A40 - North Shore News - Wednesday, November 23, 2011
get to know the not-for-profit organizations in our community
North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre INMAN ROOM, NS NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE, 225 EAST 2ND ST., NORTH VANCOUVER
Our focus
The North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre’s mission is to assist stroke survivors and their families to recover to the best of their abilities in all aspects of their life.
Our people
With only four part-time employees and four part-time therapists, NSSRC is able to provide more than 30 hours of group and one-to-one therapy services every week. This service is only possible because of the 95 hours per week of support received from dedicated North Shore volunteers. We thank the community for this ongoing and much appreciated support!
Facts
Every year, more than 400 North Shore residents are affected by stroke — many of whom are left with debilitating conditions. The services provided at the North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre give stroke survivors the strong peer support and continued therapy that they need to help them recover as best they can.
contact us telephone 778 340 5803 email info@nssrc.org internet www.nssrc.org
Our work in the community Since 1974 the NSSRC has been the North Shore’s main service provider of stroke recovery and community reintegration services for individuals no longer receiving outpatient rehabilitation. The Centre operates in two locations — North Shore Neighborhood House in North Vancouver and St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in West Vancouver — and our services have expanded to include almost 1,400 hours of speech, music and exercise therapy per year. Increased therapy improves the outcome for stroke survivors after a brain attack and as a result reduces the burden on the medical community for these patients.
Testimonial
“I am a senior who suffered speech and mobility challenges after a stroke and have been attending the North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre for the past five years. At the centre I receive speech, music and exercise therapy as well as the chance to socialize with fellow survivors. I am able to take handyDART transit to and from the centre and attend the program without my full-time caregiver. Without the friends I have made at the centre I would be very lonely and there would not have been a focus to my life. The understanding and encouragement I receive from the therapists, volunteers and friends at the centre have meant the world to me. There are no other programs that offer this type of environment on the North Shore and I would be devastated if the program were not able to continue.”
West Vancouver Community Foundation 1538 FULTON AVENUE, WEST VANCOUVER
Our focus
Through the growth and stewardship of donated and managed funds and by awarding grants to a broad range of recipients within the community, the West Vancouver Community Foundation provides leadership and philanthropic services that enrich the quality of life both for present and future residents of West Vancouver. Priority is given to projects where the emphasis is on health, education, the arts, social services and the improvement of West Vancouver’s physical environment.
Our people
The West Vancouver Community Foundation was founded in 1979 by then-mayor Derrick Humphreys. Today, thirteen people sit on the volunteer board of directors, including chair Gerry Humphries.
A recent story
In September a survivor — who suffered a stroke seven years ago that severely limited her ability to speak — came to us with an iPad. A volunteer with computer training worked with this member to learn a speech translation application that was installed on the iPad. Within a few hours the member — with guidance from the volunteer — was able to formulate questions she wanted the computer to read aloud. She is continuing to learn how to successfully communicate her needs, feelings and opinions with family and friends.
Upcoming events
Christmas Concert at Capilano Mall December 8, 2011 at 1 p.m.
How you can get involved
Without the support of North Shore residents we would be unable to continue providing valuable services to our residents. To volunteer or to make a donation, please go to www.nssrc.org.
with Charities
Our work in the community Since its inception the West Vancouver Community Foundation has accumulated net assets in excess of $4 million, has more than 42 funds, has granted more than $1 million to support local projects and organizations and awarded more than $160,000 in scholarships to students in West Vancouver.
The “three pillars” of the WVCF 1.Building endowment funds by attracting new donors; 2.Awarding annual grants to charitable organizations in West Vancouver; 3.Determining the unique needs of the community and how to best help meet those needs. “The income we earn from our funds we give back to the community to make West Vancouver a vital, healthy and sustainable community, through the power of belonging and giving” says executive director Delaina Bell.
A recent story The West Vancouver Community Foundation helped shepherd the development of the newly opened Rutledge Field artificial turf project at Ambleside Park, working in concert with the West Vancouver Field Hockey Club, West Vancouver Soccer Club and the District of West Vancouver to provide a new top-tier training facility for both the West Vancouver Field Hockey and Soccer Clubs.
Upcoming events February 15, 2012: annual deadline for grant applications. Applications are available on the foundation’s website.
contact us telephone 604 925 8153 email westvanfoundation@telus.net internet www.westvanfoundation.com
April 3, 2012: entitled Maintaining vitality in your senior years. The foundation presents its annual speaker series at the Kay Meek Centre, moderated by Dr. Art Hister. May 25, 2012: the foundation teams with the North Shore Community Foundation to present the 5th annual North Shore Mayors Golf Tournament at the Seymour Golf and Country Club.
How you can get involved The WVCF is always looking for potential board and committee members and community volunteers to be involved in the grant and scholarship process. Contact executive director Delaina Bell at the West Vancouver Community Foundation for more information.