Community Social Services - Keeping up the pressure on BC government

BURNABY—Community social services workers and the unions that represent them, including CUPE, are working with coalition partners to build and maintain pressure on the BC Liberal government to stop the closures of group homes and to properly fund the sector.

Earlier this week, a coalition of advocates and unions wrote to Jane Holland, BC’s Advocate for Service Quality see letter here asking her to work with the Ministry and Community Living BC to stop the cost-driven closures and increase funding. Media coverage of the letter was minimal, but did generate an article in today’s Victoria Times-Colonist, which can be read here (http://tinyurl.com/38dspue.)

The campaign continues next week, with a community dialogue Monday night in Vancouver. Entitled “Skills & (Dis)Abilities,” it will include panel presentations and small group dialogue for families, self-advocates, support workers, and concerned citizens. Panelists will include Jane Dyson of BC Coalition for People with Disabilities, Faith Bodnar of the BC Association for Community Living, Alanna Hendren of the Developmental Disabilities Association, Dawn Steele of Moms on the Move, and James Cavalluzzo of the BCGEU.

Date/Time: Monday, October 25, 2010, 7.00 - 9.00 pm

Location: Ukrainian Orthodox Centre (Auditorium) [wheelchair accessible]

154 East 10th Avenue (between Main & Quebec Streets)

Finally, CUPE members are encouraged to sign the petitions at http://momsnetwork.ca/. It’s time to stand together and show the BC government that our province’s most vulnerable people deserve quality care and services; and that the workers who provide those services deserve respect and fairness.

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