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National study supports scattered social housing

June 27th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on National study supports scattered social housing)

Participants with mental illness, addictions thrive after being given apartments: five-year national study

at home chez soi

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VANCOUVER—A five-year study that housed people with mental illness and drug addictions in apartments scattered throughout Vancouver found most participants stabilized their lives and coexisted peacefully with their neighbours. The findings mean residents should not be afraid of social housing mixed into neighbourhoods throughout the city, concluded the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s final report into the Vancouver At Home/Chez Soi research project.  Read the rest of this story at the Vancouver Sun…

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New supportive housing is on the way in Nanaimo

June 25th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on New supportive housing is on the way in Nanaimo)

Project involves a partnership between three nonprofits and will offer 41 individual units, 24/7 support presence

picture 556Construction will begin this summer on a supportive housing project in Nanaimo to be jointly operated by Columbian Centre, Haven Society, and Nanaimo Affordable Housing. Nanaimo Affordable Housing will build, own and maintain the building, Columbian Centre will provide 24-hour housing support workers and Haven will provide an additional layer of services on the floor of the building dedicated to women fleeing violent situations (more at Nanaimo News Bulletin).

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B.C.’s poverty reduction projects aren’t reducing poverty

June 24th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on B.C.’s poverty reduction projects aren’t reducing poverty)

Advocate Adrienne Montani says that some good work was done assisting families with crisis situations, but there is no evidence that they are no longer living in poverty

HiddenIn April 2012 the government of British Columbia announced that seven communities across the province would participate in a pilot project using poverty-reduction strategies targeting the unique needs of local families struggling to get out of poverty. Prince George, Cranbrook, Port Hardy, Surrey, New Westminster, Stewart and Kamloops were selected for the project, as they reflect a mix of metro, urban, rural and remote communities.

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‘Roboethics’ isn’t science fiction anymore

June 23rd, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on ‘Roboethics’ isn’t science fiction anymore)

Robotics experts are investigating the ethical implications inherent to firsthand interactions between humans and robots

android

More than 20 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates have endorsed a joint statement calling for a ban on weapons that would be able to select and attack targets without meaningful human control. The group is warning that “lethal robots” could completely and forever change the face of war and likely spawn a new arms race. The Laureates are encouraging a public debate about the ethics and morality of autonomous weapons systems. They’ve also welcomed the establishment of a Campaign to Stop Killer Robots.

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Moving Mountains for Mental Health – a benefit for Columbian Centre Society

June 20th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Moving Mountains for Mental Health – a benefit for Columbian Centre Society)

08_-_august_-_michael_vann_-_mount_benson_behind_the_cityErin Warner of Nanaimo will be hiking up Mt Benson on Saturday June 28th, 2014 in support of the Columbian Centre Society. Erin will be joined by Jenga (the dog) who will be leading his humans, Kerrie Jack and her partner Rasa, on a hike.

“I need all the encouragement I can get to make it up Mount Benson!”– Erin Warner

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Teacher wars: Where has respect for education gone?

June 17th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Teacher wars: Where has respect for education gone?)

British Columbia’s education conflicts reveal the competition for funds between public and independent schools, and the political conflict between two visions of society

picture 553In British Columbia—and also in Alberta and Ontario—teachers seem to be under relentless attack and criticism. “The profession is in a state of seemingly constant turmoil,” writes National Post columnist Kelly McParland, “faced with steady demands for change to a system that was good enough to educate today’s leaders, but is deemed unsatisfactory for their children or grandchildren.”

B.C.’s teachers are on strike—though media reports suggest that contract negotiations with government haven’t ‘broken down’ but have ‘stalled.’ Teacher Ann McLean is retiring after 20 years at Sidney’s Parkland School, but is now walking the picket line. She told the Times Colonist, “I’m very worried about the public education system. It feels like it has all been taken away gradually.” Ongoing cuts and lack of funding has led teachers to wonder whether the government believes in public education, Ann McLean says.

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