News

3rd Annual "Yuletide Blues" benefit for PACS Food Bank-Another Sccess!!

White Rock Blues Society 3rd Annual 'Yuletide Blues' benefit concert for the Peace Ach Community Services Food Bank, serving White Rock and South Surrey, was held on Sunday December 13, once again at the Rhumba Room of the Pacific Inn.

This year's lineup featured Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne, Harpdog Brown, Yukon Slim, Jason Buie Band, Lessismore, Sam and Luke and the Spooky Blues Band.

Hundreds of blues fans and Food Bank supoprters braved the snow and raised $2,240 and 435 lbs of non perishable healthy choice food items.

This year the music was recorded by Turtle Recoding Studio and a compilation CD, with proceeds going to the Food Bank, is expected in the near future.

THANK YOU White Rock Blues Society, Brown Sound, the Rhumba Room and all those who came to help make things better for those in need at this time of year.

Added Wednesday, December 16th 2009

5th Annual Communty Resource Fair- Another Information Explosion!!!

Peace Arch Community Services (PACS) once again hosted its annual Community Resource Fair where the public had a chance to learn about community, social and health related services in Surrey and White Rock.

This was the fifth year for this unique fair and the first time that PACS collaborated with the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS).

'In order for our fair to grow and benefit as many people as possible in the community, we looked to partner with an established multi-service agency like ourselves', said PACS Executive Director David Young. 'We are pleased that PICS shares our vision of community outreach being an important part of the services we offer.'

Over 50 exhibits on important social community and health services were on display. As well, complimentary hearing testing from Island Hearing Services and Diabetes testing from Fraser Health iConnect were available. There was face painting by JC Divine and an art activities area created by the Queen Elizabeth students for children and those who are young at heart. Over 26 volunteer students from the school were on hand to learn events production and offer their services to help with the fair with promotions, marketing and volunteering with the exhibitors.

The fair also had screenings of PACS Counseling and Addictions drug prevention and awareness DVDs 'Death by Jib' and 'Cold as Ice' on crytal meth, 'HIGH School Confidential' on the challenges facing teenagers today and their latest 'Kharaab Daru/Bad Medicine' in Punjabi with English subtitles on alcoholism in the South Asian Community.

'This is the only fair of its kind in Surrey and White Rock', said Fair Coordinator Victoria Clements. 'There is something for everyone, it is inclusive and people of all ages and walks of life learn something about our community'.

New for this year was a request that the public bring non-perishable healthy choice items for the Surrey Food Bank.'To us, this is the best way to demonstrate community helping community', says Clements.

Once again admission was FREE. A concession of tasty snacks and healthy treats was provided by the North Surrey Lions Club. Surrey School District 'Safe Schools' Program participated along with the business and career practicum students involvement and the White Rock Blues Society will show cased some its members (Glen Pearson, Bryon Tosoff and David Gates) with an eclectic mix of music to entertain the crowd.

Take away 'Goodie Bags' were provided thanks to the Medicine Shoppe and Nurse Next Door to the first 100 in attendance.

The Grand Door Prize was a shopping cart of food and other eco items, thanks to Save on Foods South Point.

Acting Surrey Mayor Mary Martin, Acting White Rock Mayor Lynne Sinclair, MLAs Harry Bains, Stephanie Cadieux, Sue Hammell, David Hayer and MPs Dona Cadman and Russ Hiebert offered greetings to the organizations and public.

As always, a Community Resource Guide was be available at the fair, that describes all the programs and services offered by the organizations present. Copies will also be made available after the fair at community centres, libraries, health units and other public places.

Funding for the fair was graciously provided by the RBC Foundation, Peace Arch Community Services Foundation and the City of Surrey. Media sponsor was the Now Newspaper.

For more information, contact Fair Coordinator Victoria Clements at 604 722 2914 or view the Fair website www.pacscaf.com

For copies of the Community Resource Guide, contact Anthony Intas, Community Relations Coordinator at Peace Arch Community Services at aintas@pacsbc.org or 604 531-6226 ext. 231 ________________________________________

Added Monday, October 26th 2009

2009 PACS ANNUAL STAFF RECOGNITION DINNER

On October 15, the following Staff were recognized for their Years of Service milestones:

Five Years:

Jas Sandhu, Counselling

Tara Spring, Family Connections Centre

Joe Wang, Winter House

Ten Years:

Michael Kalmuk, PACS Life Skills Centre

Martin Phillips-Hing, Clinical Consultant

Fifteen Years:

Catriona Ross, Infant Development

Kelly Ridding, Administration

Twenty Years:

Lisa Stockle, Administration

Michaela Wooldridge, Infant Development

Twenty-Five Years:

Laird Watt, Family Connections Centre

Mavis Holm Scholarship Recipient

Michaela Wooldridge, Infant Development

On Target Award for Continuous Quality Improvement

PACS Employment Centre

Above and Beyond Award

Julie MacDonald, PACS Life Skills Centre On Target Award The Above and Beyond Award

Added Thursday, October 22nd 2009

PACS Life Skills Centre "Events Unlimited" October 7 Community Living Month Talent Show WOWS the CROWD!!!

On October 7, Peace Arch Community Services, in association with the Surrey Association for Community Living presented a

Community Talent Show at the

Surrey Arts Centre MAIN STAGE.

Performers including a magician, a ventriloquist, multi cultural dances, bands and tribute singers. This show proved that our community has talent!

This show kicked-off Community Living Month 2009 in Surrey and White Rock and there were several Special Guest Judges in attendance including

Lee Aaron, Musician and Recording Artist

Kim Angel, Executive Director of the Surrey Foundation

Laurie Cavan, General Manager, City of Surrey-Parks, Recreation and Culture

Anita Patil Huberman, Chief Executive Officer of the Surrey Board of Trade

As well, the audience learned about how the Registered Disability Savings Plan could apply to someone you love thanks to infomration provided by representatives of Bank of Montreal, PLAN, Royal Bank of Canada, the Surrey Foundation and the Vancouver Foundation

This show was produced by 'Events Unlimited' of our Life Skills Centre for individuals with developmental delays. They will be having a Halloween Dance on Thursday October 29 at the Millennium Hall.

For more infomration on past shows of 'Events Unlimited' go to www.pacseventsunlimited.com

Added Tuesday, October 13th 2009

2009 PACS Society and Foundation AGM/Donor Appreciation Event

Peace Arch Community Services Society and Foundation held its Annual General Meeting/Donor Appreciation Event at the Surrey Museum (in the heart of Cloverdale) on September 22

Special Guest Speaker was Bill Reid, Executive Director of the Cloverdale and District Chamber of Commerce who spoke on various events and activities that will take place in Surrey during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Honourary Life Time Memberships were bestowed upon Sam and Flora Young for their over 25 years of volunteering at the PACS Food Bank and former Executive Director Martin Harris for his 20 years of dedication to the people in need of Surrey and White Rock

The Board of Directors for the Peace Arch Community Services Society and Foundation for 2009-2010 are:

Bob Dominato, President

Gaye Johnson, Vice President

John Haviland, Treasurer

Marjorie Mooney, Secretary

Judy Forster, Community Relations Chair

Jayson Burden, Fund Development Chair

Verna Logan, Board Development Chair

Jennifer Lee Hanover, Member

Aaron Oram, Member

Thank you to Joan Dewinetz, Alicia Hagerman, Pat Wait and Jack Zimmer for your years of dedicated service on our Board

Added Monday, September 28th 2009

Punjabi Video Premiere "BAD MEDICINE" to reduce alcohol abuse

June 18 saw the Premier screening of a new video produced by Peace Arch Community Services Addictions Services program , 'Kharaab Daru' or 'Bad Medicine.'

The production of 'KHARAAB DARU' ('BAD MEDICINE') was inspired by the tragedy that occurred in August 2008 in which a Punjabi man shot and killed his wife and also shot his daughter during a family conflict. Newspaper articles at the time indicated that the man was feeling depressed after his business failed and he began to drink heavily.

The video’s Co-Producer Jaswinder (Jas) Sandhu informed the Director (and Co-Producer and Program Manager ) Kevin Letourneau that it is quite common to refer to alcohol as 'medicine' within the Punjabi community. Jas noted that some Punjabi men misuse alcohol in a failed attempt to cope with personal suffering or problems. Jas is a Counsellor who works with court mandated Punjabi men who get caught drinking and driving or have committed other crimes while impaired. The need for an educational video on alcohol targeting these men and the broader Punjabi community was clearly identified.

In 'Bad Medicine', well known Punjabi speaking professionals along with individuals impacted by alcohol, share their knowledge with respect to the harms and risks associated with problem drinking, mistaking alcohol as medicine, how alcohol impairs mental and physical functioning, drinking and driving, addiction and family violence, and the benefits of recovery. The video was seen as important as often these kinds of educational resources are in English or in French and not other languages such as Punjabi.

At the Premiere, some of the video participants were present including Dr. Harrad, Dr. Cheema, Kala Singh and Cpl. Nycki Basra, who were then available after the video showing to answer questions from the audience, made up of a large cross section of the community. Comments included 'BETTER THAN WHAT I EXPECTED', 'AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOUCE', 'HELPFUL TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY', 'THE VIDEO IS CULTURALLY RELEVANT'

Partial funding for the video was provided by the Fraser Health Authority who will be distributing over one hundred copies to mental health centers, addiction service providers, residential treatment facilities, hospitals, Sikh temples, school based prevention workers and other community service providers.

The Director, Kevin Letourneau, previously produced some other acclaimed prevention and education videos related to addiction in 2005 'Death by Jib: The dangers of Crystal Meth,' 2006 'Cold as Ice: Crystal Meth in the Community,' and 2007 'High School Confidential.'

More information on these videos can be found at the link from the Peace Arch Community Services home page www.pacsbc.org. Copies of 'Kharaab Daru' can be obtained from Peace Arch Community Services Addictions Services Program. Call 604-538-2522 or contact Kevin Letourneau at Kevin@pacsbc.org.

Added Thursday, July 2nd 2009

Peace Arch Community Services Honours Volunteers

In keeping with National Volunteer Week, Peace Arch Community Services held its annual volunteer appreciation lunch on Monday April 20.

Special tribute was made to Sam and Flora Young who marked their 25th year of service to the PACS Food Bank.

Other individuals honoured this year included:

5 Year Volunteers

Noella Allisen, Hye Sook Kim, Jack Rae, Yvonne Manville with the Food Bank

Nicholas Paszner with Volunteer and Information Services

John Haviland and Gaye Johnson with Peace Arch Community Services Board of Directors.

10 year Volunteers

Vi Stork, Rudy Stork, Kim Haymond, Jane Rabas, and Rhoda Casimel with the Food Bank

Alec deRham with Volunteer Drivers and Shop-by-Phone programs

Lorna Pettigrew with the Shop-by-Phone program.

Last year, as Peace Arch Community Services celebrated 30 years of service to the communities of White Rock and Surrey, 272 volunteers donated almost 20,000 hours of their time to our programs and services for infants, children, youth, teens, adults and seniors.

Added Wednesday, April 22nd 2009

Judy Forster joins PACS Board of Directors

Peace Arch Community Services Society and Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Judy Forster, past Mayor of White Rock, to its Board of Directors.

'Judy has a strong sense of community', said Bob Dominato, PACS BoardPresident. 'We are thrilled that she has agreed to become a Board Member'.

'Ms. Forster has an invaluable wealth of experience and knowledge to help our organization move forward to serve the residents of our community. I am looking forward to working with her.' said David Young, Executive Director.

Educated at Langara College (Special Education), Douglas College (Communication), and Vancouver College (Marketing), Judy brings a passion for both community and people with special needs to the Board. Her many involvements in community include serving with the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the Boundary Union Board of Health, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Family Support Institute and the Gateway Society of B.C. Judy recently completed two successful terms as Mayor of White Rock where she had previously served as a City Councilor for an additional twelve years.

She is a Special Education Assistant with the Surrey School District. She and her husband Brad have two adult children and live in White Rock.

Please join us in welcoming Judy to PACS as it celebrates it 30th Anniversary of community service in White Rock and Surrey.

Added Wednesday, January 7th 2009

2nd Annual YULETIDE BLUES benefit for PACS Food Bank a HUGE Success!!

On December 7, the 2nd Annual Yuletide Blues benefit for the Peace Arch Community Services Food Bank, which serves the communities of White Rock and South Surrey, was a great evening of music and sharing!

$3,755 was collected at door along with 701 lbs of food, surpassing last year amounts.

On behalf of the White Rock Blues Society, President Rod Dranfield said the following:

Artistic Director Jason Buie did a masterful job putting on the greatest blues show in the history of White Rock/South Surrey. He handled a multitude of entertainers and logistics with excellent poise and tact.

Hats off to Brown Sound under Gordie Brown’s leadership for creating a rich visual and sound environment, handling all the variety of bands and their technical needs.

Many thanks to Anthony Intas, a driving force in promoting this wonderful community event.

Congratulations to Ruth Chitty and her band of volunteers from the Food Bank for handling the door and donations.

A warm thanks to all the musicians (Jerry Doucette, Johnny Ferreira, Yukon Slim, Blue Voodoo, Jason Buie Band, Mudbay Blues Band, Mud Dog, Glen Pearson Band, Sam and Luke, David 'Boxcar" Gates and Ellie Johnson)who donated their talents and time to make the evening a resounding success.

Many thanks also goes out to Rockwells and the team from the Rumba Room supplying the room free of charge to support our efforts.

Thank you to the White Rock Blues Society volunteers who helped make the evening flow smoothly.

Last but not least, a great big thank you to the members of the local media who helped spread the word about our White Rock Blues Society 2nd Annual Yuletide Blues event making this a very successful and rewarding evening.

Added Wednesday, January 7th 2009

PACS CO-HOSTS REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON COUNSELLING SOUTH ASIANS

On November 14, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Peace Arch Community Services held a regional conference on issues relted to providing professional counselling services to the ever increasing South Asian Community in the Fraser Valley area.

'Social service providers have indicated that there is a need for culture specific training in the region. At Kwantlen, we are working to ensure that the training needs of both those working in the field and those pursuing a career in social services are provided with up to date and relevant research', said Dr. Kamala Nayar of Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Jas Sandhu, Clinical Counsellor at Peace Arch Community Services and facilitator for this conference, identified the need in the region to make service providers aware of the unique aspects of the South Asian culture to allow them to provide the most effective treatment possible. Mr. Sandhu is not surprised that the conference was quickly sold out.

The following workshops were offered:

BELIEF CREATES REALITY: THE SELF IN A CULTURAL CONTEXT Dr. Gira Bhatt, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Our beliefs are powerful mediators of how we perceive our self and our world. These perceptions in turn shape our emotions, our behavior, and our interpretations of life events. Importantly beliefs are rooted in cultural contexts where they are created, validated, and sustained. In this presentation, implications of beliefs are examined as they pertain to our physical and psychological well-being.

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Dr. Gira Bhatt completed her MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Bombay. She received her second MA and PhD from Simon Fraser University. Currently, she is a faculty member in the Applied Psychology program at Kwantlen where her research is focused on issues of self, identity, and acculturation. While living in Canada, she retains her cultural roots in India where she had extensive training in the philosophical traditions of India.

MISUNDERSTOOD IN THE DIASPORA Dr. Kamala Nayar, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

After the events of 9/11 an enormous wave of fear regarding terrorism swept across North America. In effect, a backlash of racist activities occurred toward ethnic minorities, especially toward those who wear the turban. In light of these events, this presentation will discuss the conflict experienced by orthodox Sikhs and the implications for helping professionals.

Kamala Elizabeth Nayar holds a Ph.D. in South Asian Religions from McGill University, and is currently a faculty member in Asian Studies at Kwantlen. She is the author of three published books, including The Sikh Diaspora in Vancouver. Her research interests include the South Asian diaspora, the Punjabi community in Western Canada, and gender.

Added Wednesday, January 7th 2009

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Peace Arch Community Services releases a quarterly report every three months in the Peace Arch News newspaper. Through this report, we hope to keep the community up to date on the latest happenings here at PACS.

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