Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI)

05/05/2026

Warning -- the content of this message may be triggering. Information regarding support services are provided below:

Where can I go for immediate support?
Your well-being is important to us. If you require immediate mental and emotional support, the following are resources that you can access:

The BC crisis line run by the KUU-US Crisis Line Society can be reached at 1-800-588-8717.

BACI's employee and family services provider, Telus Health, offers counselling and wellness resources at www.baci.lifeworks.com. Telus Health can also be reached at 1-844-671-3327.

As well, a Crisis Support Line open for anyone in the community (who is not eligible for EFAP) can be reached 24/7 at 1-844-751-2133.

May 5th is Red Dress Day — the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. It is a day to recognize, honour and raise awareness about this ongoing national crisis.

For more information, you can find a summary of the Final Report of the National Enquiry here: https://bit.ly/4ez9uzn

Learn how this day is being marked in BC: https://bit.ly/42fwWu0

The national day of awareness and remembrance comes more than 15 years after a Métis artist created an art installation of red dresses hanging in public spaces, to serve as a reminder of Indigenous women and girls who are missing or have been murdered.

05/04/2026

CARF IS COMING TO BACI - JUNE 8 - 10

We are excited to announce that the dates for BACI's 9th CARF Accreditation Survey have been set for June 8 - 10, 2026.

As you may know, CARF (The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission) has developed "best practice" standards by gathering feedback and expertise from families, people with disabilities, and the employees throughout North America who are connected with the Community Social Services sector.

During their 3 days at BACI, a team of Surveyors will meet with many people to evaluate how well we meet international standards of good quality of service. They will talk with our employees, people and families served, their networks, our Board of Directors, and our partners in the broader community. (They will also review our policies, procedures and other key documents.)

People served may be asked questions like:
- Are you getting the support and services you need and want?
- Do you feel respected and listened to?
- Are you involved in personal planning and decision-making?
- Do you get clear, helpful information about your services?
- Are your questions answered in a way that makes sense to you?
- Do you know who to contact if you have questions or concerns?
- Do you feel safe and secure in your home?
- Do you feel your rights and choices are honoured?
- Does BACI provide meaningful and quality services?
- Do you feel safe and well supported?

If people would like to talk with one of the survey team members, or want to learn more about CARF International, please contact the Manager of your program area. You may also contact CARF International directly:
- Internet: www.carf.org/contact-us
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: CARF International, 6951 East Southpoint Road, Tucson, AZ 85756
- Toll-free telephone: (866) 510-2273
- Fax: (520) 318-1129

Find a more plain language version of this message here: https://bit.ly/4w6q9jW

05/04/2026

It's Child Care Month!

We recognize the importance of inclusive, accessible child care to families and the community. We honour all that our child care professionals do to provide a caring and safe environment for children to play, learn and grow.

We especially want to celebrate the vital work and dedication of the Early Childhood Educators and School Age Educators working in BACI's $10aday and Out of School Care Centres.

An Early Childhood Educator takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart.

04/28/2026

Today (April 28) is the National Day of Mourning, dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, suffered injury or illness on the job, or experienced a work-related tragedy.

We ask you to join us today as we honour those impacted and renew our commitment to health and safety in the workplace.

Check out a video on this day: https://bit.ly/4sXEIn5
Find more information here: https://bit.ly/3QC1V0P

8 likes. "Day of Mourning - April 28"

04/10/2026

Check out the Developmental Disabilities Association's (DDA’s) great public awareness campaign about people who are too often unheard.

Find their video here: https://bit.ly/4t48yr1

Individuals who are neurodivergent or who have developmental or intellectual disabilities often face countless “micro-aggressions” out in the world. Other pe...

03/30/2026

NEW WEBSITE SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WITH DEMENTIA

Check out the new NTG website (Canadian National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia) to find information on advocacy, education, training and program/service development for Canadians with intellectual disabilities, and caregivers impacted by dementia: https://ntgcanada.org/

This site provides resources for adults with an intellectual disability, caregivers, and service providers/staff.

One video is about connecting with kindness with a person with dementia: https://bit.ly/3PSburT

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/10/2026

Have you ever set a goal but lost track of the "why" behind it?

After a year of research and creativity, we are excited to invite you to the launch of The Difference Project, an exploration of how Identity, Habit Science, and Expressive Arts can help us all create the lives we actually want. This project began as a participatory action exploratory research project funded by a CLBC grant.

This isn't a lecture or a formal presentation. It is an interactive exhibition designed for everyone—whether you are living with a disability, supporting someone who is, or just curious about how to make a change stick in your own life, we invite you to experience what we’ve built.

What to expect:

The Interactive Exhibition: Get hands-on with the creative tools and "Intended Difference" framework that emerged from our focus groups.

The Digital Debut: We are officially launching our website at the event!

Upcoming Quests: Get a first look at our digital "Quests" that will be released online every two weeks following the launch.

When: March 26–28, 2026, 10 AM – 6 PM (Drop in anytime!)
Where: 336 Columbia St, New Westminster

The exhibition is free and accessible. Bring your friends, your family, and your curiosity.

We can’t wait to see you there!

03/06/2026

On March 6th we celebrated the 1st Anniversary of our Little Friends at George Derby $10 a day ChildCareBC centre. And what a celebration it was!

We were honoured that Squamish Elder Xwechtaal Dennis Joseph taught children from the centre an Eagle Dance as he danced and sang along.

Other special guests, including Burnaby Mayor Hurley, MP Jake Sawatzky, MP Wade Chang, MLA Raj Chouhan and MLA Rohini Arora, remarked on how great it was to see the children interacting with the seniors and expressed hope for more inter-generational care models like this in communities.

Tanya Sather, BACI CEO, extended our deepest thanks to the City of Burnaby, the $10 a Day ChildcareBC Team at the Ministry of Education and Child Care, Fraser Health, and the outstanding team at George Derby for all they have done to help make this centre a truly inclusive, welcoming place for the 25 children and families we support and the over 300 individuals at George Derby.

We look forward to celebrating many anniversaries to come!

03/03/2026

Check out the March Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/4rLplhP

Email from Inclusion BC Read about how we're taking action for inclusion View this email as a webpage   Inclusion in Action A newsletter from Inclusion BC March 2026 Find out how Inclusion BC and our

02/25/2026

Today is in Canada — a day to stand up against bullying and celebrate unity, inclusion, and the diversity that makes our communities stronger.

This year’s campaign reminds us to Be Kind: to show empathy and compassion, and to speak out against bullying whenever we see it. Kindness has a powerful ripple effect—it grows when it’s shared.

How will you mark Pink Shirt Day today, and help spread kindness in the days and months ahead?

Find more details here:
https://pinkshirtdaycanada.ca