CIF PROJECTS
Projects run by and for mental health recipients. Projects range from recreational/social, arts, health, hygiene, to support groups. Also offer small one-time crisis grants.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ART STUDIOS BURSARY FUND
All the recipients of the Art Studios Bursary truly appreciate receiving a bursary. Many of the people who attend the Art Studio’s are exceptional artists and produce first class art. Others have told me how much they benefit from the bursary.
My job is very rewarding because people get to practice their art and enjoy it or sell it.
You must be a member of the Art Studios to be eligible to apply for this fund. For more information please ask a worker at the Art Studios. The bursary is for $85 once a year. Applicants must give a receipt. More info...
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B.R.I.D.G.E.S.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. stands for: Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals Through Education and Support
This is a 10-week education course of 2 ½ hour sessions one day a week. This year's course runs from August 15 to November 1 which includes days off for holidays. People with a diagnosed serious mental illness facilitate the course for those referred to us. The course, with snacks, is provided at no charge. We are both trained to teach the curriculum, having participated in the program ourselves. The foundation of the BRIDGES philosophy is understanding mental illness through concepts like the EMOTIONAL STAGES OF RECOVERY and the PRINCIPLES OF SUPPORT. Both of us learned to accept our illness, share our experiences and build our recovery step-by-step as each week passed. Supported by other consumers, we became informed about the various diagnostic categories, their treatments (including medications), problem management, communication skills and much more. The atmosphere is relaxed but focused. Another important related topic is that what is said in the classs stays in the class. Confidentiality is held in its highest degree.
Mental illness can devastate body, mind and spirit: through interactions with fellow participants, BRIDGES provides a grounding that helps everyone to take the steps on their journey to recovery.
Another program under the BRIDGES umbrella this year is its support group called Peer Education and Support (P.E.A.S.). Anyone interested in sharing struggles, hopes, insights and coping strategies in a supportive and confidential atmosphere may call 604-682-2369 X 7856. This group meets every 2nd Sunday, 1:00 –3:00, in the Commercial Drive area. It is ongoing and will extend support during and after the actual course.
This Fall's actual 10week BRIDGES education course (starting on August 15th to November 1) will take place at George Pearson Centre in Vancouver. Interested people may call the CIF office at 604-708-5252, leave a message if the phone is not answered, and either Linda or Anna will call you back for registration or phone 604-682-3269 X 7856.
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COMMUNITY KITCHEN
We are still shopping, cooking, eating and going out to all sorts of different community events. Our presence at COAST Clubhouse is still felt and, although their catering business has sometimes conflicted with our dates, we are still happy to have the project housed there. We have a great bunch of committed participants and are always welcoming new ones. It is a strong social network, not only for people who want to learn about food preparation and enjoy eating with others, but also for those who enjoy musical events, camping trips and outdoor BBQ’s. More info...
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Computer Technician Program (A+)
Would you like to learn how to become internationally certified as a Computer technician? Would you like to work as a computer technician? More info...
CONSUMER ACTIVITIES
This project runs out of the COAST Resource Centre at Davie and Seymour. It is based on the needs of consumers for recreation and social programs to enhance the quality of life within the Downtown core.
Activities include a Games Day with prizes every Thursday and a movie and dinner outing once a month. Our members could not normally afford these events on their limited incomes.
Our project is very popular with between 100-120 mental health consumers every month. Through communication with our members, we were able to implement a fair system for the sign up sheets where all people have a chance for outings.
All are welcome to participate in our project, to learn, to develop new skills and to have fun. More info...
CRISIS FUND
This $40.00 fund for critical emergencies is still being disbursed. The mental health community now seems to understand that this is strictly for crisis circumstances and will not be disbursed on the basis of chronic financial mismanagement or shortages. The only recipients of this fund are people who receive mental health services in or live in Vancouver. A phone call to the CIF office from a mental health worker who knows and understands the financial details of the applicant’s request is necessary. The $40.00 is available only once a fiscal year. More info...
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EDUCATION AND LEISURE FUND
As most of you know, the Education and Leisure Fund pays up to $400.00 for one course, no more than once every two years, for consumers wishing to pursue their interests. These interests are entirely your choice and can concentrate on job skills, health and wellness, and leisure or pleasure.
As the Fund Manager, I would like to let you know about some free education and leisure resources available to you in our community and on the World Wide Web.
The Vancouver Public Library has a wealth of information, and not just in books. They offer many workshops and speakers on a variety of subjects, throughout the year. To find out more about this visit their website at http://www.vpl.ca and click on Events+Programs. You can also use the library's computers to search the World Wide Web.
Barnes and Noble is a large bookstore based in the U.S.A., but on the web, they have large variety of courses and reading groups available to everyone. The best part about it is that it's free! The catch is that all their courses require at least one book. They would like to sell it too you. However, I have taken a few of their courses and was able to find all the books that I needed at the library, I didn't pay anything. Their website is http://university.barnesandnoble.com/. Our Education and Leisure fund does not pay for books or supplies, only tuition, so hitting the library is a great thing to do.
If you know of any free or low cost education and leisure opportunities, I would love to hear from you! You can reach me at (604) 708-5252 Ext. 2, email: cifedfund@shaw.ca, or regular mail: # 200-520 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H5
EVERGREEN PROJECT
Our social support events are still happening and the friendships that have formed over the years are still ongoing. We have a new assistant these days, Anne and Emmett has noticed that there is more and more co-operation from the group members. Outings and parties are being set-up and cleared away by volunteers who have learned that leisure activities need not only financial support and leadership but also a sense of pitching in. Thank you to the members who have been pitching in so much more. More info...
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HIGHS & LOWS CHOIR
Plenty of changes to report to you all. Earlier in the year we said goodbye to Diane and welcomed a new co-manager, Vera, who is full of enthusiasm and doing a fine job as she learns the ropes. We had several successful performances during the spring and summer. Now we’re having a membership drive. We’ve hired our pianist, Elaine to also act as our Public Relations consultant. She has designed an awesome brochure that we’re counting on to help us get our numbers back up to the level we’re used to, and to help us grow beyond that. Don’t be shy, come and join us! And if that isn’t for you, you can still help by telling your friends about us and that all consumers and people with mental health concerns are welcome. We meet every Tuesday from noon to 1:45 at Douglas Park Community Centre, 801 W. 22nd Ave, between Cambie and Oak. There’s no cost involved, we have lots of fun and you get to learn to sing! If you’ve never heard us, here’s your chance: Come on out to Douglas Park on Sunday September 17 at 4pm as we take part in the annual “Sharing Our Wealth” festival. Starting in mid-September, we spend the next few months preparing for our busiest time of the year, the holiday season, when we’ll be doing about 6 performances scattered throughout the month of December, singing for some of the teams, and at the MPA dinner. Maybe we’ll see you then! More info...
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MENTAL HEALTH WEBSITE
This project is a website for recipients of mental health services and anyone else who is interested in mental health services and issues.
The purpose of this project is to create a place for consumers/survivors to get current CIF information on topics that involves them as well as to provide information sharing for and by consumers/survivors using this website. More info...
PARENT RESOURCE PROJECT
In January 2006 the Parent Resource Project completed a series of focus groups with parent-consumers discussing the resources for parents and their children within VCMHS and the community. The full report for the focus groups is available online at http://www.vch.ca/ce as part of the Community Engagement program at VCHS.
This project would not have been possible without Margreth (Community Engagement) and Otto (Project Lead, Family Involvement and Support) who facilitated the project along with Virginia. Virginia will be working with Otto to present the information gathered from the focus groups and with the parent consumer group members who have formed a working group to look at strategies for improving access to resources for parents.
In the fall the parent group will have another outing as the spring recreation outing for parents was a great success. We will also be continuing to meet for peer support twice a month at the Northeast Team. More info...
SAFE --- THERE IS HOPE FOR LIFE AFTER SELF-ABUSE
Self-harm or self-abuse is a behaviour that a person uses to cope with their inner pain.
When they accept that they cause damage to their body, their mental health, and their life in general by the actions they take then their life is on the track to recovery. If they read books about psychology, or see a therapist, or belong to a group, they might hear these actions described as self-injury, self-inflicted injury, self-destructive behavior or self-defeating behavior. It's possible that they actually harm them self in a number of different ways and will eventually need to change all of those behaviours in order to become healthier. Maybe they need some help in deciding just what self-abuse is. At first, they may well find themselves looking back on an action and trying to decide whether it was self-abuse. However, if they practice, they can think about it ahead of time and make a choice not to take self-abusive actions. They may have spent weeks or even months at a time in hospitals, depressed and becoming more and more certain that they can't do anything to help them self. They may feel helpless, even hopeless. They may be convinced that nothing can help they get well. Neither the hospital admissions nor the medications that they have tried seem to help they with their problem of self-abuse. They may be frustrated and angry about all of this. But there is hope! Many people have been able to end their self-abuse and go on to lead happier, healthier lives with the help of S.A.F.E. in Canada and its program. This is the program that is the basis of my project. More info...
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TARDIVE DYSKINESIA EDUCATION & OUTREACH
In the past year the TD Support Group has had several events such as a Christmas Open House and a speaking and information session with Dr. Alan Wong, a psychiatrist at Kitslano Fairview Mental Health Team.
As project manager of the group, I have attended a lecture about TD with Dr. Onso from Baylor College of Medicine, put on by the Vancouver Community Mental Health Services.
Lately I have been contacted by consumers with TD who have allowed me to share their stories in our newly published Tardive Dyskinesia Support Group Newsletter. I have also met with consumers with TD one-to-one and via e-mail in the last few months.
It is encouraging to have more interest shown in our group and I hope it is the start of a promising future. We are having a meeting at the Self-Help Resource Association in the hopes of starting a real support group again.
We held our meeting on September 27, 2006 at the Self Help Resource Assoc. It was a success and those who attended wanted to meet again. Our next meeting will be on November 1, 2006 at the Self Help Resource Assoc.from
3-4:30 pm. More info...
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WRITE FROM THE HEART
One thing most of us with a mental health diagnosis have in common is the frustration that comes with not being able to communicate effectively with others. The idea behind the new CIF project, “Write From the Heart”, is to share ideas and find tools that can help us get those words and ideas across and make connections with others a satisfying experience.
What does “write from the heart” mean? It means hearing what is truly inside yourself, or your heart, and bringing that out for someone else to experience and understand, into their heart. Writing is a great way to learn how to do this because you can write out your words first, then look at them and work on them, and then hopefully gain the confidence to share them with others. With practice, it becomes easier and easier to write or say what is really important to you.
"To view news about mental health, writing, and the arts, go to 'HeartBeats', the official site for Write From The Heart, at: http://heartbeats1.blogspot.com "
About the program:
Write From the Heart is open to any person with a mental health diagnosis, regardless of level of writing experience, and is free of charge. We meet once per week for 10 weeks for a 2½ hr class. The group is small, 8-10 people, and we have lots of discussion, writing exercises and projects, lessons in grammar and illustrated writing, guest instructors, networking with other writing opportunities, and of course, homework!
Watch for announcements, or call 604-682-3269 ext 7974 and leave a message for me, Susan Katz.
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