Event Calendar

Founded in Kitsilano, in 1971, the MPA Society and its Members are celebrating the Society’s 40^th Anniversary this year.

MPA Members all live with Mental Health issues and use art therapeutically in their journey of recovery. Last year they collaborated to produce items for the recycling show and this year their enthusiasm resulted in the submission of a number of pieces with “Walking the Dog” and “Failed Stockbroker” being selected.  The artists collected materials for several months with the intention of creating works that reflect their own views on recycling and each work is composed in their entirety from recycled materials (even glue from discarded glue sticks!).

Collaboration and 100% recycled material was the goal for each work submitted.

“Walking the Dog” was created by Catherine using materials discarded by a builder renovating a suite in the same building that she lives in.

“Failed Stockbroker” is a collaborative piece of whimsy using materials found by a Member who had been homeless for 17 years and is a skilled dumpster diver (the ultimate recycler!).

“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...”is another collaborative piece created without structure by asking individuals to collect and donate colourful plastic and freely express how the mirror should be framed.

The untitled frame and has been created by Vince using a discarded frame and broken pieces of glass kindly donated by Robert Held Art Glass from items that were not marketable.

“Play” is the final collaborative piece using as many different items found in the Resource Centre that were being discarded.

The public can view the collection at Creekside Gallery from July 8-17th

http://www.revision-theartofrecycling.com

On June 23rd, 2011 MPA Society held its 40th Annual General Meeting. The meeting was attended by approximately 50 people, with the following resolutions being passed:

1. That Grant Thornton LLP be appointed as our auditing firm for the 2011/12 fiscal year; and
2. That the Executive Director is authorized for and on behalf of the Society, to arrange to borrow funds from a bank or credit union for the purposes of the Society generally, on the security of any real and personal property of the Society and to provide, for and on behalf of the Society, such security on any real and personal property of the Society as may be required to complete the financing. This resolution will expire on June 24th, 2012.

The Members also ratified the following individuals to the Board of Directors: John Gunn (third term), Laurie Campbell, Ian McBean and Cathy Rambarran. They will join returning Directors: Ron Byron, Chris Earle, Chris Heminsley, George Hungerford and Anita Smith.

David MacIntyre, Executive Director thanked out-going Chair, Gillian Reid and Vice Chair Laura Taylor for their many years of service to MPA Society. Having completed their maximum terms allowable under the Constitution & Bylaws, both will be leaving the organization but undoubtedly pursuing new opportunities for volunteerism.

Welcome to all the Directors, new and returning and thank you for volunteering your time on behalf of MPA Society!

Back Row – Left to Right:  Cathy Rambarran, Laurie Campbell, Ian McBean & David MacIntyre
Front Row – Left to Right:  Ron Byron, Anita Smith, George Hungerford, John Gunn
Missing from picture are Chris Heminsley and Chris Earle

The MPA Society Members' Summer Picnic is happening on Thursday, July 14 at Stanley Park Second Beach Picnic Area starting at 11:00am to 3:00pm.

As always, the BBQ and beverages will satisfy even the heartiest appetite and there will be plenty of games, prizes and the infamous tug-of-war to help build the appetites!  All members and program participants of MPA Society are invited.  There will be a bus leaving the MPA Drop-In Centre at approximately 10:45am and returning at 2:45 or 3:00pm. 

We look forward to seeing you there... rain or shine!

On February 3, MPA Society joined MHCC in celebrating an awards ceremony. A reception was held for the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Commission of Canada who were doing an in-person visit to the Vancouver Site of the At Home/Chez Soi Research Demonstration Project of the Commission. Their visit also provided an opportunity for the Commission to honor those property owners and property management companies who have made significant contributions to At Home in its first year. The speakers included former Senator, Mike Kirby, Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada and Louise Bradley, CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

The following individuals were recognized:

• Marg Gordon – Executive Director of the B.C. Apartment Owners and Managers Association. Ms. Gordon was involved with social housing early in her career and has been advocate of this project within the private rental housing community. Besides her encouragement at every turn, Marg allowed us to market At Home to the private market via the BCAOMA newsletter.


• Karen Yates – Property Portfolio Manager with Glassman Property Management. MPA has had members living in Glassman buildings for many years. Karen was an early advocate for the At Home project within her company and one of the first to offer apartments to participants. Over the past year, At Home stock with Glassman has grown from 3 to 20 units in 6 buildings around Vancouver.


• BC Housing Health Services – BC Housing was an early, enthusiastic partner with At Home. They have provided the project with 20 bachelor and one-bedroom units throughout the city. These units will be sustainable rentals after the project ends.


• Fred Vertone – Mr. Vertone is a private rental apartment building owner with multiple buildings in the Vancouver area. Fred came to At Home through our advertising in the BCAOMA newsletter. Our housing stock in Vertone buildings has grown from 3 to 14 units in 5 buildings around Vancouver over the past year.


• Murray Fraeme – Mr. Fraeme is a private rental apartment owner who became involved with At Home through our BCAOMA advertising. Murray's openness to doing things differently stems from his early experiences working in the Downtown Eastside. In the last year, At Home stock in his building has risen to 10 units.

MPA Society's Mark MacDonald (back) congratulates award recipients (L to R): Karen Yates, Fred Vertone and Marg Gordon

Always a favorite with staff, program participants, and Members, our annual Summer picnic will again be held at Stanley Park Second Beach picnic area on Thursday, July 15th ,2010, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

As always, the food and beverages will be a big draw and there will be plenty of games, prizes and the infamous tug-of-war to help build the appetites! All members and program participants of MPA are invited. There will be a bus leaving the MPA Drop-In Centre at approximately 10:45 am and returning at 2:45 or 3:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there…rain or shine!

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Vancouver Burnaby Branch (CMHA VB) and the Motivation, Power and Achievement Society (MPA) are two leading mental health charities committed to mental health promotion and supporting the recovery of individuals experiencing a mental illness. Over the past year, with the changing economic and social climate, these organizations have seen the impact of increased stress and anxiety on the residents of our community.

Please click on the link below to see the full article

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have declared September 10, 2009 World Suicide Prevention Day. The purpose of World Suicide Prevention Day is to improve education about suicide, disseminate information, decrease stigmatization and most importantly, raise awareness that suicide is preventable. This international event provides an opportunity to remind everyone that suicide is influenced by cultural, religious, legal, historical, philosophical and traditional factors and that these contexts need to be taken into account in considering suicide prevention. Because serious mental illnesses, most commonly depression, substance abuse, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia are associated with increased risk of suicide, MPA Society is advocating support of World Suicide Prevention Day.

Did you know:
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for people worldwide;
• Every year approximately 1 million people die by suicide – one death every two minutes;
• Suicide deaths account for more than half of all violent death in the world – more than all deaths from wars and homicides combined;
• In some cultures, suicide is still a criminal activity;
• Alcohol and drug abuse are strongly related to suicide; and
• Suicide can be prevented

On September 10th, MPA Society will be supporting World Suicide Prevention Day by joining organizations across the globe to focus public attention on the unacceptable burden and costs of suicidal behaviours. Our website will be directing people to resources where they can gain a better understanding about suicide and by highlighting effective prevention activities.

All MPA staff and Members are also invited to learn more by visiting: www.iasp.info/