Vol. 25 No. 1 January 2011 www.burnsidegorge.ca

Community NewsBurnside Gorge

Napier building scheduled for removalINSIDE THIS ISSUEActivity Guide

Thank You

From family centre programs for the whole family to Thi Chi for those with mobility issues, the BGCA has something for everyone.

This December community members and businesses came together to support our programs. Read about how those in our community have made a difference.

Burnside Gorge welcomes new staff

You can expect to see some activity on Napier Lane in the new year. The building at 3110-3140 Napier Lane is scheduled to be removed, with deconstruction beginning the first week of January. The property will be converted to park space and incoporated into Cecelia Ravine Park. Ralmax expects that the building will be down and the site cleared by the end of January.

The Burnside Gorge Community Association is pleased to welcome several new staff members

to the team. You can look forward to meeting these new folks in the new year.

Sandy Ferrin Community Recreation Coordinator

Sandy comes to Burnside from Vancouver Parks and Recreation, where she spent 15 years as a rec-reation programmer developing programming for children, youth, special events and fitness. Prior to her time in Vancouver, Sandy was involved in fit-ness and aquatics in New Brunswick. Sandy is an ambassador with BCRPA as a facilitator for HIGH Five and Everybody Gets to Play initiatives.

Sandy will be developing recreation programs and special events at Burnside Gorge. She is look-ing forward to working on our existing fabulous and successful events and developing existing and new programs.

Vince Burgers Housing Outreach Worker

Vince graduated from the University of Victo-ria’s School of Child and Youth Care.

Continued on page 3... BGCN

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I was pleased to report at our recent December An-

nual General Meeting that the Burnside Gorge Community Association ended the 2009-10 fiscal year in a healthy financial position. While numbers are only one part of any organization, these num-bers help us tell the story of our accomplishments in the past year.

Through the recession, the Burnside Gorge Community Association continued to offer high-quality and essential services to residents. We were able to retain and sometimes grow our revenue, and we did not need to downsize any of our staff. During a year of economic uncertainty, we were proud to be a reliable foundation for our commu-nity. This accomplishment is a testament to the commitment and talent of the Association’s staff and volunteers, and to the faith that our funders and supporters have in us to deliver excellent re-sults across a broad range of expectations.

At its most simple, the Burnside Gorge Commu-nity Association is about connections. We connect individuals and families to services through our programs; we connect neighbours to one another through our events; and we connect our communi-ty to the City by providing opportunities to partici-pate in decisions that affect our neighbourhood. In doing all this, we contribute to the well being of our members, clients, staff, and neighbourhood overall.

The diversity of our neighbourhood and our proximity to downtown means that handling land

use and development decisions is an important and busy part of the Association’s work. Our Associa-tion worked hard to help create a Good Neighbour Agreement for the new Rock Bay Landing Emer-gency Shelter and Transitional Housing, which opened its doors in November on Ellice Street. This year, the City of Victoria also acquired two motel properties to provide supportive housing. The As-sociation has extensive experience in supporting families at risk of homelessness, and we commit to working collaboratively with the facility operators so that these facilities can integrate safely into the community. We continue to work with the City of Victoria to find a replacement for the parkland lost on Ellice Street, and we are hopeful that a suitable property will be found in the next year. Stay tuned!

Starting in 2011, the Association will be moving our annual general meeting to February. This will shift us away from scheduling the AGM during the busy holiday season, and is more in line with our fiscal year and financial reporting requirements.

Whether you’ve come to a community meeting, enrolled in a class at the centre, made a donation to a special fundraising event, or have children in our out-of-school programs, we thank you for be-ing part of us. We always welcome your feedback on how we’re doing, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch to share your ideas.

We wish you all the best for a joyous holiday season, and we look forward to serving the needs of residents in 2011 and beyond.

Letter from the Burnside Gorge BoardTracy James, Chair, Burnside Gorge Community Association

Kim Perkins, editor

Above: (left to right) Burnside staff members Vince, Ryan and Sandy

Burnside Gorge Community News January 20112

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Community NewsPublished by the

Burnside Gorge Community Association471 Cecelia Rd Victoria BC, V8T 4T4T. 250-388-5251 | F. 250-388-5269

www.burnsidegorge.ca

Editor: Kim Perkins

BGCA Board of DirectorsTracy James, ChairMichelle Peterson, Vice-ChairCatherine McGregor, TreasurerTJ Schur, SecretaryLesley ValourVickie Jackson

TO ADVERTISE

As a not-for-profit organization, we depend on advertising to cover publishing costs. Please contact us for current rates and information:250-388-5251 ext. 223 | kim@burnsidegorge.ca

Note: Written contributions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the BGCA or its staff.

Starting with his crass prorogation of Parliament at the end of last year, Stephen Harper never

failed to miss an opportunity in 2010 to divide Ca-nadians for his own partisan political ends. But with your cooperation, New Democrats brought people together to achieve practical results. From limiting prorogation powers to protecting jobs and pensions to opposing the extension of the military mission in Afghanistan, we represented you and your values.

Our legislative initiatives accounted for 60% of all private members’ business, and all of our op-position day motions were passed in the House of Commons. We stood up for the issues that mat-tered to you and you, in turn, campaigned for our legislation. New Democrat bills and motions passed because of your emails, phone calls, tweets and Facebook posts that put pressure on MPs from all parties to drop the political games and support good legislation.

Our legislation dealt with issues that matter to Canadians. We introduced Bill C-304 to create a

national housing strategy to address the homeless-ness crisis and lack of affordable housing across Canada. We stood up for protection of wild salmon and passed a motion to ban oil tanker traffic off the north coast of British Columbia. Bill C-501 on securing pensions for more than five million Ca-nadians passed second reading and Bill C-393 to provide inexpensive HIV/AIDS drugs for Africa passed committee and is before the House. Bill C-474, the GMO seeds market analysis bill will be subject to a special six-hour debate in the New Year.

Conservative priorities are completely out of touch with what Victorians tell me is important to them. Household debt is climbing, people are still out of work, our cost of living is going up and there is no plan to tackle Canada’s affordability crisis.

I am proud of New Democrats accomplish-ments in 2010 and look forward to a productive 2011. Please keep writing and phoning. I am listen-ing and working hard for you in Ottawa and here in Victoria.

While Harper sought to divide us, New Democrats got results for Canadians: 2010 in review

Get active with Burnside GorgeBurnside Gorge

Denise Savoie, Victoria MP

This year, get active with Burnside Gorge. Whether you're looking to get fit, learn a new

language, meet new friends or develop your skills as a parent, Burnside Gorge has a program for you.

We offer programs for children, youth, adults and seniors. Please see the Winter 2011 Activity Guide for a complete list of programs available this winter.

Relax, learn, play with Burnside Gorge.

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Burnside Gorge Community News January 2011 3

Dodd’s Furnitureacross from Mayfair shopping centre

715 Finlayson StCall 388-6663

We won’t be undersold!

Locally owned and operated. Serving Victoria since 1977.www.doddsfurniture.com

Rob Fleming, MLAVictoria – Hillside

1020 Hillside Avenue

250 360.2023 rob.fleming.mla@leg.bc.ca

Serving Our Community

Burnside Gorge welcomes new staff

650 Hillside AveVictoria BC, V8T 1Z2Guaranteed service since 1959

250-384-4722Fax 250-384-8860

info@russhays.comwww.russhays.com

The Burnside Gorge Safety Committee wants to hear from you

Contact Lesley at safety.bgca@gmail.com

Share your ideas and concerns about safety in the neighbourhood

Looking back: Board member reflects on years of community development in Burnside Gorge

I have been involved in some way with the Burn-side Gorge Community Association since it be-

gan. My husband was one of the group of people who started the association in the early 1990’s while I was at home with preschoolers. When my kids went off to school I realized that a revolution – the computer revolution – had happened while I was at home and I was horrified to find that I was pretty well illiterate in this new form of commu-nication. So I went to see Dean Fortin at the com-munity office and asked if there was a volunteer job I could do that would teach me how to use the computer.

His response was to make me one of the editors of the newsletter! While it often felt that this was the equivalent of teaching me to swim by throwing me in the deep end, it was mostly thrilling since it gave me permission to interview any person in this community that piqued my interest.

But more importantly, being editor, then Presi-dent of the Board and finally Chair of the Land Use Committee, gave me an opportunity to learn about the many different parts of the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood and watch some pretty amazing people work hard to change our community for the better.

I watched Dean Fortin work every angle he could think of to get our fabulous Community Cen-tre built.

I watched the Community Centre staff change lives by building terrific programs for our children and families.

I watched Denise Savoie and her band of bicy-clists push through the Galloping Goose Trail.

I watched Mr.Jawl build the Selkirk develop-ment which brought, among other improvements, better access to the waterfront and great restau-rants.

And I watched Tom Arkell as he demonstrated

every day how to be great community volunteer.

But what impressed me the most was watching the residents of Burnside Gorge as they came to-gether on many occasions to effectively raise their concerns over the future direction of this neigh-bourhood.

I have always been impressed that, when a problem needed solving, this community has come together to ask the tough, perceptive questions and effectively organize to get our problems heard and sometimes solved.

I’ve watched this community change a great deal over the years that I have been involved with the BGCA and I believe that many of the changes have been very positive. But there are still areas that cause me concern. I worry about the future of the area around Gorge and Rock Bay roads. Will the concentration of people in that area needing help be successfully absorbed into the neighbour-hood? Another issue that needs to be addressed is Burnside Road with its heavy traffic and poor pe-destrian environment.

So as I look forward to pursuing other endeav-ors in my spare time, I am pleased that I will be leaving a strong Board of Directors and Executive Director who are skilled and dedicated in their commitment to this community.

Kate Forster has been a member of the BGCA Board for approximately 15 years and a mem-ber of the Burnside Gorge community for 26 years. Kate has been involved with a number of community initiatives including the restoration and daylighting of Cecelia Creek. At the Annual General Meeting in December, Kate stepped down from the Board of Directors. Her involve-ment and dedication will be greatly missed, but we look forward to seeing her again at Land Use meetings and at events in the community.

...continued from page 1.

In May, 2010 Vince received a practicum place-ment with Burnside’s C’NEX and Family Develop-ment Response Program, working to reduce risk to children and reunify families. After his placement, Vince continued his work with the C’NEX program as a volunteer.

As a Housing Outreach Worker, Vince provides housing support and outreach to families, con-nects them to resources and supports and provides support for income assistance. Vince says this po-sition is a good fit for him because he’s always been the “go-to” guy for people. He is looking forward to spending more time with the awesome team at Burnside.

Lauren Employment Assistance Worker

Lauren joins Burnside Gorge through a new partnership with the Ministry of Social Develop-ment. Lauren provides community based income assistance services to families already receiving as-sistance and who prefer to access a worker in the Burnside Gorge area. Lauren is at the centre every Thursday. Call to set up an appointment.

Linda Ferris Child and Family Counsellor

Linda joins Burnside from Phoenix Human Services. She will be working with at-risk families through the C’NEX program and Family Develop-ment Response, to reduce risk to children. Linda works with the Integrated Family Service Team which also provides services to families through 0-6 programs, housing outreach, youth centre and youth outreach programs.

Ryan Calbick Family Advisor

Ryan recently transitioned into the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program from Burnside’s Hous-ing Outreach program where he worked for 5 years. Ryan will work with families enrolled in the FSS program to build goals and skills with a focus on stability and financial literacy. Ryan is pleased to join the fabulous FSS team and work with the hard working participants enrolled in the program.

Kate Forster, past Board member

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Burnside Gorge Community News January 20114

Volunteer CORNER...recognizing those who give their time

The Volunteer Dept. is made possible through support by The Provincial Employees Community Services Fund. To become a volunteer contact:

kim@burnsidegorge.ca or call 250-388-5251

This month we are recognizing long-time board member, Kate Forster for

her many years of dedicated service to the Association. Kate has been a community member for 26 years and she has been in-volved with the Association since it began. At the December Annual General Meet-ing, Kate resigned from her position on the Board of Directors. She will continue her involvement with the Land Use Committee and as a community member, enjoying our special events.

During her years at Burnside Gorge, Kate has been an editor for the newsletter, Board President, Land Use Chair and provided support at nu-merous special events. Kate raised her children in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood and bought them out to many, many events.

Dean Fortin, City of Victoria Mayor and first Executive Director of the BGCA, commends the fantastic and long contributions that Kate and her family have made to Burnside Gorge and its development. From the res-toration and daylighting of Cecelia Creek to her involvement with current initiatives to improve Cecelia Ravine Park, Kate’s efforts have helped lay the foundation for the fantastic and wonderful park our neighbourhood now enjoys.

We wish Kate the best of luck in her new endeavours and we look for-ward to seeing her at future events as a participant.

Thank you Kate.

Volunteer Profile Kate Forster

Thank you, from our family to yours

This December, and throughout 2010, the Burnside Gorge Community Association received support from numerous individuals and business-

es in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood and throughout Greater Victoria.

Thanks to this generous support from the community, we were able to pro-vide events for our community and food, clothes and Christmas hampers for families in need.

Here are some highlights from December:

Realtors, Tony Joe & Associates hosted their annual client appreciation event at the IMAX Theatre. The event brought in more than $750 and four bins of food and gifts for Christmas hampers at Burnside Gorge. 75 families from our community enjoyed a Christmas movie with their family and com-munity, free of charge.

Island Savings partnered with Burnside to provide sponsorship for the Christmas Gift Show and Santa's Pancake Breakfast, two well-attended community events.

We provided Christmas hampers to more than 90 families in need in our community.

We provided winter coats to over 50 children and youth.

140 children, youth and adults enjoyed a free Christmas dinner with their neighbours at the Community Christmas Dinner.

More than 360 children and families enjoyed a pancake breakfast and photos with Santa at our community centre during Santa’s Pancake Breakfast.

250 guests attended our first ever Christmas Gift Show, raising money to support programs at the community centre.

McGregor Socks donated 200 pairs of socks for those in need in our com-munity. Special thanks to Congregation Emanu-El for coordinating the dis-tribution.

More than 100 volunteers helped cook Christmas meals, wrap presents, greet guests, take photos and decorate our centre. Thank you!

More than 40 people supported our Active Families Fundraiser, providing sponsorship for low-income families to access recreation programs at Burn-side Gorge. Special thanks to Charlayne Thornton-Joe and Catherine Mc-Gregor for their incredible coffee-selling talents. BG

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This year, spend time with your friends and meet new ones at the Scene Youth Centre.

Enjoy playing in pool tournaments, playing Wii, foosball, air hockey or watching a movie.

New participants are always welcome.

Dinner Drop In 5-8pm ThursdaysJust the Guys 4:30-6pm Fridays

Friday Night Drop In 6-9 Fridays

For more information call 250-388-5251 or visit www.burnsidegorge.ca.