Outreach Worker can help you overcome barriers to suitable, affordable housing in a variety of ways including: assistance applying for Income Assistance (Welfare), referrals to other community resources, and on-going support for our housed clients (and the landlords who house them).

If you would like to speak with the Housing Outreach Worker:

Drop-in to the Community Connections office Tuesday – Friday between 1 – 4 p.m.

No appointment is necessary and clients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis; the Housing Outreach Program does not provide after hours emergency services.

Tenant Support

This program provides support services to individuals and families who are residents of B.C Housing buildings in Revelstoke. The Tenant Support Worker assists tenants to overcome the various challenges that may arise when living in a social housing environment, in order that they can be successful in their tenancies, and in their lives. The position involves coaching, capacity building, assessment, service planning, skills teaching, resource identification and referral, and follow-up.

Parent Education

The Positive Parenting Series of parent education groups are designed to provide practical parenting information, and skills, which are focused on specific childhood stages. The group format allows parents to learn new skills, share ideas and support each other in positive methods to handle tough parenting situations.

2009 – 2010 Groups being offered:

Parenting 0- 6 year olds

Parenting 7 – 12 year olds

Parenting Your Pre-teens

Parenting Teens

Blended Families

Co-parenting after Separation

For Fathers Only

For more information, or to register, please contact Gorette Imm or Stacy Sanchez at our main office.

Parents and Community Together (PACT)

PACT is a family support program that is open to any parent in Revelstoke (birth, foster, step or grandparent).

The drop-in group is a relaxed, informal, inclusive place for parents of young children to socialize, share experiences and access resources to support them in the demanding job of raising small children. The facilitators provide information on topics related to family life, demonstrate play and craft activities, lead discussions on parenting and personal issues and make referrals to other services families may need.

Drop-in every Thursday 9:30 – 12:30 at Community Connections Main Office

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about any of our programs, please contact the Executive Director, Gayle Morgan at 250-837-2920, or Contact Us

Main Office: 314 2nd St East, PO Box 2880, Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0 Fax: 250-837-2909

New!

The Positive Parenting Program at Community Connections is currently wrapping –up the 0-6 years Parenting Program and getting ready to begin our next series, for parents of children ages 7-12.

See our poster for more information!