Please click on the link below to view the Summer 2010 Issue of the Vancouver At Home/Chez Soi newsletter.

On June 24^th, 2010 MPA Society held its 39^th Annual General Meeting. The meeting was attended by approximately 150 people, with the following resolutions being passed:

1. That Grant Thornton LLP be appointed as our auditing firm for the 2010/11 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 25, 2011.

The Members also ratified the following individuals to the Board of Directors: Ron Byron, Chris Earle, Chris Heminsley, George Hungerford and Anita Smith. They will join returning Directors: John Gunn, Leitizia Lorello, Gillian Reid and Laura Taylor.

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) – Ron Byron, John Gunn, Chris Earle, Laura Williams Taylor, Chris Heminsley, David MacIntyre

FRONT ROW (Left to Right) – Anita Smith, Gillian Reid, Leitizia Lorello
Missing from picture - George Hungerford

Please click on the pdf below to view the June 2010 Quarterly National newsletter

On June 14, 2010, the inaugural MPA Society Award of Distinction in Psychosocial Rehabilitation was granted to two Douglas College graduates: Tamara Froggett, in the Health Care Support Worker program and Igor Pekarsky, in the Community Mental Health Worker program. The award of $1,000 is provided annually to two students in mental health studies at Douglas College, who achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate a superior understanding and ability to implement the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR).

This year, eleven students completed for the award.

Upon receiving the recognition, Ms. Froggett comments that she is grateful for the exposure she has received to PSR, as this has truly influenced her approach and way of thinking, as she supports people recovering from mental illness. She explains that she came from Ontario and where she worked, people did not practice PSR. She states,

"MPA Society is amazing in their practice of PSR. There is tremendous value in approaching each person as a unique individual and supporting them in a patient, encouraging way, that allows them to achieve their goals towards recovery."

Mr. Pekarsky notes that he is especially appreciative to be recognized for something he truly believes in - PSR. He states,

"I have seen the quality of life improvements that people recovering from mental illness can achieve with this approach. It facilitates an ability to have hope and dream." 

MPA Society created this Award of Distinction because of the organization's strong belief that recovery from mental illness is achievable through empowerment, autonomy, responsibility and peer support. The Society identified the award as one way to impart our values and approach to a new group of professionals who have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and in the field of mental health recovery.

 Nick Blackman, MPA Society' Director of Licensed Housing, noted in his comments MPA Society's appreciation to Douglas College for supporting the relationship we have with their mental health programs and to all the students who applied for the award. He emphasized how challenging the decision was, as all the applicants demonstrated a solid understanding of and appreciation for PSR.

Also joining the award ceremony was Sylvia Wilson, Douglas College's Interim Dean of Health Sciences. Ms. Wilson states she appreciates the support for students and is "grateful for the relationship we have with MPA Society. As a community partners, the Society has a wealth of knowledge and experience that has the potential to greatly benefit our students. The creation of the MPA Award of Distinction will inspire our students and positively influence the mental health workers graduating from Douglas College."

Congratulations to all the graduates and especially to the 2010 award recipients, Tamara Froggett and Igor Pekarsky.

MPA Society is delighted to congratulate Mr. EDWIN LEUNG, an MPA Member at Banyan House, for being the successful recipient of the Whitearn Foundation Merit Award, given during the Vancouver Community College Awards Ceremony which was held on May 27, 2010.   

This recognition is awarded to a student in the Visually Impaired Program for Adults, who has financial need and has been involved in contributing to the community. The award is proof of Mr. Leung’s determination and ability to overcome his depression and visual impairment.  Mr. Leung has shown great dedication in his Computer Course at VCC, dedicating his time to completing his homework and continuous research.  Aside from his usual four days schooling at VCC, Edwin Leung attends his weekly Music Lesson at Evelyne Saller Centre, goes to CNIB, participates in social activities, and travels on his own using the Handy Dart Service.  Mr. Leung notes:

“I did not expect this award but receiving it has encouraged me to want to make sure I always do the best thing for everyone in the future.” 

Nick Blackman, MPA Society’s Director, Licensed Housing notes that Mr. Leung’s commitment to excellence and his ability to face and overcome challenges inspires hope among us all.  He also acknowledges the staff at Banyan House for the supportive and conscientious role they play in assisting the members achieve their goals:

“Staff at Banyan House take pride in providing an environment where our members feel empowered and confident. Edwin is an excellent example of the work they do as Mental Health Workers and Nurses in making a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Thank you to Edwin Leung for sharing his achievement with MPA Society.

May 25^th, 2010

This morning, Premier Gordon Campbell announced an estimated $13.4 million investment will be made towards the completion of the social housing and resource centre project at 7^th and Fir.  This partnership involving MPA Society and the Katherine Sanford Housing Society was one of eight projects announced today and has been made possible through a funding arrangement involving the Province of BC, the City of Vancouver and the Streetohome Foundation.



The Honorable Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development praised the community partners who provide the valuable services to the homeless people that will be served by these projects and he welcomed the private sector’s generosity and foresight in contributing and choosing to become a meaningful part of the solution.



The 7^th & Fir site is estimated to be completed in 2012 and will provide 62 new units of housing for people who are homeless and recovering from mental illness and addictions.  Moreover, it will include a purpose-built resource centre with enhanced ability to provide service to the people who currently attend the MPA Resource Centre.



Today’s news is exciting for many reasons; not only does it introduce new housing options for people in need, it also validates the importance of providing housing options in every neighborhood, thereby, facilitating the opportunity for those people who require social housing to stay in their home communities.

 

This morning’s announcement has been a crowning moment capping off the many hours of planning, meetings, negotiations, revisions, anxiety and anticipation that accompany this type of initiative.



MPA Society is tremendously proud to be a partner in this project and we are especially grateful for the support from the Provincial Government, City of Vancouver and Streetohome Foundation.

We are very pleased to provide this first newsletter to update you on the progress of the Vancouver At Home/Chez Soi project, a project of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Few people, when they come across a homeless person, stop for a chat. Most of us hustle past, hoping to avoid eye contact and the plea for spare change... Read complete article

Photo: David MacIntyre with Canadian Snowboard Cross gold medalist, Maelle Ricker

VANCOUVER – People in need of shelter will benefit from the opening of MPA Society’s Cold Weather Shelter, a 40-bed, emergency shelter on Vancouver’s Westside, announced MPA Society, Executive Director, David MacIntyre.



“Working in partnership with the Province and the City of Vancouver, MPA Society is operating 40 new shelter spaces in the Kitsilano community and providing refuge for those most in need,” said MacIntyre. MPA Society’s cold weather shelter will give shelter to adult men and women who need immediate, safe accommodation while also offering gateway support services to help them get back on their feet.



This new 40-bed, temporary emergency shelter is located at 1642 West 4th Avenue and will be operated by the MPA Society, a community-based, non-profit organization that has been actively operating in Kitsilano and throughout Vancouver since 1971. MPA Society is a recognized leader in community mental health service program delivery.



“We know homelessness is not unique to Vancouver’s downtown eastside. As an organization that has been serving people who are homeless and living with mental illness in the Kitsilano area, MPA Society welcomes the opportunity to provide them with a safe environment that allows homeless individuals to get off the street, and offer them an entryway towards a better, more stable life,” said David MacIntyre. “We are thankful to be able to provide this critical service to those in need.”



The shelter will be open seven days a week 24 hours a day from January 15 until April 30, 2010. Staff members will be on-site at all times and can facilitate linking clients to more stable and permanent forms of housing and supports, as well as provide referrals to services including counseling, drug and alcohol treatment and specialized job training. The shelter offers clients two meals a day and provides shower and laundry facilities.



The BC Provincial Emergency Shelter Program gives funding to homeless shelters and drop-in centres to provide a first step towards more stable forms of housing. Partnerships with organizations such as MPA Society can help to find accommodation for homeless people on Vancouver’s streets.



‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness and their partner organizations involved. Visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle for more information.