four children standing on dirt during daytime - photo by ben wicksben wicks

Jan. 28 Biweekly Update: Social Services Key Insights

/in /by

SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

January 28, 2025

Subscribe HERE

Table of contents

  • Children
  • 2025 Social Policy Forum
  • Youth
  • Opportunities brought to you by the Federation
  • Reconciliation
  • Disability
  • Seniors
  • Good news

Children

Early Childhood Education expansion announced for Sun Peaks | Castanet

The Early Learning Society of Kamloops has partnered with Sun Peaks Resort Municipality to expand childcare services in the community beginning in early 2025. The society will manage the Sun Peaks Early Learning Centre, aligning with its mission to enhance access to high-quality early learning in Kamloops and surrounding areas. This initiative reflects the society’s commitment to providing nurturing, inclusive and enriching educational experiences for children. Founded in 1996, the society supports over 200 families annually and aims to help children in the Sun Peaks region thrive through this new collaboration.

Related:

Register now!

2025 Social Policy Forum

Join us in Victoria, BC, from February 12–14, 2025, for the Social Policy Forum to connect with leaders, explore key social policy topics, and help shape the future of our communities.

Member rate: $329 | Non-member: $449

Learn more and register here. Act fast! There are only a few tickets remaining!

Contact info@fcssbc.ca for details.

Youth

Victoria 12-year-old builds AI robot companion for lonely kids and seniors | CBC News

Twelve-year-old Alex Rose from Victoria, BC, has developed an AI-powered robot companion, AIRO, to help alleviate loneliness among children and seniors. Diagnosed with autism, Alex drew inspiration from his own experiences with isolation to create a robot that fosters compassionate interactions using ChatGPT. AIRO, featuring a screen with expressive “eyes” and pet-like mannerisms, is designed to engage users meaningfully and is being tested in therapy centers and seniors’ homes. Combining programming skills in Python and Scratch, Alex plans to release an upgraded model by 2025, aiming to make AIRO widely accessible for $200–$500. Alex envisions his creation as a tool to complement human connection in addressing social isolation.

Related:

Opportunities brought to you by the Federation

The Federation is dedicated to supporting our members and strengthening the broader community social services sector. We offer a range of ways to stay informed, build connections, and grow your skills.

Stay informed about the latest in the sector by exploring our calendar of training sessions, webinars, and events designed to help you succeed.
Get connected and expand your professional network through opportunities created specifically for community social services professionals.
Looking for a new career? Explore current job postings and find your next opportunity in the community social services sector.

Visit our website today to discover all the ways we can support you!

Reconciliation

Volunteers needed for Indigenous youth leadership conference | Castanet

The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) is seeking over 200 volunteers for the “Gathering Our Voices” Indigenous youth leadership conference in Kamloops from March 18 to 21, 2025. The event, primarily hosted at Thompson Rivers University, will welcome more than 1,000 Indigenous youth aged 14 to 24, including those in care or living with disabilities. Volunteers are needed for tasks such as event setup and takedown, ushering, and distributing swag. Applicants must be at least 18, able to commit to two shifts and submit a clean criminal record check. Corporate volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are also available. The application deadline is January 31, 2025.

Related:

Disability

Three-storey, 14-unit supportive housing project seeking latest green light from Hope | Penticton Herald

A proposed three-storey, 14-unit supportive housing project in Hope, led by the Fraser Inclusive and Housing Society (FISH), will return to council tonight seeking approval for parking and development variances. The facility, the first of its kind in Hope, will provide independent living for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities, with half of the units featuring accessibility features and future modification potential. The project, first introduced in March 2021, has garnered broad support, including from Mayor Victor Smith. The property, donated by a longtime resident, is located at 477 Hudson Bay Street, where FISH aims to position the building closer to the back boundary. Council staff have endorsed the variance requests, noting minimal traffic impact, but a building permit will still be required before construction begins.

Related:

Seniors

Vernon’s Cycling Without Age has a new leader | Castanet

Vernon’s Cycling Without Age program, known for offering seniors free trishaw rides around the community, has welcomed Erin Burgess as its new leader. Founded in 2019 by Dr. Lauren Lypchuk, the program has provided nearly 2,000 seniors with rides, covering over 11,800 kilometres on its fleet of three custom electric-assist trishaws. Lypchuk, who spearheaded the initiative, stepped down after moving to the Comox Valley but expressed pride in the program’s impact and excitement for its future under Burgess. A dedicated volunteer since the program’s inception, Burgess has served as a trishaw pilot, trainer, and assistant to Lypchuk and is now preparing to lead the initiative into its 2025 season starting in May.

Related:

Good News

If you have any feel-good, weird, fascinating, or amusing stories you’d like to see included in this section, send them to giovani@fcssbc.ca!

Note

The articles in Federation newsletters are for informational purposes and do not relate to the Federation’s advocacy work. We want our membership to stay informed of news relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

Subscribe HERE