Resources – BC FORUM

rabble.ca is a news and discussion website built on the efforts of progressive journalists, writers, artists and activists across the country and has a unique role of reporting on stories from civil society while providing a counterbalance to corporate-owned media.·Includes the lively blog, Babble, and features the column Retiree Matters

Bill Tieleman Blogspot

One of BC’s best known communicators, political commentators and strategists. Owner of West Star Communications, a consulting firm providing strategy and communications services for labour, business, non-profits and government.

The Tyee

Independant online magazine that publishes news, reviews and commentary not typically covered by BC and Canada’s mainstream media.

Progressive Community Organizations

411 Seniors Centre Society

Seniors Helping Seniors (located in Vancouver)

BC211

A Vancouver-based nonprofit organization that specializes in providing information and referral regarding community, government and social services in BC. Our help line services include 211, the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service (ADIRS), VictimLink BC, and the Youth Against Violence Line.

BC Association of Community Action Response Networks

Stopping Adult Abuse and Neglect… Together

BC Care Providers Association

Representing the non-government seniors’ care sector in British Columbia in residential care, assisted living, home care and home support.

BC Health Coalition

A community of individuals and organizations in BC that advocates for evidence-based improvements to our public health care system, stimulate public education on health care issues, and drive positive change to our health care system through campaigns across the province.

BC Labour Heritage Centre

The BC Labour Heritage Centre Society preserves, documents and presents the rich history of working people in British Columbia. The Society engages in partnerships and projects that help define and express the role that work and workers have played in the evolution of social policy and its impact on the present and future shaping of the province.

BC PharmaCare

BC PharmaCare helps BC residents with the cost of eligible prescription drugs, certain medical supplies, and pharmacy services. It provides assistance through several drug plans. The largest is the income-based Fair PharmaCare plan

BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

A coalition that includes community and non-profit groups, faith groups, health organizations, First Nations and Aboriginal organizations, businesses, labour organizations, and social policy groups who have come together around a campaign aimed at seeing the introduction of an accountable, bold and comprehensive poverty reduction plan from the government of British Columbia that would include legislated targets and timelines to significantly reduce poverty and homelessness.

Cafe Etico

One of the first fairly traded coffee companies to buy direct from farmer associations in Latin America. Owned by CoDev Canada. Online store.

Canadian Centre for Elder Law

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Canadian First Marketing

Promotional product distributor.

Canadian Health Coalition

A coalition of health care workers, seniors, unions, community organizations, faith-based organizations and academics, as well as affiliated coalitions in the provinces and one territory.

Co-Op Radio

Vancouver Co-operative Radio, CFRO, 100.5FM is an innovative non-profit community radio station & podcast recording studio providing a voice for those underrepresented in mainstream media.

Council of Canadians

Disability Alliance of BC

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. The Alliance supports people with all disabilities to live with dignity, independence and as equal and full participants in the community. They champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications.

Family Caregivers of British Columbia

Family Caregivers of British Columbia is a registered non-profit dedicated 100% to supporting family caregivers. Most of us have cared for aging, ailing or disabled loved ones and have experienced firsthand the stress, joy, confusion, and feelings of purpose that come with caregiving.

First Link Dementia Support & Helpline

The First Link® Dementia Helpline is for anyone affected by dementia, whether professionally or personally. Helpline staff and volunteers give people the support they need, when they need it. (Alzheimer’s Society of BC)

Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign

The Stephen Lewis Foundation launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in March 2006, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS.

Metro Vancouver Alliance

Metro Vancouver Alliance is a broad based alliance of community groups, labour, faith and educational institutions working together for the common good.

PovNet

PovNet provides online tools that facilitate communication, community and access to information around poverty-related issues in British Columbia and Canada; working to collect relevant news and resources of use to advocates, community workers, marginalized communities and the general public.

Seniors Transportation Access and Resources – STAR Canada

Need help getting around Metro Vancouver? Call 211 for Seniors Transportation information – free 24/7 multilingual phone service. Visit the website for more information about services

Stephen Lewis Foundation

The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) works with community-level organizations which are turning the tide of HIV & AIDS in Africa by providing care and support to women, orphaned children, grandmothers and people living with HIV & AIDS.

The Union Protein Project

The Union Protein Project is a community partnership that addresses the shortages of protein at BC’s food banks and the shortages of an economy that leaves people vulnerable. They work to ensure that no child, family or community needs food banks. People need real choices and good jobs that feed them, their families and their community.

United Way of the Lower Mainland

Working Ventures Insurance Solutions Ltd.

Group insurance discounts for union members in BC.

Senior & Retirees Organizations

Alliance for a National Seniors Strategy

The Canadian Medical Association’s Alliance of more than 70 organizations representing health providers, patients and community stakeholders working towards getting the major political parties to commit to a national seniors strategy involving all levels of government.

Seniors First BC (formerly the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy & Support)

A non-profit charitable organization committed to protecting the legal rights of older adults; increasing access to justice for older adults; informing the public about elder abuse; and, providing supportive programs for older adults who have been abused.

CURC – Congress of Union Retirees of Canada

An affiliate of the Canadian Labour Congress, CURC advocates on issues relevant to retired union members and their spouses. Membership is open to retiree organizations of CLC-affiliated unions and individual retirees and their spouses.

COSCO BC – Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of BC

Established in 1950, the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organization (COSCO) is an umbrella organization made up of many seniors’ organizations and individual associate members. Registered under the Societies Act since 1981, COSCO has grown and now represents approximately 80,000 seniors in British Columbia.

Seniors’ Health and Wellness Institute COSCO

Seniors helping seniors workshops – The COSCO Health and Wellness Institute provides free workshops to seniors groups throughout BC with more than 40 workshops available for presentation by trained facilitators to provide practical information but are not intended to provide specific legal, medical or financial advice.

National Association of Federal Retirees

The National Association of Federal Retirees (Federal Retirees) is the largest national advocacy organization representing active and retired members of the federal public service, Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and retired federally appointed judges, as well as their partners and survivors.

National Pensioners Federation

National Pensioners Federation is a national, not for profit, non partisan, non sectarian organization of 350 seniors chapters, clubs, groups, organizations and individual supporters across Canada with a collective membership of 1,000,000 seniors and retirees devoted entirely to the welfare and best interests of ageing Canadians.

BC Ombudsperson

Office of the Ombudsperson

Other Resources

BC Seniors Advocate

The Office of the Seniors Advocate monitors and analyzes seniors services and issues in BC, and makes recommendations to government and service providers to address systemic issues.

BC Housing

Canadian Centre for Elder Law

Canadian Deprescribing Network

Government of Canada Information for British Columbia Seniors

Government of Canada’s Programs and Services for Seniors website

Information Resources About Advance Care Planning for Seniors

NIDUS – Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry

Seniors Abuse and Information Line

Seniors Better at Home Program

Seniors Distress Line (Crisis Centre Services) 24 hours a day/7 days a week

Therapeutics Initiative: Independent Health Care Evidence

UBC Pharmacists Clinic – read article with link here