Hello Everyone!

I hope things are going well for you and that you will do something special for yourself this long weekend - here's hoping the sun shines!

Reminder: The next Vancouver support group is on Monday, May 25th, at Raven Song Community Health Centre, 2450 Ontario Street, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. The group is on the 4th Monday of each month. You are most welcome to attend every month or once in a while- get support, give support to each other!

Family Conference: I was happy to see some of you at the recent family conference at VGH. I wish I could have had more time to spend visiting with you but as one of the organizers, I was busy with "details"! It was a great opportunity to meet and talk to other family members as well as a chance to learn something new and to hear personal stories of recovery, bringing hope and encouragement.

Special Events Coming Up!

RIDE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Check out www.therideformentalhealth.org to find out more about Mel Thompson's RIDE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, which kicks off on Tuesday, May 19th. Mel is bicycling across Canada to raise awareness and acceptance of mental health issues. Show your support by emailing him or showing up at Vanier Park at 11:00 a.m. or at noon, at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Georgia Street side,next Tuesday!

LEAVE A LEGACY FREE SEMINAR

BCSS and the Mind Foundation will be at this seminar distributing information about the work we do. The seminar is offered by the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, and will be on "What Estate Planning Can Offer You".

The seminar is on Thursday, May 28th from 2 - 4 pm and will be held at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Auditorium, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver. Parking is free.

For more information, call (604)299-3908 ext 343 or kathy_mannas@can.salvationarmy.org

Local Event Sponsor: TD Waterhouse

FROM SHADOW TO LIGHT: A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR COTTAGE FARM FOR MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY

Join others on Saturday, May 30th at 8 pm at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church in Vancouver (Burrard and Nelson) for a special concert to raise money for Cottage Farm, a planned not-for-profit therapeutic community where individuals with severe and persistent mental illness can live and work alongside staff and volunteers in a farm-like setting.

Highlights of concert include performances by Jane Mortifee and Lynn Williams, Shari and Julia Ulrich and a 155 voice choir.

For tickets, call Lorna at 778-231-9062 or the North Shore Unitarian Church, 604-926-1621 or St Andrew's Wesley United Church, 604-683-4574. Doors open at 7:30 pm.

There is a lot of "good stuff" going on!

All the best

Linda Proudfoot

Coordinator, Van/Richmond BCSS