Revelstoke Community Social Development Committee

This is a committee of the City Council of Revelstoke. It is comprised of community social sector professionals, business representatives, community members and City councilors.

The committee will contribute to achieving the Community Vision by supporting all citizens through a responsible and caring social system. An annual Work Plan is developed to guide the committee on priority actions.

The committee has extended the Social Development Coordinator contract with Jill Zacharias for second year term July 15, 2009 – 2010 to assist the Committee in achieving its objectives.

The Community Economic Development department of the City of Revelstoke provides administrative support for the committee’s work.

2010 Completed Projects:

REVELSTOKE COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE USE STRATEGY

For many years, problem substance use has been identified as a community-wide social issue. This plan is based on comprehensive community consultation including surveys, focus groups and interviews. Research included a review of current available data and best practices in other communities. Although Revelstoke is identified as one of the top ten places to live in BC using a variety of socio-economic indicators, evidence reveals a myriad of challenges to address. Click here to download the strategy.

2009 Completed Projects

AN AGE FRIENDLY PLAN FOR REVELSTOKE AND AREA
A comprehensive plan for seniors was completed with support from the Union of BC Municipalities Seniors' Housing and Support Initiative Age-Friendly Planning Grant. The plan provides a broad spectrum of recommended actions that will help meet the needs seniors for years to come. Click here to view the final report.

Is your business age-friendly?  Click here for a comprehensive checklist of what supports your business can put in place to make it more accessible to seniors and others with mobility challenges.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN UPDATE - JUNE 2009
The "Integrating" and "Primarily Social" Goals of the 2007 Community Development Action Plan for Revelstoke and Area were updated and compiled. This project was completed with the assistance of a seed grant from BC Healthy Communities. Click here to view the final report.

SENIORS RESOURCE GUIDE 
A guide for seniors describing local services including contact information, as well as information on how to access provincial and federal programs.  Click here to view the guide.

Celebration of Achievements

 REVELSTOKE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUPPORT RECOGNIZED IN BC LEGISLATURE

On November 4, 2009 the City of Revelstoke and Early Childhood Development Committee were congratulated in the BC Legislature for being ranked number one in the province in preparing children for kindergarten. Columbia River Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald made a presentation to the Legislature in which he commended this exceptional accomplishment, which made the news across BC. All members of the Legislature showed their appreciation.

MacDonald stated that, “providing this level of support for young children takes time and resources and a strong commitment from people who are passionate about early learning. It recognizes Revelstoke’s strong belief that investing in children is the wisest investment we can make.”

ECD Coordinator, Tracy Spannier, summed it up, “you don’t get a result like this without having families that are really involved with their children and being able to access programs and services. Revelstoke is a great place to raise children.”

REVELSTOKE HOME TO FIRST NEIGHBOURHOOD LEARNING CENTRES

BC’s first two Neighbourhood Learning Centres will come to life at the new Revelstoke Secondary (RSS) school and the new elementary school. The RSS project will include a 275-seat community theatre and coordinated health services for vulnerable teens that bring together an on-site social worker, mental health services and substance abuse prevention.

The elementary school centre will become B.C.’s first early-learning hub designed to provide seamless services for children from infancy to school age. The early-learning hub will include: a StrongStart BC program, two state-of-the-art child care centres, an early-learning library, the child-care resource and referral program, and after school care.

The school will also become the new home of programs that provide medical, dental, literacy and community services to students and their families. Another exciting feature of this school will be the addition of an acrobatic centre.

Premier Campbell commended the Revelstoke school district for bringing community partners together in designing these schools with the needs of the community in mind. This has become a model for other communities who wish to develop Neighbourhood Learning Centres.

The total project budget for both schools and centres is about $50 million. The school district plans to begin construction in the spring of 2010, with Revelstoke Elementary expected to open in the fall of 2011 and Revelstoke Secondary in early 2012.  The projects will include B.C. wood in their construction whenever possible and will be built to achieve LEED Gold certification for energy efficiency.

For more information, visit www.sd19.bc.ca