COVID-19 | We have opened our office again and have implemented some COVID-19 safety protocols. Learn More
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It’s Your Money!
CRA Fact Sheets about benefits and Credits:
It’s your money! fact sheets from Canada Revenue Agency provide information about benefits, credits and deductions that can be obtained by regularly filing taxes “even if you have no income at all”; this information is tailored to several population groups. For hard copies please email Cayla Linaker, Canada Revenue Agency at Cayla.Linaker@cra-arc.gc.ca
For a wonderful resource check out University of Manitobas Resources for all:
Here are some Canada Revenue Agency Fact Sheets we have downloaded for you:
Why Women Are Quitting Work
The number of women in the workforce overtook men for a brief period earlier this year. But the uncomfortable truth is that in their homes, women are still fitting into stereotypical roles of doing the bulk of cooking, cleaning and parenting. It’s another form of systemic inequality within a 21st century home that the pandemic is laying bare.
Women are seeing the fabric of their lives unravel during the pandemic. Nowhere is that more visible than on the job.
In September, an eye-popping 865,000 women left the U.S. workforce — four times more than men. We are seeing a similar trend in Canada as well.
The coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc on households, and women are bearing the brunt of it. Not only have they lost the most jobs from the beginning of the pandemic, but they are exhausted from the demands of child care and housework — and many are now seeing no path ahead but to quit working. More on this here.
At The Princeton & District Skills Centre we observe trends in Employment, Unemployment and all of the Themes that surround these topics and how it effects the labour market. We thought this could spark interesting conversations and perhaps lend some levity to what some families could be experiencing.
Its BC Small Business Week!
Celebrating Small Business in Princeton!
October is shining a spotlight on the resilient and rugged Small Business’s of our Area! We also know that the work is never done and attending training can be near impossible now more than ever! We have featured Small Business BC here and if you CLICK the image below you can see the bounty of resources available at your fingertips! Attend a workshop, live seminar or catch up some inspiring reading to build the depth of your competency. You have been tested and we see you! Now lets celebrate your success and ability to be unsinkable!! Bravo Business… Bravo!
October Small Business Week
Small Business BC is joining the national celebration of Small Business Week by offering FREE access to webinars occurring from Monday, October 19th to Friday, October 23rd. Demand is expected to be high, so register now to avoid disappointment. When individual sessions reach capacity, we will be opening a waitlist.
At Small Business BC, our number one priority will always be the health and safety of our clients, staff and service providers. As a result, we continue to deliver all our services online, or over the phone until further notice. View our resources for getting Back to Business, or connect directly with a business advisor through our COVID-19 Support Service.
Please note: all webinar participants will also receive access to a recording for seven days after the live session.
Self Care Tips for Leaders
This.
Self Care
At The Skills Centre we see a wonderful cross section of our community workforce and one thing is clear… Self Care seems to come last on the To-Do List when it comes to investing in and managing your career, your training, and your staffing. We know you can’t mandate a new “health” program unless its driven intrinsically, however we hope your hearts and minds can take a breath to discover the ultimate leverage in managing all things relating to Adulting, SELF CARE. Nobody is going to do this for you… It’s part of the fine print as you sign into this messy place and space of the Human condition and contract.
These self-care tips can help you prioritize your mental and emotional well-being so you can continue leading the business of learning both during and after the pandemic.
1. Stick to a Routine
COVID-19 has put many aspects of our daily routines — such as listening to podcasts on the way to work or heading to a workout class after leaving the office — on hold. As a result, it is difficult to “draw the line between when work begins and when it ends,” says Dr. Laura Hamill, chief people officer and chief science officer at Limeade.
Haesue Jo, LMFT, clinical support lead at online counseling platform BetterHelp, echoes this sentiment. “It’s really easy right now, because we’re staying home, to let go of any sense of structure or routine,” she says. One of the best ways to maintain mental and emotional wellness when working remotely is to implement and stick to “some kind of structured routine,” Jo adds. Simple actions, like waking up at the same time you normally would, taking regular lunch breaks or simply enjoying a cup of coffee on the porch each morning, can create structure and, in turn, improve productivity.
Sticking to a routine can also help you “shut off” after hours, which can be difficult now that “we no longer have boundaries between home and work,” Jo says. Hamill suggests adopting a “regular ritual” that signals the end of the workday, whether it’s taking a walk or simply leaving your laptop in your workspace.
2. Don’t Forget the Basics
Self-care doesn’t have to mean taking lavish vacations or indulging in expensive spa days. Some of the best ways to take care of ourselves are simple: getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. “These are some of the pillars of wellness, because if you’re not feeling well physically, it’s definitely going to impact your mood and ability to perform,” Jo says. A RAND study found that a lack of sleep among the U.S. workforce is a $411 billion problem, causing employees to miss 1.2 million working days each year. As a learning leader, it’s critical to take care of yourself so you can help others achieve their goals.
Hamill suggests making time for “what fuels you,” whether it’s going outdoors, enjoying a family meal or spending time with a pet. Dauer says simple actions like “pausing with intent” at intervals throughout the day can help clear your head, leaving you better able to tackle the next task on your to-do list. To perform at our highest capacity in all areas of our lives, “everyone, as much as humanly possible right now, should be prioritizing their physical and psychological well-being, paramount to all else,” Dauer says.
3. Ask For Help if You Need It
Self-care can help reduce stress and anxiety, especially during times of uncertainty. However, it’s important to regularly assess your mental and emotional well-being to determine if and when you should seek professional help. This self-assessment is easier said than done, however. Scott Roy, chief executive officer and co-founder of Whitten & Roy Partnership, says, “It’s very easy for us as human beings to slip into ‘autopilot’ — doing things the way we do them, regardless of how we feel.” The first step toward improving your mental and emotional health is “waking up” to the fact that you’re overwhelmed, he says. Mental health assessments can help you understand your current emotional state so that you can determine a proper course of action.
Online counseling services make it possible to speak with a licensed therapist “from the safety of your own home,” Jo says. Since the pandemic started, there’s “definitely been an increase” in people seeking remote counseling due to COVID-related anxiety and stress. In fact, in Morneau Shepell’s Mental Health Index, 75% of respondents reported that the pandemic has had a “negative impact” on their mental health.
If you’re struggling with a mental illness, Cornerstone OnDemand recommends talking to your manager so you can work together to find solutions to help you continue working to the best of your ability. Dauer says it’s “completely reasonable” to set expectations with your manager regarding when you need uninterrupted time to focus on important projects and when you need time to decompress.
Hamill agrees it’s important to “speak up” and “be real” with your manager about how you’re feeling and what accommodations could help you better navigate this uncertain time. Talking about your mental health with your manager is an exercise in vulnerability but, ultimately, can help you get the support you need.
As the pandemic continues to alter our personal and professional lives, Dauer says it’s “absolutely imperative” to practice self-care every day. Prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being will leave you better positioned to serve your learners at a time when learning has never been more vital to business outcomes. And remember: Our lives are not normal right now. “We are all doing the best we can given the circumstances,” Hamill says. “Give yourself grace.”
Click on the image below to reveal an excellent set of resources for managing anxiety~
Welcome to your Polling Place Princeton!
We are happy to announce that we will be the home of the Advanced Polls!
BC Elections will be running advanced polls at our location 206 Vermilion Ave from 8 am till 8 pm, from October 15 till the 21st!
All of the Covid-19 protocols are in place, we offer ample parking, Rick Hansen certification for Accessibility, an enormous space and a central location to make us a great place for Elections BC. We are also the place to mark an X on voting day, so come on and make your voice heard Princeton!
We will see you next week!
Seniors Computer Training October 26!!!
With the help of funding from the Princeton Rotary; The Princeton Leaders for Literacy & The Princeton Skills Centre are happy to announce another FREE Seniors Computer Basics! WE have safely and socially distanced ourselves to accommodate our Fearless Seniors and the new Covid-19 protocols. We will be offering two 5-day sessions to help local seniors with a Basic Computer Skills Class. All Laptop Computers and resources are supplied.
Together we will explore these Topics in Computer Basics:
- Understanding Computers: The parts, functions & settings
- Desktop Navigation & Personalization
- File Management: Store Files, Create Folders & Retrieve
- Editing: Cut, Copy & Paste
- Email: Create, Send, Receive, Attach
- Internet Basics: Security, Searching & Social Accounts
Our next session will be: October 26th th from 9am till 12pm Monday thru Friday.
Selected participants will be asked to bring a Mask and will be screened, they will be asked to attest they are in good health.
Tell your neighbors, friends and loved ones… these spots don’t last long!
Drop in, call us @ 250-295-4051 or email us at: reception@princetoncsc.com.
We are always happy to answer any related questions you may have!
Your Friendly Skills Team,
Sharan, Leah & Elsie
Edythe: A Service Superstar!!
WorkBC Princeton Celebrates Winning Service!
Edythe works as a Job Coach & Support Worker for Princeton & District Community Services Society and has been there for a little over a year. With a background in training & curriculum development, she assists clients to achieve goals for positive growth.
She helps to create opportunities for her clients to be considered for employment; such as; assessing the workplace for client accommodations or using assistive technology, assisting clients to learn tasks, to provide consistent job coaching and ensure clear communication is made between the employer and employee. She explains “Pro Moments” happen often and ensures fun and a having a blast is included in her “training” approach!
Edythe credits Princeton & District Community Services Culture of “Teamwork” and acknowledges their “Innovation”. It encourages her to create a fun atmosphere for training, fosters trust and builds client relations. Gloria Gagnon, Employment Program Director for PDCSS says “Edythe excels at her job because she lights up, in both her heart and eyes, which the clients can feel”.
Edythe describes the “Why” in her work; “When clients have everyday growth, that my why”. She also speaks to the special Dynamic that is cultivated between clients and staff.
Edythe recalled a time when she and her client were in WorkBC and she saw a poster for a JOB FAIR in Penticton. She quickly decided that her clients (3 of them) needed to be apart of this experience!
In short order Edythe arranged the community bus and had her clients sign up for a WorkBC Job Fair Workshop to prepare for the Job Fair adventure. With Edythe’s focus and coaching skills, clients began practicing there new Job Fair Prep skills, WorkBC provided access to free interview clothing through Princeton Hospital Auxiliary. At WorkBC they had resumes copied and then they were off to the Job Fair in Penticton.
Her clients were prepared to shine, sell their skills, and ask questions about the jobs available. They handed out their resumes, every last one of them! Edythe truly is a gift to her clients and our community; helping to creating inclusive workplaces and equitable opportunities for all the clients she so passionately serves!! Thank you Edythe, from the WorkBC team in Princeton!!
A diagnosis does not mean DEFEAT! A Win for Diverse Entrepreneurs
Grant Hardy visits Whistler, B.C. to learn more about the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program, and meet with entrepreneur Kevin Dufresne and his business mentors in the program. Community Futures British Columbia provides eligible entrepreneurs Business Training, Coaching and Accommodations for Diverse Abilities!
If you have any questions regarding Entrepreneurship call WorkBC today @ 250-295-4051
What does an Accessible Canada mean to you?
“Nothing about us…without us”: the Accessible Canada Act will be implemented in partnership with persons with disabilities and the disability community.
Accessible Canada Act
Vision
Proactively eliminate and prevent barriers and ensure greater opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Accessibility in Canada is about creating communities, workplaces and services that enable everyone to participate fully in society without barriers.
According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, more than 6 million Canadians aged 15 and over (22% of the population) identify as having a disability, and it is expected actual numbers are likely higher. Only 59% of Canadians with disabilities aged 25 to 64 are employed compared to 80% of Canadians without disabilities. Persons with disabilities earn less than Canadians without disabilities (12% less for those with milder disabilities and 51% less for those with more severe disabilities) and are more likely to live in poverty.
The advocacy of disability stakeholders and organizations in Canada has been critical to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. The Government of Canada is building on this legacy to improve accessibility and promote inclusion for everyone in Canada.
The Accessible Canada Act
With the adoption of An Act to Ensure a Barrier-free Canada (Accessible Canada Act), the Government of Canada is fulfilling its mandate promise to introduce new accessibility legislation. The Government of Canada will continue to work with persons with disabilities and the disability community, as well as with provinces and territories, towards the realization of an accessible Canada.
This legislation will benefit everyone in Canada, especially persons with disabilities, by helping to create a barrier-free Canada through the proactive identification, removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility wherever Canadians interact with areas under federal jurisdiction. The Accessible Canada Act provides for the development of accessibility standards and gives the Government of Canada the authority to work with stakeholders and persons with disabilities to create new accessibility regulations that will apply to sectors within the federal jurisdiction, such as banking, telecommunications, transportation industries and the Government of Canada itself. These new regulations will set out requirements for organizations to follow in order to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility. The Accessible Canada Act will also put in place compliance and enforcement measures, as well as an accessibility complaints mechanism.
To support the development of the Accessible Canada Act, the Government of Canada consulted with Canadians, from July 2016 to February 2017, to find out what an accessible Canada means to them. The report, “Creating new national accessibility legislation: What we learned from Canadians,” released in May 2017, shares the key findings of these consultations.
During the consultations, Canadians identified the following key areas where the Government of Canada should focus its efforts under the legislation: programs and service delivery, employment, the built environment, information and communications technology, procurement and transportation. During the parliamentary process, the disability community identified communications as another key priority area and it was added to the list.
The Accessible Canada Act will help to change the way that the Government of Canada and organizations within federal jurisdiction address disability and accessibility and interact with Canadians.
View the accessible summary of the proposed Accessible Canada Act, as tabled on June 20, 2018, in the format that works best for you.
More than 6 million Canadians aged 15 and over have a disability.
Less than 60% of those aged 25 to 64 years have jobs.
Canadians with milder disabilities earn 12% less and those with more severe disabilities earn 51% less and they are more likely to live in poverty.
“Nothing without us”: the Accessible Canada Act will be implemented in partnership with persons with disabilities and the disability community.
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