Did you know that half of new HIV infections occur in young people between the ages of 15 to 25? Check out this great article in The Daily News today: ASK Wellness can promote AIDS Walk in school. Organizers from ASK Wellness of the annual AIDS Walk For Life will make their rounds in city schools during the coming weeks to promote the event and educate students about the dangers of HIV.

Don’t forget to come on out and show your community spirit on Saturday, September 18th  by wearing red and white to the ScotiaBank AIDS walk for life!

Click here

To read the latest issue of Off the Curb featuring:

ASK Wellness is gearing up for the Scotia
Bank AIDS Walk for Life on Saturday,
September 18th at the Farmer’s Market in
downtown Kamloops. This fundraising and awareness
event will be held nationally in communities
across Canada. We encourage you and your
family, business, musical bands and friends to
come out and collect pledges for the AIDS Walk for
Life. You will be making a difference in the lives of
those affected with HIV and AIDS within Kamloops!
This year there are several categories to enter and amazing prizes to be won!*
Some of the loot up for grabs includes:
4 Two weekend passes to Komasket Music Festival Roots & Blues Festival and Mt.
Robson Music Festival
4 Family pass for four to Adams River Rafting Tours
4 Two passes to Sun Rivers Golf Course
4 Ten ticket package to the Vancouver Film Festival
4 One-half Wrap (vehicle billboard advertising custom made for the winning small
business)
4 Two professionally recorded demos at One World Records in Kelowna for the winning
singer, songwriter or original band
… and much, much more!

The Scotia Bank Aids Walk for Life is on September 18th.  The event begins at The Farmers Market at 9:30 with opening ceremonies, registration and a warm up.  The walk starts at 10:45 and from 11:30 to 1:30 there is a free BBQ, music and awards.  Visit www.aidswalkforlife.ca or click HERE for more information.

Last night, 120 people attended a Community Forum at The Kamloops United Church hosted by Changing the Face of Poverty.  The forum was to introduce the Kamloops Homelessness Action Plan (HAP).  HAP is a formal, 5-year plan to end homelessness in Kamloops.

The plan has been in the works since November of 2008 starting with a steering committee and eventually adding three subcommittees: Housing, Support Services, and Bridging to Financial Independance. The formation of the plan has involved all sectors of the community including business, labour, government, Aboriginal groups, faith-based groups, non-profit agencies, community and neighbourhood groups, correctional agencies, work centres, for-profit community service organizations, private landlords, and homeless individuals themselves.

The next step is to hire a Coordinator to carry out the recommendations and strategies suggested in the plan. Changing the Face of Poverty has applied for funding from Kamloops Homeless Partnering Strategy program for first year funding of this position and Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way has agreed to fund the second year.

Speakers at the event included Frank Anderson, BCGEU; John Paul Baker, HAP facilitator; James Hughes, former homeless person; Jason Fawcett, Kelson Group; Bob Hughes, ASK Wellness; Nathan Lane, Executive Director TRUSU; and Tony Ryan, Domtar Pulp & Paper.

Click here to read an article in the Kamloops Daily News about the Community Forum.
Click here to read the Homelessness Action Plan.

ASK Wellness Centre has just released its latest edition of Off The Curb newsletter. 
click here to read the newsletter.

The AIDS Society of Kamloops (ASK) is a local agency that is dedicated to helping those in need in our community. The mandate of ASK has broadened to include providing awareness, education, advocacy, housing, and support related to HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, marginalization and persons at risk, in order to develop healthier communities. Following the agencies guiding principles of harm reduction, client centered and social justice; the staff and volunteers of ASK are involved in addressing the needs of our communities’ most vulnerable population.

The 2010 Boogie the Bridge is just around the corner on May 2nd.  The charity of choice for this year’s Boogie is the ASK Wellness Centre.  A team of staff and clients from ASK Wellness Centre, lead by Executive Director Bob Hughes, are lacing up their shoes in preparation for this year’s Boogie the Bridge. 

www.dailynewsboogie.ca

www.askwellness.ca

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

As the charity of choice for The Daily News Boogie on May 2, 2010 we will require 150 volunteers to make this event as successful as possible!

Come help raise awareness and funds for homeless families and individuals to secure and maintain a regular source of income and stable housing. The ASK Wellness Centre is a dedicated team of professionals, community members and volunteers who offer housing assistance, HIV/AIDS awareness, education and support in the Thompson/Cariboo/Shuswap Health Services Area.

ASK Wellness is looking for volunteers for water / event tables, motivational chalk team, set-up / clean-up, start / finish line and registration.

If you are willing and able please come to our MEET AND GREET on March 22, 2010 at 7pm.

To donate directly or for more information about this event or our programs please contact:

Cheryl Doolan

250-376-7558 x 226

cheryl@askwellness.ca

On Monday, November 23^rd, Northern Trailer delivered the first of 4 containers full of single beds - 200 in total - they are donating to the community through United Way. These beds, from their mining camps, will be put to good use by ASK Wellness, CMHA , Weiser House and many other United Way Community Partners. Jim and Jamie Rose @ Four Corners Storage have generously offered storage while the distribution of the beds is coordinated.

Recipients of the beds will include those staying at Henry Leland and Crossroads housing, CMHA’s Emerald House clients who are moving into their own housing, and various other individuals who are acquiring housing while struggling with mental health and addictions challenges.

United Way’s mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. One way that we can do this is by being the connection between those with resources (information, time, expertise, dollars and tangible goods) and those that are in need. We are proud to play this role and support our Community Partners and other non-profits organizations working tirelessly for a better community.

A safe supportive community is everyone’s responsibility.

Addicted to Distraction

Highlighting youth participation, this year’s conference will focus on Process Addictions such as technology, gaming, gambling, sex, eating, and shopping.

It will be of particular interest to young adults, students, parents and, to those who work with youth.

For more information, please contact: Bonnie at (250) 819-1571, or click on the links to more information on the right.

Kamloops once again provided us with beautiful, hot sunny weather for the 6th Annual Community Carnival, put on in partnership with the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association. 30 non-profit agencies and local vendors set up on the 300 block of Victoria Street on Thursday, July 16th for a full 6 hours of games, activities, music, food and even magic.

An event for all ages, the Carnival saw tremendous support from the community with generous donations from Jumpzone, Fun Factor, Rogers Rental, Ken’s Catering, Falcon Lanes Bowling Alley, Desert Gardens and Radio NL. With help from these sponsors, the Carnival was able to host bouncy castles, a dunk tank, fresh popcorn, hot dogs and burgers, and also provided resources to participants who needed a little assistance. Lots of other fun games and challenges were also put on by non-profit agencies, to build up the fun carnimval atmosphere and also share information about the organizations and their important community roles.

Overall, the Community Carnival was a fantastic summer day in the beautiful Kamloops downtown core. Tons of fun was had by all, and fundraising for local non-profits was a big success. THANK YOU again to all those who participated and visited the downtown core that day.

2009 Carnival Participants:

Ken's Mobile Catering




Kipp's Kettle Popcorn




Instinct Adornment




ASK Wellness




Brain Injury Association




Society for Community Living




CMHA




Elizabeth Fry




Kamloops Immigrant Services




People in Motion




Kamloops Food Bank




Boys and Girls Club




Big Brothers Big Sisters




Sexual Assault Counselling Centre




St. John Ambulance




Success by 6




United Way




SPCA




CAP Team




BC Hydro PowerSmart




Bear Aware




Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP)




ECO Smart Team




White Buffalo Society




Crime Stoppers




Service Canada Centre for Youth




CIBC Run for the Cure




Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation




Ye Olde Courthouse Players




Katimavik




Rogers Rental




Fun Factor




JumpZone




Golden Buddha

THANK YOU again to all those who participated and visited the downtown core that day.